Roadtrip 2024: Week 1 "The First Colonies"

This about my first week (mile 0 to 950) from home to Lake Erie. I stayed all days on campgrounds in state or national parks, mostly getting there in the late afternoon to have time to chill, fix dinner and have a campfire.

Day 1, 8/17: Raleigh to Hyco Lake Drove one hour to a friends lake house where a group of us were swimming and drinking all day... In the evening we grouped for a couple of hours around a campfire, but it seemed most of us were pretty exhausted. It was a very warm, humid night in the van.

Day 2, 8/18: Hyco Lake to Shenandoah NP Went swimming for 30 min in the lake, then sausages and salmon bagel for breakfast. For desert mimosas. Farewell from my friends at around 10 AM. Bought groceries in Lynchburg, Virgina, then drove right past rental house we stayed in at hiking Shenandoah trip in July. Almost stopped at Blue Mist brewery. Hiked up Bearface Mountain, then continued in Shenandoah NP to Big Meadows Campground. Got there at 4:30 PM. Thunderstorms were approaching. Got firewood ($10.25 per bundle!) and quarters for shower ($5 for 10 min!). Walked 2 miles in evening from campsite to Skyline Drive to buy ice cream and candy at store. There were many dear. Next door neighbors were playing loud annoying music, but they were quite after massive thunderstorm downpour. I had a nice campfire while reading "Winter of the world" and finishing final beer of the day.

Day 3, 8/19: Shenandoah NP to Gifford Pinchot SP Woke up early to 60F and left campground already at 7. Hiked one hour up Hawksbill Mountain, then drove into WV to Harpers Ferry NP. Stayed there for an hour or two. Drove through Virginia and Maryland to Gettysburg, PA and saw the museum. I was not too impressed. Too much "Hurray America". Finally, drove to Gifford Pinchot SP close to Harrisburg. The campsite is right at a lake. I ate the last brats from the lake party and sat at the campfire until about 10 PM.

Day 4, 8/20: Gifford Pinchot SP to Leonard Harrison SP Nice cool morning (60F). Headed to Pottsville, PA to see the Yuengling Brewery. Lots of up and down on backroads through small towns. Beautiful landscape, but very poor towns and cities. This land has been raped from all natural resources in the last 200 years. It's surprising to see nature having retaken ownership. Mankind locusts have moved on leaving behind generations of stragglers whose brainpower is sucked into the cities. The left-behinds have no hope but for salvation and Trump. Great tour at Yuengling Brewery including two free beers at the end. The cute gen-Z water-bottle-toting tour guide did an excellent job! Drove cross-country to Danville, PA for lunch at Wendy's then to Leonard Harrison SP to camp. This park is at the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". Hiked to the overlooks and down and up the canyon. Its getting cold. I'm the only one with t-shirt and shorts. Ate an asian salad with seared steak. It was excellent! Cold wind blowing. Read in van until sunset.

Day 5, 8/21: Leonard Harrison SP to Allegheny SP Slept until 6 AM. Probably 50s in van. Turned on heater after making coffee. Rode bike 34 miles (2.5h) along Pine Creek Trail in Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Then drove an hour and shopped groceries. The landscape, foliage and sky reminds me of Germany. This ain't the southern jungle no more. Even in the afternoon it only got to the mid 60s. Drove into New York to Allegheny SP. After some rest I biked to a trailhead and hiked up toward Mt. Toscurora. No promised views but a very close encounter with bear mom and kid. Decided to turn around also as nobody else was hiking. Then biked to amphitheater to watch music band. Rode back home at 7:30 to cook Mexican salad with steak. No fire tonight.

Day 6, 8/22: Allegheny SP to Evangola SP Slept late again. After breakfast and beef stew slow cooker prep work I headed to Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua and walked for 45min. Then continued back into Pennsylvania to Erie and Presque Isle SP to go to lighthouse and beach. Drove another hour or so back to New York to Evangola State Park. Got there at 3:30. Ate beef stew with plenty of leftovers for tomorrow. Perfect weather. No clouds, low 70s. Got firewood for tonight. Rode to beach for sunset.

Day 7, 8/23: Evangola SP to ? After breakfast and leaving campground early I am now ready to head to Niagara Falls and then into Canada. Planning to drive West on the shore and come out in Michigan north of Detroit Monday. Photos are in sequential order.