Maine
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The Mountain Road of Midcoast Maine – A Drive Down Maine Route 220
In the small coastal town of Friendship, Maine, two very obscure routes meet. Route 97, to the east, is obscure for a simple reason: It’s only a short 9 and a half mile long connector to Thomaston. But the other is a bit more interesting. It connects 11 towns across 3 counties, and runs for…
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A Loop on the Quiet Side of Mt. Desert Island – A Drive Down Maine Route 102
In the village of Somesville, Maine, on the western half of Mt. Desert Island, sits perhaps the most interesting intersection in the state. My interest in this intersection doesn’t come from any of the surrounding landmarks, not the fire station in the northeast corner nor the theatre just east of that. Rather, what makes this…
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The Road West Across Northern New England – A Drive Down US Route 2 (Part Two)
Just a few miles north of the bay of the mighty Penobscot River, he city of Bangor sits. Though Bangor would be considered tiny by most city standards around the country, it is one of Maine’s largest, and a center of commerce and culture for the state. It connects the rural Highlands, Downeast, and Aroostook…
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The Road West Across Northern New England – A Drive Down US Route 2 (Part One)
Just meters away from the border of Houlton, on the edge of Maine’s eastern Canadian border, the northern terminus of Interstate 95 has an off ramp. This ramp marks the very beginning of one of the country’s largest national highways, travelling all the way from here to Everett, Washington on the Pacific Ocean. And, numbering-wise,…
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A Journey Through Some of Maine’s Best Valleys – A Drive Down Maine Route 16
In the far western reaches of Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region sits the Magalloway River, entering the state from the rural north of New Hampshire. With no major towns around for over 20 miles in any direction, Maine Route 16 starts here, connecting New Hampshire Route 16 to the east. Maine Route 16 moves from…
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A Maine Highlands Journey Across the State – A Drive Down Maine Route 6 (Part Two)
At Route 6’s intersection with Interstate 95, the town of Howland sits quietly. A sort of in-between for travelers along the highway on their way north from Bangor, the town is little more than a junction stop for most. But today, it’s the start of the second half of my journey east, and the gateway…
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A Maine Highlands Journey Across the State – A Drive Down Maine Route 6 (Part One)
Deep in the rural northwest corner of Maine sits a small town named Jackman. Less that 15 miles from the Canadian border, this community is home to the region’s one and only airport, a few small grocers and hardware stores, and the split from Route 201 of one of Maine’s most prominent roadways: ME Route…
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Downeast Maine’s Forgotten Mountain Road – A Drive Down Maine Route 179
About 21 miles east of Bangor and 21 miles north of Ellsworth in Maine lies the small village of Aurora. This community of under 100 looks, on a map, like there’s very little to see. There’s a church, a boat launch to the Union River, and a small hilltop viewpoint in the center of town.…
One Road 