Lubec, Maine, The starting point of my epic journey across the United States. It is almost 2 years to the day when I will be visiting this lighthouse at the most eastern point of the USA, and dipping my feet in the Atlantic Ocean. It will take me around 210 days before i see the sea again. Why Lubec? Well, the main reason was that I wanted to go from the furthest point possible to the furthest point possible. The fact that the sleepy town of Lubec borders with the Canadian crossing was merely a bonus. This way I literally can run into the US and out of the other side! Whist running through the beautiful state of Maine, I will be following the crooked coastline all the way down to the first city on my journey, Portland. I will be passing through some beautiful areas as spring approaches and the trees begin to turn green again. [caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Belfast, Maine[/caption] The only downsides of starting my trip all the way up in Maine is that I must travel through all of the hills and mountains of the neighbouring New Hampshire and Vermont, states famed for their cold and snowy winters. I will even be passing by 3 ski resorts on the way to the Niagara Falls! So here is to hoping that the snow will have melted by the time I reach them and spring will be in full swing. These states are ones which I have always wanted to visit. Whenever you see photos of the rolling hillsides, colored in reds, oranges and gold, chances are that it was take in one of these tree states. Granted as it's spring I will miss these colors, but, i will be happy just to be running through them as summer approaches. I am so excited to visit these first 3 states, it is the beginning, the first part of the challenge, if I can conquer the hills, mountains and rivers heren the surely I can make it through the next 11 states!