Solar System comes down to Earth in this fascinating model -
The solar system model set up by UMPI (University of Maine Presque Isle) in conjunction with various local civic organizations, painters, and fabricators is a sight to behold!
On a trip to Canada, we took a small detour to see the solar system model that runs along Route 1 from Houlton (the visitor center to be precise) to UMPI (where the sun is painted on the side of a building).
Finding each planet
I have to admit we were not successful in finding each planet! The directions in the brochure we picked up at the Houlton Tourist Info Center were spot on, but we drove right by Mercury and Mars.
When we did this drive (5 years ago), Uranus was in pretty rough shape sitting outside an abandoned building. However, the other planets were in pretty good repair. Especially well taken care of is Saturn:
Neptune had no marker, but it’s pretty easy to spot a planet by the side of the road!
If you are headed this way, drive through Madawaska and stop at the Easternmost ‘4 Corners’ monument. (The 4 corners tour is a motorcycle ride that encompasses hitting the 4 ‘corners’ of the contiguous US states.)
The solar system model is one of Maine’s Curiosities. We’ll have more in the months to come. Enjoy a wander around the oddball corners of Maine with us!
Stay here as part of your Maine ramble! Check availability at White Cedar Inn here.
For more info on the solar system model, check out their website here.