Maine
Maine man becomes 1st to walk 660 miles to all 4 corners of the state
MADAWASKA, Maine — A 69-year-old Waterville man simply landed in Madawaska, finishing his three-year-long mission of strolling all 4 corners of Maine — a complete of 660 miles.
Madawaska marks one of many 4 corners of america together with San Ysidro, California; Blaine, Washington; and Key West, Florida. Visiting all of them is a well-liked motorcyclist quest, and people who attain every nook discover a designated park or landmark that lets them know they’ve succeeded.
Madawaska additionally marks one of many 4 corners of Maine, together with Lubec Submit Workplace, Kittery Buying and selling Submit and Grafton Notch State Park. Primarily motorcyclists and one bicyclist have visited them, however Roger York of Waterville wished to do one thing totally different. So he determined to be the primary individual to stroll the route and arrived at 4 Corners Park in Madawaska at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Madawaska’s 4 Corners Park was established in 2008 after founder Joe LaChance and his spouse accomplished the 4 corners tour round america through bike. LaChance thought constructing the park would assist carry tourism into Madawaska and northern Maine, in line with the park’s web site.
York accomplished his tour of the 4 corners of america on bike in 2013, the place he first turned aware of Madawaska’s 4 Corners Park. He then wished to be the primary individual to complete the 4 corners of Maine problem on a motorized scooter in 2017, which he did.
“As I learn down the listing of people that had completed that yr, I noticed somebody that had finished it on a bicycle,” York mentioned. “I assumed, ‘Wow. I wish to do one thing totally different. I believe I may very well be the primary to stroll the 4 corners after I retire.’”
York took off from Grafton Notch State Park in June 2019 shortly after he retired and bought so far as Ellsworth that yr, he mentioned. He meant to complete the stroll in 2020, however as quickly because the pandemic hit, his plans needed to be adjusted.
On the finish of every day of strolling, somebody would choose him up and drive him to a resort or different location for the evening after which take him again the subsequent day the place he left off so he may resume strolling. In the course of the peak of the pandemic, that duty fell on the shoulders of his spouse, Laurel.
On common, York mentioned he would stroll between 11 and 14 miles in a day, although his longest trek was from South Portland to Yarmouth at roughly 18-20 miles.
“I’ve a very good pal, Patrick, who stayed shut by me in his automobile for a couple of days this yr whereas I used to be strolling [the] 50 to 60 miles on Route 1 by some very remoted areas of Washington and Aroostook counties,” York mentioned.
The help he obtained didn’t finish there. Individuals who have been following his trek on his web site left him notes of encouragement, and a few alongside the highway supplied him chilly drinks, a meal, cash or a beer on the finish of the day.
York recorded his progress by a German satellite tv for pc tracker on his sleeve, which allowed all these watching him from his web site to see the place he was. Different particular gear York used included a very good pair of climbing boots, and a backpack prepped with water, snacks, a rain slicker, a change or two of garments and a small first assist equipment.
York accomplished the final 4 miles of his journey into Madawaska alongside Route 1 on Saturday along with his spouse, son and daughter-in-law in tow, however mentioned there could also be some extra adventures on the way in which.
“I take pleasure in strolling and all people tells me to maintain transferring,” York mentioned. “I’m contemplating strolling the size of Route 202 in Maine or ending Route 3 — a part of Route 3 has already been included alongside Route 1 — I additionally wish to end strolling Route 1 from Madawaska to Fort Kent.”