Midwest: entering the Flyover States

After updating some of the highlights of the past few days, I thought I'd give current status. There will be more later on Holland's birthday, the Beard dinner, and the fun we had at Long Beach with family.

I woke up at 5:30, and started driving at 5:45. Karen and the kids were still asleep as we made our way west towards Pennsylvania. We met Uncle Bill and Martha at a tire store near their house in Mecungie, PA. I got the elusive spare tire I've been searching for since Saturday. After a great breakfast at Bill's favorite diner, we embarked on the next segment of our journey.

Currently, I'm typing this as Karen is driving the Paddy Wagon. We just entered Ohio on I-70. This area brings back fond memories of a trip I made in 2001. Wheeling remains a quaint town. Little league baseball fields were busy alongside the highway. I was homesick for Whittington field and thought about the tournaments Dilworth is hosting later this summer.

I'm taking the wheel in Columbus, and hope to get near St. Louis later tonight. Seeing the arch in the morning will give the kids the sense of the gateway St. Louis served for our young nation, and that it is for our own journey.

Beard dinner-John's quick comments

Karen will add her comments about Beard dinner later.

It was a lot of fun. 

Things started off with cocktails.  I liked 'Wine and 'Shine: a cocktail of Cheerwine, muddled cherries, and moonshine from Asheville, NC, served in a mason jar.

Holland looked all grown-up on her birthday.

While the food was phenomenal, the highlight for me was when they brought Holland's dessert with a candle in it and everyone in the house sang Happy Birthday. 

Holland's birthday

Holland turned 13 today!

She spent the night with Karen in NYC.  They woke up and went over to a gourmet doughnut place called Donut Plant.  They got several varieties:  rose, orange blossom, peanut and banana, and chocolate chip cookie.

To work off the doughnuts, they walked to the James Beard House to prepare for the dinner.  Holland made the flower arrangements.     Holland- it took me and mom an hour to get to the James beard house because someone{mom} didn't know how to get there.

They went to Eatily to eat lunch, before returning to the hotel to rest up for the dinner.

Best Candy Bar

After Staten Island Ferry ride, we took the subway to 59th and Lexington, a block away from Dylan's Candy Bar.  The kids have been talking about this place since we included NYC on our trip. 
Holland describes it as "three floors of sugary goodness."

NYC delivery service

We loaded up a Honda Pilot with all the stuff we brought for the James Beard dinner in NYC.  12 cases of wine, 50 pounds of grits, mason jars, Cheerwine, peaches, and fresh southern flowers.

(I'm sure there is specific guidance on using HAZMAT routes while transporting that payload of grits into Gotham). We took the Holland Tunnel, natch.

After unloading, we were free to take the kids around the city.
First:  a slice of NY pizza.

After a short subway ride into downtown, we walked around Battery park, and boarded the ferry for a ride to Staten Island.  It's a great way to see what many immigrants first saw as they first entered America.  The return route gives a nice view of the city and the new Freedom Tower.

Long Beach Island, NJ

I-85 to I-95N to NJ Turnpike to NJ 72 to NJ 70 to Long Beach Island, NJ

Trip went smoothly until we got to the beach.  It was 10:00 and we were tired.  We were using the map feature on Karen's new iPad to navigate.  Long Beach Island is made up of several small community beaches.  The house was on 6th street.  Turns out there are three different 6th streets on the island.  We visited all three. Unfortunely, the 2nd one was at the northern end of the island, about 16 miles from our final destination.  We pulled up to the house at 11:15.

At least we got to see the Barnegat Lighthouse!

Pro pain

Before leaving Charlotte, I went to a nearby U-Haul to fill the RV's propane tank.  To my great surprise, the manager  refused to fill it because it was older than 12 years old.  What?  Evidently it's a state law.  I quickly called the man in SC who sold the Paddy Wagon to me.  He laughed and said I would likely find another place that would oblige.  I wasn't laughing; I envisioned the first of many unforeseen challenges on this trip. 

On our RV, propane is critical because it powers the refrigerator when we're not hooked-up.  I'm thinking spoiled food, warm beer, and a hot wife.  The first two I could somehow rectify.

After leaving Charlotte, I decided to stop by the large camping center located immediately next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway.( I won't mention the name to protect all parties involved and my local fuel source.)  I immediately started talking about NASCAR when I pulled up to the propane pump. 
The guy was obviously a big race fan, and went into a long dissertation on the finer points of the track and his experience working at the center during the races.  Studies have shown that once a mouse learns a routine, the critical-thinking portion of it's small brain completely shuts down

Perfect!  While busy telling me everything to know about NASCAR, he simply hooked up the hose and started pumping valuable propane, never once checking the vintage of my tank.  9.5 gallons and 1/2 hour credit in 300-level NASCAR.

(as a bonus:  the gas was $2.68 per gallon.  U-haul was $3.99!)

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Last stop before leaving Charlotte

Getting flowers and freshly picked SC peaches for the James Beard dinner in NYC.

Slight Delay

Pushing back departure until 0630 Tuesday morning.  Reminds me of delays for space shuttle launchings.

Just a "wake-up" remains before we hit the road.

My "to-do" list has been whittled down to 228 items!

Gas Prices- Come on Down!

2012 Paddy Wagon Tour of the Flyover States
Estimated distance:  6000 miles
Paddy Wagon with a stiff tailwind:  8.5 miles per gallon

Do the math and you'll agree today's headline sounds like a Brahms Concerto:

Gas Prices Falling fast

Gorilla Welding 101

We toyed with pulling the VW behind the Paddy Wagon, but decided instead to simply take bikes.  Thanks to Brett for his welding expertise and to Phil for providing the materials, equipment, and hospitality. Hitch-receiver installed, primed, and painted!

Gorilla welding:  ugly but strong!

This Tranny cleans up nicely.

The transmission from the Paddy Wagon (our RV) was at the beauty parlor on Friday morning. New seals and she was re-installed by the end of the day.  On our Florida voyage, the RV had a mysterious transmission leak near Tampa, FL.  While I made it back to Charlotte without any trouble, and the Lithuanian tranny expert said it would be fine,  I'm taking every precaution to prevent similar issues on our 6000-mile trek.  I don't want to be shipwrecked near Shiprock.

7 days and a wake-up.  We leave in a week!

Welcome to the official blog of our Summer 2012 RV trip.  We've been thinking about a cross-country trip for several years, and the time has come to hit the road.  We look forward to sharing stories and pictures from our travel.  We welcome your comments and recommendations for our journey.   We love remote vistas, swimmin' holes, great hiking trails, ghost towns, and roadside Americana.   We look forward to your suggestions.

The trip:  June 25-July 22, 2012

First destination:  New York area!

All aboard!