Day 1

Up at 6:30, in the shower, and on the shuttle by 7:00. Things seemed to be going well. Passed the time paying way to much for breakfast a the airport.
I didn't make it on the 9:05. I went to the counter and the girls were nicer than those the night before. They confirmed me on a 10:00pm and gave me a stand-by for the 12:35. We'll see….
In the process of waiting for the 12:35, I started talking to the employee at the gate. She got me confirmed for the 4:25, but I was still standing by for the 12:35.
I didn't make it on the 12:35. I made some phone calls, did some stuff on my netbook (this experience alone has made me believe the purchase is justified), chatted with people. I had to mess around a bunch with my car reservation, as the rental location would be closed by the time I arrived. They were very nice. 4:00 rolled around and I was overcome with elation that I was finally going. We then sat, and intermittently taxied, for three hours. I started to finally read the book dad got me specifically for this trip. A collection of three Thoreau stories about New England places. Eight pages into The Maine Woods I sacked out for a good half hour. This was partly due to exhaustion, partly stress, and partly because I found Thoreau's prose to be repetitive and overindulgent - sort of a Mojo Jojo Thoreau. By the time we were in the air, I was into page sixty-something. I chatted with my neighbor while in the air.
I was handed my rental car keys at 9:00 pm on Friday. I should've been all over Vermont by now. I hopped in the car and jammed down I-95. I hadn't even been to the ATM, but the toll collector let me slide. Thus far, I have encountered a lot of very nice people. I can tell they are looking at me like I have lobsters crawling out of my ears, thinking, "What's with this yellow-haired kook…?" But they were still all smiles, friendly and helpful. The lady at Dunkin Donuts gave me free croissants. By the way, I think Dunkin Donuts OWNS New England. They're everywhere.
A little fresh air and my cough is already feeling better.
I drove until I found a decent rest area on 293 between Manchester and Concord in NH. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and got ready for bed (seemingly to the chagrin of the other ladies using the restroom. They must not travel on the cheap much). Read a little more Thoreau and went to sleep.
Oh, how I love and sorely miss being sung to sleep by crickets and locusts and other such insects!