“7:20, I was shooting for 7:30; ten minutes early never hurts,” Ron said as he put the truck in gear and pointed us towards 460 West.
Last night’s rain soaked everything. We had a soggy start to the morning, but thankfully, no rain.
“First leg of trip is done,” Ron said, pulling paper towels from the cabinet, as I filled the dog’s water bowl. Glancing at my watch, I noted the time: 14:29.
Somehow, I managed to set my watch on military time and haven’t figured out how to change it.
Light rain met us in Hershey, PA. Staying at the Jonestown/Hershey KOA, site 85 ran parallel to the rail trail, great for biking. Extending the awning, we sat listening to the rain as we discussed evening plans.
“What’s wrong with this picture?” Ron asked, looking at the bike rack on the back of the trailer and our bikes on it.
Walking to stand beside him, at first glance, I didn’t notice anything wrong, but then I realized the emptiness of my back bike rack. Somewhere between VA and PA, the metal basket, bolted on with four bolts, had come off.
Ron felt horrible, hoping he didn’t hurt anyone when it came off, and I prayed the same.
“What? Two miles from the Appalachian Trail?”
My astute observation to Ron as we walked the dogs after arriving. I saw the sign diagonally from our site and couldn’t believe our luck.
If they hadn’t marked the Appalachian Trail, we would have missed it completely.
Yes, folks, I passed up Hershey’s Chocolate (our original plan for the afternoon) for a ten-mile ride on the Swatara Rail Trail with my Honey.
Milton Hershey and I share the same birthday—no wonder I love chocolate.
At the bridge that crosses the Appalachian Trail, loud Spanish music floated over the river. When we went to explore the source, we found two guys sitting in the parking lot, doors open, huge speakers beside the car, filming the speakers.
Totally baffled at their purpose.
By 7:30 the next morning, after washing the comforter Ruby peed on the night before and taking all three pups to the dog park for a nice long run, we began the seven-hour trek to Littleton, MA, for our next overnight.
“Siri, what’s my feet?” Ron asked as the Dodge chugged up a steep incline.
“987 feet above sea level,” came the A. I. generated reply.
“Yep, that’s why the clouds look closer. 1000 feet up in the air.”
When I looked, I realized my Honey had a point. The clouds did look closer.
“Picture,” Ron said at 1:34 p. m. as we crossed the stateline into our host state for the next few days.
What a beautiful day the Lord has given us. Thank You, Lord, for the sunshine!
“Shoot, that door came open.”
Ten minutes from our destination, Ron noticed the outside fridge door flopping in the wind. He quickly pulled over onto the narrow shoulder of I-495 North. As he turned on the hazard lights, I quickly popped out and closed the door.
“Part the Red Sea, Lord. Get us back on the road safely,” I prayed as I put on my seatbelt.
Praise God, He did! Minor crisis averted.
We arrived at Spacious Skies Campground in Littleton, MA in alignent with what thinks of as the wisest RVing afvice he ever heard sonewhere along our journeys:
The 3-4-5 Rule
Drive 300 miles
In the campground by 4:00
Beverage in hand by 5:00
We did drive slightly more than 300 miles. But we made it to the campground by 4:00, and beverages followed soon after.
Shaker Hills Golf Course promotes a drive through beer stop, which Ron wanted to try. However, when we arrived at 4:15 and couldn’t play until 4:40 at a rate of $77 each for nine homes, we decided to go get something to eat instead.
Chip Shot Grill and Bar, recommended to us at the campground office, catered to the locals. Walking in, I immediately felt self-conscious, like I had interrupted an important conversation.
Howevee, within minutes, conversatuon restarted and they forgot about us. I enjoyed listening to the local gossip in the heavy North Eastern accents. My kind of people, they work hard and play hard, living life to the fullest.
‘I appreciate the heavy pour, ” I said to Cassandra, our waitress, when she delivered the check. Manicured nails with a blonde bun, she radiated beauty to her customers, shining her light brightly.
After dinner, we relaxed at the RV with the pups, turning in for an early night. By 8:30 the next morning, we headed north for the last leg of our trip.