Eastern Trail

Here's Tony Barrett's first report of Ed Talone's progress along Maine's ECG. The ETA hosts Ed from Saturday 14, until Tuesday 17th

It was a beautiful day along the St. Croix river last Friday when Ed Talone posed for the obligatory photo on the International Bridge. Even the M-16 toting guards at the
border checkpoint did not require to see ID as Ed passed the guard station (Did they already know about Ed's planned walk and recognize him?) back into the US. At
1:30 PM, the Mayor of Calais, Eric Hinson, bid adieu to Ed along the Calais Waterfront Walkway. Sally Jacobs, the Sunrise Trail Coalition head and a free-lance
journalist (who walked with Ed for his first day) were also present for the send-off.

Ed got a late start last Friday, but he is now on schedule by walking some grueling 30+ mile days. I spoke with Ed yesterday and he reports that he has had a great
walk so far and has been very impressed with the route -- low traffic, great views and nice towns. He said, "I have walked over 5,000 miles of rail-trails in the US and the
abandoned Calais branch RR (which criss-crosses the interim on-road route of the East Coast Greenway) has the potential to be one of the most spectacular rail-trails in
the US." Ed enjoyed the 'wilderness' feel for the walk in Washington and Hancock Counties but also enjoyed the ability to easily re-supply in the towns along the way. 
Although the blueberry harvest is pretty much complete, Ed reports plentiful berries along the roadside (and so offsets the nutritional deficiencies of the J. Niesson
donuts that he munches on continuously). The vastness of the blueberry barrens pleasantly surprised Ed, reminding him of sections of the Western US. Although Ed
has been to Maine several times, not until one gets off the main roads can one experience some of the beauty of DownEast Maine.

Ed has camped out in the woods, tented behind the Columbia Falls pottery shop, slept in a church in East Machias, camped in a backyard in Ellsworth and slept
amongst the wood sculptures of Ray "wildman Chainsaw" Murphy in Hancock. Ed reports everyone to be very friendly. "I get offered a ride at least 2-3 times every
day". He has turned down all rides as he wants to be the first walker to hike the entire East Coast Greenway route in Maine. As Ed heads South & West from Ellsworth
tomorrow, I hope it is a little drier. Ed is pretty undaunted by the rain saying, "I didn't come to Maine and not expect it to rain".

Ed is currently on schedule. If you can help out Ed with a place to set up his tent or to 'slack-pack' his equipment, he would appreciate it. Ed has coverage south of
Portland but still would appreciate help in Mid-Coast. If you can help, simply drive along the route (see http://www.state.me.us/mdot/biketours.htm) estimating that Ed
averages about 2.5 miles/hour with rests. He is easy to spot along the road. Offer him (or his pack) a shuttle towards the end of the day or directions to a tenting spot.

Ed is scheduled to walk with groups on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Portland and for the Final section with celebration on Tuesday afternoon, September 17 in Kittery. More
details to follow.

---Tony

Tony Barrett abarrett@suscom-maine.net 207- 833-0939

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