Lessons from the Road

*Bungalow in Plymouth, MA - September 2026*

Seeking relief from Florida’s summer heat and its close friend humidity, I took to the roads from late July through the end of September. Cape Elizabeth, Maine for the month of August, and Plymouth, MA for September. Cool breezes, crispy mornings, and a chance to see parts of the US gave my sweat glands some relief!

*Crossing the George Washington Bridge, New York, 2026*

I have a new appreciation for

the luxury of sliding into a fleece hoodie when the air is crispy
the incredible network of roads and highways across the country, and the fact that GPS allows me to travel worry-free from one place to another. 100 years ago, this would have been a much more difficult trip.
Claude, helping me to plan my route, find charging stops, and explore places to walk with Selkie.
The delight of coming home and sleeping in my own bed, in my own sheets and using a nice washing machine in my home!

Some interesting nuggets:

Tolls in the New Jersey/New York/Connecticut area are off the charts high: One toll charge was for $21.88 (GW Bridge from NJ to NY) and another one for $23.30 (GW Bridge over the Harlem River). Ouch!
In Plymouth, I washed my clothes at a laundromat, spending $6.00 in quarters for one load. Thankfully, a change machine turned my $20 bill into 80 quarters. I’m now ready for anything.
Parking meters in downtown Plymouth require quarters. But I was ready.
Both Maine and Massachusetts are serious about their cyclists and pedestrians. Signs reminding drivers to allow 3-4 feet of space when passing a cyclist and to watch for pedestrians in crosswalks were a welcome sight.
In Massachusetts, you buy liquor at the Package Store (the Packy). In Maine, it’s called an Agency Liquor Store.
Hydrangeas. They’re gigantic here, Most bushes are well over six feet tall.

*Hydrangea bushes at dusk, Cape Elizabeth, Maine - 2026*

Upon reflection, I’m sharing four lessons:

Try something every day that’s outside your comfort zone. While in Maine, I checked meetup.com and found a French-speaking group meeting locally. Nervous about attending, I dared myself to go. Twenty minutes later, I was deep in conversation with three other French-speakers. Topics ranged from how do you say moose in French (elan) to where to eat in Cape Elizabeth (CSalt Market) as well as stories of getting home late at night when the parking garage is closed or your car has been towed. I’ve since posted the question: Does this expand me or diminish me? to my bathroom mirror as a reminder to stretch myself daily.
Make time to enjoy a National Park. I discovered Acadia National Park and was blown away by this natural treasure. For decades, I’ve wanted to see the National Parks, but that desire always landed in the ‘someday bucket’. Prioritizing natural wonders keeps you inspired and appreciative of our wonderful natural world. Plus, it’s great fun to add stamps in your National Park passport when you visit!
Ask yourself: what’s essential in my life? In the last year, I’ve sold or given away of most of my possessions so that my entire life fit into an 8’ by 8’ by 8’ storage unit. I sold my home in Seattle and moved in with my (very generous) sister in Florida. Having no space to accumulate things helps me to focus on things that are most important. Releasing things that I loved was hard, but the joy on the other side is liberating. Now, possessions I loved are enjoyed by someone else. My life is more about experiences than things.
Say yes to new people In Plymouth, I walked on the beach with Selkie and discovered other dog owners on the same path. Leslie seemed to be the chief maven, introducing herself and ensuring that every dog in her vicinity gets a cookie. Selkie made a new friend Abby (Leslie’s dog) and off they went playing together on the beach. We talked, gave the dogs cookies and appreciated the gorgeous mornings. Such a lovely way to start the day.
Thankful for this adventure, I’m now planning next summer’s escapade. Have dog, will travel!

Good Morning, Morning Pages!

cynthia lait