An EV Adventure

       Cyndi and I have traveled more than usual this past spring, including two international trips. I thought we were done for the year until Cyndi signed up for an Anatomy Trains Myofascial Workshop in Walpole, Maine, in mid-August. Of course, I came along to hang out with her.

       Whenever I go to a workshop with Cyndi, it means she’s in class all day while I entertain myself. I’m happy being with that arrangement. I take my backpack stuffed with books, journal, articles to be read, and catch up on personal projects, Cyndi learns new ways to help people, and we’re someplace new, together. What could be better?

       We flew to Portland International Jetport Wednesday morning by way of Austin and Chicago with only a few hour-long delays. When we finally got to the rental car counter, they were out of cars, even though we had reservations. The line to get one was excruciatingly slow since they had to wait until another car was returned before they could take the next customer.

       The young man behind the counter offered anyone who would take an EV (Electric Vehicle) a half-price discount. Cyndi and I talked it over each time he made the offer, turning him down twice, until we finally ran out of patience and took him up on it. They gave us a white Chevrolet Bolt.

       Thursday morning, we left our Airbnb in Wiscasset and drove to the Anatomy Trains Workshop in Walpole, about half an hour. It was beautiful, especially for two desert dwellers like us. We drove past ocean inlets and down deeply wooded roads.

       I came back to the house in Wiscasset for a Zoom meeting which lasted two hours. After that, I needed to go somewhere, anywhere, else, so I loaded my backpack and went to a nearby McDonald’s (described on the city map as an iconic fast food hamburger restaurant). It turned out to be a fine location for some reading and editing a mentoring course I’ve been working on. Then back to the Anatomy Trains studio to get Cyndi.

       She was excited about her day, and all she’d learned. Her notes had my name written in the margins, meaning she’d heard how to help even me. We discussed it all over haddock cakes and roasted lobster at the Water Street Restaurant in Wiscasset. It was very good, but I have yet to be blown away by lobster. Even here, in Maine. Maybe if they added green chilies?

       Friday morning we again left for the workshop, stopping to buy supplies at Hannaford’s Grocery in Damariscotta, then to the Anatomy Trains studio. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Cyndi discovered she didn’t have her books for class, so I drove back to our house, scooped them up, then raced back. I handed them off about 9:20 to another workshop attendee who was coming down the stairs as I walked in.

       “Here, these are for Cyndi.”

       “I’m sorry. I don’t know which one she is.”

       “She’s beautiful with stunning, curly gray hair.”

       The young woman went inside and handed the books directly to Cyndi. Well done.

       After watching a YouTube video about vehicle recharging, I drove back to Damariscotta to the Rising Tide Coop for my first attempt. One thing I noticed right away: this charging station was not a fast one. I plugged in and sat in the car, reading, for about an hour.

       Saturday morning, we packed up our stuff and loaded the car. The check-out time for our Airbnb was 10:00 am, which seemed a bit early. Our plan was to drive back to Portland that evening after the workshop to spend the night with Jeff and Robin Darr on their sailboat.

       I decided to find a fast DC Charge Station in one of the larger towns west and south of Wiscasset but had no real success. Several stations advertised as fast charging, weren’t. And most of those were already in use. I finally found an empty station at a hospital, and later another one near the headquarters for L. L. Bean, in Freeport. I was barely keeping up. Finally, defeated, I drove back to Damariscotta and charged up a little more at the Coop. All my efforts of the day were wasted. I burned as many kilowatts driving around searching as I put in.

       Now, I was concerned. I didn’t want to ruin the evening for Cyndi, but I knew we wouldn’t make it all the way to the South Portland Marina without stopping to charge at least once, if not twice.

       As we drove toward Portland, Cyndi located an EZgo charging station, and she called the main office to ask if it was a fast charger. They assured her that it was, even when she asked in her strongest elementary school teaching voice. And this time, they were correct. In only 45 minutes we had enough charge to get to the marina that evening and the airport the next morning.

       I was worn out, emotionally exhausted, from worrying all day and making little or no progress. To settle my mind while driving I made a mental list from the day:

       First, when all was said and done, I enjoyed driving the car. I would happily drive an electric car all the time, based on the driving experience. I knew I’d figure out all the charging problems with a little more experience.

       Second, we had two things working against us. We were in a rental car that we weren’t familiar with, and it was our first time dealing with charging, so we had no idea how long it would take to charge or where to find fast charging stations. And we were in rural Maine, which means we had few choices for charging.

       Third, I finally talked myself down from thinking I’d wasted time sitting in the car for hours while it charged. In fact, I was working on the same projects I’d’ve worked on we been driving a gasoline car. The only difference – I would have been sitting in McDonalds, an iconic restaurant, instead of the front seat of our car (which was probably the healthier choice).

       Fourth and final … I don’t enjoy a just-in-time life. I like having reserves - whether money, or time, or electricity. I am a planner, and I enjoy following my own plans. I do better in life when I know where the edges are, the risks, and the worst-case scenario. Once I figure that out, I’m comfortable improvising. But with this EV I was never comfortable. I didn’t know how much reserve I had. I didn’t know what to do I if ran completely out of charge on some bridge on the Interstate.

       Well, it all turned out great. We made it to South Portland in time to have dinner with Jeff and Robin, then spent the night on their boat. It was fun, and we had a great time learning about sailboats. Cyndi wanted to go sailing with them so bad she was vibrating.

       I was afraid my concerns might dampen the joy Cyndi was having, and I didn’t want that. I don’t need, nor expect everything to work out according to my plans, but it was my job to look at the practical side of charging the car. I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t important, or we would end up stranded beside the road in rural Maine with few ideas what to do next.

       Sunday morning we flew from Portland to Baltimore, then to Dallas, and then to Midland. We finally got home about 11:00 pm. In spite of my worrying and all that, Cyndi had a great workshop. Each day she came out excited and full of ideas. Check the online schedules for Cyndi’s yoga studio and attend one of her Myofascial Release classes. She’ll make your life better.

*  *  *  *  *

“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.”
Psalm 119:32

*  *  *  *  *

Thank you for reading! This is a reader-supported publication, and it only works with your help. Please share with your friends. You can find more of my writing, learn about my books, or subscribe to this free blog, at berrysimpson.com.