Day Two: Road Kill

7-22-09

I have never seen so much road kill and such a variety of animals too. Yes, these are the things I notice and think about while driving. I saw fox, crow, and raccoon road kill today. There were so many raccoon ones that I seriously considered keeping a tally.

Despite the road kill, I enjoyed a pretty, quaint drive. 70 West from Maryland to Pennsylvania was a treat! There were many farms with loads of steer and gorgeous horses. There were mountain areas and my ears popped a few times which is always fun. HA! I drove 5 hours today. Not too bad. I am staying for two days in a cute little town called Northeast, Pennsylvania. Lake Erie is 5 minutes away. I didn't get here until 6:30 tonight, but I made my way to see Lake Erie so I could get some pics. Tomorrow I am going to Presque Isle for a scenic drive and swim if the weather is nice. Today was gorgeous with the sun going in and out of the clouds while I drove. I opened the sun roof and darkened my tan! Yes, I put on sunblock.

After driving two days solid, I am looking forward to being in one place for a day or two. Friday afternoon I will move on to somewhere in New York. I haven't decided where yet.

I have not gone to Bob Evans or any of the other restaurants that are everywhere in this state. One goal of this trip is to get a beverage at Sonic. I have been seeing the commercials forever and am now on a mission.

I put a couple of pictures on this blog, but my facebook page has all of them in an album entitled Road Trip.

More tomorrow. I feel like road kill and need some sleep!

Day One: Life is Worth Living

7-21-09

“Life is Worth Living.” That’s the message posted a few times before getting onto the Tappan Zee Bridge. If someone is suicidal and ready to jump off a bridge, would that sign work? Like the person just never thought of it before or the sign is a reminder for them. “Oh yeah, I forgot that life is worth living. Phew, that was a close one.” It is really sad though. There was a suicide hotline number on the big screen before going on the Delaware Bridge. That is a little more helpful at least, if the person remembered to bring their cell! HA! O.k. no more joking about suicide.

On a lighter note, the bridges over the Delaware River and Susquehanna River provided beautiful views! I wanted to pull over and take pictures, but decided against it considering there was no place to pull over. It was pretty magical when, after driving in rain all day, the sun came out while I was on the Delaware Bridge. Very cool!

Why didn’t anyone tell me about the excessive tolling from N.J. to Maryland? Absolutely insane! You get off the N.J. turnpike and pay $4.50 and then about a mile later you pay another toll. It was comical.

So the first day of my adventure was a packed one! I will definitely do less driving tomorrow to give my butt a break! I am writing this in Word and saving it because the internet signal here at the Silver Springs Days Inn is one bar…I can’t get onto the internet. GRRRR… My plan is to sleep in and then check out and find a Starbucks so that I can get online. Need to check and send emails and check out facebook. SCRABBLE! I also want to research where the cheap hotels are in the areas I want to go to. Not sure I want to go all the way to Ohio, but that is because I am exhausted right now!

Today:

9:00-1:00ish Drove from Burlington, Ma. to Montclair, N.J.

1:00-3:00ish Private tour of the amazing Wyeth collection at Montclair Art Museum and yummy Turkish lunch with Erica

3:00-7:00ish Drove from Montclair, N.J. to Silver Springs, Maryland and checked in to the Days Inn.

7:00-7:15ish Got everything into my room so I wouldn’t have to do it in the dark.

7:15-9:00ish Drove to Eric’s in Chevy Chase, MD…about 10 minutes from my hotel. Had dinner in Bethesda with Eric and Erin. FUN!

Very tired, but had a great day! I stopped at a rest area every hour and a half or so to stretch out my legs and go to the rest room. I started the trip with about half a tank. I had to fill it once, and it is close to empty now. Not too bad for 8 hours of driving!

Where will I go next? Stay tuned…

Life is Worth Living!

Leaving Tomorrow Morning

7-20-09
Ever been to a AAA office? It is an amazing resource! I now have two bags filled with fold out maps and travel books for all the states I may go to during my road trip. They were all free with membership. I can't wait to get started tomorrow and plan to take pictures and blog along the way. My friend suggested the blogging along the way part, and I was resistant at first. I guess it is a great way to let my parents know I am o.k. and capture my trip for posterity at the same time! I just wonder who else would give a crap about my travels. HA!

Now I am thinking that I want to visit all 50 states before I die. I have quite a few years to get it done! I have not been to many states. I don't count airport stopovers.

I've been to Massachusetts (born and raised), Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey (Atlantic City only), Florida( not counting the childhood trip which went through just about all the east coast states), California (lived there for 10 years), Arizona, Nevada...twelve! By this Sunday I will most likely be able to add Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Man, I have some traveling to do!

I am mostly packed. I have one tote that is all set for a beach visit with a towel, suntan lotion and a hat (it will go in the trunk). I have another tote that has snacks and my planner (front seat!). In addition I have the two AAA bags in the front on the floor. Then I have my bigger gym bag with clothes etc. needed for the week (going in the trunk) and my laptop in a carrying bag (going in the trunk). Of course, I will have my purse and I will also be bringing my pillow! I opted not to bring the cooler. I can just stop and get a fresh cold water, etc, when needed. Who cares about any of this? HA!

First stop tomorrow, Montclair, New Jersey for lunch with my childhood friend Erica. She works at a museum which I will check out before heading out for my next destination. Not sure where I will go next. I may visit my cousin in Bethesda, MD. Have to call him to see if he is around.

I'll see where my instinct/intuition takes me.