We followed our trusty 6-week list all morning long to get ready. Adam and I had meetings and some work to wrap up while the kids packed the car and got the house setup. We said goodbye to Gus and I held back the tears. It's not like I have been watching videos of dogs reuinted with their owners after a long break to remind myself he won't "forget" us or anything.. (get it together, Courtney) AND we know he is having a vacation of his own and is being spoiled rotten. We said goodbye to Fauna (the cat) as well but let's be honest...she's been counting down the days for a break from us so she can rule the house in peace. She was unaffected by our goodbye pets and sauntered away to Abby's bed.
The last time we did a trip like this we forgot our passports. Something so simple and completely necessary (we were going through Canada) so I was determined to not forget anything this time. Once my last meeting was done, the family had been packing without me for about an hour. I had a lot of mental packing to catchup on. I shouted out everything I could think of and waited for them to affirm it had been packed. Sometimes there was fear in their eyes when I asked...and in those moments we double-checked. I had seen a great suggestion online for when you travel with anxiety...take a PICTURE of your stove off so you don't have to try to remember that it was turned off. I think Adam took a picture of every appliance we own for me...thank you!
Before we leave the driveway, we do a little prayer and expectation setting for the trip and of course we jam out to our official roadtrip song - End of the Line by the Travelling Willburys (click the play button the left to jam out yourself!). We're not even off our street when I realize the first thing we forgot...just crackers, but that means there must be more (foreshadowing). One thing we didn't forget is our rule on roadtrips - trying to find all 51 license plates (DC too). Gideon is a license plate HUNTER (foreshadowing). We have a 6 hour drive to our first destination on the trip and our first overnight. This is the only hotel we have booked for the entire trip and it's at a hotel called the Bear Paw Inn which looks...quaint (foreshadowing again). We fly through MA and NH for the first 2 hours and then we hit Maine. Apparently when you start driving in Maine, Maine begins to stretch and grow because who on earth knew you could drive 4 hours north in Maine and still not be in Canada. Only a few small bouts of traffic, but for the most part it was cruise control and insane speed limits like 75 or 80. After awhile of cruising at the same speed, it feels like you're not really moving anymore which was also a great metaphor for how long Maine had stretched... Along the roads are a TON of 'beware of moose' and 'high deer hit area' signs - a reminder that we have already traveled far from home. A bunch of beautiful rivers and streams, trees, meadows, license plates, cows and clouds later, we are off the highway and heading the last 20 miles to our hotel on route 1. By this time I have to pee again and decide I cannot wait until we get to the hotel so I stop at a gas station with a resaurant called "restaurant". I run inside (literally) and I guess I am not alone in stopping here for an emergency bathroom stop. The restroom signs are stick figures of a male and a female crossing their legs and holding their crotches. I recognize my own stance in the sign and find sweet relief.
As we are driving down route 1 we pass through about 4 towns. The area is a bit rundown but also loved. Lots of beautiful farms and farmland, neighbors who look like they must be friends, and a ton of empty space. At this point, as any good mother would do, I remind my family how the hotel we are staying at will not be anything special or fancy and that there is a risk of death. We must remain vigilent in this adorable little area. Setting the expectations for the night provided 20 minutes of jokes and laughter to calm all our nerves and remind ourselves that we signed up for adventure. Gideon was the voice of reason and after googling the Bear Paw Inn, he told us it was fine and we were being dramatic. He is right. The only traffic we saw on the road was speeding away from the direction in which we were heading. Another warning sign? Oh well, we pushed onward. Since there was no one on the road with us, I was able to easily stop when we passed the 5th church in as many miles and there was a very inspirational sign which said "Jesus Please". You can read everyone else's blogs and see my pictures for the day to see this sign. We had a great time imagining the inflection and tone of this sign but my favorite one involves snapping fingers and rolling eyes.
We almost missed the hotel but pull in just in time. Bear Paw Inn was proudly displayed above a "for sale" sign. There is only one other car in the lot and a sign pointing towards the Office. I go into the office with the kids to check-in while Adam waits in the car. The office is empty except for a desk that has our key and check laying on it. A sticky note that says our name and that's it. We get into the room and it's just how it was pictured on the website. It even smells the same as the picture. It just does. At this point I remember the second thing we've forgotten - a big blanket to hide our "loot" in the trunk. Adam reminds me of a Walmart we saw where we can go buy a loot-hiding blanket in the morning. We bring all the loot inside the room, turn on the AC and set out for dinner. Thankfully, Gugs had researched the area for us and sent a suggestion for dinner. It turned out to be within walking distance across the street from our hotel. On the way we passed three other restaurants that were closed down. I wondered if the pandemic hit hard or if it was always like this? Gideon also darted off into an empty lot with no explanation. Just full speed running. He comes back after I scream for him to stop and he breathlessly says "Indiana" pointing at the abandoned semi-truck license plate he had run to see. That makes 21 license plates on day 1! Check out the license plate link to see which ones we scored!
Timberwolves BBQ smelled just like the hotel, only 10 times stronger. There was one other couple in the restaurant and us. Gideon assured us it was a good choice as there was a flashing sign outside stating "BEST BURGERS IN MAINE" and also noting the specials of the day of 'crab cakes and spaghetti and meatballs'...(not sure if you're supposed to eat those together?). They have a full bar and I see Kahlua so I order my usual - a black russian. The waiter says "how do you like that?" so I panic a bit and look at the bartender thinking he will just handle it and he gives me the ingredients for a white russian. I nicely ask for no cream/milk and let's just say my drink was interesting. Abby and Adam conned the bartender/waiter/owner into making some fresh mac and cheese and we all enjoyed a great meal. The owners are members of an indian tribe and one of them (bartender) noted that he told the other owner at 3pm that a young boy would be coming in with his 4 person family and that this boy would love hamburgers. For those of you who don't know, Gideon only eats hamburgers now. It's his sole source of protein, sustinance and happiness. We got to the restaurant at 7pm, so, I guess I'll take it as another sign we were meant to be here. Feels like that as we setup the room for the night and enjoy eachother's company. As we are falling asleep I remind everyone of something super important .. "I don't like the smell in here".
Summary: Great first day, ended up where we were meant to be with good burgers after following all the proper signs to get here. Ended the day at Bear Paw, Mars Hill, ME