Beware of stressed-out motorists flooding the roadways this summer from major metropolitan areas across the East. The Maine Office of Tourism is luring them with a mass transit ad campaign. The sign in the Metro station closest to my house reads: "If commuting’s got you ready to crack, take it out on a lobster… Come to Maine for a bake, and much more." The picture features a smiling, young girl holding up a giant, bright red lobster, with the ocean gleaming behind her. I’ve actually run into a few people when I slowed down and stopped paying attention to foot traffic as I walked by the display. I think this means it’s working.

However, I don’t think anyone who has experienced Rt. 1 in the
summer, 495 on a peak weekend or the roadwork that seems to be a
permanent fixture on every side road in the state from May until
September, will find driving in the state a breeze, even compared with
the traffic around the D.C. Beltway, which is regularly ranked among
the worst in the nation. But it’s good that Maine officials are working
to keep the cars — and people — rolling. Traffic for the 4th wasn’t expected to be record breaking this summer,
and tourism folks were reporting mixed projections on the hospitality
front. But promoting the state in lucrative markets within  a day’s
driving distance such as Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and touting
the "stay-cation" trend (a trip in your own backyard!), should give a
boost to tourism, regardless of ridiculous gas prices.

Even the public transit system that I take to work every day has
experienced a rough summer here in the nation’s capital. During one
week in June, a track warped due to the heat, one major line shut down
when a tree fell on the rails and a massive power outage in the heart
of downtown knocked out the lights in several stations, while other
stops were closed due to fires on the tracks. (Maybe our transit
campaign should be: "Want an adventure? Try getting to work.") So, if
given the choice, I think I’ll take my chances driving my little
Hyundai on Rt. 4, thanks very much. Lobster bake or not.

Jessica Strelitz is a contributing writer to Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.