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The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. This years summer vacation

This years summer vacation

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  • bachophileB Offline
    bachophileB Offline
    bachophile
    wrote on last edited by
    #62

    Just outside of Cumberland Maryland.

    Just a quick personal note, I wanted to thank all those who, public and private, invited us to stop by. We decided usually on the spur of the moment where to spend the next day and it was not really possible to plan in advance where or when we would be anywhere but I do thank you, and whenever we passed areas I knew people were not that far away I gave you thoughts.

    @LuFins-Dad we came into Appalachia first on US 50 into West Virginia and continued north on 40 which was contiguous with I-68. The hills were really beautiful, although my first thought was that this is an autumn drive when the foliage must be spectacular.

    Indiana, meh. The trucking around Indianapolis was horrible. we liked eastern Ohio when the landscape turned more interesting although the cross into West Virginia began really beautiful scenery.

    Although not to give Indiana such a bad rap, we went off highway when the trucking was just too much into some very rural areas and I leave you with a covered bridge which would do no shame to Madison county in Iowa.

    d7a65228-058c-454a-8011-8b3ceddf3d42.jpeg

    Tomorrow Gettysburg.

    1 Reply Last reply
    • bachophileB Offline
      bachophileB Offline
      bachophile
      wrote on last edited by
      #63

      Listened to Bibis speech driving in West Virginia. I don’t like him but he speaks very powerfully.

      George KG 1 Reply Last reply
      • bachophileB bachophile

        Listened to Bibis speech driving in West Virginia. I don’t like him but he speaks very powerfully.

        George KG Offline
        George KG Offline
        George K
        wrote on last edited by
        #64

        @bachophile said in This years summer vacation:

        Listened to Bibis speech driving in West Virginia. I don’t like him but he speaks very powerfully.

        Did he say anything, as far as you can tell, inaccurate?

        "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

        The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

        bachophileB 1 Reply Last reply
        • LuFins DadL Offline
          LuFins DadL Offline
          LuFins Dad
          wrote on last edited by
          #65

          68 is an interesting big highway. Did you go through Frostburg?

          I drove 50 from WV through to Cincinnati about 23 years ago. It is a beautiful but harrowing drive.

          The Brad

          bachophileB 1 Reply Last reply
          • George KG George K

            @bachophile said in This years summer vacation:

            Listened to Bibis speech driving in West Virginia. I don’t like him but he speaks very powerfully.

            Did he say anything, as far as you can tell, inaccurate?

            bachophileB Offline
            bachophileB Offline
            bachophile
            wrote on last edited by
            #66

            @George-K no he was spot on for everything.

            The problem is not what he says to congress. It’s how he runs his government.

            1 Reply Last reply
            • LuFins DadL LuFins Dad

              68 is an interesting big highway. Did you go through Frostburg?

              I drove 50 from WV through to Cincinnati about 23 years ago. It is a beautiful but harrowing drive.

              bachophileB Offline
              bachophileB Offline
              bachophile
              wrote on last edited by
              #67

              @LuFins-Dad 50 was wonderful. And pretty empty of traffic.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • LuFins DadL Offline
                LuFins DadL Offline
                LuFins Dad
                wrote on last edited by
                #68

                I didn’t even think of 50, when you mentioned heading north of Cincy.

                40 has a nice Alternative when you get to Hagerstown, shops and antiques along some farming towns and a nice outside view of the mountains, but you also may want to start heading north out of Cumberland.

                The Brad

                1 Reply Last reply
                • bachophileB Offline
                  bachophileB Offline
                  bachophile
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #69

                  Went into a great antique mall in Ohio somewhere. Didn’t buy anything but I love those old collectibles stores. Spent an hour just browsing.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • B Offline
                    B Offline
                    blondie
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #70

                    What an excellent adventure you’re on! I’m loving your pics.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • bachophileB bachophile

                      New update from Muscatine Iowa on the Mississippi.

                      First some thoughts on Nebraska vs Iowa.

                      Western Nebraska was very much like Colorado east of the Rockies, lots of prairie grass, and grazing herds of cattle. Eastern Nebraska was just plain boring and not particularly beautiful.

                      On the other hand, crossing into Iowa I was struck on how simply beautiful the landscape was. Sure, lots of corn fields but just stunningly green, verdant. Also not flat pancake like Nebraska but rolling hills.

                      a52e7ab6-56bd-4004-9e28-2cda4aed847d.jpeg

                      This doesn’t do it justice but really a very relaxing drive. Stayed off the interstate and drove the small country roads through the fields. Also Mennonite country.

                      Eventually ended up at Iowa border on the Mississippi.

                      DSC_3124.jpeg

                      Signs of recent flooding.

                      DSC_3129.jpeg

                      Ol’ man river

                      DSC_3147.jpeg

                      DSC_3142.jpeg

                      Huge barge being pushed upstream

                      DSC_3160.jpeg

                      Another huge barge just sitting askew I guess waiting to be also moved.

                      (For those with long memories, barges will now always remind me of an unpleasant exchange about “the barge” with a certain former forumite. )

                      LuFins DadL Offline
                      LuFins DadL Offline
                      LuFins Dad
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #71

                      @bachophile said in This years summer vacation:

                      DSC_3124.jpeg

                      Signs of recent flooding.

                      DSC_3129.jpeg

                      I see what you did there… Very nice. Your t-shirt is on the way.

                      The Brad

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • 89th8 Offline
                        89th8 Offline
                        89th
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #72

                        @bachophile I have an odd question. Probably ignorant, too. Yesterday I spent about 45 minutes driving through the rural Minnesota countryside, it was nice. I thought of you for a second... when you travel in the US like this... is there a "relief" that it's safe to drive almost anywhere in this country? For example, if I were to drive in Israel, I feel like my guard would be up the whole time.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • bachophileB Offline
                          bachophileB Offline
                          bachophile
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #73

                          @89th well that’s an interesting question. Because oddly I see things completely reversed.

                          I need to clear up some misconceptions about safety in Israel.

                          Where I live, for example, violent crime is almost non exist. I go out and walk the dog anytime of day or night without a thought. If I forget to lock the door and no one is home, I don’t panic. In Tel Aviv, the country’s largest metro area, I have not felt any fear of mugging or violence. Otoh, in the US I am always keenly aware of my surroundings, don’t feel absolutely secure wandering around cities at night, and certainly lock up after myself. During the drive I’ve thought about random shootings being possible, and I really don’t feel as secure here as at home. Now maybe that’s because I’m in non familiar surroundings but nonetheless that’s how I feel.

                          Now yes, since October 7 the threat of military violence in Israel has increased, although the actual physical fighting in the north and south is not felt in the central part of Israel. And our alert systems are pretty good, that drone attack in Tel Aviv not withstanding. So overall I feel much more secure where I live than here.

                          George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                          • bachophileB bachophile

                            @89th well that’s an interesting question. Because oddly I see things completely reversed.

                            I need to clear up some misconceptions about safety in Israel.

                            Where I live, for example, violent crime is almost non exist. I go out and walk the dog anytime of day or night without a thought. If I forget to lock the door and no one is home, I don’t panic. In Tel Aviv, the country’s largest metro area, I have not felt any fear of mugging or violence. Otoh, in the US I am always keenly aware of my surroundings, don’t feel absolutely secure wandering around cities at night, and certainly lock up after myself. During the drive I’ve thought about random shootings being possible, and I really don’t feel as secure here as at home. Now maybe that’s because I’m in non familiar surroundings but nonetheless that’s how I feel.

                            Now yes, since October 7 the threat of military violence in Israel has increased, although the actual physical fighting in the north and south is not felt in the central part of Israel. And our alert systems are pretty good, that drone attack in Tel Aviv not withstanding. So overall I feel much more secure where I live than here.

                            George KG Offline
                            George KG Offline
                            George K
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #74

                            @bachophile said in This years summer vacation:

                            So overall I feel much more secure where I live than here.

                            What a sad commentary.

                            "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                            The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • bachophileB Offline
                              bachophileB Offline
                              bachophile
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #75

                              DSC_3168.jpeg

                              Not such a great pic of rolling Appalachian hills. It was too hazy to get a good shot

                              DSC_3174.jpeg DSC_3181.jpeg

                              Gettysburg was very moving. I was never really aware of the details of the battle but now understanding the Lee took a chance that superior numbers could overcome the Union holding the higher ground (actually just ridges with numerous canon) and sent hordes over an open ground which turned into a killing field,with the canon just turning the invaders into canon fodder. Thousands left dead over the grasses of the plain. Sheer lunacy.

                              Anyway, spending the evening in Amish Lancaster county. Also quite an interesting part of the country.

                              The epic ends this weekend with a Sunday evening flight back to Tel Aviv.

                              CopperC 1 Reply Last reply
                              • taiwan_girlT Offline
                                taiwan_girlT Offline
                                taiwan_girl
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #76

                                Great trip! Thanks for bring us along!!!

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • bachophileB bachophile

                                  DSC_3168.jpeg

                                  Not such a great pic of rolling Appalachian hills. It was too hazy to get a good shot

                                  DSC_3174.jpeg DSC_3181.jpeg

                                  Gettysburg was very moving. I was never really aware of the details of the battle but now understanding the Lee took a chance that superior numbers could overcome the Union holding the higher ground (actually just ridges with numerous canon) and sent hordes over an open ground which turned into a killing field,with the canon just turning the invaders into canon fodder. Thousands left dead over the grasses of the plain. Sheer lunacy.

                                  Anyway, spending the evening in Amish Lancaster county. Also quite an interesting part of the country.

                                  The epic ends this weekend with a Sunday evening flight back to Tel Aviv.

                                  CopperC Offline
                                  CopperC Offline
                                  Copper
                                  wrote on last edited by Copper
                                  #77

                                  @bachophile said in This years summer vacation:

                                  Not such a great pic of rolling Appalachian hills. It was too hazy to get a good shot

                                  That is where I did most of my flying, along the Blue Ridge from North Carolina to Pennsylvania.

                                  I have a lot of not so great hazy pictures, that is what the hills in western Virginia look like, especially in the summer.

                                  This is from 12/3/2011.

                                  e9902a90-83b8-4281-92ae-0c63e7c5cc13-image.png

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • 89th8 Offline
                                    89th8 Offline
                                    89th
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #78

                                    @bachophile Interesting regarding safety. Certainly there are places (cities at night, random truck stops) that you'll want to be on your guard, but you answered my question well. It's funny the misconceptions one has (or that I have) regarding places like Israel based on the news coverage.

                                    Beautiful pic of the Appalachian hills. Now you know why they're called the "Blue Ridge Mountains" in some places. You're getting a nice full view of the states (more than I've had) by driving coast to coast. Deserts, mountains, cornfields, Amish country, Appalachian mountains (some of the oldest mountains in the world).

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • 89th8 Offline
                                      89th8 Offline
                                      89th
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #79

                                      Here's a pic from about 10 years ago. I always wanted to get a better one... so many views in the blue ridge.

                                      image.png

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • JollyJ Offline
                                        JollyJ Offline
                                        Jolly
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #80

                                        Not to get too personal, but has the wife enjoyed the long drive?

                                        “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                                        Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • bachophileB Offline
                                          bachophileB Offline
                                          bachophile
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #81

                                          Hahaha yea she was great with it. It was actually nice having time together for hours at a stretch. We talk, we listen to podcasts, she warns me about my driving…and she was always in charge of finding the right place to spend the night. We drove max 6-7 hours a day, divided up for rest stops every two hours or so. Really it was a pleasure.

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