Outside of some searing temps there hasn't been a whole lot in the last couple of days to report. Frequent stops for water in and on the body to keep things cool...we have been riding thru 100 degree + temps. In order to minimize our heat exposure we have been leaving early in the mornings and taking the Interstates until noon, that way we cover more ground faster and stop earlier. Shame cause I really like the "other roads".
Highlight from yesterday, we got to stay in Scranton again at the Lackawanna Station Hotel. If you have followed the blog I included a link. BEAUTIFUL! This was a railway station that has been preserved in the best way ever. It apparently was empty for 13 years and was almost demolished until it was purchased and renovated as a hotel. Unbelievable detail, untouched in many ways like the terrazzo and mosaic floor, the original clock, marble walls and pillars. The whole first floor is pretty much as it was back in it's time. As you enter the front the dining room takes up the whole area that would have held the benches for people waiting. Front desk the ticket area. They did carpet over some of the flooring but did so in a way so as to not disturb the original flooring. The old benches are now located on each floor by the elevators and the stain glass ceiling.......priceless!
Today's highlight was a chance encounter. We had originally picked out two other routes once we got off the Interstate. In the end we decided on the route we had taken when traveling south. We stopped at a nice gas station that was a good stop for us previously (shade and REALLY clean bathrooms). When I came out, Larry, of course, was having a conversation with one of the locals. Turns out he has a new BMW 1200RT, his wife is a veterinarian and he has a new business ,making grip buddies.....neoprene hand grips...just what we have been looking for...quick side trip to his house and he custom outfits us. An hour later we are back on the road. Grips are awesome! No more sleepy throttle hand! Thanks Dave!
So here is some info on our trip, so far...........
Mountain ranges travelled - 10 not including Mount Washington!
States crossed - 10
Kms...so far 4800
What we did - visited Biltmore Estate, Luray Caverns, Erie Canal, Champlain Canal, historic Lackawanna Station, Mabry Mills; travelled thru or by - Glade Springs (tornado touch down site -April); Blueridge Parkway; Skyline Drive; Smokey Mountain Parkway; Tail of the Dragon; Mount Washington; Moonshine Trail (Route 28 South); Pepacton Reservoir; Hwy 91 with it's wild cows; Susquehanna Nuclear Reactor; Cherokee Reservation; to name a few.....
Animals we have seen....wild turkey including momma and about a dozen little ones, turkey vultures, deer (abundant); ground hogs and possums, turtle, locust and elk...most common road kill (Pennsylvania) possum, squirrel and skunk. Ya...yummy!
Hottest temp - Pennsylvania at 41 degrees
Coldest temp - Mount Washington 9 degrees
Rode thru 4 major thunderstorms (amazing really - one we were riding at the same level as the cloud)
Most state lines crossed in one day - 5 - this was done twice in two different areas.
..and that's it....so far!
Wow..wow! Those are some pretty incredible stats there Cindy. I am sure your stories and memories will be too many to count! And I must say...nice to hear that Larry is coming out of his shell. Sounds like this trip will finally cure his shyness! HA! Take care, keep having the adventure, keep the water to 'ya and as our friend Charley says "rubber to the road"!
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