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Day 28. A morning drive on Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. Beautiful view as we drive along the top of the ridge.

























We find ourselves in close proximity to Charlottesville VA and decide to explore Monticello. The tour is fabulous with a very knowledgeable guide. We get lots of great ideas for our next house...and gardens













It's looking a little dark and stormy but not cold at all. So, we set off in search of Appomattox. And, after winding up and over some roller coaster roads, we find it. But, the actual courthouse has been disassembled years ago and moved to D.C. And, the town is one of the least inviting we have seen yet....So, it's on to Lynchburg VA for the night. Following the Jerry Falwell Expressway we find one of the best motels yet and a Texas steakhouse within walking distance.

Day 29. Instant grits in the breakfast lobby. We're not in Kansas anymore. Clear and windy on the road today. Massively beautiful colors on the hillside. A quick stop in Erwin TN on our way to North Carolina leads us to the story of Mary, the Murderous elephant, and her hanging at the local railroad depot. There is the mandatory commemorative tee-shirt purchase.
We arrive in Asheville, NC, in the late afternoon. Beautiful place, and a bit more of a city than we expected. Hit the first open mike in a pizza pub just north in Weaverville. A nice meeting with the local musicians. Animals seeking out their own kind.

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Day 25. We start our morning in Doylestown at the Mercer Museum. It is a large cement building full of Americana. From the vampire killing kit to the wooden cigar store figures, it's just about got it all.



















Although western PA is a beautiful place, anything short of an interstate freeway is a traffic nightmare. We escape along the river, skirting Philadelphia as we dip into Delaware (just to say we've been there.) Another stop and go crawl back into PA on a road that looked much bigger on the map. We then head east through Lancaster County where we encounter no Amish, at least in uniform. We arrive in Gettysburg and settle into a yet again overpriced motel where, apparently, the mice have better access to the toilet paper than we do.


We then supper at, yes, the local brew pub.

Day 26. Our plan to be up and doing the walking tour of town before the apple-seeking hoards (it IS the 44th apple harvest festival here!) falls short of it's goal. But we pick up an auto tour cd and begin the journey through the battlefield.














After a very thorough tour of this area, I am thoroughly depressed. We decide to cheer ourselves up by heading straight for the capitol of this fine country. On the road again, and in no time we are circling the Potomac River looking for a place to park. It's Sunday and we stumble upon a very good place that a Dept. of the Interior employee assures us is a great find. She also directs us to a nearby hotel and restaurant across the bridge in Arlington that serve us very well.
The memorials large and inspiring. Brian takes my hand and starts to lead me up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to tell him what we want for Christmas!
Brian is able to locate the White House and the men in black strolling on the roof.












Patty turns her back on the Washington Monument.









Day 27. The next morning, fresh and ready to go we take the metro into DC. Hop off at the Museum of Natural History where one of the exhibits allows me my live butterfly experience.
Totally cool.





This is followed by a visit to the Hope Diamond and other illustrious rocks and some playful interaction with heat.





















After a few more museum stops, we head back across the Potomac, grab the car and begin our journey south. We wind up in Front Royal,VA, a comfortable little town at the foot of the Appalachians, about 80 miles west of DC. We visit an odd little local pub featuring trivia AND a local musician. We found the meth-induced behavior of the staff far more entertaining.

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Day 23. Walking and driving in NYC are done like schools of fish, weaving in and out of each other, filling every gap as we swim forward. KEEP MOVING. New car lanes are claimed by the front corner of any vehicle bold enough to nose in. Pedestrians cross against the lights between oncoming cars. Faux pas are noted with stern honks.
Waking up exhausted after two days of over-stimulation, we still cannot resist taking another walk to Times Square for coffee and people watching. We settle in for a final breakfast, all confessing a strong urge to escape all the madness. We watch outside as a young girl on her way to school is knocked down by a semi while crossing against the light. While we did not notice the actual event in front of us, her placement in the road (and her condition) suggested that she walked or ran into the semi herself. Fortunately, a nearby pedestrian stopped the truck before it actually ran over her. Now, THAT'S entertainment!
We bail out the car and head north on 9A, then cross Bronx and head into Connecticut for a Jewish deli in Vernon.




On our way back to Boston we realize that we are antsy to move on to new territory, so upon our return we quickly reload the car, bid farewell to D & C, and head on our way.









We head west on the Mass Pike and wind up in the Berkshires. We stay in a quiet, comfortable motel in Great Barrington run by an overly anxious to please innkeeper, raving about the details of his rooms and our expected good review on Trip Advisor before he even quotes a price. A nearby brew pub offers up one of the best prime rib dinners we've seen in years. We're still stuffed from lunch, but split one anyway. Life is good.

Day 24. October 2, 2009
Off to a promising start. Heading down the Taconic State Parkway in NY we see some of the prettiest scenery yet with fall colors, cemeteries and antique shops. We are in the neighborhood so we drop in on the Vanderbilt mansion on the Hudson. $8.00 and an hour of our time is too steep a price to take the inside tour, so we meander around the place and drive on..

Hell is East Stroudsberg, PA....at least their road system. How I longed for Carolyn's TomTom to direct us out. AAA was no help at all. No road numbers exist on map and no map numbers match roads. At last we literally stumble on the road we were looking for. All in all it has taken us one and a half hours to go 30 miles.

Oh goody, we land in Doylestown! A serendipitous event. For here lies the Mercer Museum and there we must go. Not so serendipitous as far as motel accommodations go. I can only say there is a great void here that could be filled by a low to medium range motel. You'd have my business just by advertising wi-fi and then NOT charging you extra for it at check-in.

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Day 19. After our usual morning stop for coffee, we are on our way back to Massachusetts. We decide, once again to take the scenic route, where we discover strange creatures...













...and, along the Atlantic coast in New Hampshire, the best lobster meal...ever..,

Then it is down to Salem to visit a museum or something hysterical in nature. It is a dark and gloomy afternoon. Perfect for hunting Salem witches. Rounding a few corners and behold, the Witch Dungeon Museum (and gift shop!). The reenactment of an actual trial with two performers and 6 dummies. (The dummies were in the jurors box). Then downstairs for several displays of the jailhouse conditions and the (dummies') final destination.














Day 20. Rhode Island hilarity.
We decide to get another state under our belt with a drive to Rhode Island for lunch. After seeing the sights of Providence, we settle on an outside restaurant amidst the yachts in Warwick. We sit down, sip our drinks, and watch as the waitress brings out a tray of food for the three ladies next to us. While two of the three are being served, we notice a seagull land on the abandoned tray, lift a piece of chicken from the third unlucky lady's salad and fly off. This is not noted or witnessed by anyone else, apparently. Her salad is served, minus one chicken slice. My potato salad is delicious.
Back on the road to Mass to cook dinner and prepare for the next day's journey into NYC.

Day 21. New York City.
Committed to an early rising, by 5:45am we are up and about. Except for Brian who is experiencing a replay of yesterday's potato salad. Dennis and Carolyn ply him with ginger ale and coca cola. I do a few massage techniques and we allow sleep to complete the healing.
Finally by 8:48 am we are on the road with Dennis at the helm, Carolyn and her gps navigating, and me in the back with Brian's head in my lap.
Two hours later in the town of Wallingford, Conn. we make a stop for coffee and Brian emerges a healed man. He wants to drive into NY. Good directions and great navigation (kudos to Carolyn!) bring us to our Manhattan parking garage between 23rd and 24th not even a block up from our digs.
Again, kudos to Carolyn for arranging this place. The Leo House. I believe it is run by the Catholic church as a training ground for hotel workers. It was simple, clean, safe and the best deal in town, apparently. The location was right up from the 8th St. subway entrance, and after check-in we are off to explore.
Carolyn and Dennis guide us to Times Square, around Rockefeller Center, and then up to 54th St. to do a recon for the Colbert Report studio. We have about an hour and prefer not to wait in line hungry. Just up the block is a wide variety of food choices and Thai it is. Another great food experience. Then back to wait in line.The show is an incredibly fun experience that a blog cannot do justice to. I really enjoyed the Q&A with Mr. Colbert prior to the show itself where we were told he would answer questions "out of character." And then the audience was asked if we were all aware that (during the show) he was IN CHARACTER? That was pretty funny.
Then it was back to the area by the hotel, a beer and pizza stop, and off to sleep.
Day 22. New York City.
Dennis wants to visit Times Square early to see the ABC or NBC morning show. Brian and I are happy to accompany him on this quest. We meander around the area for a bit, have some coffee (Starbucks), and head back to meet Carolyn for breakfast and then to head off for the day.
Brian and I decide to walk to the Empire State Bldg. It is fun and brusque. I follow the crowds to the 86th floor while Brian watches a small demonstration against China outside.
We then hop on the Grey Line bus and do the Manhattan in a day tour to the point of exhaustion, stepping off for the Staten Island Ferry, Rockefeller Center, and lunch in the East Village.

A "short" walk through Central Park, then meeting up with D & C at the Museum of Natural History.

Dinner at a German restaurant on E 24th, then we return to our hotel to collapse exhausted in our rooms.

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Day 15. The arrival.
After morning coffee and bagels in Brattleboro, we head on down into Massachusetts. After a brief stop at a fruit stand (5 cent fresh cider!) we arrive at D & C's in Marlborough. Dennis is at census training, so we spend the afternoon catching up with Carolyn while trying to make peace with an anxious German Shepard. Acorns falling noisily on the houses and cars, leaving little dents in the roof of our Honda.
Making ourselves at home, we set up camp in the family room. We are treated to dinner at an incredible find....a restaurant/bar with a happy hour menu that is great.

Day 16. The next morning.....
Dennis is off to learn how to say, "Is this a soup kitchen?" in 14 different languages. Carolyn graciously agrees to guide us into Boston via Walden Pond.
Then on to Boston. A neat little entrance via the subway and we are on the Freedom Trail. With characters in Ben Franklin outfits leading trails of tourists, it is often hard to remember that this is a real city and not a section of Disneyland. (Paul Revere's House)

DAY 17. We head north out of Marlborough towards Maine. It promises to be cooler today. A quick stop in Kittery Maine is imperative. When Pigs Fly bread company requires critical inspection and taste-testing. As does Yummies, the candy store which doubles as a walk down memory lane.
Rockland is our destination. We wanted to head up to Bar Harbor, but I wanted to be someplace for a couple of days instead of going someplace. Next trip.
It is too late in the year now for the seaside lobster stands, but we still get a fabulous restaurant version just up the road.

Day 18. Brusque morning. Frost on the cars but clear blue sky against the reds and oranges and greens. Every where I look reminds me of a picture puzzle of fall in New England. Found Camden just a few miles north. Walked about a bit, breakfasted, then headed inland about 15 miles to Sweetgrass Winery and Distillery for a little tasting. Can't say I was very fond of the blueberry or cranberry inspired wines, but the apple brandy was just fine. And Brian has acquired a bottle of gin that he says is worth every penny.
We spend our second consecutive night at the Claddagh Inn, a B & B type hotel done in over-the-top Irish decor. Fun owners, also Irish and very friendly.

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Day 12: The Next Morning: We rise, embrace the mundanity of another motel morning, and head back over the bridge to give Pt. Pleasant West Virginia one more try. The Festival is coming to life slowly as we slip into town. 1st, an attempted photo op at the local statuary. (Forgive the picture, but it was right into the sun!) Then, into the only spot in town advertising "expresso." Strange (but good) coffees; stranger (but good) folklore.

Later, that same morning: hand drawn map in hand, we set out for the bunkers of the beast........you know, the usual...army bunkers built over old Indian burial grounds.....


















We hit the road and meander our way out of West Virginia. One house is mansion-like, the next is made from trailer pieces jimmy-rigged together. Businesses are closed on every corner here. The recession is evidenced here big-time.
So it's on through the up and down rounded hills of West Virginia, smoothing out once we hit the Pennsylvania border. We leave the interstate at Meadville and, dodging Amish buggies, arrive at Woodcock Lake to camp for the night....beautiful, rolling hills of grass and trees....electricity, showers, and only two other campers in the 100+ sites....and one very noisy bug rubbing his legs for love all night long. I was ready to mate with it myself just to shut it up...

Day 13. Our first toll road...$3.00...??...(WTF are gas taxes for?)
Niagara Falls...$10.00 to park
Maid of the Mist boat ride for two....$27.00
All worth it

























We drive on through upstate New York to the Finger Lakes and camp at Cayuga State Park. Many more bugs, not quite as nice a spot as the previous night, but every bit as empty.
Pizza parlor in Seneca Falls was wrong in so many ways.
The bugs began their "e-disharmony." I was so longing for the camp nights in the cold so deep that all the bugs were dead.
And then the rains came.....

Day 14: September 22, 2009

Woke up in one of the finest wine-tasting regions of the East Coast. Wineries plentiful and welcoming all around this finger-lakes region. MMMMmmmm. Can hardly wait!
Have to decide....get into Vermont or waste several hundred dollars on impulse wine purchases.
Compromise is reached....Dunkin Donuts for burnt coffee and donut holes! Then back onto Toll Road (90) across NY state. Another $7.25 and they let us off THIS road. Out of New York state and into Vermont. Bennington on Hwy 7 and then across state to Brattleboro.
Sweet little town. Lots of fun, good food, brew pub and an Econolodge and shower.

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Day 11. After last night's all-you-can-eat chinese buffet, we wake up from a restless MSG-induced slumber. Green mussels, frog's legs, and crawfish...hmm, hmm, hmm....
Continental breakfast (with hard boiled eggs this time) and we're off to Santa Claus, home of Holiday World and other family oriented attractions. Too many kids...we are outta there.































A moment's distraction in Kentucky when we find several suggestively named communities needing the "WELCOME TO sign photo op collage". Unfortunately, all signs were missing, but the KY countryside just south of Cincinnati was beautiful.
Did make it to the Creationism Museum, but our curiosity was not enough to overcome the required $22 a piece to support the absurdity. So we photographed some of their dinosaurs....




























Then headed into Ohio to view some ancient Indian mounds.















This is the Serpent Mound which was built several thousand years ago.
The curves in the "snake" body are designed to match the various sunrise and sunsets and moonrisings and settings. Pretty cool and clever.

And then it was off to the border. After we drove around Point Pleasant, WV for about ten minutes, we turned around and crossed back in to Ohio and got a motel and dinner.
"The Mothman Prophecy", a film based on a 1967 bridge collapse (and some mythological creature) was filmed around here about ten years ago. This weekend in Point Pleasant is the Mothman Festival. The police have the place blocked off right now...we tried to get there but can't.....