Back in the U. S. of A.

 We made a quick trip back into the U.S. today, to Presque Isle, Maine, to get our prescriptions filled. We had planned ahead and had gotten a three month supply, but the Sam's Club/Walmart pharmacy, which share a database, was unable to supply a full 3-month supply of one medication. Campbellton, New Brunswick, where we are currently, is the closest Canadian location to a U.S. Walmart pharmacy, so we made the 270 mile round trip today, just so we can stay another month in Canada.

The drive from Campbellton to Presque Isle was on Canadian route #17 and US route #1. The Canadian portion seemed to be the truck route from this part of Canada to the U.S., and they were really "trucking"! Most of the time they were passing us as we drove the speed limit.

The Canadian portion continues to be Acadian Country with lots of red, white and blue with gold stars. In fact, many of the little villages completely gave up on English signage and there were only signs in French. We came across the border at Van Buren, Maine, and we had to wait a total of 30 seconds to go through the crossing.  Same on the way back into Canada where there was no one ahead of us. We got the feeling that we are not the first U.S. citizens that come across here to fill prescriptions. The border crossing people seemed used to that explanation. (We also bought a bottle of vodka, which we acknowledged at the border, because it is so much cheaper in the U.S.)

We were in two largest-sized cities, Caribou and Presque Isle, the Walmart was in Presque Isle. Caribou bills itself as the most northeastern city in the U.S. The most notable aspect for me was the complete predictability of the U.S. You know what to expect in the stores and in traveling the streets. That is different from our experience in Canada where there always seems something that delights or is notable or slightly different from the U.S. We've gotten to really like Canada.

The drive down was quite lovely, but fall is definitely on the way. The deciduous trees among the firs and pines are showing signs of changing color. The trick is going to be seeing the fall color up here in the north but be back in the U.S. before the snow flies.

The border crossing at Van Buren is brand new and there is a nice park that greeted us as we drove out of the customs office. Frederick found this moose to have his picture taken with.

Called "Grand State of Maine", this cast bronze statue was completed in 2013. (Nina Katchadourian, b. 1968, Stanford, CA.) This life-size sculpture incorporates all the emblematic symbols of the state of Maine, from the state mammal (moose) to the state treat (see the Coke can under the moose in the picture above).

Van Buren is still Acadian. Notice the red, white and blue, with the gold star, in the greeting sign. 

This is the sidewalk in town. Notice the hanging from the lamp post. These lined the main street.

It is also farming country and this is one serious tractor proudly traveling through town.

We stopped on the way back and took this picture with the sun coming from the other direction. Here you can see the Maine Coon Cat on the moose and the fish jumping between the front legs of the moose, as well as the Coke can.

In the small town of Saint Quentin (we kept calling it San Quentin) there was this huge church. The bell in the front is the old bell from the wooded church that burned in 1944. It was originally placed it this bell tower until it was replaced by a four-bell carillon in the 1960's. There was a sign that explained all this - written in French, with no English.

I can't explain why I find this so fascinating, but vehicles carrying around a lobster trap get me jumping out of the car to take a picture. This was in the parking lot of the grocery store in Campbellton.