Pennsylvania Turnpike -- the Appalacians

      






      We left the campground just as it began to sprinkle rain and drove a short distance to Speedco in Harrisburg this morning to get an oil change and routine service on our generator.  They got us right in and George stayed with the rig while Valerie located a FedEx drop box at the truck stop next door.  The dogs got a good walk past some beautiful blooms.  The service technicians had us back on the road in good time.


   
      Our destination was Walmart in Somerset, Pennsylvania, just off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  George began driving but was soon ready for a nap, as we had been up late the previous night.  Valerie took over at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza, unaware that the Appalacian Mountains with long tunnels and road construction were just ahead.

     Valerie drives often, but mountain roads are not a daily occurrence, and she likes a little reassurance from George, who was already snoozing in the passenger seat.  She managed three tunnels, changing glasses and locating the headlights as the rain had given way to sunshine.  She downshifted once as the engine's heat gauge began to rise and let George catch up on his rest, despite missing out on some fabulous barns which she likes to photograph from the passenger seat.  The quality of the photos is not the best, given the glare, dirt and water spots on the windows, but it's a favorite pastime of hers.



      We stopped at the North Midway Service Plaza, where George resumed the drive and Valerie captured a few barns before we paid our $46.10 toll and exited the tollway.  Walmart approved our overnight stay and we stocked up on supplies.



      Valerie discovered that the crash site of Flight 93 and the memorial is only a short distance in nearby Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Since we have a short drive again tomorrow, weather permitting, we hope to drive out and take a look around.