Find latest started threads
Day 7 (I think?) - Cookeville, TN to Staunton VA - 432 miles, 7-1/2 hours
Our options this morning were to leave at our usual 6 am hour and then drive right into Knoxville's rush hour traffic, or leave a little later and avoid it. Since we knew we were only doing a little over 400 miles today, we took the latter and left late. I was able to try the continental breakfast at that chain (America's Best Value Inn). It was disappointing that they had NO fruit. Only sweet rolls and muffins, dry cereals (not even any oatmeal), milk, two kinds of juices, coffee, and a waffle maker. What I really wanted was a banana and some fruity oatmeal.
The rest of I-40 in TN was a relatively uneventful drive. We then got off on I-81 north to head towards our destination, New Jersey. By then we were finally getting hungry (it was just noon, EDT, but 11 am by our stomachs), so we did the first chain restaurant that we've done since Tuesday: Cracker Barrel. The only reason we hit that one, is that both of us had a hankering for chicken and dumplings, which they do very well. Yum. The service was excellent, the price is right, but we personally took our time. That was the one at Bristol, VA, at I-81's exit 7.
As we drove north, the scenery was just beautiful. AAA's Triptik strip map for 81 lists the drive as scenic, though our old atlas does not. (For some reason, I failed to get a Virginia map from AAA before we left, but thank goodness I brought that 5 year old atlas!) My camera came out as I tried to capture some of the views we were getting. (See note above about getting hubby to stop for photos - he won't on the freeway as it's illegal.) Rolling hills, sometimes the freeway going into a deep valley with hills above. I do know that folks here call these "mountains", but that is one thing that California does well, TALL mountains. These are shorties in comparison. Still beautiful, though.
We stopped for gasoline at Whyteville (?) - we have been using Flying J, Pilot, and Love's Truck Stops almost exclusively, with one stab at a Petro (because it was more convenient to get in/out of than Love's across the street). We have a Flying J/Pilot Frequent Fueler card, which saves us 2c a gallon (I think) on non-diesel fuel. Our mileage has been super. For some reason, premium runs 93 octane here on this side of the country, where CA premium is 91. Maybe that has helped our mileage???
One thing today: construction caused a big traffic jam! We got the warning ahead of time, "Bridge construction at mm 114, right lane closed." Then a "tune into AM 1620 if lights are flashing", which they were. While I was searching for the station on the radio, hubby brought the car to a standstill at mm 108.6. We inched slowly up to the one lane closure (mm 113), waiting in the left lane. It irks me that people race up as long as they can and then take cuts in front of people who moved to the left at mm 109 like the sign said. (That's what causes traffic jams.) We lost 15 minutes in that jam, but I think I gained some good photos. I'll find out after dinner when I upload them to the laptop.
After the traffic jam, about 50 miles out of Staunton, DOWNPOUR again. We saw the storm coming, and hopefully my photos will reflect that. Everyone moved slowly down the freeway with their emergency blinkers on, though some pulled over. Today we've seen a lot of touring motorcyclists. I always feel sorry for them when it's very hot, or when it rains. Many were waiting out the storm underneath the overpasses.
We are in the EconoLodge at Staunton, VA, the first time this trip that we made reservations ahead of time. I know this is close to the southern end of Skyline Drive and the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway (hubby declined driving the latter), and this is Friday, so we opted for reservations. As a result, it's the first time we have first floor room - the last 3, all coupon walk-ins, were on the 2nd floor. It's nice to park right outside your door and not have to tote our stuff!
UPDATE: Dinner tonight was at another local place, Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant here in Staunton. The food was pretty good - I enjoyed the chicken more than my husband did, because it was chicken breast (all the menu said was "country chicken" and he didn't ask what part of the chicken). We each had a piece of pie for dessert, which is highly unusual for us, and shame on me! (I am going to have to walk all of this off over the next week, I've been eating like a pig!) The prices were decent as well.
Tomorrow's plans, if the clouds and rain go away, is to drive Skyline Drive north, then pick up I-66 to I-81. Depending on the time we come into PA, we just might swing by Hershey and take the chocolate tour. YUM. My brother asked us not to arrive early, so we'll do some sightseeing. Besides, it's only about 350 miles from here to his house.
Donna
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Utahtea
