Transition to Fort Kent, Maine

Yesterday, Sunday, July 30, I had breakfast at the local Feed Store with David, before heading from Gunter to the airport. (He ordered the Big Breakfast. You either get the Little Breakfast, or the Big Breakfast. The menu is very easy there). We drive to the airport, David parks, and I know I'm going to cry. It's so hard to say Goodbye to him. My heart hurts, and the overwhelming sensation to cry cannot be stopped. We hug and say our words. We kiss, hug one last time, as I make my way to the long Security line. He heads back to the car. I cry. The whole time in line, I cry. My eyes well up as I type this. It's harder this time, to be away from him and the farm, too. It's now my turn to show my ID and Boarding Pass. I do, and the agent sends me on. She feels sorry for me, and I have no words. I put my things in the bin and to the conveyer belt, where the next agent starts to make small talk with me, trying to lighten my mood. He tries so hard to console me. Little does he know I am inconsolable. Thanks anyway, but I can't snap out of it. Still crying as I walk to my gate, I find we are boarding. Group 6, that's me! Finally, while waiting to get to my seat, I pull myself together. 23A finds me next to a window and next to a nice couple. They have to get up to let me in. It's me, a man, and his wife on our row together. In a matter of minutes, we find ourselves chatting the airplane talk. "Where are you going?", etc. I confess my plans to them, knowing they will look at me with the same misunderstanding as most people do. But no! They say, "Oh yes! Our son does that! He's done the Appalachian Trail and the....and the....". They know this lifestyle. They 'get' me. They inquire about my route, my miles/day, my supplies, and such. Larry and Ellen have a son who rock climbs, hikes, and lives his life going on adventures between working to make money to do these things. They worry about him. Much as my parents worry about me. Larry gets his PC out and we google the route. We discuss Maine, the highways, etc. Turns out they live in Maine, about 400 miles down the Route (1) we're going. They offer me a place to stay for the night, when I come through their town. We talked the entire flight from Dallas to Boston. Larry is a Scientist. A real Scientist. Ellen is retired, and they have three children total. And one (son) who lives a non-conventional life. Love that!
But I have to say Goodbye to them in Boston as they head to take the train up to Maine. What a pleasure it was talking to them! My internal chaos has settled, and I'm off looking for the Gate for my next flight to Presque Isle, Maine. I know John will be on the same flight, as he flew in from Virginia while I was flying in from Dallas. I get to the gate, and he's there. We are ready to head onto Maine!
Off we go on a small commuter plane, and arrive in about 1 1/2 hour. John has decided we will attempt to "find a ride" from one of our fellow passengers to Fort Kent (40 ish miles) instead of taking a taxi. We each ask around, and sure enough, a woman is willing to give us a ride there, as she lives in Fort Kent. She's coming home from a business trip, and takes a chance on us. Turns out, her name is Paula, and she's a Nurse Practioner at the local Fort Kent Hospital. We talk about nursing, her life in Maine, moose danger, and roads in Maine as she drives us all to Fort Kent. When we arrive, we have enjoyed each other's company so much, she gives us a driving tour of Fort Kent, by the hospital, by the grocery store, then to her house. I can see and feel her love of this community. Her and her husband, Roland, bought a mountain, and built a house on it. It's spectacular!!! The view overlooking the St John River, Canada, the mountains, the city of Fort Kent......just gorgeous! We meet Roland at their house, who is VERY surprised to see and meet us! He's retired, but not really. He's busy making roads on the mountain, grading areas, and doing his wood working. He makes chairs, tables, and so much more. He's a celebrity in town, as he's invented a device that he sells which takes snow off the rooftop safely and effectively. He sells it to people all over the world. And Paula is a health care fixture in this town, and has been for 40 years. This couple is simply amazing. I am blessed to have met them, toured their home and mountain, and learned so much about Maine and Fort Kent from them. But now it's getting late, and John and I need to get to The Northern Door Inn. She drives us there, and drops us off. I adore her and her spirit. My crying has turned into joy. How am I so lucky, that this day would bring me these people?! Thank you, God, for sharing these special people with me today, when I needed it the most.

More to come,
Cyndi

The Route

Our route? Route 1 (East Coast). Technically, it seems more like Highway 1. Since I'm not from that area, I will find out what most people "call" it when I get there. I think it's easily confused with the popular Route 1 (West Coast). None the less, I'll call it Route 1 until I find out what people refer to it as.
I've learned Route 1 is the longest north-south highway in the US. It formally begins in Fort Kent, Maine and ends in Key West, Florida. I suppose you could refer to it beginning in Florida and ending in Maine, just depends on your perspective. It does intersect with several Interstates here and there. Since it's illegal for pedestrians to be on any Interstate, we will be taking detours during those times. This may add or subtract miles to our course, but detours are a necessity, and we will figure those out as we go.
I thought I would give you an idea of the states, and the miles in each state, on Route 1. Here goes:

Maine: 527 miles, as this is the 2nd greatest milage in the states we go through.

New Hampshire: 17 miles.

Massachusetts: 86 miles.

Rhode Island: 57 miles.

Connecticut: 117 miles.

New York: 21 miles.

New Jersey: 66 miles.

Pennsylvania: 81 miles.

Maryland: 81 miles.

DC: 7 miles.

Virginia: 197 miles, and I'll cross US 60 where I once stood on my last crossing.

North Carolina: 174 miles.

South Carolina: 170 miles.

Georgia: 223 miles.

Florida: 545 miles, which makes this the state I'll be in the longest.

This makes a total of 2,369 miles - give or take - depending on detours. I've not been to many of these states, and look forward to seeing them up close and personal.

I've gotten good news today, as The Northern Inn in Fort Kent, Maine has received my two boxes with my cart (Bob stroller) and supplies. They are so graciously holding them for me until I arrive Sunday evening, the 30th. Other good news is that Route 1 begins just in front of their "Inn". Perfect!

My heart is heavy knowing I will say, 'See you soon', to my sweet husband and daughter, along with  our farm animals. Yet, excitement continues to build knowing what is to come.........

With butterflies and excitable energy,
Cyndi

Preparation

As time moves forward, I continue to prepare for my trip. Let's see, I need to get everything in order to leave my "normal" life behind, and put it in the capable hands of my husband, David. This has certainly been an ongoing process that takes time to accomplish. It's best if I automate as much as possible, because there's plenty to take care of on the Farm as it is. Bills, any repairs, appointments, cleaning, stocking up on things, and anything that I do regularly will fall to him. Not to mention the feeding and care of 3 donkeys, 4 dogs, 5 (kinda) barn cats, 6 chickens and 3 lambs. Oh dear. I still have a little more time. I fly out to Maine on July 30th, and begin my journey on August 1st beginning in Fort Kent, Maine on Route (Highway)1.
I have a few links to provide those who wish to utilize them. Obviously, if you are reading this, you know my blog site:

cgravescrossing.blogspot.com

My satellite tracker link is:

tinyurl.com/mainetoflorida

This site (Find Me Spot) will show you the "pins" that are dropped from my Spot Gen 3 satellite device which utilizes satellites instead of cell service. Cell service is not always readily available, depending on cell tower access. Therefore, this device helps my family and friends place where I am at any given time.

Instagram:

cgravesrun

This is a new Instagram account since my last trip across the US.

Thanks for going with me!

Cyndi