Wilmington, DE -- August 25, 2007

I arrived in Wilmington at ten in the morning and left at five in the afternoon. In order to visit all lower 48 states and get back home in time, I had to move quickly. I began to feel embarrassed by the minuscule amounts of time I spent in each state.

It was a Saturday, a difficult day to find readers. And, it was hot. While normally I loved the heat, I was starting to feel sick from the pure exhaustion of the trip. I didn't have the stamina I usually had. I wanted a Basset hound, a comfy couch, and a good book.

When I passed this dry cleaning shop with their confusing advertisement I stopped and stared, envisioning the occasion when such a product might be necessary. I wished it would rain.