I'd walk 11.86 miles for a Pizza Deluxe Sub - Concluded

(Announcer) Yesterday, our hero embarked on a journey into the wilds of rural America, and pretty close to the Canadian border. Today, the final chapter in this modern day odyssey comes to a close.

After what felt like a mile or two on the icy trail, my eyes beheld a sight I had anticipated since I crossed the bridge in Caribou - the Fort bridge. Salvation was at hand. I finally came upon an exit - a trail that led back to the main road. I had grown impatient with the unpredictable nature of the icy crust below me and wanted to spend the next mile or so on solid pavement. By now my stride had turned into a slight stagger on uneven ground as I made my way through a short and winding ascent past the water treatment plant and back onto route 161.

From here it was smooth sailing into downtown Fort Fairfield. A sidewalk presented itself and I gladly stepped onto it. Now onto business, I thought to myself. Where to eat..... Arriving at the main intersection of the town, I made my way through the traffic and headed down Main Street. Passing various shops and empty buildings, I set a course for the only restaurant I knew of in Fort, The Village Restaurant. As I neared the building, I noticed a sign on the sidewalk in front of the building that read "All you can eat buffet!" Now I can tell you there is no better sign to come across when you have just walked eleven and a half miles for your supper. The only thing that might kill your enthusiasm is the sign next to it that says the restaurant is closed on Monday, the day you happened to be walking by.

Crap.

Then it came to me. A vision of myself sitting in a booth devouring a twelve inch Pizza Deluxe sub from the Subway shop just down the street, which I had recently learned had been built as an addition to the existing Irving station. God bless the franchise. Thirty minutes later, I had inhaled the holiest of subs and was relaxing in a booth, sipping coffee and reading a newspaper. After a while I thought about what I should do next. I finished my coffee, stepped back onto Main Street and walked to the Harvest Market on the other side of town (about a five minute walk). There I borrowed a phone directory and called a cab from my cell phone. Thirty minutes later I was sitting at home again.

I wonder what I'll do tomorrow? I ask myself.