Road Trip 08: Day 1-5

Sept 27 Day 1
We left Europe for the other side of the pond. It took many hours and a crazy Hungarian airline to get us here..but we arrived. We ate McDonald's at 3 in the morning and found a hotel to crash in.

Sept 28 Day 2
Mystic, CT is one of America's treasures. What a quaint little fishing village! We walked around and reveled in the local atmosphere. Cape Cod was right where we left it. We found our favorite inn and settled down.

Sept 29 Day 3
We wandered around the Cape checking out all our favorite places and making some new memories. It's still magical here.

Sept 30 Day 4
A ferry boat to the island of Martha's Vineyard left us feeling energized and full of expectation. Martha's Vineyard was perfect. There are three towns, each with its own personality. We had our first lobsters and connected with the locals.

Oct 1 Day 5
On the road again. We drove up to Brunswick, Maine. The trees are full of color and vibrance. Maine makes me want to live in hiking boots and LL Bean for the rest of eternity, blissfully walking in nature.

Massachusetts: "So, where are you from?"

Conversation overheard on the ferry between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard Island:

Man: "So, you guys are visiting Cape Cod? Where are you from?"
Woman: "We're from South Dakota. We're on a tour of New England."
Man: "South Dakota?! You are a long way from home. I have a buddy whose second wife's family lives in South Dakota. I don't remember where but he's been to visit them a few times."
Woman: "Well, isn't that interesting. The world is small, everybody knows somebody these days."

Since arriving I've heard countless conversations between strangers. This isn't unusual for two reasons: 1) We are going to places where a lot of tourists are, mostly in their 70s. 2) Americans talk to each other. All the time. About everything, anything and nothing.

Most of these conversations are about where they live. Americans are obsessed with location. They ask each other where they are from, they talk about where they come from. It's very pleasant and homey, a bit like Mayberry.

I'm glad to be home.

My United States of America

Tomorrow I leave my adopted home of the Czech Republic and go to my first home-The US of A.

There are so many reasons to be excited for this road trip. We are going to go to lighthouses, eat lobster with our fingers and stick our little toes in the Atlantic Ocean. Stay tuned for all the stories here...

But before I leave I must nag for a moment and ask all you who are reading this to get out and be sure you are registered to vote. It is so important. It is our civil duty and a debt owed to all the men and women who over the years have protected our right to a freely elected government. If you are on my facebook.com friend list then you know who I'm voting for (Go Illinois!) But I'm not here to lecture on who, we can debate politics over a cup of coffee. I'm here to say VOTE AMERICA!