Left Quechee SP on Tuesday, September 3, drove to Pennsylvania the first day. Checked into Tri-state RV at Matamoras, PA and coach wouldn't start. Waited 2 1/2 hours for roadside assistance to get mechanic to us. He managed to get us started so we could get to our site. Came back the next morning, replaced started solenoid. Finished about 1 PM, we didn't want to start driving that late so we opted for another day. Not a bad place, but right next to I-84 and highway noise was atrocious.
Had lunch at Erie Hotel, historical location in Port Jervis NY.
We toured the town and surrounding area, found Elks-Brox Park on Skyline Drive overlooking the Delaware River with spectacular view of Port Jervis, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Also found historic Erie Railroad Turntable where trains were routed, but really run down and trashy. Fort Decker was burned during Revolutionary War in 1779. Delaware/Hudson Canal Tow Path runs along the river was used to provide coal for New York City from 1828 - 1898. By following scenic by-way we ended up in New Jersey. Could spend weeks exploring the area.
Thursday, September 5, travel day. I-84 is on my list for the top 10 worst highways. Found Keystone RV at State Line PA, an RV dealer with overnight parking facillities.
Stayed over an extra day to explore Carlisle PA.
Audubon Hawk Watch at Waggoner's Gap, very rocky trail up to mountain top, impossible for Alvin with his bum knee.
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We parked at the alternate area and braved the blind curve to cross a busy highway and go up the easy way. The last bit was still an obstacle course of rocky steps. The only seating was on a precarious rocky slope and the raptors were virtually invisible against a bright blue cloudless sky. Did pick up Carolina Wren, Catbird, Black-throated Green and Blackburnian Warbler.
Did a quick tour of downtown Carlisle, the Old Court House still bears the scars of a Confederate artillery bombardment a few days before Gettysburg.
Carlisle was also site of the Indian School Jim Thorpe attended and the home of Molly Pitcher, Revolutionary War heroine.
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We spent 2 hours touring the Army Museum that traced the history of the American soldier from Revolutionary times to the current War on Terror. Could have spent a week in the area absorbing all the history.
Saturday we moved on to Lightfoot VA, just northwest of Williamsburg. Stayed at Outdoor World, a private membership campground open to the public. Tried to sell us a membership, but we declined.
Spent most of Sunday on the Eastern Shore in the NWR and Kiptopeke SP.
Mostly B'flies at refuge, Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper, Buckeye, Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady and another skipper I didn't ID.
At the State park, a dripping water spigot provided a bathing frenzy. Summer Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, 4 Pine Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal all took turns splashing vigorously as I snapped lousy pictures through a dirty windshield.
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The 23 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel complex was amazing, too. The 2 tunnels are connected to the bridge spans at 4 man-made islands. The toll was $12 each way, don't know how often the people living on the Eastern Shore can go into Virginia Beach at that price.
Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, a true engineering marvel.
We drove on into Virginia Beach to spend a few hours with my Uncle John and Nancy before braving the traffic through "THE TUNNEL" going back to Williamsburg. John and Nancy said the traffic was always backed up due to someone running out of gas or other disabling problems in the tunnel. We were only delayed 15 minutes or so.
Monday was laundry day in the morning and we spent the afternoon exploring Jamestown...
No way could we be that close and not check out the very first successful English settlement where the USA actually had its beginning.
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| Pocohantas |
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| John Smith overlooking the James River |
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