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Do you have a bucket list for your own state? Mine is long and varied because somehow we never find the time to see the wonderful things in our own backyard… or in this case, the yard two hours away.
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But last week I checked this off. The tallest bridge observatory in the world.. which just happens to have Maine’s fastest elevator. Good thing too, my knee would never survive a staircase 420 feet up.
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The construction of this cable stayed bridge was big news in these parts and people anxiously looked forward to its completion. Started in 2004, completed and opened Dec. 30, 2006. And yes, we’re more than a little late to the party.
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I’m not sure the pictures do it justice, but trust me it’s quite something.
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Was my bad knee happy there were a few flights of stairs after we got off the elevator? No….
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But I sucked it up and climbed.
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And the 360 degree view was worth it.
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Sam Champlain was here.
Suck on that Kilroy.
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I’m including a video that has an annoying reflection of me throughout. Try to ignore that and enjoy the view…
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River's world..... 
Thanks for adding those other monuments for scale. I must say, m impressed. The only two bucket list items for my state is to visit Big Bend National Park and…….to get rid of our current Governor.
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I’ve never been to Big Bend, but I definitely agree with the other.
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The last time we were in Maine (2004), we sailed a windjammer around Penobscot Bay from Camden/Rockport. After disembarking, we drove up Route 1 to Bar Harbor/Acadia.
So we missed this mighty span by 2 years.
Next time . . .
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You sure can’t miss it now. It dominates the landscape…
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A ghost! I saw a ghost! But the ghost’s body is still alive? Hmmmm, someone put the ghost before the corpse.
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I hate when that happens.
👻
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Kinds weird, hunh?
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You do have a lot nearby in your neck of the woods. Dry Tortugas National Park is in Florida and one of the places we have yet to see along with some of the smaller fishing villages. Once you leave Florida, Cuba might be interesting to see but for longer trips we must traverse towards the West and some interesting areas.
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I won’t live long enough to explore all of Maine’s books and crannies.
😉
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Did not know that structure existed up there. Man, what a view, especially with the colors starting to pop on those leaves.
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For Maine, it’s quite something.
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Just a hint: If you have polarized sunglasses, hold them over the camera lens, and the reflections will disappear …
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Damn. You’re good….
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Wow! I had never heard of this bridge or the observatory. Thanks!
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I’m just glad we finally got there.
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My stomach got a little iffy looking down as I do not enjoy heights…but man o man, what a fantastic view!! Glad you finally got there.
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As long as I’m on solid footing I don’t mind heights. But I can’t scrabble around like my senior citizen husband even if I am a decade and a half younger.
😉
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Noice views. In my state I’d like to explore (among others) Channel Country after rain and the Min Min lights, also Carnarvon Gorge – and just about all national parks.
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Bucket List for my state? Yep. Pretty much the whole state, since we’ve only been here for two months!
Looks like a great view from the top. I’d happily make that climb for such a gorgeous payoff!
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It’s always exciting to move to a new place. So much to explore!
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