The sixth stop on Asa’s World Tour of Maine is Paris! Paris, Maine is believed to have been named after the city in France, but no one seems to be able to explain why. I find it interesting though that this land granted in 1771 to 60 people for their service in the French and Indian War was named for the famous French city when it was incorporated as a town in 1793. What a difference a couple decades make from the French and colonists being adversaries to becoming allies during the American Revolution. Whether that was the intention with the name or not, I don’t know. What I do know is Paris, Maine is the birthplace for Abraham Lincoln’s vice president – Hannibal Hamlin! So on this stop we planned to visit the Hannibal Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum, which was also the former jail. I say planned, because this stop didn’t work out the way we had hoped.
Asa: So there I was hanging out at the Paris Public Library, wondering why it looked nothing like the imposing stone fortress in the photos online. I thought it was odd too that Chuck Billy refused to get out of the car, and was frantically flipping through the pages of his tour itinerary spreadsheet. That’s when I met Prince Charming. It’s Paris, so of course Prince Charming, a handsome and friendly service dog, lives here. Well my charming new best friend politely explained to me that we were at the wrong local library. The Paris Library is in South Paris, and the Hannibal Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum is in Paris Hill.
Asa: All at once all the pressures of my world tour of Maine got to me! Here I was at the sixth stop, and I’ve yet to perform any songs. So I marched over to the adjacent Paris town hall and decided to put on a show. After all, everyone knows you’re suppose to quiet at the library. I’m a rock star, not a rule breaker.
Asa: After treating the town clerk to a medley of my greatest hits, I then walked across the parking lot to the Paris police department, while my tour manager Chuck Billy, apologized for my singing. But I wasn’t done singing… And I wasn’t singing just any parody. I was singing from the heart John Denver’s “A Country Girl in Paris.” “A country girl in Paris, moonlight on the Seine, Memories of Tennessee, Nashville in the rain…”
Asa: …A country dog in Paris, sunlight here in Maine, memories of Bridgton, near Denmark in the rain… Bridgton was the first hike we did on my tour. Times were simpler then, as we hiked in the pouring rain. No pressures of itineraries. No high expectations for this rock star. I knew then and there in that Parisian parking lot that it was time for me to take charge and return to my roots! Back in the car we went to reverse direction and head back to Bridgton.
Chuck Billy: Alright, I admit I didn’t do all of my homework before heading out on this tour stop. But who knew the Paris library is in South Paris, and the one we were looking for is in the historic district of Paris Hill?
Asa: That’s ok! I have a plan! We are going to reach new heights and clear our heads on a rocky mountain hike! We are going to Bald Pate Mountain in Bridgton! Although some sites say it is in South Bridgton, not Bridgton, so again we are dealing with a similar town versus village neighborhood issue. But I have directions!
Chuck Billy: Despite the approximately 30 minute drive to the trailhead from Paris, I was still a little nervous that Asa was going to fire me as his tour manager as we started on our hike.
Asa: As I hiked, I thought about what I did in that parking lot in Paris, and got embarrassed by my behavior, and just wanted to hide. Chuck Billy is doing a great job as tour manager. Sure mistakes can be made. That was no way for a rock star to treat his manager! I’m so embarrassed that Prince Charming saw this outburst!
Asa: As we neared the summit, I could feel my spirits lift.
Asa: I’m sorry Chuck Billy for my outburst in Paris. You’re doing a great job as my tour manager!
Chuck Billy: That’s ok Asa. I forgive you. We can always go back to Paris another day. And your show will be even bigger and better!
Asa: That’s when I looked out at the view and my heart started to sing a different John Denver song, “Rocky Mountain High.” No parody needed. These words were just right. “When he first came to the mountains his life was far away, On the road and hanging by a song…
“…Now he walks in quiet solitude the forests and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake, And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high…”
Chuck Billy: Thank you Bald Pate Mountain for clearing Asa’s head and helping us to refocus for the next leg of Asa’s World Tour of Maine! And Paris, Maine, we WILL return!
If you’d like to clear your head, please return tomorrow and we’ll share more photos from our hike at Bald Pate Mountain, in Bridgton, Maine.
