Two driveways

Route

The actual route was a bit different from the plan. I spent the night before in my cousin's driveway on Long Island, a first test of the rooftop tent and a head start on the traffic around the city. Left around 7:30 and drove straight to Stowe, except for all the stops: a last New York bacon, egg and cheese, a power nap on the side of the road, and the Vermont Country Deli at the start of Vermont. I'd never been. Such a cool spot, and packed for lunch. The line for their famous mac and cheese and pulled pork combo was too long, so I got a sandwich and a mixed berry pie for later.

The foliage on the way in was absolutely spectacular. All the maples were peaking, bright reds and yellows through the mountains along 89. Starlink ran the whole drive, and I took a call without a single drop. As long as you have open sky, you have service.

Got to Stowe around 3. It was 70 degrees. Parked and walked down into town, because I'd been sitting for so long.

Rhea

Home for this first week. She joins on Day 8, and by then the back seat, currently full of stuff I threw in to get on the road, has to be empty.

Notes

Dinner at the house: barbecue chicken off the grill, a corn, tomato and veggie summer salad, and potato salad. The deli pie was a 10 out of 10.

The first night in the tent, the air mattress wasn't nearly inflated enough and I tossed and turned. A little more air the second night, and much better sleep. That's what this New England loop is for: getting the rig dialed in. The truck bed is next, organized for weight and for getting at things. There are going to be some tough mornings when it's wet and cold, and getting through those is what makes all the other moments worthwhile.

Steinbeck's book reads like a man alone in his truck. Bill Steigerwald, who retraced the route, found he slept mostly in motels, hotels and other people's houses. Two nights in, I've slept in two driveways, both belonging to people I love.