What happens in Maine stays in Maine

7–23-2022 Gregorian
569 Natural

One week into this journey and already I could write a small book about all I’ve learned, some about myself and a lot about the highways and byways of Maine. But I’ll spare you the book and just hit the highlights.

I’m learning anew the importance of balance — eletrolytes, hydration, sun exposure — all the stuff that goes with day-to-day strenuous outdoor activity. How am I learning it? The hard way, as usual. And that’s where I’ll leave that for now. (You know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.) I’m also learning anew how exquisite the sun and the shade, the wind and the rain feel on my skin. I drop off at night to the singing cicadas and wake to the sound of morning gulls and the scent of sea breeze. In Maine, you’re always close to nature and to the very heart of existence.

My biggest challenge in Maine is to find a place to park Max, my van, while I walk. There seems to be inadequate space at the side of roads to park a vehicle. Along some major highways are bike paths rather than shoulders. On other highways there are either very narrow or non-existent shoulders with sharp drop-offs due to the hilly nature of the region. I can park Max at pull-offs, vacant parking lots or businesses with extra parking space, but many areas in rural Maine have none of these options. So my task for now is to find an extended roadway where I can walk across Maine without abandoning my van.