I can't believe I'm here

Greetings from Portland, Maine! I am here at last and currently enjoying the afterglow of a dinner and long visit with friends I hadn't seen for six years. It's wonderful to be here and yet I can't help but think that in a few short days I'll be turning around and driving all the way back! Craziness prevails. But at least for now, I can try to develop a different rhythm than that of the past six days. One more normal-feeling and centered on things like regular meals, regular walks, and regular sleep (fingers crossed).

It was a pretty uneventful driving day - still plenty of rain out here, the worst being when I hit Maine. I was really looking forward to taking a picture of the first mention of "Maine" on a highway sign ("To All Maine Points" on 95), but the rain prevented that. Oh well. But I did take plenty of pictures when I had an unplanned tour of Albany, NY (searching for a Starbucks and ending up downtown where I saw some amazing buildings). Otherwise, it was interstate all the way - first through the last bit of New York state, then through Massachusetts, followed by a fifteen minute jaunt through New Hampshire before crossing into Maine at exactly 3:00PM. After that, all the names were familiar beginning with the Piscataqua River, which forms the border between Maine and New Hampshire.

I am happy to report that Toby has hit it off with Oliver the poodle. So it looks like we won't be kicked out due to bad dog behavior. Phew!

I’d like to write more, but I think that finally being where I can collapse has made me want to do just that. So briefly, the highlights of this wonderfully short driving day: It's the sixth day of driving and I'm still smiling. My spontaneous driving tour of Albany. Forgetting the filled water bowl in the back seat (again) and having only a minimal spill (again). Seeing the exit for Old Sturbridge Village, one of my favorite places in the world. Driving through Worcester, MA and remembering the double rainbow we saw as we drove through that city the day we left Maine for Oregon. Trying to take arty photos as I drove through Lawrence, MA. Seeing the “Drive with Courtesy - That’s the New Hampshire Way!” sign. Finally seeing “Maine” on a highway sign. Getting here at last!

Total mileage for the day: 278
Total time in the car: A very leisurely five hours
Total mileage so far: 3171!
Destination tomorrow: Wherever I want!