This is Russ again, blogging from Portland Maine. We just ate at a great restaurant, a 9.5 out of 10. Trisha correctly insisted on waiting for a table. We met and talked to several couples at the bar;one from France and they weren't obnoxious.

  First mini crisis today. I left all my medication in Lincoln New Hampshire. We called and the person at the desk, of undetermined  origin with only passable language skills, said they hadn't found it. Trisha called back and got them to search the room, and they found it under the bed. How Trisha allowed it to get there is beyond my comprehension, but all's well that ends well. They are mailing to the Eisenbergs and we'll pick it up in a few weeks.Hopefully BC/BS won't hassle me on getting an interim refill on them.

  Off tomorrow to Campebello and St. Johns New Brunswick for the ferry to Digby NS on Saturday. Digby scallops on Saturday evening.

  Living in hotels has been great. We are sleeping well and have never been more relaxed in our lives. Right now we don't miss having a place to return to, but no doubt in a few months we will want to settle somewhere. We're considering rentals in Ft. Myers in December, and hope to see you all there(staggered,of course), in December and January.  

  Trisha's a master at packing the car and keeping track of things(except for losing my medication-did she kick it under the bed on purpose?-will we ever know for sure), but for those of you who haven't heard this story(my  kids can exit now unless they want to check that I tell the story the same way again), in 1960, after my mother died, my father took the four boys and my grandparents (7  of us in total) to Florida in our station wagon. That meant 3 in the front seat, 3  in the back seat and Jeff or me lying on the luggage in the rear. There was no Cheaseapeake bridge, so my father took the ferry route. Unfortunately there was a 6 hour wait for the ferry, in 95 degree heat. We walked along side the car for 6 hours. Lucky my grandparents survived. We then drove through the night to make up the lost time. But the 6 days in Florida were magical. We stayed at the Sea Isle Hotel on Collins Avenue, aging, but a palace to us kids. The American plan gave us two meals a day in the big dining room, and I could order hamburger for breakfast.   I was 13, but 48 years later I remember the trip like it was yesterday.  

      Getting back to 2008, I recommend a trip like the one we're on, but not for everyone. Better if you can completely let go of most other obligations( we still worry about our kids, but that's about it). We're in a unique position, and taking advantage of it. See you all soon.  Russ