Arranca!*

We're on our way!  It’s 9 degrees outside with bright blue skies, and we are comfortable inside our 70 degree car.

There's always a feeling of excitement when we leave for a vacation, whether it’s a night in New York or a week in Louisville. Starting a drive across the country adds an element of uncertainty and anticipation. On previous trips we have always found the odd and unexpected; they are everywhere if you look for them. We're starting on familiar, well-traveled roads. Bob says he can anticipate every curve. To me, there is still a special feeling because I know they will be taking us to some new places.

We’re in Pennsylvania now, and regrettably, the weather is no warmer. The temperature has not climbed above 20, and there is a brisk wind, making it feel even colder. I’m sure there is no sympathy from the New England crowd! I think we'll have to wait a couple more days.

Driving along routes 80 and 81 the road is frequently sandwiched between the hilltops it was carved from. There are picturesque waterfalls of ice on both sides, but alas, no place to stop and take a picture. The Delaware River was full of small ice floes, making patterns as they drifted by. It would be great if cars came equipped with a remote-controlled, outside-mounted camera that could capture these scenes!

Pennsylvania has some great place names. How would you like to live in (and spell) Hecksherville? I wonder whether there is any gas in the rock under Frackville? And how about Shamokin – do you remember the Allan Sherman song about it?

We passed by one of the Bell and Evans chicken farms near Fredericksburg, PA, on our way to a coffee shop in Hershey to meet another old friend from Tufts, Helen Delano. We spent a very pleasant hour catching up.

Even though I grew up near Philadelphia, about 90 miles from Hershey, I’d never been there before. The park is closed this time of year, but it was impressive just to drive by it and catch a glimpse of a few of the 11 roller coasters that it boasts. The town itself is small but very attractive, built around the chocolate factory and amusement park. The aforementioned coffee shop is on W. Chocolate Ave, near Cocoa Street. The streetlights in the center of town are shaped like Hershey kisses, some wrapped and some unwrapped.  

We reached today’s destination of Hagerstown, MD. Tomorrow: Tennessee!

*And, they're off!