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Sunday, May 12, 2019

2019 trip summary

Sixteen days on the road in the eastern USA, much of the time spent in a small metal cabin on the road but we saw so much and most importantly renewed some old friendships. Unfortunately we missed a couple of friends along the way -- and here I'm thinking of the Archers and Mannie and Susan.

Thanks so much to the Loaneys in St. Louis, Ed and Chris Evans in Natchitoches, Dr. Bob and Margie Berry and Johna nd Lolly Rosemond (gotta love Billys) in Roanoke, and last but not least the MacDonald and Parker clans in upstate New York!

Numbers

Total miles travelled: 4,015

Gallons of gas used: 138
Average price per gallon: $2.80
Cheapest: Natchitoches, $2.44/gal
Most Expensive: Canada, 3.72/gal

Hotels: 9 - all Hampton Inn except for one Hilton Garden in Corning, NY

States crossed: 13 - Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York

Number of dead armadillo seen on the highway: countless

Number of confederate flags flying: one too many (mostly in Tennessee) and some flying both US and rebel flags

Number of rest areas with armed guards: 2 - Mississippi

Number of family visited: 14

Number of old friends visited: 6
Observations

Hotels: Although the beds and pillows were uniformly comfortable, the Hampton Inns varied in quality and services; by and large the breakfast food was consistently mediocre.

Roads: Superb roads in the south generally but especially in Arkansas and Missouri; the worst were most certainly in Michigan followed by New York, although Michigan had the most reasonable speed limits and New York the most unrealistic.

Food: Quality varied widely but Roanoke, like Grand Rapids has come a long way in the food world. Our best meal was at the Blue Apron in Salem, VA, near Roanoke, followed by Billy's in Roanoke, and Food 101 in Gettysburg; our least enjoyable was the Dobbin House in Gettysburg, lackluster menu, tired surroundings, and the food was mediocre at best.

People: Friendly, congenial and generous with their time, especially in the south.

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