Chris and I talked about the weather forecast for Tuesday and decided to push for home, even though it meant that we'd miss a visit with one of our favorite people. Sorry to miss another of those impromptu feasts, Joya.
TC was right, by the way. The attached restaurant was a disappointment. You can't spend a week in New Orleans and Savannah without having the culinary bar set pretty high, and a hash-slinger joint attached to a motel probably won't stand much chance. But we were trapped. The only other choice within walking distance was a Texaco station, and I don't think we could make a meal out of Hostess Fruit Pies.
Mileage on Sunday was 466. We're back at the Pomeroy Estate after riding 547 miles through Richmond, Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia. The only snarl we managed to miss was Washington DC.
This won't be the last post in this blog. We still have some stories to tell and images to post. Home safe.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Off the road in Petersburg, VA
Great day today and the miles were easy. We just kept driving until we were tired. There's a restaurant attached to the hotel, and despite my misgivings about situstions like that, we're going to give it a try. Starvation does funny things...
More after we raid the pantry.
More after we raid the pantry.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Our day in savannah
We spent the day touring the city's historic district. Lunch at a pizza restaurant in Savannah's equivalent of the NOLA french market called Vinny VanGoGo's. It's no Mother's, but very good. Then more walking and riding.
We're back at the Best Western planning tomorrow's route, which should take us as far as Roanoke Rapids, NC or Emporia, VA. Lots of miles with a mixture of I95 and rural route I301. Before there was a route 95, 302 was the big north-south road. We like to travel the old roads although it can be sad looking at all the bypassed 1950's motels and roadside attractions.
Another reason for the melancholy mood is that tomorrow's ride will be the start of the "going home" leg of the trip. What saves it is the fact that it's so darn much fun to travel this way. We recommend it!
Here are a couple pictures from today's sightseeing.
The Savannah River looking upstream towards the working port.
A water taxi.
We're back at the Best Western planning tomorrow's route, which should take us as far as Roanoke Rapids, NC or Emporia, VA. Lots of miles with a mixture of I95 and rural route I301. Before there was a route 95, 302 was the big north-south road. We like to travel the old roads although it can be sad looking at all the bypassed 1950's motels and roadside attractions.
Another reason for the melancholy mood is that tomorrow's ride will be the start of the "going home" leg of the trip. What saves it is the fact that it's so darn much fun to travel this way. We recommend it!
Here are a couple pictures from today's sightseeing.
The Savannah River looking upstream towards the working port.
A water taxi.
Saturday morning in Savannah, GA
I forgot to post mileage over the last 2 travel days, so for those keeping score at home:
Thursday; New Orleans to Tallahassee 433 miles
Friday; Tallahassee to Savanah 255 miles
We got to walk the length of River Street last night and ate dnner at a place called Tubby's Tanker. We sat out on the deck and watched container ships pass upriver to the port as the sun set. Very nice.
This morning we're going to walk all over the historic district of downtown Savannah. More later.
Thursday; New Orleans to Tallahassee 433 miles
Friday; Tallahassee to Savanah 255 miles
We got to walk the length of River Street last night and ate dnner at a place called Tubby's Tanker. We sat out on the deck and watched container ships pass upriver to the port as the sun set. Very nice.
This morning we're going to walk all over the historic district of downtown Savannah. More later.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Random notes
Chris and I just had breakfast and watched a little of the national news. We heard of the 19" of snow that fell in Buffalo, NY and wish to say how sorry we are that we can't be home to share the cold weather with you all. We are truly sorry. Really.
But, we have our struggles, too. For instance, we're almost out of sunblock. And there was no pecan pie for breakfast. So don't think we aren't suffering...
If I can wax philsophical for a minute, I tend to remember the offbeat or touching moments from a trip like the one we're on just as much as the big "touristy" things. There were plenty of them already. If I had time I could write a ton about them. Here are a few; I'm writing them here to ensure that I'll remember them later just as much as to entertain you.
The driver who took us from our hotel out to the swamp was a katrina victim who lived in Houston for 9 months before he came back to start rebuilding his home, business, and life. I got him talking about how the people were feeling. He told me stories about broken hearts and suicides. I was kind of sorry that I intruded.
The little girl at the awamp who took our money. She was like a character out of "Little Orphan Annie." She had the "Annie" haircut, sneakers and jeans, and sat swinging her feet on the dock while we waited for the airboat. She had the thickest Cajun accent you could imagine and insisted that WE were the ones who had the accents. I'm sure her family had lived out there on the bayou for 150 years.
The little restaurant called "Mother's" that we found in New Orleans. Every night we'd think about which 4-star famous restaurant we should visit, and then we'd end up deciding to go back to Mother's for cafeteria-style fabulous food and an opportunity to overhear the conversations of the locals (who couldn't have been less impressed or concerned with us tourists). It suited us just fine.
The night manager at the hotel in Brentwood, TN, who just rubbed Chris the wrong way. I honestly though Chris was going to belt her more than once. I spent the evening trying to be polite to her and Chris spent the night trying to get a clear shot at her. I finally had to give her a "time out."
The smells on the road through the pass in the Great Smokie Mountain National Park. All the way up I smelled anti-freeze as it spurted out of cars and RVs ahead of us. All the way down it was the smell of brake pads. Not mine...I have a standard transmission. But those RVs sure burned a lot of brakes. I made dang sure that there wasn't one directly behind me.
I'll add to this list later. Time to load the bike and head for Savannah.
But, we have our struggles, too. For instance, we're almost out of sunblock. And there was no pecan pie for breakfast. So don't think we aren't suffering...
If I can wax philsophical for a minute, I tend to remember the offbeat or touching moments from a trip like the one we're on just as much as the big "touristy" things. There were plenty of them already. If I had time I could write a ton about them. Here are a few; I'm writing them here to ensure that I'll remember them later just as much as to entertain you.
The driver who took us from our hotel out to the swamp was a katrina victim who lived in Houston for 9 months before he came back to start rebuilding his home, business, and life. I got him talking about how the people were feeling. He told me stories about broken hearts and suicides. I was kind of sorry that I intruded.
The little girl at the awamp who took our money. She was like a character out of "Little Orphan Annie." She had the "Annie" haircut, sneakers and jeans, and sat swinging her feet on the dock while we waited for the airboat. She had the thickest Cajun accent you could imagine and insisted that WE were the ones who had the accents. I'm sure her family had lived out there on the bayou for 150 years.
The little restaurant called "Mother's" that we found in New Orleans. Every night we'd think about which 4-star famous restaurant we should visit, and then we'd end up deciding to go back to Mother's for cafeteria-style fabulous food and an opportunity to overhear the conversations of the locals (who couldn't have been less impressed or concerned with us tourists). It suited us just fine.
The night manager at the hotel in Brentwood, TN, who just rubbed Chris the wrong way. I honestly though Chris was going to belt her more than once. I spent the evening trying to be polite to her and Chris spent the night trying to get a clear shot at her. I finally had to give her a "time out."
The smells on the road through the pass in the Great Smokie Mountain National Park. All the way up I smelled anti-freeze as it spurted out of cars and RVs ahead of us. All the way down it was the smell of brake pads. Not mine...I have a standard transmission. But those RVs sure burned a lot of brakes. I made dang sure that there wasn't one directly behind me.
I'll add to this list later. Time to load the bike and head for Savannah.
A request for Joya
Hey-
We need directions to your house! Please send them to the email address that was attached to the original blog info. See you Monday!
thanks,
C&G
We need directions to your house! Please send them to the email address that was attached to the original blog info. See you Monday!
thanks,
C&G
Pictures from Saint Louis Cemetary #1
The cemetary was interesting because of the Greek, Spanish, and French architectural designs, and also because it was a complete maze to me. I would hang back to take a picture, lose sight of our 4-person tour group, and then spend a few exciting minutes lisening for voices and trying to catch up. Even at 1:30 in the afternoon it was creepy. After dark I would have been curled up in a ball sucking my thumb until someone found me. Remember, you can click on all the photos in this blog to have them display larger.
Marie La Veau and the Easy Rider Tombs
This is Marie La Veau's crypt. We were encouraged to make a wish while touching her tomb, but I declined. I figured that since I didn't believe in Voodoo it wouldn't work, and in case Voodoo was the real deal Ms. La Veau wouldn't want a non-believer sneaking in a free wish anyway. I hoped to avoid a lose-lose situation.
Here are a coupple of shots of the "Easy Rider" crypt, which if you think about it is a pretty disrespectful way to have a family's crypt remembered.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Pictures of our guide, Captain Sam
This was our guide running around trying to catch an alligator for us. If he had been listening, he would have heard me tell him not to bother. I love to try new things, but I didn't really want to have to drive the airboat back to a dock that I couldn't hope to find before dark. Rescuing him in case he was grabbed by a gator was, of course, out of the question.
Here he is trying to get the cute 6 foot gator to jump into the boat. We had to have a short conversation after this photo was taken. We want the guide in the boat and the alligators in the swamp. That shouldn't have been too difficult to understand.
Tallahassee, Florida
We made it back into the Eastern Time Zone and just unloaded the bike at a very nice Quality Inn. Now to find food so that we hve the energy to post something interesting later this evening.
The Internet connection here is stable and fast, which is completely unlike what we had for the last few days in New Orleans, so we should be able to put a few pictures up from our Cemetary tour. Our stomaches are growling...
The Internet connection here is stable and fast, which is completely unlike what we had for the last few days in New Orleans, so we should be able to put a few pictures up from our Cemetary tour. Our stomaches are growling...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Wednesday
Today's highlight was a trip to the oldest cemetary in New Orleans, St. Louis #1. We had a very knowledgable guide whose command of the art of burial as practiced hundreds of years ago in NOLA was amazing (bordering on freakish if you ask me). We did see some amazing things: The crypt of the most famous Voodoo priestess in NOLA, Marie La Veau, is right next to the family crypt of the most famous NOLA politician, "Dutch" Morial, whose other monument in town is the Morial Convention Center. And they say politics and religion don't mix...
This is the same cemetary that was feartured in one memorable scene in the movie "Easy Rider." Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, illicit substances, and "women of easy virtue" all played a prominant role. The Archdiocese of New Orleans forbade all future filming in catholic cemetaries as a result. Yes, we got pictures of the statue they all cavorted on.
This is the same cemetary that was feartured in one memorable scene in the movie "Easy Rider." Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, illicit substances, and "women of easy virtue" all played a prominant role. The Archdiocese of New Orleans forbade all future filming in catholic cemetaries as a result. Yes, we got pictures of the statue they all cavorted on.
A note from Chris
Well, I decided I should go to a WW meeting while I was away. George walked me to the meeting, then I was on my own.The meeting was at the Capital One building in the French Quarter . I had to take two elevators to get to the 44th floor. Anyway...there were a few people from out of town visiting the meeting. One guy was from San Francisico. He's been here since 9/05, helping with Katrina victims. He said in LA volunteers can only do clean up. Only a "LA licensed" contractors can do the repair/rebuild work. So people here have to wait in the FEMA trailers, then pay the contracters (when they can get one). But in Mississippi the volunteers can do everything, get the house inspected, once passed the family can move back home. Looks like the people of Mississippi will be home before the people of Louisianna. Red tape... it's everywhere!BTW, I'm down 3, walking all over the French Quarter has helped!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Say "hello" to Gertrude
We took an airboat tour of a swamp south of New Orleans. In fact it was at a place called Barataria, which was Jean Lafitte's pirate stronghold before the War of 1812. It was desolate and populated with very friendy aligators just like this one. As you can see she was very friendly. we thought she was going to jump in the boat with us. I guess she wasn't that hungry. t would have been crowded, since she was abou 11 feet long. I was about 5 feet from those teeth when she snapped her jaw shut onto that chicken leg, and it was as loud as a rifle shot. The white object in the second photo was a marshmallow. She wanted desert and we weren't about to argue with her.
Jackson Square
The combo is the Jackson Square Jazz Band. They play for tips and have been there every day that I have.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Sunday update
We actually called it a night early on Saturday. It was mostly my fault; I was exhausted, and perhaps a combination of heat, dehydration from the days out in the wind on the bike, and a really rich dinner at Mulates (one of our favorite NOLA resuaurants) caused me to just about fall asleep on my feet
Hey, I am one exciting guy to go on vacation with!
By the way, mileage on Saturday was 301.
On Sunday, we walked all over the French Quarter, had lunch at a little place right on Jackson Square, and helped root the Saints to victory over the hated Tampa Bay Bucaneers. I assume they were hated. The game was a sell-out and the second home game played in the Superdome since its reopening. I think in New Orleans the tailgating isn't confined to the parking lot. We saw people in Saints garb all over town whooping it up in the back of pickup trucks. Capes, top hats, and gold-tipped walking sticks were the most popular uniform. Either that or we stumbled into the biggest "jazz funeral" in the history of Louisiana.
We ate dinner at a little restaurant called "Mother's." It's really popular with the locals...cheap and good food. Fine for us; I forgot my dinner jacket anyway. Now we're sitting back at the palace and contemplating a walk to Pat O'Brien's for a session in their piano bar. I love their marketing slogan: "Pat O'Brien's. Turning 'one drink' into '4:00 a.m.' since 1935."
We didn't carry a camera today, but tomorrow will be a photo day so there will be something other than words to look at.
George
Hey, I am one exciting guy to go on vacation with!
By the way, mileage on Saturday was 301.
On Sunday, we walked all over the French Quarter, had lunch at a little place right on Jackson Square, and helped root the Saints to victory over the hated Tampa Bay Bucaneers. I assume they were hated. The game was a sell-out and the second home game played in the Superdome since its reopening. I think in New Orleans the tailgating isn't confined to the parking lot. We saw people in Saints garb all over town whooping it up in the back of pickup trucks. Capes, top hats, and gold-tipped walking sticks were the most popular uniform. Either that or we stumbled into the biggest "jazz funeral" in the history of Louisiana.
We ate dinner at a little restaurant called "Mother's." It's really popular with the locals...cheap and good food. Fine for us; I forgot my dinner jacket anyway. Now we're sitting back at the palace and contemplating a walk to Pat O'Brien's for a session in their piano bar. I love their marketing slogan: "Pat O'Brien's. Turning 'one drink' into '4:00 a.m.' since 1935."
We didn't carry a camera today, but tomorrow will be a photo day so there will be something other than words to look at.
George
Saturday, October 07, 2006
To touchdown!
Not only did we have a great ride from Jackson, MS to New Orleans, but the place we are in is a palace! It's a converted firehouse, and they let me park my bike inside where the fire engines used to park, so now it's part of the lobby decor. I wish it wasn't so dirty.
We're going to get settled and explore a little. More later.
We're going to get settled and explore a little. More later.
Couple more pictures
I was up all night trying to figure out how to upload these for you. Really. All night. You're welcome. There are from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the morning we left Asheville.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Day 4: Brentwood, TN to Jackson, MS
This was one fan-bleeping-tastic day.
The Natchez Trace is easily one of the best roads in America if you travel by motorcycle. We started at the very beginning and rode all the way to a suburb of Jackson called Clinton, MS. The weather was perfect and the scenery was just as good. We have many great pictures, and I'll figure a way to upload some so you don't have to wait until we get home to see them.
The day wasn't without incident...but they were all good ones. No rain, for instance. Chris was cold in the morning, so she rode bundled up like she was competing in the Iditerod. I'm sure she was the only one in Mississippi wearing mittens! There were many motorcycles on the Trace with us. The miles seemed to melt away and we made great time. We ended the day by visiting the HD dealership in Jackson. What a crew! I probably can't write about everything that happened there because it would be a shame if everyone got fired or they lost their franchise.
I asked them for directions to the hotel at which we had reserved lodging. They told us that we had to cancel there and pick one in Clinton, because it was a much nicer town to stay in. So we did, of course. One of the parts guys led us through Friday rush hour traffic and brought us right to the front door of our new hotel. I thought he was going to jump out and run our bags up to the room...
All in all, a terrific day. Tomorrow we reach New Orleans. We'll drive down to the bottom of the Trace (in Natchez), the we'll revisit Highway 61 on our way into Louisiana. If we have time we'll stop in Baton Rouge, and if we're running late we'll press through to NOLA. We wouldn't want to miss a bit of Saturday night in the French Quarter.
Miles traveled today: 403.
The Natchez Trace is easily one of the best roads in America if you travel by motorcycle. We started at the very beginning and rode all the way to a suburb of Jackson called Clinton, MS. The weather was perfect and the scenery was just as good. We have many great pictures, and I'll figure a way to upload some so you don't have to wait until we get home to see them.
The day wasn't without incident...but they were all good ones. No rain, for instance. Chris was cold in the morning, so she rode bundled up like she was competing in the Iditerod. I'm sure she was the only one in Mississippi wearing mittens! There were many motorcycles on the Trace with us. The miles seemed to melt away and we made great time. We ended the day by visiting the HD dealership in Jackson. What a crew! I probably can't write about everything that happened there because it would be a shame if everyone got fired or they lost their franchise.
I asked them for directions to the hotel at which we had reserved lodging. They told us that we had to cancel there and pick one in Clinton, because it was a much nicer town to stay in. So we did, of course. One of the parts guys led us through Friday rush hour traffic and brought us right to the front door of our new hotel. I thought he was going to jump out and run our bags up to the room...
All in all, a terrific day. Tomorrow we reach New Orleans. We'll drive down to the bottom of the Trace (in Natchez), the we'll revisit Highway 61 on our way into Louisiana. If we have time we'll stop in Baton Rouge, and if we're running late we'll press through to NOLA. We wouldn't want to miss a bit of Saturday night in the French Quarter.
Miles traveled today: 403.
A couple of pics
Here are a few. There are many more, except that one of the cameras requires a cable that will be safe as long as I never move it from my office at home. That's right. I forgot the damn cable to transfer a lot of our pics into the computer. I'll solve it somehow when we get to NOLA. Until then:
This is the Blue Ridge Parkway near it's highest point (Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina)
This is what you see from 5500 feet up. Scenes like this are what I miss when i'm trying to keep the HD on the road. Too much sightseeing isn't a good idea when the "guard rails" are 12" high and you fall 1000 feet before you hit the first tree. Chris took these, obviously.
This is the Blue Ridge Parkway near it's highest point (Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina)
This is what you see from 5500 feet up. Scenes like this are what I miss when i'm trying to keep the HD on the road. Too much sightseeing isn't a good idea when the "guard rails" are 12" high and you fall 1000 feet before you hit the first tree. Chris took these, obviously.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Day 3, Asheville, NC to Brentwood, TN
Brentwood is just south of Nashville, about 7 miles from the top of the Nachez Trace, which is tomorrow's journey. We decided while eating breakfast that we'd be better off not trying to make Chattanooga a stop on today's trip. It would've been too much, so instead, we traveled the rest of the Blue Ridge Parkway down to Cherokee, NC and then cut through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park to Gatlinburg, TN. We got great pictures, but we're afraid that you're all going to have to wait until tomorrow to see any. The truth is that we just got to the hotel at about 7:30 EST, which is later than we like to ride. We had to drive through a fairly heavy shower between Knoxville and Nashville, which put us behind schedule and really tired us out.
You can ride in the rain, but it slows you down. Luckily, we have good rain gear... We're pretty beat now and hope to get an early start, so if either of us get up really early we'll try to post some pics. Otherwise, hopefully we'll be in jackson, MS early enough to get them up tomorrow evening.
Today's miles traveled: 395.
George
You can ride in the rain, but it slows you down. Luckily, we have good rain gear... We're pretty beat now and hope to get an early start, so if either of us get up really early we'll try to post some pics. Otherwise, hopefully we'll be in jackson, MS early enough to get them up tomorrow evening.
Today's miles traveled: 395.
George
More Day 2 Hijinks
I figured I should get this out before Chris can embellish it too much. There was section of the Blue Ridge Parkway thst was closed for repairs. It was just a few miles, and it looked to be no big deal, because they routed us off the parkway and the detour was very well marked. The road was much "twistier" than anything we had been on, so I was kept prety busy trying to keep the rig on the pavement. I decided to look for a gas station as long as we were off the parkway because there are no gas stations anywhere on the BRP. Of course, there were none on the detour, so I decided to keep going. The road turned to dirt within 50 feet of the end of the detour. I swear they must've paved it just for the detour's purpose. The road immediately necked down to a width of, oh... 12 feet, so I couldn't turn around wihout taking a chance of getting stuck in the sandy ditch on either side. Remember Nag's head from last year?
So I'm chugging further and further into the backwoods trying to get turned around when a dust cloud in my rearview mirror attracts my attention. It was a dump truck. I could see their mouths moving as the gestured to us. Probably something like
"Lookit that license plate. What the bleep are those bleep-bleepin' yankees doing on this road? Therre's nothin' up here 'cept a place where we keep all the stolen dump trucks. Remind me to buy ammunition; I'll be runnin' low after these two. That is a nice bike..."
They chased us for miles. I had no idea that the Electraglide was so good in the dirt. We probably lost an hour, 15 minutes for the detour and 45 due to my foolishness.
We haven't been good about posting pics, and we'll try to make up for it tonight. Our destination is Nashville, TN via the rest of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Chattanooga, TN.
Day 2 miles traveled: 423.
George
So I'm chugging further and further into the backwoods trying to get turned around when a dust cloud in my rearview mirror attracts my attention. It was a dump truck. I could see their mouths moving as the gestured to us. Probably something like
"Lookit that license plate. What the bleep are those bleep-bleepin' yankees doing on this road? Therre's nothin' up here 'cept a place where we keep all the stolen dump trucks. Remind me to buy ammunition; I'll be runnin' low after these two. That is a nice bike..."
They chased us for miles. I had no idea that the Electraglide was so good in the dirt. We probably lost an hour, 15 minutes for the detour and 45 due to my foolishness.
We haven't been good about posting pics, and we'll try to make up for it tonight. Our destination is Nashville, TN via the rest of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Chattanooga, TN.
Day 2 miles traveled: 423.
George
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Day 2: New Market, VA to Asheville, NC
In safely by 6:30 pm. Great day, weather, sights. We had some laughs. More after we find dinner.
We decided to go with delivery pizza. Not bad, but we prefer Hot Tomatoes.
Jen & Karen, you'll be proud, I used the treadmill tonight. I had to do something while waiting for the pizza!
Took a few wrong turns today. We ended up on some crazy roads. We now understand why the southern drivers do so well at Nascar-the roads are like freaking race tracks down here!
Now off to plan tomorrows ride.
BTW, it was 85 here today :)
We decided to go with delivery pizza. Not bad, but we prefer Hot Tomatoes.
Jen & Karen, you'll be proud, I used the treadmill tonight. I had to do something while waiting for the pizza!
Took a few wrong turns today. We ended up on some crazy roads. We now understand why the southern drivers do so well at Nascar-the roads are like freaking race tracks down here!
Now off to plan tomorrows ride.
BTW, it was 85 here today :)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Oh; one thing I noticed today...
We had to stop for gas a few times, and we also stopped for a snack and a coffee. Every time we stopped and I took off my helmet I heard the same noise: Yelping dogs. I know this sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy comedy routine, but riding shotgun in every single pickup truck registered south of Philadelphia is some kind of hound dog. They must be status symbols. Chris thinks they come with the truck when you buy it. I disagree, because usually the dog looks to be more valuable than the truck. Maybe they throw in a truck when you buy a hound.
To all my Southern friends: Just kidding. They wouldn't throw in a truck. That's just stupid. Good night. By the way, I don't know what's up with the time thing. I am finishing this post at 9:13 pm.
To all my Southern friends: Just kidding. They wouldn't throw in a truck. That's just stupid. Good night. By the way, I don't know what's up with the time thing. I am finishing this post at 9:13 pm.
Our first day on the road -- more detail
We actually got on the road by 6:40 am, which suited me just fine. I had told everyone that I wanted to be out and gone by 6:00, but I would've been satisfied with anything before 8:00 am. If any of you were nuts enough to be out doors at 6:45 you'll testify that it was freezing and foggy. We stayed shivering and soaked until we passed into Pennsylvania.
Chris and I decided to just hit the highways and put the miles on today. Our goal was Staunton, VA, which according to Mapquest was about 512 miles from home. Mapquest lies, by the way. we went down Rt 41 and NY 295 until we got to I 90, crossed the Hudson, and shot dowm I 87 until we got to I 84. West on 84 to Scranton, PA, then south on I 81. The plan was to stay on I 81 all the way to Staunton, but there was bridge construction just south of Scranton. It was a disaster. to make a long, ugly story short we took side roads and lost at least an hour of driving time trying to find a way to get back to I 81. The construction extended for miles and I'll bet the traffic is STILL standing still there. The rest of the ride was uneventful (at least for me...) and beautiful. New Market was the site of a famous Civil War battle, so I'm in my element down here. I'm off to cover the cycle now and will report mileage for the day when I get back in.
Miles traveled day 1: 518.4
George
The only thing I have to say is BUGS!!! They fly at low levels & I have the face shield to prove it! First I thought it was bird poo, then getting a closer look (& I looked, it was in my face for hours) it was a splattering of bugs. Thank God for full face shields.
C-ya
CTD
Chris and I decided to just hit the highways and put the miles on today. Our goal was Staunton, VA, which according to Mapquest was about 512 miles from home. Mapquest lies, by the way. we went down Rt 41 and NY 295 until we got to I 90, crossed the Hudson, and shot dowm I 87 until we got to I 84. West on 84 to Scranton, PA, then south on I 81. The plan was to stay on I 81 all the way to Staunton, but there was bridge construction just south of Scranton. It was a disaster. to make a long, ugly story short we took side roads and lost at least an hour of driving time trying to find a way to get back to I 81. The construction extended for miles and I'll bet the traffic is STILL standing still there. The rest of the ride was uneventful (at least for me...) and beautiful. New Market was the site of a famous Civil War battle, so I'm in my element down here. I'm off to cover the cycle now and will report mileage for the day when I get back in.
Miles traveled day 1: 518.4
George
The only thing I have to say is BUGS!!! They fly at low levels & I have the face shield to prove it! First I thought it was bird poo, then getting a closer look (& I looked, it was in my face for hours) it was a splattering of bugs. Thank God for full face shields.
C-ya
CTD
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