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Finale

My Thelma and Louise Road Trip took us across 19 states and 4620 miles. These are the feet that ran in all 19 states, 11 of them were first time visits for me altogether. Thank you Lori, for inviting me to join you and thank you readers, for giving me cause to blog and run! We drove home in time for me to celebrate 23 years of marriage to the love of my life. Here is my version of Eat, Pray, Love.

Day 9 & 10

Today's drive from Knoxville to Little Rock kept us on I-40. This was the first day the I-Pod was plugged in and Lori got to hear me sing musicals. I kept her entertained with Big River and Jersey Boys. She'll have to let you know if she's buying tickets when those shows come to town! We stopped at a Steak and Shake for lunch and split a patty melt. We immediately cast Tyler Perry as our waiter "Lovie" He was a hoot. We bypassed Little Rock and took I-30 to Bryant, AR. I had lived here from 2002-2005. We had arranged to stay with good friends who taught me everything southern. There is a difference in AR south and West TX south. Beginning with the heat and humidity! It was great seeing the Cason, Fricke and Seale families! My how your children have grown into beautiful young men and women. Thank you for your kind hospitality and laughter. It was a great last night celebration on our road trip! I woke up determined to run a real run in AR (not a roadside rest stop run or a run around Wendy's kind of run) Susan had told me how the neighbor hood had grown and I how to get to the new part, but instead I chose the familiar. I wanted to see the houses and trees that I had called home for 3 years. It was the perfect last run. Knowing that we wouldn't be home for 10 hours, we said our goodbyes and were on our way by 8:15. This drive was familiar. Lori and I reminisced about the week - Best Meal - our Italian feast @ Pat's, Best lodging -Green Manor Inn - Worst lodging -Do I even have to say it?! Best Drive -On Monday, when we drove from Albany through Vermont, New Hampshire and finally Maine. Best Laugh - too many to count!

Day 7 & 8

Enjoyed Barb's French toast and Ray's tour of his other job - taxidermy, before leaving the Greenwood Manor Inn. Who would have known there was so much involved in mounting a deer head? I feel like an expert and can tell you if your taxidermist did a good job or you wasted your money. Both Lori and I admitted we were dreading the drive today. ME, MA, NY, NJ, CT and finally to Lancaster, PA. I got my runs in and am on track for every state. One run was around Wendy's before a frosty, but it still counts. During the drive, we began casting our roadtrip in case Oprah is reading this and wants to make a movie. I would like Reese Witherspoon to play me and Lori can't decide between Valerie Bertinelli or Drew Barrymore. We arrived at Hotel Brunswick in downtown, Lancaster to an almost empty hotel. Our room was decent and we left to find supper. We ended up at an Irish pub, drinking Italian beer in Pennsylvania Dutch country - It worked for us. We mentioned our empty hotel to our waitress and she told us the hotel was haunted w/ghosts. GREAT! Once again I barricade the door, only to be reminded that locked doors don't matter to ghosts. Somehow we woke up without incident. Ready for our Continental breakfast, we went to the lobby to find a loaf of white bread, a toaster and a bowl of apples. We took the apples. Our Pennsylvania planning wasn't so hot - we had already passed by the Amish communities - the farms were beautiful, but we missed out on seeing Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis. So, we went to Hershey instead and took a tour of the chocolate factory. Lori was at the wheel and I was reading our book. She stopped abruptly at the West Virginia border realizing I hadn't run in Maryland. I get out of the car on the highway and run in the culvert back to Maryland and then back in to WV. I take the wheel once in Virgina, and get my VA run in at a roadside stop. Let me just say that Virgina wins the race in best Interstate highway rest stops. While driving southbound we see a wreck that has occurred in the Northbound lane. A semi went under an overpass and was too tall. The top of the trailer was ripped off. It was hauling beer and it was all over the road. I noticed that the bridge did not have the measurement on it like we see in TX. It was a mess. The drive continued through the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Knoxville. It's been a long day. I ran tonight - a real run in TN. 18 states down, 1 to go. Good night.

Day 6

Up at 6 - that's 5 for you on Central time! I had a great run around Harrison with a spectacular view of the lake. Our breakfast was wonderful and we have enjoyed getting to know our hosts. Barb and Ray bought the B&B last October and have 7 kids from age 15-26. We highly recommend the Greenwood Manor Inn! Rachel met us at the entrance to Camp Pinecliffe and we were off to Portland. In Maine, pedestrians have the right of way, as long as they are in a crosswalk. This is great when you're walking, not so much when you're driving. We reached the waterfront area and enjoyed all the shopping. This is not your typical souvenir junk. There was a large selection from imported items to local artisans. I think I bought something in the first 3 stores I visited. Lori had been singing the praises of lobster rolls so we found one for lunch - taking an expression from a friend of mine, we vowed to "eat nothing from the hoof" We also are avoiding all food South of the Border. We were getting a view of the harbor and Rachel knew I really wanted to see the ocean, so she got us headed in the direction of the Atlantic. The houses on the beach front were idyllic. Screened in porches and a short walk to the beach. I could handle it. It was nice wading in the surf and hearing the ocean. I could have stayed all day. After some R&R @ the B&B, we went to the Lobster Pound for dinner. This was my first full blown lobster experience! Another great day!

Day 5

After some map research of New England, we decided to forgo the tollway and take the countryside route. It was worth it! Lori and I are ready to relocate! It was a beautiful day and every place we stopped had flowers, greenery or a lake. Some highlights include Bennington VT, Meridith NH, Lake Winnepeasaukee in NH, Concord, the Capitol of NH, and the part of Maine we have seen so far. For my run, Lori dropped me off in Vermont and picked me up in New Hampshire! Our Bed and Breakfast is nice and we are the only guests for tonight's stay. We met Rachel at Camp Pinecliffe and were blown away. Yes, it is like Parent Trap. The camp is 93 years old and is privately owned. Girls go through an interview and are invited to attend. Each year they have to be asked back by the camp. The girls range in age from 7-15, wear uniforms and follow a pretty tight schedule. They have excursions to the beach, biking, or a week long camping trip to Quebec. Rachel introduced us to her group of 13 year-olds and they just wanted to hear us say "ya'll" It was so eye opening to see a different slice of life. We are looking forward to spending the day in Portland, ME tomorrow and finding some lobster!

Day 4

I manage to sleep until 7:30am and wake up to find 2 inches of light shining under the door. I was thankful for the sleep and the hot shower, but ready to move on from the Red Carpet Inn. Today we drove to Clifton Park just north of Albany. Lori's good friend Pat, was our host, along with her lovely parents. Pat was so gracious and had a wonderful Italian lunch for us. Lori said - that's just the appetizer - there was more food covered in foil waiting on the stove. It would have to wait. Pat wanted to show us Cohoes Falls. The falls are located on the Mohawk River and are 2nd to Niagra in the state of NY. They were magnificent! While Lori and Pat caught up, I took a nap followed by a great run in this beautiful community. Then, more food! We had it all! Egg Plant Parmesan, Peppers, Veal Cutlet, Salad that was so fresh and berries and cream for dessert. And yes, there was wine! Ciao!