Traveling Home From Maine

Thursday, January 8

I never like goodbyes, nor do I like the end of vacations, but I have learned that it is just a part of life. We said goodbye to Diane and Lydia (the only two in the house) about 6:50 AM so we would be at Wayne and Betty’s by 7:00 AM.

DSC_4569Our friend Betty (left) and her family live about two miles from Mark and Diane, and asked if we would be interested in having a passenger on our drive to and from Maine. It worked out well for us, and we were pleased to have Betty’s friend Alice (right) with us.

Though we don’t live far apart, we had never met. We enjoyed getting to know her during our 18 hours ( 9 each way) on the road.

DSC_4571It was a frigid morning in Maine, -9 degrees when we left the house.

DSC_4578We saw -10 on our car’s thermometer a few minutes later.

DSC_4582Thankfully it was nice and warm in our car.

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DSC_4599We thought of Hezekiah while following this Hartt truck, as he works as a mechanic for them when he is not in college.

DSC_4601I spent most of the day reading a book that I downloaded on my Nook.

I saw it advertised online one day – Measure Of A Man by Martin Greenfield.

http://www.amazon.com/Measure-Man-Auschwitz-Survivor-Presidents/dp/1621572668

DSC_4602When I read the reviews, I noticed that he had survived Auschwitz, but what really captured my attention was that he also survived Buchenwald.

We visited Buchenwald when we were in Germany a few years ago.

DSC_4604He wrote a captivating story of his family’s capture when he was 15 – the last time he saw his parents and siblings – to his release from Buchenwald – to coming to America.

Today he is a tailor to presidents and celebrities.

DSC_4607The sun was beginning to set as we approached home.

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DSC_4610It looks like winter at home in Pennsylvania – as well as in Maine which we left behind hours earlier.

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DSC_4614As we followed a car carrier on RT 501 – not far from our house – I said to Cerwin, “You know you are getting close to home when you follow a car carrier on a Thursday evening.” – because of the weekly auto auction in Manheim each Friday.

It was good to be home again – and catch up on the lives of our house guests – Reuben, Judi, and their two little ones.