Nov. 27, 2008 – Ellsworth, ME.
..Thanksgiving in Maine, Denny’s style….
I left New Hampshire around 9am. It was too late to watch the sunrise, but perfect timing to watch a blanket of overcast clouds split into two, allowing the sun to spray its concentrated ray of light through them and onto the mountains. The intermittent trails of snow streaming from the mountain peak to the ground reflected the sun’s light back up into the air creating a fog of light. It was a great way to begin my morning.
Nice morning view
My first stop was in Concord. One thing that is already noticeably different about this part of the country as compared to others is the history. I’ve always been aware of the New England states historical significance, but it brings it more to life when I see the dates on some of these buildings. Concord it the capital and is home to the oldest statehouse where a legislature still meets in the original chambers. Since 1819, the state legislatures have been meeting in the same quarters.
Concord has churches and buildings that made me feel as if I was in the middle of a documentary about 1800’s New England’. The towns had a small feel and I could only imagine how beautiful this area must be when the trees are alive, or better yet, changing colors. Unfortunately, the trees are leafless during late November.
The most striking natural feature to me is the amount of rivers.
Around every turn in New Hampshire seems to be a river. I’m not sure if I coincidentally picked a path that weaves in and out of rivers, but I never seem to be more than 15 minutes away from one.
The sound of the echoing streams running over the rocks is music to my ears. I thoroughly enjoy the relaxing sounds that nature’s arteries provide.
I made my way through the “Granite State” and slowed to a stop in Maine. It’s getting dark, I haven’t eaten anywhere today, and it’s Thanksgiving. It goes without saying that Wendy’s is closed on Thanksgiving and I have maintained my “only eating at Wendy’s” while on the road. Today is the exception.
I’ve talked to family and friends all day today and the topic of conversation is Thanksgiving food. Ohhhh, I could go for some stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
New Hampshire history
I managed to find one place open in Ellsworth Maine, it was a Denny’s. An added bonus to this place being open is that they have wireless internet access. It’s getting cold out tonight and I don’t have money to stay in hotels anymore, so I will camp out in the warmth of Denny’s for the evening. I went inside about 6pm and ate a Denny’s style Thanksgiving Dinner. I have no complaints about the food and I’m sure this was obvious by the way that I “inhaled” the food. I’m sure this meal didn’t compare to what my family and friends were having and I wasn’t allowed to have seconds, but it was delish!
I then asked for a cup of coffee and worked online until 5am. I spent almost 12 hours sitting in Denny’s. Employees told me that I had broken the record for sitting in their Denny’s (at least for non-employees.)
The Black Friday rush beginning to fill the streets and it was time for me to find a place to sleep. I pulled behind a hotel for about 3 hours.
I was positive that I would be back home in time for Thanksgiving (even after a few weeks in Hawaii and Alaska,) but I’m still a couple of weeks from finishing the continental U.S.
