Lauren Kolenda stood at the end of a long line outside the Lewiston depot waiting to catch a Greyhound bus Friday. She’d come home to her parents in Monmouth for Christmas.

Time to get back to Brooklyn.

People in front of her juggled luggage, children and presents. Kolenda balanced two shoulder bags and an olive suitcase. She’d enjoyed being home, seeing family and friends.

“It was snowing, so it was nice,” Kolenda said.

The day after Christmas, the 25-year-old event planner had a full 24 hours ahead. Meeting friends in Boston for dinner. Then getting another bus to New York. Then unloading her bags and catching a plane from Newark, N.J.

“I have to get on a flight to Minnesota to get to see the Giants-Vikings football game,” she said.

Tickets to the Sunday game were a gift.

‘Not a hassle’

Clista Smith knelt down in the aisle at Best Buy and compared prices on flat-screen TVs. The parking lot outside was nearly packed. The store buzzed with shoppers with gift cards and returns.

“I’m here because my husband didn’t like the television I bought him,” said Smith, from Winthrop.

The 19-inch flat screen was deemed too small. She was back for a 26-inch – if she could find one.

“It’s busier than I thought it would be. Every TV I’m interested in is gone,” she said, as a salesman came back from checking one more time. She decided to put in an order.

Melinda Barlow eyed the big wall of screens with her son, Jesse. She and her husband had agreed to get each other a TV for Christmas. The Auburn woman had the afternoon mapped out to price compare around town. She’d already been to Agren’s. Wal-Mart and BJ’s were next.

“They don’t look they’re any cheaper now than before Christmas,” she said. “I love to shop, (it’s) not a hassle.”

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At Pettengill Park, Moxie the dog tore off down the hill, happily chasing after sledding kids. The Tripp family from Auburn – mom, dad, four children and Moxie – had the whole hill to themselves.

“I’m self-employed so I made sure I had the day off,” Ramsey Tripp said.

“It’s nice to be together and spend time having fun. We have as much fun as the kids.”

The oldest, Reuben, 8, said he liked to go down aiming for bumps, but sometimes going really fast and racing was fun. He’d only had one wipe-out in the first half-hour of sledding, going so fast that he pitched over a snowbank at the end of the run.

“I did aim funny,” Reuben said.

But no problem. He got back up and kept on sledding.