On a cold February morning in 1957, a group of area business people and Sen. John H. Reed left Ashland on an adventure to promote the construction of a Maine-Quebec Highway which was believed could help the economy of the Ashland area.

This group, as it still does, used the roads built and maintained by logging operations in the North Maine Woods. Traveling about 150 miles through the woods in 1957 was a bit more challenging and risky than it is today.

In 1959, the participants were instructed to take enough food for two meals and extra gas, along with tire chains and other equipment to assist should one get stuck.

By 1960, the group had grown to more than 200 people traveling the proposed Maine-Quebec highway, no doubt encouraged by the signing in 1959 of a bill signed by Gov. John H. Reed to authorize a survey and plans for the Maine-Quebec Highway.

The Maine-Quebec caravan continued its backcountry traverse until 1967 to encourage the friendships between the people of Maine and Quebec, Canada and encouraging more direct access between Ashland and Quebec City.

In 2002, the Ashland Rotary Club revived the 180 mile trek under the direction of Sarah Brooks, then President of Ashland Rotary. The adventure of driving the logging road through North Maine Woods continues this year, 2017.

We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the original caravan and will be participating in some of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations.

The caravan will leave Dean’s Motor Lodge at 7:00 am on February 10, 2017 using the private roads which have been prepared for car traffic for 60 years thanks to the generosity of the companies that own and operate logging operations in the area.

Due to the closure of the Daaquam border crossing, travelers will proceed to St. Pamphile where the group will be met at the Maibec office. It seems appropriate that the caravan should connect the Maibec logging operation in Masardis with the logging activity in St. Pamphile and then journey on to Levi, Quebec and Quebec City, the home of the Tardif family, owners of Maibec Inc.

If you are interested in joining this adventure please contact the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Road, Presque Isle, ME 207-764-6561, tfowler@centralaroostookchamber.com or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/231164727327765/