 |
| loaded and ready to roll |
Day one started with much to wrap up in Philly. By 2:00 PM I had successfully loaded the bike
with a ridiculous amount of baggage.
Every passerby decided to make an off handed comment regarding the overload
of the motorcycle.
 |
| Where's the fixin bar? |
I left 2024 Wallace street, my former residence and current
location of the Light Room Gallery at 3:30 Est. time. I want to get as far as State College
and find a place to camp. I had one last
chore to do before fleeing the city. I recently misplaced my motorcycle
registration. Well, it flew out of my wallet on 95N in New Hampshire about a
month ago, but that is a story of another time. Now I had to go to across
center city, through mid-day heat and traffic to an auto-tag place to get a dup
of my registration. Here’s to waiting until the very last minute. I figured it would be the ultimate test to
see how my overloaded cycle would hold up to the fury of a hot august day of
driving in Philadelphia.
Aside from what appeared to be a crack head gingerly dancing across a red light will all the leisure of the world, and a slew of maddening horns in response to her exhibition, my registration was safely secure and I was on my way. Needless to say, it was about 4:15 by time I hit deadlock traffic on I76 through the dreaded Conshohocken curve with the city skyline in my rear view. An hour later I pulled into my favorite turnpike rest stop where I normally load up on the fixins bar at one of the only Roy Rogers left in the area. This time I would refrain from indulging in all you can pile pickles and re-sort my load as I had very little room for comfort they way I had things piled on. Comfort is everything on long trips. ½ hour later I was re-sorted, much more comfortable and on my way.
Aside from what appeared to be a crack head gingerly dancing across a red light will all the leisure of the world, and a slew of maddening horns in response to her exhibition, my registration was safely secure and I was on my way. Needless to say, it was about 4:15 by time I hit deadlock traffic on I76 through the dreaded Conshohocken curve with the city skyline in my rear view. An hour later I pulled into my favorite turnpike rest stop where I normally load up on the fixins bar at one of the only Roy Rogers left in the area. This time I would refrain from indulging in all you can pile pickles and re-sort my load as I had very little room for comfort they way I had things piled on. Comfort is everything on long trips. ½ hour later I was re-sorted, much more comfortable and on my way.
 |
| Lewistown, PA |
It cost me $7.10 when I exited the turnpike.
Christ, I was only on the thing for an hour. Let that be a sign that I should
be avoiding all pay highways… all highways for that matter. Once off the turnpike I started north through
mid PA towards state college. With about
50 miles to go until I reached the campus of the tarnished Nitney Lion, the sun
was setting quickly. I decided to pull off at the nearby town of
Lewistown. I pulled into a gas station,
looked on my iphone for the nearest campground and asked the attendant where I
could purchase a six pack to go. Obviously
I have plenty of room on this bike for more shit. I found a campground about 30 minutes away in
a Pa State Park (no alcohol allowed) and the attendant pointed me to a local
grill, where I bought a 6 pack of beer and some chicken fingers. Once
I strapped those necessities onto the bike, I was on my way to the
campground. Let me mention I seem to be
in the heart of the Appalachians and there is a large amish population here. I
was excited to pass several horse and buggies while approaching the entrance to Greenwood Furnace State Park. Too bad I haven’t rigged a camera to the bike
yet. No sooner that I entered the campground the sun had set and it was getting
dark quick. I found an open spot ($20) ,
strapped on my headlamp and made camp.
The insects are fucking loud and I have zero phone service. Ahh the wilderness at last. Next stop... Erie
 |
| Camping at Greenwood Furnace State Park |
