Sometimes the best adventures start with a simple question.
In August 2023, my friend Ray asked if I'd be interested in riding with him to Maine. He was heading there for a friend's wedding and needed a road trip buddy. After spending the previous few years working hard in a new job, I was ready for a few days away from the grind.
There wasn't much convincing involved. Ray asked. I said yes.
A few days later, he picked me up in Dardanelle, Arkansas, in a rental truck and we pointed the front end north. Over the next five days, we'd travel roughly 3,600 miles, cross multiple states, visit some incredible historic sites, explore Acadia National Park, attend a wedding for people I'd never met, and eat enough hot wings to last a lifetime.
It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable road trips I've ever taken.
Why We Took a Road Trip from Arkansas to Maine
The wedding gave us a destination, but the road trip was really about the journey.
Ray is a great travel partner because he's always up for side adventures. Historic sites, national parks, strange roadside attractions, local restaurants, or random detours, he's usually ready to check them out.
The miles passed quickly thanks to a steady mix of classic country music from the 1970s through the 1990s, comedy routines, and more true crime podcasts than I had ever listened to before.
At some point early in the trip, we created a challenge for ourselves. We decided to try hot wings in every state where we stopped. That sounded like a great idea on day one. By day four, it was becoming a serious commitment.
Still, we stuck with it.
Visiting Gettysburg National Military Park
One of our first major stops was Gettysburg. I've always enjoyed history, but standing on the battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park was a different experience entirely. Reading about an event and standing where it happened are two very different things. What struck me most was the gravity of the place.
You quickly realize there is far more to the story than most of us learn in school. Thousands of people fought and died there during one of the most significant moments in American history, and that weight still seems to linger across the landscape. Gettysburg wasn't just interesting. It was humbling.
Exploring Minute Man National Historical Park
As we continued north, we stopped at Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts. This stop was mostly Ray's idea, and I'm glad he suggested it. The site isn't enormous, but it's one of those places where history suddenly becomes real. Walking through the area where the opening events of the American Revolution unfolded gives you a deeper appreciation for the people and events that helped shape the nation. It's easy to overlook places like this when planning a trip, but it ended up being one of the highlights of the journey.
A Visit to Walden Pond in Massachusetts
Walden Pond was a stop I had wanted to make for a long time. I'd read Henry David Thoreau's work, heard stories about Walden, and always wondered what the area was actually like. The pond itself was busier than I expected. Apparently, I wasn't the only person interested in seeing it.
Even with the crowds, though, there was something peaceful about standing in a place that has inspired readers, writers, and nature lovers for generations. Visiting Walden Pond felt a little like meeting someone you've heard about for years. The experience lived up to my expectations.
Acadia National Park Was Worth Every Mile
Eventually we reached Maine. I expected Maine to be beautiful. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. For me, Acadia National Park was the highlight of the entire trip. Everywhere we looked seemed worthy of a photograph. Rocky coastlines, forested hills, mountain views, and the Atlantic Ocean combined to create some of the most impressive scenery I've ever experienced. One of my favorite moments was visiting Cadillac Mountain.
Standing there and looking out across the landscape, it was easy to understand why Acadia National Park consistently ranks among the most visited national parks in the United States. Some destinations get overhyped. Acadia wasn't one of them. It was every bit as impressive as people had told me. Maybe even more.
Spending Time in Bar Harbor, Maine
While exploring Acadia National Park, we also spent time in Bar Harbor. There's something relaxing about a coastal town filled with boats, harbors, and ocean views. I found myself taking photo after photo of the waterfront. There wasn't a dramatic event or major attraction drawing my attention. It was simply peaceful. Sometimes that's enough. Bar Harbor turned out to be one of those places where slowing down and enjoying the view is the attraction.
A Maine Wedding, a Floatplane, and a Cold Lake
The reason for our trip was a wedding in Lincoln, Maine. I didn't know the couple before arriving, but they turned out to be wonderful people, and the wedding was a great time. One of my favorite memories happened afterward at a small after-party held at a cabin beside a lake. The cabin sat near a body of water where a floatplane regularly landed and took off. That's not something you see every day in Arkansas. The only surprise was the water temperature. Even in August, that lake was cold. Apparently Maine has a different definition of swimming weather than Arkansas does.
Buffalo Wings at the Original Anchor Bar
Eventually it was time to head home. Along the way, we completed one final mission. We stopped at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, the restaurant widely recognized as the birthplace of the Buffalo wing. After eating wings across multiple states, it seemed only fitting that we visit the original. The verdict? Absolutely worth it. The wings were excellent, and the stop became one more memorable side adventure on a trip that already had plenty of them.
What This Road Trip Taught Me
When I look back at this trip, I don't think about a single destination. I think about the experience. I think about stopping at state welcome signs for photos. I think about listening to music while watching hundreds of miles of highway roll by. I think about standing on historic battlefields, exploring Walden Pond, looking out from Cadillac Mountain, and discovering just how beautiful Maine really is. Most of all, I think about spending time with a good friend. Sometimes we get so focused on work, responsibilities, and schedules that we forget how valuable a few days away can be. This trip reminded me that adventure doesn't always require months of planning. Sometimes all it takes is a friend asking if you'd like to go.
Maine surprised me.
Acadia National Park amazed me.
The wings at Anchor Bar lived up to the hype.
And if Ray calls tomorrow and asks if I want to take another road trip? The answer is still yes.
Anchor Bar what?! OOOOOOOOOOOH! You've been there!