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| Rest Area in Jersey OAFSFOTO |
Don't get me wrong, the weather was nice (though staring into the winter sun for six plus hours left my eyes feeling rather abused) and the roads were dry. Traffic varied from "not bad" to "well, this sucks" with more of the former than the latter. It took eight hours and change to make the journey to Annapolis.
Now that lead in photo was taken whilst waiting for The Missus Herself to return to the family vehicle. You see, we take turns at the rest areas, one to guard the vehicle at all times. It's not that I don't trust my fellow man, but no, I don't trust my fellow man.
Looking up from my cell phone I saw that scene laid out before my weary eyes, "Nice!" I said to myself, so I took a photo. I also thought how nice it would be to have a quick nap before setting off down the road.
As we weren't all that far from Delaware, pressing on seemed to be the lesser of two evils. So press on we did.
The last two trips we had come this way had the navigation system (Waze in this instance) take us away from Baltimore and its environs. Didn't bother me in the least when Waze decided to do that again.
The road south out of Wilmington (sort of) takes one to Maryland 301, a bucolic but pleasant ride. Not much traffic and not much to see except rolling farm land. Until you get close to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, where boats are sold, tourists are taken in, and restaurants seem to abound for those inclined to find something to eat.
But the view is really nice from atop that wonder of modern engineering, lots of water, any number of ships lying at anchor waiting to off/on load (I guess).
Upon alighting on the southern side of the bridge we're less than an hour from Chez Tuttle et Nuke, so that feels good. Also the sun had dipped below the trees, no more glare.
My eyes said "hallelujah," (figuratively speaking of course) and I felt the end of the trip drawing nigh.
We rolled into the driveway and were met by young Buzz who was rather delighted to see us. After that joyous greeting (yes, Tuttle and The Nuke were happy to see us as well, just not with that unbridled joy which only the young really experience) we were treated to a fine meal of biscuits and gravy.
'Twas a fine end to a long drive.
Soon we'll be heading back the other way. All too soon but hey, life goes on, neh?
Good to see you folks survived another road trip, especially on a day when there's not much daylight.
ReplyDeleteWe had just enough.
DeleteStanding guard at rest areas? I've never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteYou do not remember the entertainment at a Florida rest area several years ago?
DeleteNope, most all of my traveling has been done on the west coast & never had a problem.
DeleteCrime at rest areas varies around the country.
DeleteCrusty Old TV Tech here. To quote an old USAF bud, upon his hearing of a New Jersey-ite coming to our unit, "Joisey? What exit?".
ReplyDeleteSpent a good bit of time 30-ish years ago TDY to East Windsor, NJ, and the RCA Astro-Space plant. Back then, Central NJ was beautiful, and a nice TDY. I see that plant is now gone, along with the jobs and high tech feeder industry that had built up around Astro, which makes me wonder if that part of "Joisey" is still nice.
Nice little trip you took there Sarge, with a "pot of gold" at rainbow's end!
There are parts of New Jersey which are simply gorgeous. Just not near Newark, unless you like that whole industrial, Mad Max vibe.
DeleteI've never been, but I feel that that is probably an apt (and hilarious) description.
DeleteTrust me, it fits.
DeleteSarge - When we traveled back to the East Coast last year, we drove at least nearby to some of this country. It really was beautiful, almost surprisingly so.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, we do the "guard the car" at the rest stop as well.
Remove the urge for opportunistic thieves to ply their "trade."
DeleteIf there are others in the rest stop, we tend to have one of us stay in the car. Never thought of it as guarding, as such, but that's what it is. In the north-central USA, frequently we're the only vehicle once we're away from the intermittent cities. Glad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen an empty rest area along I-95 or the New Jersey Turnpike. Unless it was closed. (At least one is now for maintenance and repairs.)
DeleteI enjoy driving, and don't mind road trips, but I would rather start them without a deadline. We're always seemingly in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteAt my age I don't do deadlines, even at work I manage to avoid them. Can't always but it really helps lower the stress levels.
DeleteIf you had turned south on Rt 50 and driven 45 minutes or so, you would have been in my stomping grounds of Dorchester Cty, for the most part 10/10 would not recomend the county seat of Cambridge, but the countryside isn't so bad at all. Easton and St. Micheals in Talbot county are rather southern quaint, reminds me bit of Beaufort S.Carolina
ReplyDeletePretty country down there.
DeleteQuite a few very nice VRBO rental options in the Cambridge/Easton/St. Michaels area, with plenty to do for day trips for a couple of days. Just be sure to read James Michener's "Chesapeake" to get a flavor of the history of the area and why they locals are the way they are. High tourist season is probably not optimal, but off season it is delightful. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a must see!
DeleteJohn Blackshoe
Always interesting to hear how the locals "got that way." Be interesting to hear that concerning my fellow New Englanders!
DeleteSome of the settlers of the Eastern Shore had New England roots, having fled from rather heinous religious persecution in New England, as well as olde England and other locales for being the wrong religion, at least in Michener's story. It was a rather diverse and eclectic assemblage by luck and chance as much as by choice, in a geographic location with unique features, challenges and assets.
DeleteJB
Sounds very America.
Delete