terham
BeemerBoy
I had a couple of vacation days floating around so hatched a plan for a Four Corners (ish) tour of PA. I was at the National this summer in Bloomsburg, but for those who hadnÔÇÖt heard, it was pretty darn hot, and I never explored the area like I wanted. I spent most of the time drinking lemonade in the shade, though I had a great time in Bloomsburg. IÔÇÖve wanted to get back to that area and ride the roads I missed this summer. My home base is SE PA so I planned on camping at RickettÔÇÖs Glen SP , Cook Forest SP and Ohiopyle SP to complete the other three corners, more or less, of PA. HereÔÇÖs my story.
Day 1
I left this past Friday and the forecast called for rain on Friday and maybe Friday night, but then it looked like dry weather. The forecast was a little off. I packed the S since itÔÇÖs an awesome bike and has heated grips and an outlet for my heated jacket.
I planned to stop at HermyÔÇÖs BMW on my way north to have my MOA mileage form signed so I could mail it and ensure my position well down the list of PA finishers. IÔÇÖm actually hoping to get lucky and be ÔÇ£average maleÔÇØ. I left about 9:30 and took great joy, when at the end of my street, I turned right rather than left, as I do every day going to work. So far so good.
I got on the interstate to make better time, and as it looked a little threatening I stopped at the Allentown service plaza to put on my rain suit. I was to practically live in it for the next 3 days. Thank God for Frogg Toggs.
I exited the interstate and headed west.
Whenever IÔÇÖm in the area of HermyÔÇÖs, I like to ride up and over Hawk Mountain on Hawk Mountain Rd. Today was no exception.
As I stopped briefly at HermyÔÇÖs, it started to rain a little. As soon as I left, it started raining so hard I thought about heading back to HermyÔÇÖs but was sure the rain would stop any minute.
I ended up spotting a pavilion where I could pull the bike under cover and try to dry out.
After about an hour I headed out again. I wandered up towards Hazelton and then found my way over to Mahanoy City where I picked up PA 339, a great way to get to Bloomsburg.
IÔÇÖd been in and out of rain showers, but partway to Bloomsburg, the sun actually came out.
Soon after this picture on PA 339, I noticed the sky was getting pretty dark and soon thereafter the skies opened up. This is the next picture I took.
I went by the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds and was amazed to see it compared to this past summer. ItÔÇÖs still a muddy mess and the houses bordering the Fairgrounds were heavily damaged from the flooding they experienced. I was sorry to see that.
I picked up PA 487 to get to RickettÔÇÖs Glen, but the heavy rain continued with the skies still dark. The thought of setting up camp in the rain was not appealing and, as much as I hate to admit it, I ended up turning back and getting a hotel in Buckhorn. When I pulled off my overmitts, it was like pouring water out of a boot. It was my low point standing in the hotel lobby watching people mop where I stood and putting out ÔÇ£Caution, Wet FloorÔÇØ signs. My only request was a room with towels. Needless to say, day 1 didnÔÇÖt go as planned.
Day 1
I left this past Friday and the forecast called for rain on Friday and maybe Friday night, but then it looked like dry weather. The forecast was a little off. I packed the S since itÔÇÖs an awesome bike and has heated grips and an outlet for my heated jacket.
I planned to stop at HermyÔÇÖs BMW on my way north to have my MOA mileage form signed so I could mail it and ensure my position well down the list of PA finishers. IÔÇÖm actually hoping to get lucky and be ÔÇ£average maleÔÇØ. I left about 9:30 and took great joy, when at the end of my street, I turned right rather than left, as I do every day going to work. So far so good.
I got on the interstate to make better time, and as it looked a little threatening I stopped at the Allentown service plaza to put on my rain suit. I was to practically live in it for the next 3 days. Thank God for Frogg Toggs.
I exited the interstate and headed west.
Whenever IÔÇÖm in the area of HermyÔÇÖs, I like to ride up and over Hawk Mountain on Hawk Mountain Rd. Today was no exception.
As I stopped briefly at HermyÔÇÖs, it started to rain a little. As soon as I left, it started raining so hard I thought about heading back to HermyÔÇÖs but was sure the rain would stop any minute.
I ended up spotting a pavilion where I could pull the bike under cover and try to dry out.
After about an hour I headed out again. I wandered up towards Hazelton and then found my way over to Mahanoy City where I picked up PA 339, a great way to get to Bloomsburg.
IÔÇÖd been in and out of rain showers, but partway to Bloomsburg, the sun actually came out.
Soon after this picture on PA 339, I noticed the sky was getting pretty dark and soon thereafter the skies opened up. This is the next picture I took.
I went by the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds and was amazed to see it compared to this past summer. ItÔÇÖs still a muddy mess and the houses bordering the Fairgrounds were heavily damaged from the flooding they experienced. I was sorry to see that.
I picked up PA 487 to get to RickettÔÇÖs Glen, but the heavy rain continued with the skies still dark. The thought of setting up camp in the rain was not appealing and, as much as I hate to admit it, I ended up turning back and getting a hotel in Buckhorn. When I pulled off my overmitts, it was like pouring water out of a boot. It was my low point standing in the hotel lobby watching people mop where I stood and putting out ÔÇ£Caution, Wet FloorÔÇØ signs. My only request was a room with towels. Needless to say, day 1 didnÔÇÖt go as planned.