Winnie and Me 2016-2017: Eclipse-2

Day 2 - 8/17/17

As I think and write about Day 2, I find I neglected to mention the awesome sight at the beginning of my journey; that of crossing the Tappan Zee bridge and trying to keep my eyes off the most impressive, awesome and amazing engineering/construction project ever. I believe it'll be next week when they'll send all westbound traffic on the new Tappan Zee (I don't recognize it as the Cuomo Bridge, sorry) and the east bound traffic will use the old Tappan Zee. What logistics must have had to be overcome to pull a stunt like that.

So, although I lost a day in my travels, I did enjoy the 'wait time' I had at the Hampton Inn in Clinton, NJ. It's been a long time since I spent time in a motel or hotel. I must say, those folks who can't take the RV life, this is the way to go. I'll leave it to someone else's blog about how to get into a "plan", amass points, use them wherever and whenever your heart desires. The accommodations and amenities are excellent. Enjoying my very nice selections at the free breakfast area in the lobby, I sat and watched people...my favorite thing to do. Young men and women going about their business. How many conferences, conventions, meetings, seminars and business appointments must they be involved in; all of which require traveling and living out of their knapsack and/or small suitcases on wheels; each with a laptop tucked under their arm or in the petite carrying case. I just shook my head gratefully and content with where I was in my life.

Anyway, the call I was waiting for came about 11:00 am and Eric arrived with Winnie 15 minutes later. He drove us back to the garage where I settled my account with Mike, took the faulty part to show Mercedes and shelled out big bucks for the valve and labor; all of which will be submitted to Mercedes for reimbursement.

Eric and his father's classic Corvette. He had to test drive it
then return it to him. Fortunately, he lives near my destination
so, presto, my ride from the garage to the Hampton Inn.

Stick shift and all. A nice ride

Ann Marie from Appalachian Campground in Shartlesville, PA returned my call and because I've been there before and I'm returning at the end of the month on my way back home from SC, she "credited" my account and will apply the money when next I stay. So even though I didn't stay there due to "unforeseen difficulties", it worked out.

The drawback of course was yesterday I was 75 miles short in reaching that campground to spend the night. Today, I had to add that to the distance to Friendship Village Campground where I am tonight. That made for a longer drive but the scenery more than made up for it. Highlighting the drive were the three tunnels on I-76 (the "Tunnel Highway) that I passed through (there are six). A total of 4.5 miles of tunnel was bored through the seven mountains. The tunnels were Laurel Hill Tunnel, Allegheny Mountain Tunnel, Rays Hill Tunnel, Sideling Hill Tunnel, Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel, Kittatinny Mountain Tunnel and Blue Mountain Tunnel. I went through the last three mentioned and marveled at the engineering feat that was accomplished knowing full well that there was a mountain above me wanting to crush me like a pancake.

I was just able to capture the Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel.
You are directed to remove sunglasses, stay in lane and do not
cross double white line.

Traffic and civilization were much different than traveling I-80 through the empty western states I've written about so more attention had to be paid to the task at hand. I finally arrived at Friendship Village Campground and what had simmered way in the back of my mind since I booked this campground came bubbling up to the forefront of my thinking: