Road trip 2013 - searching for what makes Maine the way life should be

Log update, Wednesday around 4:00

• Arrived in Belfast around 5:00 yesterday evening to spend the night with my Dad, Mr Ed Hardy.  After a quick trip to the grocery store, and then a very welcome cold Heineken, we enjoyed a very tasty dinner at the Weathervane restaurant.  Lobster and Fajitas for dinner.  Oooooh Yeeaaaahhh.
• After dinner, we watched a Federer get smoked by Tsonga at the French Open.  Ouch Roger!
• I headed out early morning for my first stop today: Bangor.  Walked into this great bakery/cafe for some breakfast and met a woman named Terry enjoying her breakfast.  We got to talking, and she agreed to interview for me.  Found out she is between jobs, and between life situations - and so is couch surfing at friends houses.  Very interesting woman.
• Terry told me I had to talk to two other people in town - an artist named Brian Monahan, and Jim, the chancelor for the U-Maine system (who's office was across the street).  Went to Jim's office building (3rd floor) and unfortunately he was on his way out to a meeting in Augusta.  But had a nice conversation with the receptionist and got some more names of people to talk to.
• Then went to Brian's 2nd floor art studio on Main St.  What a great studio and vibe! Brian was fantastic to talk to. Great and very interesting life story to get to where and who he is today.  Bought a couple of his art pieces too that he sells across the street out of a hotel lobby.
• Then interviewed the manager of the hotel who sold me the art work!  His name is Paul.  We sat outside in the tree covered square outside the hotel.  What a beautiful day!
• Wow, great stuff.  Now up to Millinocket, but first a stop in Orono to check out the U-Maine campus (never been before - nor had I been to downtown Bangor, which is a very cool little city!
• Went into the visitor center at UMO and met Justin - the manager of the center.  He was great and was more than happy to interview for my book.
• From there, cruised up Rt 2 to go through Old Town before getting on I-95.  Noticed on the map that there is a Penobscot Indian reservation in Old Town.  In fact, it's on an island in the Penobscot River.  This is where I met a young man named Gabe, a true Penobscot, who works in their cultural center and teaches native indian language to kids growing up there.  Really, really nice guy who appreciates much about Maine.
• I am typing this now from my motel room in Millenocket.  Soon, will head into town and see who else I have the good fortune of meeting.  Ciao!