Two weeks exactly and I'll be on a plane to Europe for a new teaching assignment. My lofty goals of going to Canada have been replaced with added time in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. It's always interesting to me how fluid my travels are, but truly I like having the ability to shift gears, especially when I know my time stateside is coming to an end. 

Some coworkers and family continue to ask when will I return to New Hampshire for the long term. I don't have a firm answer simply that life brings change. I believe if one is already looking several years ahead at different potentials, then the present is overlooked. Living in the moment is key, especially in the crazy times we all live in. Not to mention, I haven't even gotten on the plane yet. 

To that end, the summer break continues to be a holding pattern. I filled much of my time consolidating my belongings and whittling them down to two bags. It's been a bit crazy because at the beginning of the year I had a two bedroom house with a writing loft. Now, my writing haven is gone. Even Microsoft Word isn't working properly on my new computer, which hopefully isn't a sign that no new books are on the horizon. I have saved one book for my trip. Surprisingly, I didn't take Rusty Star (no room), the Marcus Files, or any of my Luza books. The only book I will take is From West Virginia with Love. 

Whether it's for nostalgia reasons, I'm not sure. I wrote the book when I lived outside Tampa, The story takes place in the Washington DC area and in Crimea. In my adult years I have spent more time in greater DC, so I wanted to create a story in a region I know well. (On a side note Luza takes place in Lakes Region, New Hampshire) As for Crimea, I often look back on my student exchange time on the Black Sea. In Yalta, my eyes were first opened to life outside the USA and how even with cultural differences, we are all connected. I know that my month living in the old wine vineyard, stirred my soul and created this desire to travel and live in different areas.

In regard to the novel, creating Chase and his search for love was a fun ride. Having a paperback copy with me will remind me of the journey I continue to take and the many twists and turns to follow. I'm curious if you had one fiction book to choose for your travels, what would you take?   

My journey on the train has come to pass. I only took the train to Washington DC but elected to fly back for the return trip. I wish I could say I was eager to ride another eight plus hours, but I made a novice error on the way down that I paid for the remainder of my trip. Note to self, don't turn only your neck and look out the window the entire journey. Let's just say the stiffness in my neck, back, and shoulder have only now begun to recede. I wish I could say this is simply about getting older, but truly I was like a little kid focused on every tree, building, body of water, and scenic vista that crossed our path. My neck did not share the same level of interest, clearly. 

On the return trip to Maine I found myself on a prop plane, a Cessna that sat seven passengers in total. I was the lucky one to ride directly behind the pilot. I made sure to not make any drastic movements, like kick the seat or lunge forward during our flight. Only 1500 feet high, I didn't want to tempt fate.

Having never flown on a Cessna before, this was a real treat. We flew along the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine coastlines. For the first time I was able to get a different vantage point of home and while the engine/turbines/propellers were quite loud, this was a beautiful journey. I can see why people shell out the bucks to take fall foliage flights. 

Now in Vacationland for the next three or so weeks, I'm thinking about a return trip to Lubec or Eastport. With tourist season underway, the easternmost points in the state are less populated by the throngs of New Yorkers, Jerseyites, and Connecticut types that have taken over the roads these past three years. I'll be sure to share some photos when I get a chance and update when I can. 

In the meantime here are some recent snapshots from my latest lakeside retreat. There is something special about summertime in northern New England.