16 Aug - Fort Kent, Madawaska, Van Buren, Limestone, Rendezvous

16 Aug
Did a big loop today.

We started in the campground and drove to Caribou.  Then we headed north to Fort Kent, which is an entry point from Canada.  We used to go through Fort Kent when we headed home to Iowa and when we came back.  The Canadian route was shorter and easier than going through the US.

The drive to Fort Kent was very scenic.  Doreen thought she saw a moose in a lady's front yard but I did not see it.  I'm sure we will see at least one before the visit is over.

Solar powered warning sign. The two opposing amber lights alternately flash.

We visited the Fort Kent Block House. It was built and used during the Aroostook War of 1839, and land boundary disagreement between New Brunswick and Maine.

The Block House, part of Fort Kent.  The Boy Scouts play a large part in taking care of it and staffing the visitor center.

Upstairs with many artifacts on display

One of the original steel markers that identified Canada from the US.

We also found the very end of US Route 1 in Fort Kent, which starts in Key West FL.  There is a monument right before you cross the bridge into Canada.

A very nice monument

US Customs.  Been there!

After that we headed down the river road, through many small Maine towns including Madawaska, and into Van Buren.  There used to be a "watering hole" in Van Buren called the Yacht Club.  It was frequented by the young Airmen at Loring Air Force Base and also young ladies from Canada, just across the border.  Since Doreen and I were married, we only went there a few times before Michelle was born, then our social life changed a bit and more of the event were held at our house!  So we found what used to be the Yacht Club, but it is closed.

 Onward to points south and Limestone Maine!  Loring's address is Limestone, so legally, Michelle was born in Limestone Maine!  Neither Doreen or I could remember a whole lot about Limestone.  That is where we got our first pooch, Fonzi the Sheepdog.  There is not much left of the town, especially since the base closed.  That had a huge economic impact on the whole area.

Main Street!  Pretty dead!

So after Limestone we headed towards Loring to stop for lunch at one of our old favorites, the Rendezvous, or better known as the "Vous".  They had great pizza, even better sausage and meatball grinders, and the beer was always plentiful, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.  It was right outside Loring's Main Gate, so the Airmen would pack the place.  It has not changed much, especially on the outside.

Same sign that was here in 1974

Quite a few of their patrons today were folks like us that are here for the Loring AFB open house/reunion.

Doreen checking out the menu

My sausage and mushroom grinder.  I could only eat about half of it.  The rest will be lunch tomorrow.  Doreen ordered pizza and the majority of it we brought back to the RV for future meals.  

 Well, that's about it today.  We came back to the RV, watched the Cubs beat the Brewers in the first game of a double header.  The second game will be played tonight.  Hopefully this is not too boring for you guys.  It's a walk down memory lane for Doreen and I.