2/11/99 - Day 3 - I'm - you guessed it - in the middle of nowhere.  I've made up a map showing where I've been for those of you without an atlas handy.

I've done a lot of driving since yesterday.   I'm heading to the top of Maine and will drive down the East coast from there.   I'm hoping to stop in some of the major historical cities as I go.  I don't know how much there will be to see this time of year, though.

Last night I slept in the car.  It wasn't too bad.  The main problem was the cold.  It was about 25 outside which can cool the car off inside pretty fast.  I tuned in Art Bell and covered myself with my comforter.  I managed to keep fairly warm.  The alarm was annoying.  It's very sensitive.  I set it off a few times while moving around; must've ticked off the truck drivers.  I woke somewhere around 7 am.   Not sure exactly how much sleep I got.  I don't know whether I'll be doing the car thing again or if I will get a motel room - probably the latter.

The nice weather was short lived.   It's gotten much colder as I've come back up North, and the snow is back.   Ugh, be nice when I go south.  The scenery is really nice.  Where I'm driving now, I'm right along the Border with Quebec.  Right across the river you can see Canada.  Some of the surroundings remind me of back home.  There's not too much else to report at this time.  I'll take more photos so you can see these nowhere places I visit.  I've captured a few nice photos already - hoping to get more.

Personal Thought:  Have you ever just sat some where and watched people come and go?  I've been in a convenience store for the past two hours just sitting and typing this up.  It's really interesting to see the customers come and go.  I can see the effectiveness of those impulse buying shelves.   Just in the past few minutes, I've seen several customers walk over to the shelf, see something like a Kit Kat and pick it up.  I know these people didn't intend to purchase it, but playing on their pre-lunchtime hunger, the store throws those things in their face - and they eat it up!  Plus you can see all the regulars pop in to do their normal convenience store routine.  They always do the 'How's it going', make a little small chat, and leave.  How interesting.  Well, maybe not.  Just thought I'd share that with you.

Part 2 - about 10:00 p.m. at Holiday Inn:
Quite a bit of time has gone by since I wrote the above.  The cashier mentioned some local attractions I should visit.  He told me to see the locks and power dam in Massena.  He also said I really should visit Lake Placid.  Lake Placid is the main attraction of the region.  It was the site for the 1980 winter Olympics.   I visited the dam (the locks were closed) and then headed for Lake Placid.  On my trip to Lake Placid, I got my first view of the Adirondack Mountains.  The drive was spectacular.  Rolling hills and tall trees were tucked right up to the road.   The road sometimes provided for a great view of the region's mountains.

Lake Placid is located farther into the heart of New York.  The town is small and comfortably sized.  There were more people than usual on the streets confirming that it was a tourist town.  I stopped by a nice small hotel called the Mirror Lake Inn.   I had a look at a couple of their rooms.  It's a very nice luxury hotel.   Wood everywhere you look.  I noted the attention to small details as I looked at the rooms.  I almost stayed there but I just felt it would be more enjoyable if I was to have a friend come along.  There's so much to do in Lake Placid, from bobsled, toboggan, and luge rides to visiting the Olympic Center and Museum.  I would like to visit when I have more time.  The Olympic Winter Challenge is also taking place right now.  According to the bellman, a number of Olympic stars come to Lake Placid and perform.  I looked around at some of the other hotels.  Most were already on their weekend rates (more expensive).  Surprisingly, the big chains were about the same price as the Mirror Lake Inn, but much less cozy and luxurious.  I would definitely recommend checking out the Mirror Lake Inn if you're looking at visiting Lake Placid.  I found that Holiday Inn still had its mid-week rate at a much more affordable $70 (Mirror Lake was $150 - check at time of reservation for current rates).  I felt it was a better idea to take the Holiday Inn, since I wasn't going to be here for more than a day and things were already closing around town.   The Holiday Inn isn't as nice, but it does provide the basic amenities and a good view for a reasonable price.

I can't say for sure that I'm going to keep my current plan of going up to Maine.  I had a real strong urge to head out West.   But there are other factors that will play into my spur-of-the-moment decision.   You'll have to come back and see what I decided to do.  For now, enjoy some beautiful pictures of New York.

2/12/99 - Day 4 - Today was uneventful.  After I checked out from the Holiday Inn at Lake Placid, I took a drive over to Montpelier, Vermont.  Unfortunately, the drive took a little bit longer than expected.  The navigation program decided to send down some roads that weren't meant for traffic.  One road was a seasonal road - it wasn't being maintained until April.  After almost getting stuck, I decided to go my own way.  Unfortunately, it was already getting dark by the time I arrived at Montpelier.  I tried taking a few photos, but they appeared too dark.

2/13/99 - Day 5 - I stopped last night in Gorham, NH at the Royal Inn.  I'm about an hour and a half from Augusta Maine, my planned destination today.  I'll decide what to do when I get there and go from there.

2/15/99 - Day 7 - Interesting fact: I'm watching the Larry King interview and found out that Linda Tripp vacationed in Lake Placid.  Cool, eh?  Anyway, it's been a couple days since my last entry.   I figured I'd lump all past three days' events into today's entry.

I've seen quite a bit in the last few days.   I came upon the future site of the Worlds Largest Snowman in Bethal, ME about an hour after I left the Royalty Inn.  Those of you who watch Headline News will know the snowman was featured on Headline News the same day I drove past.   My destination for the afternoon was Augusta - the capital of Maine.  I took a few pictures of the Capital building.  I also visited the Maine State Museum.   The museum is located next to the capital building.  The museum carries many artifacts that represent the state's history and accomplishments.

I then made my way to Boston, Massachusetts.   I decided to relax at the Peabody Marriott for the evening.  I didn't arrive until 10:30, but I rested well and had breakfast the next morning.  Breakfast was quite busy on Sunday morning.  I made it out around 12:30.  I had the intention of getting a quick afternoon tour of Boston.  I read up about the Freedom Trail on Microsoft Expedia.  It seemed like a good idea to walk the Freedom Trial and take photos of the famous buildings.   I must have picked the coldest day to tour Boston.  It was 32 out and very windy.  Unfortunately, I forgot my thick jacket and gloves (I knew I'd forget something).  I think I was suffering from hypothermia.  After walking a couples mile over a large bridge to get to Bunker Hill, I was feeling a little dizzy and disoriented.  Of course once I got there, I walked 300 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument.  I enjoyed Bunker Hill - it made a nice end to my walk of the Freedom Trail.  There is so much history that I am not going to attempt to tell you.  I would recommend searching the web or checking out Expedia for info on Boston.  I have taken a few photos of the many sites to see in Boston.

I then drove to Providence, RI.  It was dark once I arrived so I looked into staying at the local Marriott.  At about $100, I thought their rates were too high and decided to drive on.  Bad idea.   My next stop was the Four Points Hotel somewhere in Connecticut.   Also $100 - pass.  The clerk mentioned there was a Super 8 down the road.  Their rate was about $60.  But I had a bad feeling about the place.  The main desk (not just the after hours one) had 1" bullet proof glass on it. PASS.  I figured a small motel in the middle of nowhere might have a better rate.  My next stop was at a small motel in the middle of nowhere.  The clerk at the Bethel Inn quoted a rate of $80.  What?!  His explanation was the Valentines weekend.  But on Sunday at a no-name motel?  I managed to work to him down to $60.  I reviewed the smoking double-bed room he had to offer.  It looked like one of those places where you share your dinner with the roaches.  I told him, "I'm gonna have to pass."  The lady at the $80 Ramada said everything was expensive in the county.  Drive, drive, drive is what I did.  Frustrated and tired, I wound up at the Royal Inn in Fishkill, NY.  The cute lady told me their best rate was $45.  I took it.  Seeing what I went through last night, you may understand why I didn't protest much in paying $140 for a room tonight.  All this has left me with a bad feeling about the New England area.  I like the rural areas very much, but as I've gone south into the more populated areas, I've really started to dislike the area.  In general, I like more rural areas to big cities, but there really isn't much that I found to be appealing.   I figured Rhode Island's capital, Providence, would be a comfortable small city - it seemed to be quite industrial.  My experience in Connecticut took place completely at night and consisted of looking for a motel.  It seemed to be one long stretch of big city.  Just as you were leaving one area, you were entering another city.  I think my idea was that the New England area was very colonial and had a small town feeling.  Guess I was wrong.

I decided not to go to New York City.  New York seemed like it would be very involved and a trip within itself.  Instead, I drove to Princeton, NJ with the hopes of seeing a high school friend.  Unfortunately my most advanced notice to him was this morning.  I seemed to catch him when he wasn't in and didn't get a chance to see him.  While I was there I did take a few photos of the University and town.  It's very nice and has a comfortable atmosphere.   I spent the afternoon taking pictures and watching people - it was a pleasant break.

I'm now just outside of Philadelphia, PA.   Tomorrow I may see a few a sites in Philadelphia.  After this, who knows?   Here are my current thoughts.  Since I seem to dislike big cities, I may focus more on visiting smaller places.  I would like to make it interesting though.  I would like to see places with unique qualities.  Like Lake Placid.  It was a nice small place, but it had the unique privilege of being host to the 1980 Winter Olympics.  I am also looking at maybe going out West.  This may be a good idea if the weather would be warm.  When will I go home?  I don't know.  It could be next week or much later.  It depends on many factors: my interest, money, the mechanical condition of my car, weather, and many other things which could affect the outcome of my trip.  We'll just have to see how things go...

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