Upcoming trip

And now we move to the future! First item, traveling companion…well, I gave my co-worker two chances to take a day trip to see if we could travel together. As you know, she backed out of the first chance and, not surprisingly, she also backed out of a second chance, so I told her point-blank that she couldn't go with me. I was pretty clear and, at first, she even seemed mad about it, but got over it kind of quick. She has since come up to me and asked again and if she was going. Very confusing! I set her straight (again) and she seemed resigned (again)…maybe it’s my OCD, but wishy washy people scare me. I feel LOADS better now!

Ironically, every reason that my ex-friend in 2015 ruined my Disneyland trip, this person was also doing (minus the ranging testosterone). Money…which I get, traveling is expensive, but she was expecting me to cover her as well. I was willing to cover hotels, but nothing else (even solo it’s two-person occupancy, hence my justification, although it would have been nice to pay half). Luggage…I find it hard to believe nowadays people don’t have at least a couple of backpacks in their house, but OK. Locations…I was looking at out-of-the-way interesting places, she wanted to hit all the tourist traps. I’m not into tourist traps at the best of times. The weirdest rant--cameras…she didn’t care until I bought one. I thought the rest of the world took pictures on their phone and didn't care about cameras? At least she did have a phone, which my ex-friend didn’t, so there’s that I guess? There were about a dozen other stupid issues I could mention, all of which were sending me into PTSD flashbacks, so all’s well that ends well and I can let all that go now.

Since the trip is back to being mine now (and I had already added the day before and the day after to my off days), I made the executive decision to leave half a day early and drive through the night so that I could arrive when the parks open Saturday morning instead of leaving at 1 a.m. on Saturday. But even that has snags. I had been keeping a close eye on the schedules, and I knew that the 23rd was National "get into National Parks Free day" (another crowding issue I was going to have to deal with), but Antietam decided to add a 161st celebration that wasn't on the schedule last time I checked (which could have been a couple of months ago in all fairness), so now I won't be able to go...too many people. That's a bummer. In all these years of going up there, we always went to Gettysburg, but we never got to stop at Antietam, even though I always wanted to. I might go to Monocacy instead, but it's not the same. Oh well, it means another PA trip on the horizon!

I also lost a ton of places I either couldn't go to on my own (negative), or really didn't want to go to (positive), so the trip has morphed into something completely different. Yes, it's still a future-home discovery, a family tree discovery, and a general vacation, but the vacation part has gotten bigger, while the other two aspects have gotten smaller (which is weird). I found myself getting further up into Maine than I ever intended to go (I only intended on skirting ME, NH and VT), but now, instead of spending my Birthday in Holliston, MA with my family , I'm going to be spending it in Bar Harbor in an expensive hotel (Happy B-Day to me), enjoying the beach and (hopefully) lobster, and more than likely, reading Persuasion (which is what I do every b-day, no matter where I am). Granted, I still have the family thing the day before, but at least my b-day isn’t hindered by it (not that it’s a hinderance, it’s just going to be emotionally draining for me).

Speaking of ME, I discovered there really is a place called Passamaquoddy (like from Pete's Dragon...the original, not the crappy remake, which I still haven't seen, but I think it's still safe to call it crappy), and since Pete's Dragon is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies, I HAVE to go! Yes, I understand that this Passamoquoddy looks nothing like the So Cal Disney backlot where the movie was ACTUALLY filmed, but my Disney girl gene is still strong despite the past month of me convincing you otherwise! And Quoddy (just a bit more south), is the Easternmost point of the US, and since I've been to the Southernmost point (in Key West) and the Geographic Center (in Kansas), I would be stupid to be that close and not go tick another box. Problem is, it adds a TON more to my travel time, but hey, this is me, right?

Then, I discovered that Mt Washington would be in my path on the way back home and my gears started turning again. I'm still not sure I can make the drive up it (too chicken…YouTube Mt. Washington drive), but I'm aimed for it just in case and, if not, I will have some good views from down below (if I make it in time, I can always take the trolley instead of drive it). I got a hotel close enough for the night after my b-day, just to be safe. And, when done, that lines me up for the Kangamangus Hwy, and I'll be there at the beginning of leaf peeping season, so yeah me, and I'll now be able to see the ME and VT State Houses (although I have to give up NH), but it will also put me in line for Ft. Ticonderoga, another bucket list place.

Like I said, what basically was a skirting trip has turned into a full three state discovery session (along with PA, CT, MA and NY)! I'm still trying to figure out how to get home in time (which is why I haven't booked a hotel for the last two nights, because I might drive straight home...it might be easier than adding another day onto the vet bill for boarding, which is already going to be outrageously expensive...more on expenses in a mo-mo). Everything I had planned to do on the way home, must be severely edited now just for me to make it on time to pick the monsters up! I'm still going through Albany and Harrisburg, but I managed to move Three Mile Island (another bucket list item) to the beginning of the trip as well as the Flight 93 Memorial. So, most of the home part of PA will be at night, but it will be interstate, so I'm OK with that. I may save the next night for just a "see where I end up and pull over at whatever hotel I can find" type of deal.

I will say though, for a road trip, I have spent a crap ton of money so far! And as I mentioned on the sly, yes, I bought a new camera! I'd like to say I couldn't help it, but I could have…I just wanted it. Then there are all the accoutrements that come with the camera. I also bought new luggage...partly because mine is over 25 years old, and partly because it's buried so deep in my closet, I'll never be able to get it out (and just don't want to try). Luggage is pretty cheap right now, so that wasn't so bad (at least not in the context of a camera). I've also needed new shoes, socks, underclothes, just general stuff that will live on well past the trip (that's my story). I've also been losing a lot of weight, so I've gone down a size and, of course, I don't have clothes for that size anymore. Even as we speak, I have a HUGE Amazon cart of clothes I'm waffling about purchasing. My credit cards are in pain right now!

Granted, this trip might be a LONG car ride and pictures from the car window, but it's still better than nothing (and they should at least be WAY better pictures than last time). I do have at least six hotels booked, so there is that, and I'm going to have to eat sometime (or at least stop at a store and buy more food than is in my Target cart right now). I did make sure to stick with my preferred hotel chain most nights (Hilton/Hampton Inn), so that way there is "familiarity" and I made sure to pick hotels with free breakfasts, so I could have one meal a day (if I can make myself get it...I've been bad about not doing that in the past because it requires human interaction, even with Continentals), or I leave too early for breakfast, but we’ll see (my mantra for this trip).

I haven’t made a “map book” yet, although I’m taking Google Maps snapshots as we speak, simply because plans are literally changing daily. It is so amazing what this trip started out as, and what it has become. I also have a hurricane to deal with (and its aftermath). Not that I’m saying I’m more worried about my vacation than the people that live there, what I’m saying is I don’t want to be in anyone’s way by being a “tourist” if they get damage. I’m sure they don’t want some stupid Arkansan in their way if they do. I have to take that into consideration as well and adjust accordingly.

That’s the main gist of the updates! I’m going alone, I have a new camera, I’ve spent a ton already, and I can’t wait! I really hope I don’t turn out to be a giant chicken and it’s all I’ve built this trip up to be in my head, because I’d really like to continue taking trips like this! I’ve also signed up for both AAA and AARP (one for car protection since there is now no one at home I can call when I’m 3000 miles away, and one because I’m old). I’m not sure how either discount will help me much in general, because I’m HORRIBLE at using discounts…they require interaction, (I don’t coupon either fyi). More expense, of course, but at least a bit more piece of mind (from AAA at least). Unless something major comes up, this is probably the last you’ll hear from me until after the trip, so wish me luck!

If everything goes horribly wrong, it might be a while before you’ll get picture updates, but I’ll try to drop in a little message to let you guys know what happened.