Interstate 95 cuts through Maine’s north woods wilderness and passes by Mount Katahdin on the 120 miles from Bangor to Houlton where it ends. The road is good with little traffic and one is always on the lookout for moose or deer who might be grazing in the wide median or on the edge of the road.
Arriving in Houlton and switching back to Rte 1 (very close to the New Brunswick border) the scenery opens up to farmland growing predominantly potatoes.
These tidy farms are as far as the eye can see for the next 40 miles north to Presque Isle – our destination.
Aroostook State Park contains spacious and private camp sites with hiking trails to South Peak and the one we went on – Notch trail to North Peak ridge.
Echo Lake is small but beautiful with its grassy shore and clear waters.
The main reason for our trek to Aroostook County was for the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival. What a feast for the eyes! Warning: balloon photo overload!
We found ourselves a perfect viewing spot, away from the crowds in the fairground, for the 5:30PM lift off, but it was moved due to winds which would have pushed the balloons across the border in to Canada. We decided not to chase them, but to wait for their return and see the “moon glow” event.
We got up at 5 this morning to go see the 5:30AM ascension. Such a beautiful sight.
