Day 21
June 4th 2004
I'm not sipping scotch as I'm writing this one. Actually the scotch ran out a few days ago in North Bay, but that's not the point. I'm enjoying a nice cup of home-made Latte. I giggled out loud as I took the first few sips thinking that this is probably the best-tasting thing I've put in my mouth in 3 weeks. Mmmmm...
I'm very happy that I saved the Madawaska checkpoint for last. Madawaska is the smallest town of the 4 corners and I'm not sure it has other "Claims to Fame". When I crossed the border in Edmundston, the US customs official didn't ask to see any ID. When he asked me where I was going, I just said "Over to a garage to put about a dollar's worth of gas and then to take a picture by the post office". He knew right away what I was up to. He asked me where I'd been, and then congratulated me on the tour before sending me on my way.
As I was taking a picture of the post office with my Polaroid, a guy maybe 200 metres away started waving and shouted "I'll take that picture for you !". He took the picture
and then we chatted about the tour. He knew all about it and he told me they were lobbying the town to put up some kind of monument near the post office to commemorate the spot. As we were chatting, several people came up to us as they were exiting the post office. Soon a small crowd had formed. The people seemed genuinely excited for me that I was finishing the tour. After I had completed the form and mailed it off, I was on my way again, but not after seeing a little display inside the post office
The best way I could describe how I was feeling was to compare it to finishing a marathon, except my body wasn't nearly as sore. It's a sense of elation and relief. While in a way I'm sad that the trip (and my vacation) is over, I feel like I accomplished what I had set out to do, and that's always a nice feeling. That 'high' feeling lasted all the way back to Fredericton. I didn't mind the showers at all between Woodstock and home.
Today is a great day in another way, Hélène comes home as well after spending 2 weeks in Europe. I go to pick her up at the airport in an hour or so. It was a long time away from her and it'll be good for both of us to be home again. I guess I'd better get into the shower and into some clean clothes.
Day Stats:
Total Distance: 611 km
Total Time: 6 h 08 minutes
Overall Average: 97 km / h
Overall Distance for the trip: 21 545 km