USA

I had just six days in New England, but I tried making the most of it — including visiting three states I’ve never been to before. Yet, I went at a fairly leisurely pace so as to enjoy the moment, even if this meant not making it to some parts (such as Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine) that I was thinking of visiting. Total cost of the trip, including airfare from/to Colorado, rental car, gas, shuttles, parking, lodging, meals, groceries, museum tickets, and the $110 Boston Marathon: $850.05. The experience: like what those Mastercard commercials say. Continue reading »

I took a two-hour Greyhound bus from Boston to Hartford, Connecticut, mainly because 1) I’ve never been to Connecticut before, and 2) flights from Hartford to Denver were a lot less expensive than from the Logan Airport in Boston that day, even when factoring in the cost of the bus ticket. I’m glad I did so — particularly because this is where I met a Kenyan runner named Gideon Mutisya. Continue reading »

It was time to say goodbye to the wonderful ocean blue Mustang convertible that, yes, I could not help but keep praising the last few days. (Thank you, Budget Rental Cars, for lending me this vehicle for just $15/day!) This morning was my final drive with this vehicle — a car that reminds me partly of my former Atlantic metallic blue Z3 and also of the new KITT — going from Portland, Maine to Manchester, New Hampshire. I dropped off the ‘vert at the Manchester Airport and then took a free shuttle down to Boston.

Which is where I am now and will be for the next two days. I am already (after being here for only six or so hours) feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all the cars (worse traffic than San Francisco!), crowds, noise, and outrageous prices (e.g., $40 parking and $4.59/gallon for diesel near Fenway Park. Fortunately, I did not drive!). But it hasn’t been a bad day — even if I do already miss Maine, New Hampshire, and of course, the ‘Stang. Continue reading »

Yesterday was an excellent day. Clear skies, warm temperatures (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit), and amazing scenery along the Maine Coast.

I stopped by the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum which was really interesting, and stopped in Camden during the evening. I also did a 3.5-mile hike up and down Mt. Battie in Camden, which was very steep and probably not the greatest idea for getting ready for the Boston Marathon on Monday, but absolutely worth it from a surreal spiritual sense with the views from up above.

It’s also funny to say this, but I am in love with my rental car! Yes, a Ford… the sky blue Mustang Convertible I wrote about yesterday. What a fabulous machine! America can build great cars!

Off on my last drive in the ‘Stang back to Manchester, New Hampshire. Then, I should be in Boston not too long after hopping on a free shuttle from the Manchester Airport. Signing off from the beautiful city of Portland, Maine.

“How cool you’re in Portland, Maine,” wrote my friend Lisa. “I’ve actually been there once before, and it is really a cute town. I remember I accidentally parked illegally, and instead of giving me a ticket, they left me a note that said something like ‘we know you are from out of town so we won’t give you a ticket. Thank you for visiting Maine.’ It was quite nice of them.”

I had to agree with Lisa — Portland is a very cute town with a beautiful downtown, harbor, shops, and restaurants. The funny thing is I had a near-similar experience to Lisa for parking. You see, I had overstayed my meter time by two or three minutes, and right when I got to my car, a meter patrol guy was in the middle of tearing a ticket from his ticket pad and slapping it on the windshield. The split second after he did this I said, “sorry,” and he turned to me somewhat embarrassed and ended up apologizing in return. Continue reading »