Visiting Northern Maine/Aroostook county from OREGON (snow, difference)

[nabigail]

I would like to fly straight into Presque Isle but that doesn't work with our mile plan. Plus flying anywhere but Boston pretty much involves a ten hr layover somewhere, whereas flying to Boston from Oregon is 6 hrs on a plane. I would prefer to just start driving from there rather than spend any of my travel time in an airport sitting and waiting.
Thank you everyone!
Good recommendations on places to stay around the Presque Isle/Caribou area? We are interested in cabins with road access and trails etc?

[maineguy8888]

Caribou Cabins, just outside town, great newer cabins right next to the trail. Good driveway in.
Caribou Maine Cabin Rentals, Caribou Cabins

(not affiliated with them).

These guys are about 20 miles north of Caribou; more historic cabins but very nice. Right on the lake. The trail is very close. Very short driveway.
http://www.fieldstonecabins.com/index.php?page=6


(not affiliated).

The speed limit north of Bangor is now 75, so the drive IS a bit shorter than it used to be.

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by nabigail

Hello,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Maine for February, March or April.
We are looking to go when there is snow.
We will be flying out of Portland Oregon and wondering if anyone has good tips on the best route to take. We are considering flying into Boston and taking the train to Portland, staying the night and renting a car to drive to Presque Isle the next day or flying to Portland and doing the same. Flying to Portland requires two stops but no train from Boston. Any advice on which might be better?

We are really intrigued with Aroostook county and for us it seems like everything everyone said is bad about it is something we would like. We have decided that we need to go and see for ourselves.
Thanks!

By the way, one our recent tenants packed up and moved all their stuff from Boring, Oregon (love the name) to Caribou a year ago. Unseen! He had gotten a good job. They just moved out of our apartments as they bought a nice old farmhouse; want to do some small scale farming on the side.

[nabigail]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

By the way, one our recent tenants packed up and moved all their stuff from Boring, Oregon (love the name) to Caribou a year ago. Unseen! He had gotten a good job. They just moved out of our apartments as they bought a nice old farmhouse; want to do some small scale farming on the side.

That is incredible!
What a small world. Boring is about 20 min away from us. We also have "Happy Valley" pretty close to Boring! Do you happen to know what he found for work?
If everything goes well we may want to do the same the did. We want to do farming on the side as well. Right now we are living on my husbands parents property (the own a u-pick blueberry farm) so we can save $ for a down payment. Prices in this area are outrageous! For 2 acres it is nearly impossible to find a mobile home in bad condition that is less than $200,000...
This area is booming and changing and we can't keep up. For now we are saving money and checking out the area before looking for jobs. My husband currently work for the local school district in the maintenance department. I stay home and look after our one and three year old daughters.
As for Oregon getting snow, we do in some areas, like on the mountain. We have not gotten anything to speak of in the Portland area since 2008. It's pretty sad.

Someone recommended Old Iron Bed and Breakfast in Caribou. I am inquiring to see if they have anything available. I will look into the other places too! Thanks!

[maineguy8888]

He got hired as head of residence life at the local Job Corps site..

The Old Iron Inn is great, it's about the best place to stay around. Their meals are amazing. It is in town, but you can get to the trails in about three minutes (by driving on the edge of the street).

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"The speed limit north of Bangor is now 75, so the drive IS a bit shorter than it used to be."

That 75 MPH limit begins at Orono and goes to Houlton. Don't drive 75 MPH between Bangor and Orono.

[nabigail]

Thanks. Good to know.
Are the speeds posted?
I think it would be nice to stay somewhere where will have opportunity to talk to locals, so I think Old Iron will be great.

[Submariner]

Within Bangor they do setup speed traps. Bangor city PD speed traps enforce 65mph.

On the outskirts of Bangor, going North-bound my Dw was pulled over and warned once for doing 70mph, within 50 foot of the 70mph speed limit sign.

From there to just past Orono the limit is 70mph. I routinely travel it doing 76mph. There are spots in that stretch that often have speed traps. I have gone through those traps doing 76mph many times and I have never been stopped. I do not think those troopers go after anyone traveling lower than 80mph.

Once past Orono, North-bound the posted limit says 75mph. I set my cruise control at 82. Some people pass me, and I pass some others.

I have never been ticketed for speeding on I-95.



I know that I have a lead foot, so I use my cruise-control whenever possible. The posted limit plus 10% seems to work fine for me. Unless within Bangor and the locals are doing a speed trap. The State Troopers run radar but they ignore everything going slower then 'reckless' [which 15 over].

One time a state trooper pulled me over because my front bumper was bouncing. It was held on by rope, so it had a little bounce to it, but it did not touch the pavement. He chewed me out for having too much rust on my truck, then we debated what exactly constituted 'farm-use' for a truck. He did not think that hauling turkeys constituted farm-use. Then he let me go.

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by nabigail

Thanks. Good to know.
Are the speeds posted?
I think it would be nice to stay somewhere where will have opportunity to talk to locals, so I think Old Iron will be great.

Yes, Kate and Kevin are great. He is a university professor, and she is great at making you feel at home.
We live a few houses away from the inn.

[nabigail]

Wow.That is great. I just booked out flights and now I am wondering if we will be fine in an economy rental car like a Ford Fiesta. My husband was hoping to get four wheel drive but that does not seem to be much of an option.
Thanks!