Inda Lou Schell (holding book) left her home in Chathom, Ala., two years ago to begin driving a journey of nearly 18,000 miles, rediscovering Charles Kuralt’s America.

At 80 years of age she has completed her travels, but not her journey. She, her two daughters, and a sister landed back in Maine one more time.

Lou called me about three weeks ago to ask if I would make the cover photograph for her book. She knew that I had made the cover photo for Charles at Pemaquid Light and felt that it would be great to photograph her there too — a similar composition.

I had met Lou at Ocean Point when she visited Maine during her trip around America. I believe the Register did an article about her project at that time, as she visited our area and interviewed people Kuralt knew. At that time she was about halfway into her adventure.

The end of October is not a great time to land in Maine for a photography session, I suggested. Lou gave me a few dates for her travel and we settled on the 28th.

“I will arrive on the afternoon of the 27th and return the morning of the 29th,” she said.

No ifs, ands or buts. That was the deal. I tried to explain the weather.

We left the Harbor at 11 a.m. on October 28 and drove to Pemaquid under cloudy skies with a chilling blustery wind; the forecast was not great.

An hour later, at the lighthouse, the skies cleared to brilliant sun. Everything worked out just as Lou had planned. I was amazed. A round trip flight from Alabama, one chance for photos and a release date in the spring.

O me of little faith.