NEW HAMPSHIRE & MAINE
Old Man rock formation

left: "Old Man" rock formation. Right: top of Mt. Washington York Lighthouse

New Hamphire and Maine are two of the original colonies that enjoy their freedom and lifestyles much too much. The New Hamphire motto is "Live Free or Die". The state's mascott is the "old man" rock formation in the White Mountains (top photo above). This rugged individualism seems quaint to people of the American West. After all, you can be in downtown Boston or even New York City in half a day's drive. There are three tourist seasons in upper New England: the summer, the autumn leaf season, and the winter ski season. Most tourists drive there from their suburban homes.

Maine is the only state of the lower 48 that is totally cut-off by another state from the rest. The interstate that cuts across the Eastern shore of New Hamphire on the way to Maine is heavily subsidized. It is wide and continually resurfed whether it needs it or not. New Hamphire runs some very large liquor stores at the rest areas.

The car shown above was spotted on the freeway connecting Maine to the rest of the United States. The AMES sign is framing the New Hamphire capitol dome in Concord, NH.
Portmouth, NM Bridge

This is the old draw bridge that connected Maine to New Hamphire at Portsmouth. As ocean going ships head-out this draw bridge has to be raised minutes ahead of time, in case there is a problem and the ship can't stop in time. Luckily there is a higher, non-draw bridge on the interstate highway. Even still, downtown Portsmouth gets backed-up with cars several times a day waiting on this bridge.

Portsmouth is one of New England's hottest little cities. Traditionally, it has been a major naval town that has had to find new sources of income after the cold war. Find out why it's so hot, now.

Once inside Maine there is a huge tourist information center on the interstate that handles brochures and publications for the entire state. You'll find everything from Portland entertainment weeklies to information on the Wilhelm Reich Center for Orgonic Research. Unlike most tourist information centers, this one has so many give aways you can literally fill your trunk.

The state of Maine has also on the rise. At York you can see one of the famous lighthouses of America (top of page) or you can actually surf the Atlantic Ocean. Many wealthy people have summer homes along the Maine coast and country stores have changed into art galleries.

Art and culture is one of Maine's bright spots, today. The expertise from large East Coast cities has helped Maine find the money to grow their art museums and theatres. Maine's non-profit art organizations have become "audience" oriented. By understanding who the audience will be for their shows and exhibitions they can easily find sponsors that want to reach the particular audience that attends the event.
Despite being the summer home of conservative George Bush, Kennebunkport is at the center of a very liberal amount of new art galleries opening in Maine. With them come factory outlet malls and all the usual suspects of mobile American life. Still, you can find the roughneck, lumberjack dives as well.