Heading East

On the road again, Monday Sept. 27, 7am destination Grove City KOA.  Several observations:  Indiana and most of Ohio along I-80 is flat.  As we got into  eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania there are rolling hills and the trees are just beginning to change color.  Ellie marveled over the farms, barns and animals.  It was interesting to see in the midst of a grain field a man riding his horse.  He had his own oval for training for horse racing?

We got to our campsite at 6 pm.  We traveled 482 miles.  MPG was 23.50

Everyone has priorities!!!!  We choose this campground because it had cable tv and it was a  good distance for us to travel.  We wanted to watch the Packer - Bears game which was on  ESPN.  During the game we felt good texting family and friends while the Packers were ahead. Then sent some woeful texts when they kept making penalties.  We coIld foresee the outcome! Oh well, the season is young.i

Gym

On the road again, Tuesday Sept 28 destination, Danville, PA.  First stop:  Slippery Rock University.  It was only 11 miles from KOA.  It was a "Sister" college when we were at UW-Stevens Point.  As all universities it has expanded, lots of buildings, student housing and even a Marching Band Practice Field.  It was neat to see the old buildings.

Punxsutawney Phil's cousin

Punxsutawney Phil & Ellie

Then onto Punxsutawney, PA.  Ellie's hometown has Jimmy the Groundhog.  Since we were so close, we had to stop by and see Phil's hometown.    Since we were off the Interstate, lots of up and down hills, lots of curves.  Beautiful countryside.

Coming into Punxsutawney there are some beautiful Old Painted Ladies, gorgeous Victorian houses.  Lots of Phil statues and his cousins at the Groundhog Zoo, a part of the local library. The forestland through PA go on forever. Also saw farmlands. In Clearfield County crossed the highest elevation on I-80 east of the Mississippi River.

Phil & Jim

Deer in Jim's yard

Bar harbor and African Guinea hens

Onto Danville, PA to visit Phil's friend Jim. The two guys used to audit for Goodyear and have many stories to rehash. Arrived at Jim's about 5 pm. 267 traveled. What a great homestead he has. The home and land has been in his family for over one hundred years. He has 82 acres. The land is worked by neighbors. He has guinea chickens and a visiting cat and dog. We also met Vickie his girlfriend. We all had a great time visiting. So sorry that Vickie had to go to work the next day. We were on the way after a fantastic breakfast.

Spent the night in Walmart parking lot

On the road again, Wednesday Sept. 29 heading to New England. Before leaving Jim's he served us a huge fantastic breakfast. Thanks Jim for everything. In PA. we see our first really impressive trees that have changed colors. As we cross the Hudson River I see one lone sailboat. (It's the middle of the week.). We journey through NY, CT and stopped at a Walmart in Chelmsford, MA. 368 miles. We slept very comfortable....our first night in a Walmart parking lot....price was right.

Franciscan Monastery

Grotto at Monastery

Got some shoes for Phil

On the road again, Thursday morning Sept. 30 7 am heading thru New Hampshire to ME. We stopped at the Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk, ME. We toured the grounds and went inside the Chapel and said a few prayers. In this town is a "Wedding Cake House." The house was built in 1825 and all the trim was done by hand. Remarkable. Onto Freeport to shop at L.L. Bean. Bought Phil two pairs of shoes. Onto Acadia National Park arriving 5:30 pm. We traveled 420 miles.

Wedding Cake House