Day 22. Back in the USA, Acadia National Park, Augusta, ME

 A 7:45am departure with 340 miles racked up on a beautiful day before checking in at the Quality Inn in Augusta, ME at 7pm. 

Checking the weather radar this morning showed all of the storms had cleared and once again I could be having another postcard day for riding back into the States.  

 Here it is, after about 70 miles through New Brunswick I'm about to turn towards Calais, ME. 

 But before I leave Canada I've got 15 Loonies left of Canadian $$$ I need to burn and I found an excellent little diner in St. Stephen, NB right at the border to stiffen my arteries with!!  Yum. 

 Little town, little Border crossing. The US Agent was pretty cool but as usual I answered all of his questions honestly, including the one about fruits and vegetables.  I had an orange and an apple I picked up yesterday at a market that I was saving for later today. Turns out he implied that I could keep the apple because Canadians can grow apples but since they can't grow oranges I had to turn it in to be thrown away!!  I didn't understand the reasoning even after I asked him to explain but what a waste. 

 I road US 1 all along the Maine coast for about 150 miles. Good 2 lane highway through the coastal towns and wooded areas in between. I rode slowly and savored the day and the landscapes.  Here  approaching Bar Harbor and the Acadia National Park. 

Beautiful views from the Acadia NP Loop road looking out over the Atlantic. 

 And the rocky shores and heavily treed land Acadia is famous for.  

  I was feeling bad for my boots. The rain was destroying the polishing I gave them before leaving home and the leather was starting to dry and crack from the pelting rain and subsequent drying phases.  I camped out on the Bar Harbor Village Green and polished them up. Then I got a phone call from the 80's saying they wanted their Dingo Boots back!!  I actually bought them in the early 80's and they cannot have them back!!!  Ironically the boots age matches the age of my motorcycle. I may have a emotional issue with the 80's that I hadn't realized. 🤔

 Now I can reward myself for saving my boots. The Village Green can be seen in the background. 

  About 10 miles outside of Augusta, the capital of Maine, these storm clouds were forming over the city, as if to remind me that not everyday can be as nice as today.  And in less than 10 minutes I got rained on just to prove the point. It was only a short shower but later that night it dumped on my poor motorcycle parked in the parking lot.  

 Augusta is a small town, only about 20,000 population and a nice but unimpressive State Capital. I swung by before heading for my motel for the night a few miles away. 

No hotel check-in without a beer or two to hydrate with while I blog.  I only wanted a 16 or 20oz. beer but the grocery story didn't sell individual cans. This (these) Buds for me!!