We use our GPS. It's an amazing tool, helping us get from point A to point B without getting too lost. But then again, I never do a road trip without a paper state map open on my lap. I like to get the big picture of where we were and where we are headed. And I like to see places off our planned route that might be of interest.
Plus it's just fun to pass the miles noticing some of the cities and towns nearby....and trying to pronounce them. Or trying to figure out just where the name originated in the first place. In Maine we found some good examples! Who founded Meddybemps? Passadumkeag is an Indian word I assume....wonder what it means? You'll find North Vasselboro, Vasselboro and East Vasselboro right next to China! Big Lake seems pretty obvious, but Seboomook? And I assume Mr. And Mrs. Clark owned Clark's Island. Bald Porcupine Island.....what happened to the quills?
Names we found in Nova Scotia were even more challenging since many came from the original French or Gaelic settlers. Mira Gut, Fourchu, Arisaig and Digdrguash to name a few. I wish we'd driven up to Pugwash.....just sounds interesting. Culloden, Doucetteville, Shubenacadie. How would you like to have to write Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, Canada every time you had to write down your address? The list goes on!
Names like Glengarry, Cornwall and New Glasgow were probably named in remembrance of places left behind. Cape George, Hazel Hill, Margaretsville....named for a loved one?
Anyway....the GPS guides us along saying "when possible make a legal u-turn" because somehow we've wandered off the track. The GPS Lady doesn't know what she's missing!
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