Quest Updates

Northern Forest Canoe Trail Finish

By on May 26, 2016

IMG_4166The last 18 miles to Fort Kent from Pelletier’s Campground on the St. John River were beyond pleasant. It was a beautiful sunshiny day and 80° with variable breezes. Good grief, this is a really wide, and at times shallow, river. It is amazing to think that in the springtime the water comes up at least 20 feet higher.

I arrived in Fort Kent early afternoon and was greeted by a customs agent and his German Shepherd at the boat ramp. This could not have been a more positive interaction! While he was very professional and doing his job he was enthusiastic and curious about my expedition. He even took a picture of me in front of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Eastern Terminus sign. He asked for my website so he can follow the adventure and inform his coworkers about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail so that they would know about it.

I was excited to make my entry in the registration log at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail kiosk, marking the Eastern Terminus of the trail. It felt like closure for the first leg of this epic adventure. Much less is known to me about what lies ahead and I can’t wait!

There was a man walking his dog who decided to hang out with me while I put my boat on its wheels to head to the motel. He was extremely accommodating and helped me get more photographs of me at the finish of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. I then wheeled my boat a mile to the Northern Door Inn in Fort Kent and promptly headed for the Swamp Buck Restaurant & Lounge for the best selection of draft beer within miles.

I awoke this morning to partly sunny skies, mild temperatures and the prospect of continuing on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and onward down the St. John River. But first I need to find a New Brunswick map because I left mine at home and more snacks because I am nearly out.

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John Connelly
Kayaking in Maine

In April of 2016, I’ll launch on a 75-day river/ocean odyssey that will carry me over 2 countries, 4 states, 22 streams, 58 lakes, and 1500 miles. As leader of L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools for 10 years and a former member of the US Canoe & Kayak team with numerous whitewater first-descents to my credit, I believe I am uniquely qualified to meet this challenge.

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