The Great River Road and onto Newton.
Each time I travel between St Paul and Newton, I try to vary my route... depending on the time avialable. For once time was my friend, and I could pretty well go anywhere. Chose the Great River Road. This would allow me to catch up with friends along the way.
It was pleasing to see so much of the road going right by the river. Often it was not possible to stop to get a better view, a photo or two, but all in all, highway 61 led me through spectacularly scenic countryside and many close ups with this mighty river.
At Red Wing (I think it was) is a pull off with picnic facilities, restrooms etc. There was a lot of water around. When I got out of the car and walked the few metres to the river, it was actually washing over the wall. Fast flowing, with lots of debri and very muddy looking.
At Lake City local artists were making the most of the lovely day, and were painting on the river banks. When I had a chance to pull into a turn out, I saw Christine painting the view in front of her. And nicely she was doing too. Christine took the time to tell me about the festival, artists were doing a painting per day, for each day of that week. Later they would all be displayed in a local gallery. She allowed me to take her photo so I could illustrate my report.
Winnona saw me stop at a roadside mall to get some lunch. Was a great charity store next door. Yeah! I walked out with another bag full. Totally addicted.
By this time I realised that if I kept stopping at all the view points and each time the road met the river, I would not be in Dubuque for a couple of days. Sadly I made the decision to by pass some of them. But only some of them.
At I-90 I crossed over into WI and continued down the Great River Road on the eastern side of this versatile waterway.
Stopped at the visitor centre in La Crosse to pick up a bit more info, and continued along the way. There was a sign to a rest area and viewpoint. I turned in, and followed the steep path all the way to the top. A neat spot for a view of the river from above. But I did not have the time to linger.
Shortly after I came to Lock and Dam 8 just as a 12 barge vessel filled with corn was preparing to enter the lock. Watching this was a great experience, especially when I realised that it had to go through in 2 bits. The lock is only big enough for 6 barges at a time. How they do that is something to see. It certainly captured the attention of quite a few people - yours truly included.
The personel involved in all this manouvering were only too willing to share what was happening, and the whys and wherefores of each move. The whole process takes between 90 mins and two hours. Two hours I could barely spare, but two hours of such great interest that I was not aware I had been there for so long. By the time I finally got to Dubuque it was 12 hours since I left St Paul.
After Dubuque I continued down the GRR to Clinton, trying not to repeat the time consuming activities of the MN and WI stretches. Made a couple of stops, but not too many. At Clinton I headed east in IL on US 30. That too was a great route. What stands out most is the huge storm I drove into. Thunder, lightning and rain which even the fastest wiper setting could not clear. In IA I had been told that they badly needed rain, and I have to admit, the countryside looked much drier than my previous visits. I was hoping that this rain would make it to them.
Another outstanding part of my return to Newton was through NY state. At Darien Center I picked up US 20 and took it all the way into Albany. The route took me through small rural communities and past some of the Finger Lakes. Stopped three or four of times, at large shopping malls and quaint little houses. I was so glad I was not stuck on the NY Thruway.
Interestingly, the driving time for the 250 or so miles on US 20, at 55 mph took less time than the less than 200 miles on I-90 into Newton, which was all at 65mph.... and congestion!
On my arrival back at son's place the Odo had just clocked up 15K miles, since I had left his place after Easter. Over the 82 days, that averages out at less than 200 miles per day. But of course, there were many days on which we did not drive. Days when she needed the rest as much as I did. (I have the grandchildren working on a name for her... any help would be appreciated!)
Of the 82 nights, 40 were at hostels, hotels, motels, RV Parks or paid campgrounds. The prices ranged from $8 at Marion Creek on the Dalton, to $99.75 at Enterprise. The total comes to $1500 for an average cost per night of $37.50. I have not yet totalled the fuel and other costs. That will have to wait.
As I mentioned above, in only a matter of hours now I will be on a flight to take grandson for a holiday to meet his Aussie cousins.
Lifey
That's lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng!
Thanks for the update and wonderful pictures Lifey !
That sure is some rig. I would imagine the driver arrives to his destination about 10 mins before the load he is carrying ! lol
Finding my way... and friends.
Having successfully attended to all the reasons for visiting West Chester, I set about to find route 100 down the Brandywine River Valley, into Wilmington. I had heard that there are parks along the way in which you can park overnight. It was mid afternoon, and I wanted to continue to enjoy the wonderful byways of Pennsylvania.
Try as I may, I could not find route 100. Followed the map closely. Tried to get Nuvi to help me. Even asked a couple of times, all to no avail. The Brandywine River Valley was no where to be found. This of course meant that I ended up in rush hour traffic - such as it is in West Chester. It was after 6pm when I found myself on route 842, narrow and winding, a long line of traffic behind me and nowhere to pull over. That was when I saw the sign, Brandywine Valley Association Camp. Saw it too late to turn into, it was on the other side of the road. Somehow I figured they should be able to help me, and when I was finally able to pull into a side street, turned around and went back.
Although there were several cars in the parking lot, these all belonged to visitors to the park. The office was deserted. There were no camps running at this time. One gentleman who came back from exercising his dog in the park, showed me how to get to where I wanted to go. He also assured me that there would be no objection to my parking overnight where I was. It was too late to spend much more time driving around.
There was a service station nearby, and I decided to go and fill up, before retiring for the night.
On my return to the Association's campground, I met a couple who were there with three of their grandchildren. Jane and Todd wanted to take the children to the regular Monday evening concert, which was advertised on a board. But somehow, there was no concert to be seen. After chatting for a while on this hot summer's evening, Todd asked if I would like to come back to their home, and perhaps have a nice refreshing shower. There was no way I could refuse such a friendly and generous invitation.
It happens at least once every trip, that I am invited into someone's home, and end up feeling completely at home - one of the family. And so it was in West Chester. The three children were occupied with a new puppy, acquired only that day. They had a great time choosing from my collection of pins and koalas. Todd helped me with a phone problem, which even he was not able to solve. Then, before bed, I joined the family in thanksgiving.
Next morning it was like saying goodbye to lifelong friends - we had met just thirteen hours before.
Once again I set out to find the elusive route. It was at a prison that I finally got precise and clear directions to the route I was seeking. It did not disappoint. I am so glad I persisted.
After Wilmington I headed out to Fort Dupont SP, where I had a whole picnic area, all to myself. It was comfortable in the shade of the large trees, as I took my time making some lunch and washing the accumulation of dishes from the last 24 hours (or so - lol). The car was parked under a tree, and I decided to linger a little longer... with a good book.
The library at Delaware City was a good place to use wifi, and when I finally left there, it was time to head to Elkton, where I planned to stay the night.
Sue was leaving the library at the same time. She was parked next to me. Curious about the flag on my vehicle, we got to chatting. I accepted her invitation to join her at a yarn shop in Chesapeake City the following day, where every Wednesday there is a knitting sit-in.
Chesapeake City is a small quaint little town with narrow streets, very little parking and buildings which look like they belong on a postcard. Right by the yarn shop, at the end of the street, on the canal is Ship Watch Inn. One attraction here is that you can sit and watch all the yachts and boats pass by. Next door to the yarn shop it a small cafe where Sue took me for lunch. It's on the corner of 2nd and George.
It was late by the time I headed back up 213 to FJ at Elkton.
Lifey
did you see the name of the artist?
Yes, that is very cool. Did you happen to notice who the artist was?
Mark
Didn't give it a thought.
Never thought to look for it.
I just sat there in the rain, in my van, trying to work out what was building and what was mural. Not until I saw that photo of the front of the building, that I worked it out. Those murals are on a flat wall, other than the little porch. Absolutely brilliant.
Lifey
Edit: I'll check it out when I visit down there, next year.
Starting the journey back to Newton MA.
Once off the Keys, my trip took me up 997 to 27 and at Belle Glade I picked up 441 to take me around the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. This was a pleasant route, first through rural country... mostly growing palm trees for sale. Very scenic! Route 27 at this point leads through agricultural and swamp land. They were good roads with little traffic to worry about, and even fewer towns with stops.
The road along the lake was a single lane each way, a serene and scenic way. It disappointed me that at no time was I able to see the lake. Between the road and the lake are levees too tall to see over. Even though there is not a single town along this stretch, there are a number of hotels, motels, RV parks and campgrounds along the lake. It gave the impression that it must be a popular place for water sports and recreation. I did not stop to check... just concentrated on enjoying the drive.
At Yeehaw Junction there is one of the few truck stops in Southern Florida, where I spent the night. A very quiet truck stop. Next day 441 took me all the way into Kissimee, where I checked into the Knight's Inn (with a coupon), just a mile and a half (as the crow flies) from the convention. It turned out to be a seven and a half mile trip to get there. Without the Nuvi, I would probably have driven much more, looking for the place. It is not an easy place to get around.
All day Friday, and Sat morning I spent at the convention. By lunch time on Sat the International contest was over, and I headed back North to Newton MA.... via Cincinatti OH, Wilmington DE and Jim Thorpe PA. Straight up I-75 first. The only thing which stands out on the first part of this trip is the delay and detour caused by a fatal motor bike crash at Corbin KY. This added more than two hours to the trip. I chose to stay in Corbin, rather than try to reach my intended destination, some two hours up the road.
After Cincinatti I-75 and I-70 took me to Washington PA, from where I followed US40 into MD to I-68 and I-70, I-695 around Baltimore and I-95 to Elkton MD. The trip along US40 and I-68 was a joy indeed. There really was no need to look for things to go sightseeing, the whole journey was pictorial. I can't recall if it was time constraint or just photo fatique, but I did not take any photos along this journey.
That is until I got to Lick Hollow Picnic Ground. I mean, how could you bypass a picnic ground with a name like that. It is a lovely spot, and I imagine on a hot summers day would be a haven away from the heat. If I had known it was there, I would have waited with lunch.
Just a few hundred feet further there is the Blue Star Memorial Highway rose garden and scenic overlook.
The following day I finally caught up with the lady at Chatris in Wilmington who organised my car insurance. After all those phone calls, and dozens of emails back and forth, it was good to put a face to the name. And I brought her a koala - albeit a 2" tall one on a keyring.
All she wanted was a koala.
Lifey
On to Newton..... almost.
In Wilmington, I had no difficulty finding route 100, which would once again take me through the Brandywine Valley. This time I stopped at the Brandywine State Park, to check it out and take some photos. On entry, I found to my horror that there was a charge of $7.50. However, when I explained that I just wanted to drive through and take some photos to include in my trip report, he waved me on. Not much of the park is accessible by car. From the map it looks like there are many miles of walking tracks, and a couple of picnic areas. I particularly liked the stone-wall fences.
Enjoyed route 100 much more this time. This lovely, narrow, winding road which has very little in the way of shoulders and has trees so close to the roadway that I felt they would hit the top of my van, has a surprising amount of traffic on it.
When I reached route 52 at Lenape PA, I recognised the bridge where I had finally found the road through the Brandywine Valley, on my pass through there, a month or so earlier.
Next point of interest was Centralia PA. I had read about this place decades ago, but it was Jerry (the auto electrician) who reminded me of it. This is where virtually the whole town has been relocated. It was some 50 years ago that a nearby coal mine caught fire, and it is said that this fire is still burning below the surface, and has spread under where the town was.... and still spreading. A few die-hards have stayed.
I was not game to venture far off the highway, as the streets were very overgrown, and I may get stuck, not being able to turn my van around, and not being able to walk out to get help. But I have heard that there are places where smoke comes up through the pavement.
It seemed as if someone was still attending to the lawns at the municipal offices though the neglect of the building is obvious.
The fire engine and uniforms are still in the fire station.
An interesting place to visit. On my way there I passed through Ashland PA. This was quite a surprise - though it should not have been. It was another of these lovely Pennsylvania towns tucked away in the hills. It's main street - Center Street - is quite steep and the architecture was most attractive.
One more visit to Jim Thorpe was required before heading back up I-81 and I-88 for the run into Massachusetts... and Newton.
Lifey
Alaska and then the Triangle road !
Quote:
Lifemagician > (When the lady at the visitor centre in Mariposa saw that she could not dissuade me from driving this road, she went on to tell me how scenic and beautiful the drive is.)
She obviously doesn't know you as well as we do ! ;-)
Quote:
Mark Sedenquist > Megan and I got to see the final flight of the space shuttle aboard the 747 when it flew around the LA area last week. It was magical
Yeah I bet that was quite something !!
Dave.
