Day 5: From Manhattan to Maine – The Journey Continues

Packing Up and Hitting the Road

The first thing we did when we woke up was pack our bags, making sure we hadn’t left anything behind. We then headed to the parking lot where Steele was waiting for us.

For those who don’t know, Steele is my trusty vehicle that’s taken me safely to some of the most remote places. If you’ve read my blog from the first trip to Northwest Canada, you’ll know that Steele even saved my life when we had to travel through a thick forest fire for 45 minutes.

Just to clarify: I often say "we" instead of "I" because I think of Steele as part of the team. Some people have been asking who I’m traveling with, and I promise, it’s just me… and Steele. (Sorry, Ronit – there’s no mystery companion!)

Oh, and if you hear me mention "Mini," that’s my mini Starlink antenna dish. Thanks to Mini, I’ve got internet 24/7, even while speeding down highways. Well, not too fast—of course, I stick to the speed limit! In fact, without Mini, I wouldn’t be able to upload today’s blog because the cabin’s internet was too slow to upload videos and images. So, hats off to Mini for making this blog possible!

Coffee and Goodbyes

After loading up the car, Hila and I went for one last cup of coffee together. I ordered two large cold brews to go, and after a quick hug, we said our goodbyes. It was tough to leave my beautiful daughter, but the road calls! Plus, she had plenty of plans that kept her busy.

Still, 48 hours together was amazing, and I felt like I’d recharged my emotional batteries. Back in the car, I transferred the coffee into my trusty Yeti cups. Those two cold brews kept me going well into the afternoon.

Leaving Manhattan: A Smoother Ride

Initially, I was worried I’d have to go through the Holland Tunnel, again, but Google Maps had a different plan. It took me north along the west side of Manhattan, all the way up to the Hudson Bridge. The drive was much easier this time, though it was still packed with traffic. Compared to the nerve-wracking tunnel experience coming in, this route was a breeze.

Pulled Over by the Police!

Just as we exited the Hudson Bridge, a mass police stop was underway. It wasn’t just me—they were pulling over hundreds of cars in this huge area. I was thinking, "What did I do? Was I speeding? Did I forget to signal?"

"License, insurance, and registration, please," said the officer when he approached my window. I handed him my documents and asked, "Why am I being stopped, officer?"

Turns out, it wasn’t for speeding or anything like that. It was because my license plate had a dealership frame around it, which is not allowed in New York State. You know, the little frames that say "Sewell" or "Cowboy Toyota" on them?

After about 20-25 minutes, the officer came back with my documents and said, "I’m going to let you off with a warning." Phew! Crisis averted, and I was back on the road.

THE POLICE TRAP LOCATION

SOME OF THE CARS STOPPED

A Scenic Drive Through Greenery

After crossing the Hudson Bridge, the scenery improved dramatically. The highway was surrounded by beautiful green trees and shrubs, making the drive anything but boring. It was such a pleasant change from the monotonous interstate highways.

Making Miles Toward Nova Scotia

With lots of miles to cover before reaching the northern tip of Nova Scotia (where we’ll catch the ferry to Newfoundland), I decided to drive as much as I could today. My plan was to find a nice hotel along the shoreline to spend the night before continuing the journey tomorrow.

A Visit to the Maine Visitor Center

At Exit 7, I noticed a Maine Tourist Information Center, so I pulled in to see if they had any tips for the route ahead. I met Tom, who was managing the center, and he was incredibly helpful. We reviewed maps, and he suggested a few scenic spots for the night. When I casually asked if finding a hotel room would be easy, given that it’s not peak season, he dropped a bombshell: "Oh, it’s foliage season—good luck finding a room."

Uh-oh. I quickly headed outside, sat in the car, and started searching for hotels on Google Maps. I made about 12 phone calls, and they all said the same thing: fully booked.

Just as I was losing hope, I found a place with a cottage available. It was a combination motel and cottage resort – lucky me!

TOM - Thanks to Tom, I managed to get room booked!

A Photo Stop at Lincolnville Beach

Before heading to the cottage, I made a quick detour to Lincolnville Beach for some photos. This was the first time I’d gotten out of the car in hours, and the view was breathtaking. It was a perfect little stop to stretch my legs and take in the beauty, before it got dark

Arrival at Colonial Gables Oceanfront Village

Around 7 p.m., I pulled into Colonial Gables Oceanfront Village, where I’d be staying the night. Dora, the front desk manager, greeted me with a big smile. She handed me the key and pointed me toward my cottage. When I got inside, I couldn’t believe my eyes—this place was incredible! The cottage had a giant balcony, a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, and was spotlessly clean.

View from Cottage

Shocking Dora with a "Complaint"

I went back to the office to give Dora a piece of my mind. I told her, “I have a major complaint about your cottage.” Her face dropped as she braced for whatever I was about to say.

I continued, “Dora, after staying in such a beautiful place, you’ve ruined all my future stays! No other accommodation will live up to this now.”

She burst out laughing and pointed me toward a nearby grocery store where I could pick up supplies for tomorrow’s drive to Canada.

Dinner at the Cottage

I grabbed some groceries—eggs, bread, cheese (this time, I didn’t forget!), and even a steak. Back at the cottage, I opened up the windows and doors, fired up a frying pan, and slowly cooked the steak. It came out edible. I’ll just leave it at that.

For Tommorow's Snackwiches

Booking the Ferry

Tomorrow’s plans are a bit tricky. I have a long drive ahead, plus a border crossing. There are only two or three ferries a day to Newfoundland, and you have to reserve a spot if you want room for your car. Thankfully, I managed to secure a spot on the 11:15 p.m. ferry, complete with a cabin. We’ll arrive in Newfoundland around 7 a.m. the next morning. So tomorrow - we will be pushing Pedal to the Metal.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today was a mix of emotions. It was sad to leave Hila behind, but exciting to be getting closer to Newfoundland. Tomorrow, we’ll see if Mini can keep us connected while sailing across open Atlantic seas!

Goodnight, y’all!

TODAYS PATH