For the first time on this summer tour I am traveling south. No, Inflection Point is not the name of a lighthouse in Maine. The title means I’m at the point where I decided to turn around and start migrating south again. I have to beat the snowbirds back to Florida. For you math whizzes out there, an inflection point is where in the equation y= f(x), the second derivative of f vanishes and changes sign. The question I have for you math folks is, if the second derivative vanishes, how do you know the sign changed?
Over the last three days, I drove south out of Maine, southwest through Massachusetts and Connecticut, and then west across New York and Pennsylvania. I am now on the Delaware River along the Pennsylvania/New Jersey state border in the Poconos. Being back on the open road and moving again the last few days felt good. Maybe I will try to cross the Delaware River like George did. Probably not, I only have an army of two cats, and they like to sleep in the mornings and certainly don’t like water.
After cycling down to the Delaware River from the campground, I got caught in a thunderstorm on the way back. I ducked inside a bar to get out of the storm. This bar was the scariest I have ever been in. Both men and women were screaming and yelling profanities about subjects I would never mention in my blog. I’ve never heard such language in a public place. Wearing a Detroit Lion t-shirt didn’t help since I was so close to Philadelphia. I only have a Detroit Lion t-shirt because I like the logo of the lion. Philadelphia fans are notorious for their zeal.
I felt like Pee-wee Herman in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure since they all knew I arrived on a bicycle. I didn’t have Pee-wee’s suit, shoes, or know how to dance to the song Tequila so I just kept my head down buried into my phone. At one point several them started talking to me, asking me if I had ever heard conversations like they were having. I replied that I was mostly deaf and missed most of what they were saying. I do have significant hearing loss, but because they were screaming and yelling so loud I heard everything. Finally most of them left as they ran out of money, arguing over pennies, nickels and dimes over a $2.47 bill. I don’t think I will be going back there tomorrow.
Classic scene of Pee-wee Herman walking into a biker bar – Tequila
I’m back into the sweltering hot temperatures again. My plan to escape the summer heat in Florida did not work out so well. A heat wave is enveloping the entire country. Maine was good for comfortable weather. The temperatures ranged between the mid 50s and mid 70s. The Maine coast is beautiful. I really enjoyed my time in Maine.
From here I will get on I-81 which is just west of here. After getting on I-81 I can find the rest of my way home without using a map. Parts of eastern PA, MD, and VA have had the most rainfall ever recorded for the month of July since record keeping started in the 1800s. I think there is some really bad flooding in this area. I caught a bit of the news on a TV at a Dunkin Donuts while I was in Rockland Maine that showed flooding in the area around eastern PA and MD. I’ve only seen TV a few times since I left several months ago. The only reason I hooked up the cable connection was to watch some of the Tour De France. I will stay on the interstates until I get through PA and MD and into Virginia to avoid any flooded areas.
I thought about heading up into Canada. The temperatures would definitely be cooler there. Then I thought continuing north would take me further away from home. Sometimes I feel homesick and figure out how many days the drive home would take. Then I get to a place like this in Pennsylvania, and I don’t ever want to go home. I will just work my way south. There are many places I can go to between Pennsylvania and Florida. Every day now is a bit closer to home. I really don’t know how long the journey home will take.
But to cross the Delaware like Washington, you have to do it in the winter.
Yes, as well as take over supplies and munitions. I read an description of the crossing yesterday (actually there were 3) and the story is amazing. The Patriots had suffered a huge defeat in NY and at that point the success of the revolution was very much in question. This victory turned things around for the Patriots.
When the party’s over, the party’s over, even if it seems like it just started a little bit ago. I hope you got to visit Acadia National Park in Maine, Rob. Perhaps go back to Florida for awhile to recoup for a few weeks and then perhaps take another trip in the fall to see the change of colors. Who knows what might be in your future. Perhaps yes; perhaps no. Thanks for sharing! You’re an inspiration. Happy and safe travels to you. L’Chaim!
Thanks Joe. I am going to make my way home now, will be nice to be home for awhile. I will head out somewhere in October, not sure where yet.
Drive safe Rob! Are you confident with your rig by now? I enjoy your blog!
Thanks Wayne. Yes, I am gaining a lot of experience with the new rig. It’s been quite the learning experience.