Today, Curtis and I hiked one of the easiest trails on one of Maine's easiest mountains, Bradbury. Neither of us was too up for being challenged. Curtis took the lead and used a map I printed online to bring us effortlessly around the trail. He was worried that a bee hive might still be around in the same spot as it was last year but I told him it was unlikely and thankfully there was nothing. The mountain is about a half hour north by highway with turns well marked after the exit ramp. The only way I know how to get there.
When we left, I was about to turn towards the highway when Curtis said, "Let's take Rte. 9 West home, instead." I asked if it brought us into Portland and he said, "it will take us from Freeport to North Yarmouth to Cumberland to Falmouth and then to Portland." I'm not very good at directions and asked him if he was sure and he said "yes". He sounded sure. The towns were in the right order so I went with it. He sang on the way home, happy I listened to him. Of course he was dead on and we made the same time riding home at 35-45mph than we did going up on the highway. In addition to his topography study, it turns out Curtis used to take that road to occupational therapy when he was 4 years old and remembered it. We will definitely take that way to and from the mountain next time.

Greg, Dad