So the trip continues... regret the delay... real life always seems to get in the way when you have to sit in front of a keyboard and actually try to compose something.
So there I was in the middle of the New Mexico desert, what they call "White Sands," when out of the blue this large dull cylinder silently streaks down from altitude. It then breaks into a hover just above the truck, emitting a glowing blue-violet light, when an aperture opens from the bottom center of the...
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Dammit, that was a different trip... I think I already wrote that one up. I'm pretty sure I did. Or maybe not - I'll get around to it...
Thanks for your patience - we're now closing in on the final breathtaking days of the trip - I promise.
So after that day we navigated our way to the final waypoint of the day - our campsite with the whole MOTL group. You can see Steve's and my truck just to the left...
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Obligatory AAV Campfire picture...
Some of you may be observing why we're stopping in these gravel lots to camp. Well, they offer enough space for a large body of vehicles. They're level and dry, and more likely to have a breeze that will mitigate the swarming effect and place you away from brush piles they thrive in. Most importantly, they reduce the volume of attacks you will sustain from Maine's state bird, the
Effen Aedes Vexans. You see what I did there -- I added the "Effen," to ensure you don't miss the point.
PSA: Camping among the trees might seem like the right idea but more pragmatically it's the worst location from the ever present threat of stinging insects and vector-borne disease. History tells us that early travelers, unprepared for the rigors of travel through the North Maine Woods, succumbed to insect bites and perished. Be sure to liberally and frequently apply at least 30% DEET to exposed skin and treat your clothing, including socks, with Permethrin. The few bites I had lasted a couple weeks and were atypically more uncomfortable then ones I've experienced in other geographic locations. Ticks are another threat that I didn't succumb to but another member of our team did, after a period of vague annoying flu-like symptoms, and ended up on a course of antibiotic therapy.
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When someone tells you they're big - believe them. You'll notice that this insect is based out of Portland according to the FAA registered tail number.
Off to the next waypoints...
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The day you can see offered all sorts of fantastic views and sites like the abandoned railroad and and random stacks of future toilet paper. The day concluded with stories from the trail and our final adventure of the event.
Bright and early the next day we have our final route brief and instructions...
We had more of this...
...and some of that.
This brings us closer to the end. The last waypoint -
Historic Pittston Farms.
Lodging, great food, great scenery and a host of activities, this family run operation is dedicated to preserving this farm for the benefit of all, year round. The owner, Jenn and Guy Mills just turned over the farm to their son and family, permitting them to have a little more free time. Jenn is a retired Maine Trooper and spent a lot of time with me detailing the fascinating story of the farm and the historical significance of this area. For example this area was once a significant defense resource for the British Empire. In pre-colonial days the vast majority of masts that equipped British Man-of-Wars came from these forests as well as other timber for constructing what was once the worlds mightiest fleet. Below you can see her pinning up an AAV patch for posterity.
You can see where we went on the trusty Gazetteer...
That wraps it up... until then we're "Oscar Mike."
