Calais in March

Heading to Calais, once I got on Route 9/The Airline, the towns fall away, the cars disappear, the trucks appear in groups of 3 and 4 barrelling down the highway(one lane north/one lane south) and vistas quickly open up. As miles goes by, every once in a while the woods open up to views such as this.

Turning onto Main Street, it quickly appears that things haven't changed a lot since the last time I was in Calais 6 years ago....many empty storefronts and builidngs. Apparently the population has dropped by about 50% in the last couple of decades.....

Important to look more closely as there is some quintessiential architecture up and down Main Street. This house for sale has beautiful fields that abut the river.

It is easy to imagine Calais as a booming, thriving community. Below is the town library, with a lovely addition that looks out on the St. Croix River.

Here is a view looking across the river to St. Stephen. The brick building is the home of Ganooch Chocolate, which of course, we visited. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when we went across the border so I don't have any pictures from the other side!

Eagles roost on the pilings.

On the way to dinner, we caught a glance of this barn behind a farm house.....it was definitely worth a u-turn to get a picture! These are coyotes hanging in a line.....just like laundry on a clothesline!

What a great team! We worked hard and laughed hard! When we arrived at this restaurant on the Airline, there were gasps from the backseat---could this really be the place so highly recommended?? We couldn't resist capturing th Budweiser sign in the background!

Once inside the gasps quickly turned to ooohs and aaahs as we were presented with a gourmet menu and lovely atmosphere. The owner/chef was so welcoming, putting us in a private room where we could truly enjoy ourselves! A wonderful carrot soup with spicy ginger was followed by many different ymmy choices ranging from fish to lasagna and everything in between.

After 2 days in the Calais schools, the team headed for home and I stayed to meet with the Maine Indian Education. Their offices are located in the Maine Heritage Museum building which is housed in the totally refurbished railroad station, right along the river. The Visitors Center is also here, with beautiful views along the St. Croix River and wifi to boot---who could ask for anything more??

A lovely tranquil space with wonderful artwork reflecting the richness of the area.

Leaving at the end of the day, I was promised a visit to the reservations if I return next year----if I can be so lucky!

Another new adventure!

So, a couple of weeks ago, when I called the State Fleet to reserve a car for my trip to Calais, it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps I could request a certain car---why not expand this learning experience as well? When I requested a Prius the response was, "well, certainly, if we have one available" and lo and behold they did! As the last week of March was coming upon me, I must admit I have been looking forward to the driving experience as well as the trip.

Monday noon, I headed down to the fleet to get the car and prepare for the transfer of all my materials from one car to the other. As always, the staff at the Fleet office were cordial and helpful, gave me the keys and wished me a good trip. As I entered the parking lot matching up the license plate numbers with the tag I had been given, I realized that I had been given the usual black rectangular mechanism that controls locking/unlocking doors but nothing else.

Thank goodness, at my age, I am able to quickly admit that I need help and admitted to the attendant I was stumped. He laughed, shared that he too was stumped the first time he was given the key, and proceeded to give me a tutorial on driving the Prius. For anyone who hasn't yet had this opportunity, the black rectangular mechanism slides into a slot on the dashboard, one then pushes the start button. Similarly, to stop the car, one presses the parking button and the start button and all goes quiet. The drive and reverse controls are on a little toggle shift which again is found on the dash.

Again, another experience to add to this great year! After the first couple of starts/stops, the lingering concern initially about what I was going to do if I either couldn't get the car to start or stop(!) I had a great time!

Calais, here I come!