Sunday, August 15, 2010

So, We Kept Driving...

This morning we left East Lyme, Connecticut early enough to get through New York State without too much traffic.  Mission accomplished, and soon we crossed the Pennsylvania state line.

We had talked about stopping in the town of East Stroudsburg for the evening and hiking to the waterfalls in Bushkill tomorrow.  However, by the time we were close enough to make a decision, the sky had opened up and the rain was coming on down.  I took a quick look at the radar and it appeared that the rain was not going away anytime soon and there was more in the forecast for tomorrow.  We didn't care anything about stopping if we weren't going to be able to get out to walk and see the falls.

So, we kept driving.

  I tried to research a few other options, but nothing seemed to strike my fancy.  All the good areas seemed to be in southern Pennsylvania.  Also, by this time, we had reached I-80 and the traffic and construction areas were almost ridiculous.  We were stopped in one spot for over an hour and a half.  And, then again in another spot for about 30-45 minutes.  We will count ourselves lucky that we chose to travel on Sunday, because the construction areas will be unbearable during the week.  And, if we thought the West bound traffic and construction we horrible, the East bound was three times heavier.

So, we kept driving.

  And, we kept driving.  We stopped at a few rest areas took a walk around and discussed the possibilities.  Nothing that interested us...

So, we kept driving

And, soon we crossed the Ohio state line.

We were still getting a few sprinkles of rain, the West bound construction areas were getting farther apart, but, the day was getting away from us and, it was time to consider a plan for the evening.

  It was at this point that I realized that I am like my friend Terry Guiler.  I hate paying for an RV site for just a few hours sleep.  So, I got out the Next Exit to look for a Wal-Mart and realized that soon we would be on the Ohio Toll Road and the service plaza's would be large enough to stay for the night and they are open 24 hours.  Plus, it would be one stop service...fuel...food...and a sleepover site!

  So, we kept driving...

Just a few more miles to the Great Lakes Service Plaza.

This Plaza would put us past Youngstown and the exit to Cleveland.  That should work good for morning departure.

We did finally arrive around 8:00.  Filled up with fuel, grabbed a bite of dinner, and are now settled in for the evening writing crazy blogs and watching TV.

Now, the damage for the day calculated to be 583 miles in 11 1/2 hours.  Long day yes, bad day no.  But, the good thing about it is that tomorrow, we only have about 220 miles left until we reach the Elkhart Campground.  And, there we will be for almost a month.

We are looking forward to getting settled in there as we both need to do some much needed cleaning and polishing on the motor home.  And, of course, that area is uncharted territory for us, so I know there will be an adventure or two.  And, oh, yes, of course, the real reason we are there...rallies and friends!!

So, as far as our plan from yesterday, to just go with the flow...we did and it flowed us right straight from Connecticut to Ohio!

See you tomorrow from Elkhart.

4 comments:

  1. Wow! Now that was a long day but it makes tomorrow look so easy!
    Glad you made it to the service center safely and hope you get a good rest tonight.
    Have fun in Elkhart...we will really be missing you all. Life happens and we are doing what we know is best. Hunter is having a tough time. Keep him in your prayers.

    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)

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  2. I'm sure on your stay in Elkhart you will be traveling the Amish country. If you go to Shipshewana there is a guy called Clarence that makes the best Kettle Corn you have ever had. He also takes you on tours in a buggy to working Amish Farms. Worth the trip.

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  3. WOW, You just had to go and do it!! Shatter, not break, our endurance trip from Hershey, PA to Topsham, ME - a 9 1/2 hour trip.

    We understand that mode of travel. Sometimes it just plain makes sense to keep on moving and, if you're not tired, it works out just fine giving you more time on the other end of your journey.

    Hope you enjoy some "Down Time" and we'll see you at the Escapade.

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  4. Wow! That was fun being cited in your blog - I feel so special. :) But, I gotta tell you, that was one looonnnggg day, girl.

    Have a blast in Elkhart. It's a beautiful area of the country and you'll find lots to do. Give hugs to our friends.

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