The Beginning and the End

Back in the summer of 1985, a friend and I drove up to Quebec, the long way, through Maine. And we passed through Fort Kent, the place where U.S. 1 begins. The actual highway sign, in typical Maine style, is understated, with no real indication that this is a landmark. You just come off the border bridge from Canada and see this (apologies for the poor quality of these 25-year-old photos):


The other end of Route 1 is at an ordinary intersection in a residential neighborhood of Key West. The Florida highway department has given it just a little bit more drama:




But while the Maine highway department doesn't get excited about the beginning of this famous highway, the local chamber of commerce did feel inspired to mark the spot thusly:



By contrast, no one in Key West seems to show the slightest interest in the distance to Fort Kent, Maine. Hmm, I wonder why not?

Anyway, on that note, thanks for riding along with me to Key West. Next chapter in my travels coming in several more weeks ...