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Road Trip 2024-#2
February 23-25, 2024
Central PA
MAY 2023
PA/VA/TN/AL/WV
1- M- PA
I have an emotional hangover. The reunion is over and I can't seem to settle down from this fabulous weekend. My focus is off. I keep replaying my tape of the weekend and my speech and the conversations with my classmates. I felt loved and I loved every minute of the events.
I had my first cancer drive since the pandemic. And it was nice to get back in to this activity. Jim, my rider, was a perfect introduction back. He was gregarious, grateful, funny and good company.
2- TU- PA
I didn't do much today other then sit around and wait to have dinner with Helen, Kathy and Sally. KF made dinner and Helen showed up a little late and seemed nervous to tell us that her mother died last night. I've known Ann Dougherty for 53 years. I feel a loss.
3- W- PA
I didn't feel like doing anything so I went to the movies to see Chevalier. I liked it.
4- TH- PA
I met Sally and Stacy for lunch at Victory Brewery (1). It was nice to catch up with them and tell them the story of my reunion weekend although I probably told them way more than they wanted to hear.
5- F- PA
I spent the afternoon, in the lounge, trying to catch up with all my writing. I had some success but I would do better if I wrote a bit more every day.
In the evening, a group of us went to Kildare's to listen to Dueling Pianos. Kevin made a reservation for 10 of us. And the night was more fun than I had anticipated. Most of the song requests were my kind of music so it was fun to sing along. Next time I want to sit next to the piano players..
6- SA- PA
Dan Tracy and his son met me for brunch at Two Birds Cafe. I am sensing that this may be the last time I see Dan. I don't think he came today to rekindle a friendship but to end it. He is so beaten by the politics of the district that he doesn't know who to trust and who to talk to. So he is on the defense and minding his own business.
It was fun to see his son, Jake, who is now 20. I met Jake when he was 4 and to see him as a man is funny. He looks like Dan and talks like him. They seem to be good company for each other.
I had to go to the airport to pick up Gene Brown. We went to Anna Marie Dougherty's house for dinner. Kathy, Helen and Bill Santoro were also there. I wonder how this family will fare now that Ann is gone.
7- SU- PA
We celebrated Deirdre's birthday and first mother's day. Sharon had us over for an early dinner with those three adorable grand boys. OMG, they are so cute. I discussed my interest in making a Wes Anderson movie with Peter. Heather is not the least bit interested but I think it piqued Steve's interest.
8- M- PA
I couldn't sleep at all last night. I tossed and turned and listened to my audiobook and podcasts and music and watched videos. And so I had trouble getting up. I hate having to take something to get me to sleep but I hate, hate, hate these long, restless nights.
MMA released my speech to my classmates. So I sent the video to a few friends. SD wrote back and told me that my comment "with the courage to dare and do" is exactly how I live my life. I told her that this is a line from my Aluma Mater's school song. But it is a phrase that has inspired me for the last 55 years.
There is a man in the lounge who wants to talk with me. I want to write but he wants to confess all of his short comings as a divorced parent. It's hard for me to find the balance of hanging in the lounge and chatting people up and hanging in a corner, working on my writing.
Tonight is the wake for Ann Dougherty. I wonder how this family is going to survive without her.
9- TU- PA
It's Jimmy's birthday and the 25th anniversary of my mother's death. And today was Ann Dougherty's funeral and Ann Marie's birthday. There's a lot of life and death around this day.
The funeral priest did a better job than other priest in speaking about the dead in the mass. He mentioned Ann a few times. Usually, the dead isn't even mentioned. But as usual, the mass was flat, emotionless and empty to me.
We had a reception lunch at Lamb Tavern. The food was good. The beer choices were dreadful. So, afterwards, Sally and I stopped for a beer after the funeral. After my second beer, I had to go home and take a nap.
For some good news: Trump lost his rape defamation case today. He has to pay the defendant $5,000,000. He wont have any jail time with this offense but it is one more moment of confirmation that he is a jerk.
Kathy Dubin wrote to me to tell me that Ryan Van Gordon was killed in a motorcycle chase with the police. He was 51. What a terrible way to finish life.
I am becoming increasingly worried about Jane Momer. I think she is seriously ill and doesn't want to tell me. In the last tow weeks I've called her twice and left text messages. She texted back once and said she had to take care of some things and that she would get back to me. I am only thinking the worst. I think she has throat cancer and can't talk.
10-W- PA
I took a gummy before I went to sleep for the night and I woke up at 7 AM, a little groggy so I rolled over and went back to sleep. I listened to my audio books. And then it was 10 AM and then it was noon. I was communicating with Sally and Stacey about getting together tonight. But I had a raging sore throat and just couldn't wake up. Then it was 2 PM and I was still in bed. I texted S&S and told them I didn't feel well enough to come out and play. And then it was 4PM and then 5PM and I think i rolled out of bed around 6PM and still didn't feel refreshed from a long sleep.
I did finish two audiobooks today: Into the Great Emptiness by David Roberts and My Travels with Mrs Kennedy by Clint Hill. And I listened to a few podcasts so the day was not a complete loss.
11- TH- PA
Today is my road trip to Erie for the Bird Festival. This should be fun.
I finally heard from Jane Momer. She sent me a text to tell me that her brother is dying of cancer and she is there with him.
In the evening, I went to John Russell Brewery (2) A flight was six 5ozs pours. That's too much beer for me to drink at one time but I finished them all and liked them. But I had to get back to my hotel and call it a day.
12- F- PA
The bird festival starts today. I registered around noon and I was just able to get one of the last spots on one of the pontoon trips.
I drove around Persque Isle State Park. This is a beautiful state park with lots of activities for everyone. I saw a lot fo Canada geese. I think I should keep it to myself that someone has to get rid of all these geese. They are a nuisance.
Afterwards, I went and found Erie brewery (3) and had a flight of beers. All of them were very good.
13- SA- PA
I am still struggling with this damn cold. I had another night where I just couldn't sleep because I was hacking and coughing and sneezing and blowing my nose all night.
I finally had enough sense to go to CVS and get a decongestant. Why does it take me so long to surrender and treat myself with medicine. Why didn't it occur to me to take a pain killer to sooth my exhausted ribs from coughing so much. I was miserable all weekend and didn't have the energy to participate in any of the activities.
I had very little energy today so I drove through the park again. This place is beautiful.
Along the way, I found a kite beach. The area was filled with huge, whimsical kites. I roamed around and took photos and think these photos maybe the most interesting photos of the day.
In the mid afternoon, I went to the Black Monk Brewery (4) A flight is six 5ozs pours. I had an IPA, a porter, a stout, a wit , a dubbell and a DIPA. There wasn't one beer that even appealed to me.
Our dinner had a guest speaker from England, one of the few famous black birders in the world. He talked, among other things, about the abundance of owls in Sedan or Somolia or some other war torn area. Now I want to go there to see the owls. But first, I have to find out which country he mentioned.
The fire doors were locked and that became my main focal point. In the past, I worried about exiting in case of a fire. But now I have to worry about trying to exit for an active shooting situation.
14- SU- PA
It's Mother's Day, a day that always makes me feel defensive. I didn't really see many people so I didn't have to respond to comments about motherhood.
I didn't get up to go on my pontoon boat trip, the one thing I really wanted to do. But I couldn't sleep again last night and it was a bit chilly and windy so I decided against it.
I'm finally feeling better but I am not all better. My ribs don't hurt as much and I am not coughing my head off.
This bird festival weekend was a bit of a bust. The typical bird watching schedule is not my schedule so I was not in sync with anyone.
15- M- PA
OMG, I have had a relapse of my damn cold. I feel like hell again and I spent the whole damn day in bed and I am still exhausted.
I took a covid test but came up negative. I can't get over that I can't get over this cold.
I had a zoom call with Mandy and Carina. They are starting a new organization and want me to be on their advisory board. I agreed and exactly am looking forward to being involved. They also want to take a road trip with me through China and I would love to do that.
16- TU- PA
I was determined to get up and moving today. My lethargy is killing me. I went plant hunting and came back empty handed. I hung in the lounge. I did a little cleaning today. But mostly I took cold medicine. I coughed. I blew my nose and felt sorry for myself.
I also voted in today's primary. Voting always makes me nervous.
17- W-PA
I am finally feeling better and more productive and back in to the swing of life.
The sun was gorgeous but a wind caused a chill that made it uncomfortable to hang on my balcony. But I was able to walk in to town and run a few errands.
I finally got my grandmother's pinkie ring fixed at the Jewelry Store.bday goal I also priced the cost to get my Irish ring fixed but it is going to cost $120 and I am not sure it is worth that much at this time.
Then I went to Jaco Mar a breakfast quesidea (bday goal) and it was delicious.
In the afternoon, I met Leslie at the BMFI to watch a movie, Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret. The movie is based on a book by Judy Blume and this book is now being banned in some school because Margaret, a child, challenges the existence of a god. Fuck these Evangelical Christains.
We went around the corner for dinner to a delicious Italian restaurant. I had the pork meal and it was delicious. And, of course, I took some home for tomorrow.
Leslie wants Joe Biden to put Hilary in as his running mate instead of Kamala. I like the idea and I am very worried about this election.
18- Thursday- PA/VA
I got up and drove to Brian's house in VA. It was a beautiful day for a drive and I have made this particular trip so many times that it is now uneasy drive fro me.
We sat around the kitchen table and drank lots of beers and chatted each other up.
19- Friday- VA
Jameson's graduation ceremony ws this afternoon. He graduated first in hi class from fire fighting school. I think he has finally found his niche. He seems happy in his skin. Clay got to pin on his fire pin. Aparently, when Jameson graduated from his Army Basic Training, Clay put on his pin there as well. But at that time, Clay only came up to Jameson's shoulders. Now Clay towers over him.
We went to dinner at an ale house nearby and the food and beers were delicious.
20- SA- VA
In the afternoon, I went to a flea market with Gus and Jameson. I bought two pins for my denim jackets. I also made a new friend, a woman who left education early becasue the job exhausted her. She and her husband are from Cheltenham and now room the east coast and sell trinkets. I bought my pins from them. She wants to get together when we both return to Philly. Jameson couldn't believe that I made a friend at the flea market.
We had dinner at Jim and Mary's house to celebrate Jameson's graduation and Kayla's high school graduation.
21- SU- VA/TN
I left at 10 am and pulled in to Chattanooga around 5. I found a brewery, Oddstory (5) and had a flight and then found a hotel. I'm just a few miles from Ruby Falls.
22- M- TN/AL
My first stop this morning was to Ruby Falls. I enjoyed the moment but this site was not worthy of all the anticipation I had for the moment.
Finally, I got to Yellowhammer Brewery (6) in Alabama. Three of my beers were about 9.8% alcohol. I couldn't drink one of them because it had too much of a whiskey taste.
When I left the brewery, I had to retraced my route and headed back up through TN and head towards West Virginia.
23- TU- TN/WV
I slept in until 10:30 and slowly made my way to New River Gorge National Park. I wanted to walk under the New River Gorge Bridge which sits up 865 above a raging river.
I made it to the NP in the afternoon. I wanted to take a tour of the bridge and then make my way back home. But I discovered that i was an hour away from the bridge and tours were filled for the day and I would have to come back tomorrow if I could still get a reservation. I was annoyed with the situation and with me. Fuck. I didn't want to stay here for the night.
As I was sitting in my car, being a crybaby, I noticed a man. He was int e car beside me and his face just spoke to me. I thought for sure I knew this man. I knew this face. He looks to be about my age. But I couldn't place him. Then I noticed that he noticed I was staring at him. He got out of his car and I saw that he had a Tommy More High School tee shirt on and I knew immediately that he had to be from Overbrook, my home town. So I charged out of my car and blurted out that I knew of him and that I, too, was from Overbrook. And sure enough, he was too. It was John Cassidy of the infamous Cassidy family. I couldn't believe. Then his wife, Laurie, popped on to the conversation and she suggested we have a beer to celebrate. And out of nowhere, she pulled out three Schmidt beers. I thought Schmidt's had stopped brewing in the 1970's. But she had three in the trunk of her car. And we pulled out whatever we had to eat in our cars and just sat there for an hour or more and caught up on all of the overbook stories we could think of.
24- W- WV/PA
Laurie and I had reservations for the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. We had to be tethered to a wire and we walked along a narrow walkway what spanned the length of the bridge. We could feel the vibration of the cars above us on the bridge.
I attempted to find a brewery in Franklin County but my GPS wasn't getting me there. So I decided to just head home as it would be getting dark soon and I didn't to want to be driving back roads with no street lights.
I got home around 9:30 PM which was not too bad.
25- TH- PA
I took a sleep aid and fell right asleep and slept well. I woke up around 9:30 AM and should have gotten up right away but I didn't and then I fell back asleep and didn't get up until mid afternoon.
I attempted to find someone to go out and play with me but I had no luck. And then I contacted Pete and we wandered off to Ironhill Brewery (7) for a flight and some snacks.
26- F- PA
I got an early morning email. Shelia wanted me to hook up with them for brunch. Michelle is in town for the moment so we went to Adrianna (bday goal) for brunch with Shelia, Michelle and Patty
Michelle wants some of my outdoors stuff to take back to Africa. I've got stuff.
Jaye came over for dinner. We wandered around town and finally settled on Lemoncello as a place to eat.
27- SA- PA
In the afternoon, I met up with Sally and Stacey and others to hang at a pop up event in Coatesville. There was music, expensive food and beer and the day was perfect for this type of event.
Kevin, Pete, Nick and I went out for Nick Night at Jake's. I am so damn full of beer.
28- SU- PA
The place was hopping today now that the pool is open for the season. There was lots of noise outside and everyone was grilling and I joined my gang for hamburgers and margeritas. I had too many drinks but it was fun.
29- M- PA
It's Memorial Day and a holiday so that confuses me on what day of the week it is today. It feels like Sunday.
Liz and Paulo invited me over for ribs. Kevin and Joanna were also there. Pete was supposed to join us but there was some confusion and he didn't show up.
30- TU- PA
I was able to get my prolia shot now that my tooth surgery is healed. I have to go back in December but I will be in China so I will have to get my more definite schedule before I plan this shot.
My blood pressure was 136/82. It is usually 120/80. The nurse thinks the margaritas from Sunday night are still making their way through my system and that's why it is so big today.
On the way home, I stopped at a taco place near the university. I had tried to go here before but it closes at 5 PM which is unheard of for a college town restaurant. And it was closed today. So I am not coming here again.
I'm hanging at the apartment, having a maintenance day. I have to get things in order around here. I never pay enough attention to maintaining my place, my business, my plans. I always think I have to be on the go all of the time.
I did run out to the grocery store and I bought too many popsicles. So now I will be over indulging in the lovely, cool sensation of an ice cold popsicle.
I also stopped by Burgers, Breasts and Fries (bday goal) and had a delicious Texas Tommy hot dog. It was only $5.99 but it was a full meal. I'm going here again.
I finished my 67 birthday goal today. For my 67th birthday, I had to try out 67 new places/things in West Chester and I finished the list today. Now I can go back to some of these places where the food was so damn delicious. There are so many places that I want to visit again.
31- W- PA
Now that I have completed my 67 birthday goals, I went back to Let's Roll for some boli rolls. I got the ham, mushroom and cheese rolls and they were delicious. It looks as if they also make egg rolls filled with meats and potatoes. I am going to have to go back there again.
Jaye and I went to see the movie About My Father. I thought it would be hilarious and it was mediocre. It was written by Sebastian Masiscolia and he is so damn funny. But the movie was a little boring.
Then we went back to Jaye's house and picked up Dom and went to the DuPont Country Club for a casual dinner.
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