Tuesday, February 18, 2014

On the Road Again

It doesn't take much for me to hit the road.  Like the old game show, I can name that tune in 10 sec. :)  I can be packed and out of here in 10 minutes!  We pack light which makes for few bags to take.  In fact one time we packed so light for a trip to NC we didn't take any bags.  We stopped at a camp ground in VA, set up the tent and  yes, I said tent.  I asked Dick, where is our bag..........his answer was not what I wanted to hear...........didn't you put it in the car.   That was a panic moment.  Off to the store for tooth brush, paste and a hair brush.  After the shock wore off I had to grin, I'm getting some new clothes and make-up in NC.

Back to the tent thing.  We love tent camping. Give me a queen air mattress, electric coffee pot and fry pan and it is the Ritz Hotel  :)  We have camped with the motorcycle and that can be quite an experience but I still like going.  With the bike the tent is down sized to a 2 man, no air mattress or coffee pot. Wake up, roll the tent and sleeping bags, jump on the bike to the first restaurant or quick fill for coffee.  Lots of coffee for me please, it keeps me in line, sorta.  We have camped by bike in southern PA and WV.  All experiences have some pretty amazing stories, that might be another post or two someday.

Four years ago we camped in a tent around the perimeter of the USA.  It was by far the best vacation ever, 21 days and never stayed in the same campground two nights in a row.  It was back to the 1960's in our 60's vacation.  Honestly we could have camp set up in 5 minutes.   We always stayed at KOA Campgrounds and would stop each day by 3 pm, set up tent and head out to explore the area.  Before we we came back to the campground we would stop and buy what looked good for supper and breakfast in the morning.  Now California was heaven for fresh fruits and vegetables.

One thing I noticed, in a tent we attract lots of people interested in our travels. A PA plate was probably the bait for them to start the conversation since we were in a tent way out west.  We met a lot of great people that had their own amazing stories to tell.  I even found a gal working the KOA office that loved Jamacian Me Crazy Coffee and had her own K-cup stash of it that she was more than happy to share.  I ran out of my JMC in southern California.  21 days and 7,800 miles

Then there is the Auto Train that runs nonstop from Lorton, VA to Sanford, Fl.  We have taken it twice, once with the bike in June a few years ago and this past December with the car.  Cheaper than flying and renting a car, no hauling bags because once your car is packed it stays in the car or on the bike until you get to the station the next morning.  There is a great evening meal with wine, a continental breakfast in the morning before departing the train and complimentary coffee, tea, water, fruit, nuts, muffins, cookies etc. during the overnight trip.  Leave Lorton at 4 pm, arrive Sanford the next morning at 8:30 am.  The unloading of the car takes no more than 30 minutes and you are on your way.  Both times we went on to the Florida Keys (maybe another story).

Other adventures are 1, 2 or 3 hours from home, which is usually by bike in the summer with friends or just us.  There is so much to do and see around here and some pretty amazing little specialty cafes.  Ok the mind is spinning, yep another story.

It doesn't matter where we go or how far we both love to travel, meet interesting and sometimes some really weird people.  Even though I'm sure some say, wow those two are weird.  Life is what you make it <3

I am now in Union Bridge, Md ;)  My granddaughter called yesterday and asked me ride along with her.  Of course, this is where my three little grandboys live.  We left in quite a storm this morning but by the time we reached Wellsboro all was good for road conditions.  Dry and a little sun all the way.  Bacon and eggs the only food  cooked at Cook'n by the Creek today for breakfast ;)  My favorite spot for a salad along Rt 15 is Panera in Shomokin Dam for a late lunch today.  This is the half way mark for the trip so a grande cup of coffee to go and I'm good for the last 2 1/2 hours.   Thursday morning breakfast at school with Cooper then head North to Clara and start cook'n.
The mighty Susquehanna River along Rt. 15

                                    Coming down off the mountain to Williamsport.

                                         Mediterranean Shrimp Salad from Panera