For as many years as I can remember the Irving truck stop on Route 201 off I-95 in Fairfield has been a regular and friendly pitstop on the way the "the river."

Boaters--rafters, kayakers, canoeists; hikers, and recreation-seekers of all kinds could fuel up, get a decent meal, go to the john, and get a cup of coffee 24/7 before tackling the final 60 miles to The Forks and the Kennebec and Dead Rivers, the AT and whatnot.

But in the middle of the day yesterday the complex went up in flames in spectacular fashion and there doesn't appear to be much left.

Fortunately no one was hurt in the fire, but the landmark store is no more.

I'm going to miss the familiar place with the huge American flag fluttering about outside. The road trip up to the river now won't be quite the same. I hope the owners can and will rebuild.

You gonna miss the place, too?