RAY AND ALL 50 HIT THE 20,000 MILE MARK TODAY!
Skowhegan to Plattsburg — Mexico, Maine & State #45
A milestone on the odometer, a town called Mexico, and State #45 — Vermont.
Day 57 delivered a milestone: 20,000 miles on the ALL50 road trip odometer.
Ray and Amanda were still in New England, working their way north through Maine before cutting west into New Hampshire and Vermont. The day's route took them through some of the most scenic terrain in the Northeast — and through a town called Mexico.
Mexico, Maine. Not the country. A small town in Oxford County, Maine, on the Androscoggin River. Ray arrived in Mexico today — and noted it with appropriate amusement.
The Dixville Notch in New Hampshire — a narrow mountain pass famous for being the first place in the country to vote in presidential elections — was another highlight. The Balsams, a grand resort hotel in the notch, has been hosting election night parties since 1960.
Then into Vermont — State #45 — and the state capital in Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the United States. Lake Champlain, on the Vermont-New York border, was the end of the day's driving.
Photos from the Day
Ray's Journal
Didn't get far. We just left the motel in Skowhegan and are stopped already.
Registration please!
All I was trying to do is take a picture on the bridge where the trip turned 20,000 miles! I am now blocking two engines at the fire house with an unmarked Impala and a plains clothes officer asking questions. This town didn't appear that big!
Handing the officer "The Card," he had been worried I would try to out run him. Is this The Dukes of Hazard? In a few moments we are laughing at the moment. No ticket. I've lost count, I think that's getting close to two dozen stops!
As we head east, we cross back into New Hampshire, revisiting. State # 44. It is a beautiful drive and the weather is perfect. Sunny, Blue skies and a few clouds.
Amanda is reading the map and giving me directions from my itinerary sheet.
Arriving in Errol, NH we had missed the turn in Gorham. Revisiting the map, and not wanting to backtrack, we continue on to Dixville Notch.
Coming over the Dixville Notch, the road breaks sharply down hill to a spectacular view of the Balsams. This is the location that has predicted the presidential outcome since 1960 with their balloting at midnight.
Heading south to Colebrook we are seen quite a few bikes on the road. In Coolbrook, there is a sign "Welcome Bikers" That explains it!
Heading for Montpelier we pass several groups and individuals on bikes. Soon we enter Vermont, State #46.
The Capitol is another beautiful gold-domed structure. Fortunately it is 5:30 PM on a Friday night and traffic is light around the capitol building as we take pictures.
Our intent is to get to Plattsburgh, New York tonight. It is 5:45 PM as we leave Montpellier and we have three options: 1. go to Burlington and take a ferry. 2. go to Grand Island and take a ferry or 3. drive up Route 2 and come back down the other side of Lake Champlain.
We opt for the Burlington ferry. It leaves at 7:30 PM and we will be able to enjoy the sunset on the water. Excellent choice. Pictures tell a thousand words! We unload and back in New York, State #40.
I have promised Amanda a good dinner tonight and we pass a restaurant right on the water above a small marina. The Harbor Side Restaurant is delicious and relaxing.
Now, all we have to do is find a room and call it another great day!
The Day's Route
Mexico, Maine
Mexico, Maine — a small town on the Androscoggin River in Oxford County. Not to be confused with the country. Ray arrived in Mexico today.
Errol, NH
Errol, New Hampshire — a tiny town at the junction of Routes 16 and 26, gateway to the North Country.
The Dixville Notch, NH
The Dixville Notch — a narrow mountain pass in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. Famous for being the first place in the country to vote in presidential elections: the handful of residents of Dixville Notch cast their ballots at midnight and report results before the rest of the country wakes up.
The Balsams
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch — a grand Victorian resort that has been hosting guests since 1866. The hotel's ballroom is where Dixville Notch's midnight voting takes place.
Montpelier, VT — State #45
Montpelier, Vermont — the smallest state capital in the United States, with a population of about 8,000. The gold-domed state capitol building is one of the most beautiful in New England.
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain — a 120-mile-long lake on the Vermont-New York border, draining north into the St. Lawrence River. Samuel de Champlain explored the lake in 1609.