Just in case you've been out on the trail for awhile and haven't heard, friend and fellow blogger Colleen Stone of From Away fame is headed off to new environs, leaving the great state of Maine for...

...New Jersey.

More on that in a moment.

But first, some kudos and thanks to Colleen.

We, your friends and loyal readers, have truly enjoyed your observations of the ordinary around Portland and across Maine. How you've made the often mundane interesting and humorous and fun. You've been an eye and an ear to a slice of Maine life that we might otherwise have overlooked or ignored. And you've done it in exceptional style nearly every day for three entertaining and enjoyable years.

It's the 'little things' in life as you know, Colleen. And you have been reminding of us all of what a cool and special place we live in, and how important every day is, or should be.

Thanks! Big thanks!

For me and countless others, we'll miss that. From Away every day. And you.

But rather than blather embarrassingly on, let's get to the New Jersey thing.

Surely you've already been asked, "Jersey, eh? What exit?"

Ha ha.

Don't let 'em get to you Col.

It may not be Maine, but New Jersey is cool. You'll like it there.

I know. I was born there in Passaic. (That explains a lot you say, eh? Wise guys, all of you). And spent some quality time in Rutherford, in view of the New York City skyline.

It ain't all bad.

So when the going gets tough and people get on you, you send 'em to me. I'll help you stick up for Jersey. Or else I'll sic the Jersey Devil on them!

In order to properly acclimate and enjoy your new home there's a few things you need to know. And I'm here to help.

In no particular order:

* Mazur's Bakery in Lyndhurst has the best crumb buns and hard rolls on Earth.

* Taylor Pork Roll is pure New Jersey. Try it fried on a hard roll with ketchup. Yum!

* NJ has plenty of good beer. In a lot of locations. You'll be OK.

* The best delis anywhere are in NJ. German bologna, shredded lettuce and mayo on a hard roll. Oh!

* Ditto for NJ thin crust pizza. It's the first thing I must have when I visit. Two slices plain cheese. Oh yeah. Look for The Dayton in Garfield, if it's still there.

* There's miles of trails for hiking and biking and camping... Even a 50-mile section of the Appalachian Trail along the stunning Kittatinny Ridge. Imagine, long distance hiking in NJ!

* There are beaches in NJ. Plenty of them. You'll like Island Beach State Park, my favorite.

* Yes, you can even ski in NJ. What used to be called Great Gorge/Vernon Valley is now Mountain Creek. It gets crowded, but hey, you'll be skiing in the Garden State.

* Jersey City isn't too far from Newark Airport, so we'll be expecting you to visit "home" regularly. Dammit.

* And then there's the small matter of professional sports... Baseball. And football. A couple years in NJ and you too may end up on the Dark Side.

* But there's much more to know. Like this. And this.

Heck Colleen, you might like New Jersey so much you'll wanna get a tattoo!

Best of luck to you in your new job and home. Best to Paul. Stay in touch.

And we'll see you tomorrow night at Rosie's for a couple of send-off pints...