We traveled north from Jacksonville for 2 weeks for the holidays, covering over 2000 miles in the first week alone. We visited friends and family, had Cathy’s last infusion in Frederick, and got our teeth checked out. We experienced snow, ice, rain and temperatures ranging from the teens to the 70’s. And we closed out the year once again at Raleigh’s First Night festival watching the “Family” acorn drop at 7pm, a more civilized time to bring in the new year, before boarding our return train to Jacksonville to end our holiday and begin the new year. So, we weren’t in our home for holidays, but we were certainly made to feel at home wherever we went.
View from Pittsford Dairy Let it Snow?
It was an odd time to start a trip – 11pm on a Monday night. But that was the time the train headed north, and we had to make tracks (pun intended) to get to Cathy’s infusion on Wednesday afternoon. Amazingly, the train pulled into Raleigh right on time, and by 10:30, we were in a rental car headed north toward I95. Despite the near constant rain, we made it to Reston by late afternoon and enjoyed an evening and leisurely morning with Cookie and Jerry before heading out for Frederick. We weren’t far down the road before the snowflakes were starting to fall.
It was an odd time to start a trip – 11pm on a Monday night. But that was the time the train headed north, and we had to make tracks (pun intended) to get to Cathy’s infusion on Wednesday afternoon. Amazingly, the train pulled into Raleigh right on time, and by 10:30, we were in a rental car headed north toward I95. Despite the near constant rain, we made it to Reston by late afternoon and enjoyed an evening and leisurely morning with Cookie and Jerry before heading out for Frederick. We weren’t far down the road before the snowflakes were starting to fall.
Traveling north through PA Cathy’s infusion went smoothly, and after submitting the paperwork to transfer care to Jacksonville, we said thank you and goodbye as this was our last time stopping here for her care. Our destination that night was Williamsport PA. We should have made it before dark, but this day the weather didn’t cooperate so much. Our first warning was travel advisory signs describing sudden squalls and whiteout conditions ahead. By the time we were north of Harrisburg, the snow was beginning to stick. We experienced black ice on one stretch where cars were spinning into the median and turning 90 degrees as they tried to stop. Dave slowed down, which pushed our arrival in Williamsport after dark. When we were only 30 miles away, we got news that I-80 west of us was completed closed due to a mult-car accident. Luckily we were going east on I-80. However, we passed mile after mile of semi’s parked along the side of the road with no way to get further west. We were very relieved to pull into the hotel that night.
Mmm. . . Rum cake Although we saw lots of snow over the next few days, the worst travel conditions were now behind us. We made good time to Rochester, arriving early enough to get some Pittsford Dairy ice cream before sitting down in the dentist’s chair. That night we were staying with our friend, Carol, before heading out early the next morning for Whitehall PA. We couldn’t leave town without picking up a couple of Savoia’s rum cakes. They were a hit in 2 states.
Facing a traffic backup on route 22 near Dave’s mom’s house, we opted to take a back road through the hills to get there. About 5 minutes into the route, we found ourselves behind a row of cars stopped by an overturned fuel delivery truck that was blocking our lane. After a few cars made it around, we found ourselves stuck on the wrong side with an endless flow of cars going the other way. To avoid staying here indefinitely, Cathy got out, stopped the traffic on the other side and motioned Dave forward. Once around, she got in the car and we headed out. Her life as a traffic cop was short-lived.
Facing a traffic backup on route 22 near Dave’s mom’s house, we opted to take a back road through the hills to get there. About 5 minutes into the route, we found ourselves behind a row of cars stopped by an overturned fuel delivery truck that was blocking our lane. After a few cars made it around, we found ourselves stuck on the wrong side with an endless flow of cars going the other way. To avoid staying here indefinitely, Cathy got out, stopped the traffic on the other side and motioned Dave forward. Once around, she got in the car and we headed out. Her life as a traffic cop was short-lived.
Santa and Mrs. Claus alternative mode of transportation During our stay in Whitehall, we witnessed an early visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, whose sleigh was surprisingly being pulled by an ambulance, not 8 reindeer. Who knew? After spending a couple nights with Dave’s mom, Diane and Pam, we made our way further south on Sunday to Bonnie and Troy’s home in Jarratt. The snow disappeared soon after we left Whitehall, and the temperatures were slowly rising.
Dave's gift from Bo Slowing Down
By the time we reached Jarratt, we were ready to slow down a bit, and our schedule was cooperating. We would be putting fewer daily miles in over the next week. On Monday, Adam, Droz, Trinity and Maria arrived to gather for a family celebration that had lots of food and lots of fun. Dave’s surprise gift from “Bo” (the family dog), was a big hit. Who knew Bo had such a good sense of humor? Bonnie and Troy have an extensive menagerie of animals, which has expanded recently to include bunnies. These were a big hit, although they are not being raised as pets, if you get my drift.
By the time we reached Jarratt, we were ready to slow down a bit, and our schedule was cooperating. We would be putting fewer daily miles in over the next week. On Monday, Adam, Droz, Trinity and Maria arrived to gather for a family celebration that had lots of food and lots of fun. Dave’s surprise gift from “Bo” (the family dog), was a big hit. Who knew Bo had such a good sense of humor? Bonnie and Troy have an extensive menagerie of animals, which has expanded recently to include bunnies. These were a big hit, although they are not being raised as pets, if you get my drift.
Claire learns how to greet Uncle Dave. By Christmas Eve, we were back in Raleigh, having returned our car, and now being shuttled by others. We would spend this night with Cathy’s sister Grace and her husband John. After Christmas eve services, we joined our nieces and their family to enjoy the Christmas eve excitement of a 4-year old putting out hay to feed the reindeer, and a 1-year old learning to high five and head butt with Uncle Dave. Christmas Day dawned late without little ones to wake us. Around noon, we made our way to Winston-Salem and Cathy’s mom’s house for Christmas dinner. We would spend much of the next week in Winston before returning to Raleigh and our train ride home.
Acorn in place for First Night Our Last Night is First Night
With another night-time departure by train, we decided to arrive New Year's Eve in the afternoon to be able to spend time at Raleigh’s First Night festival, held only a few blocks from the beautiful new Amtrak station. We wandered through the street vendors, through the park around the Capital, and began touring the NC Museum of History until we were flushed outside by a (false) fire alarm. We sampled some of the festival’s food, tried to get on TV behind the WTVD news team filiming on the street, and had a celebratory margarita at Jose and Sons. At 7pm, the acorn dropped for the families with small kids and those of us who had no plans to be up at midnight. We made our way to the train station and boarded the train, which arrived early. Our new year would begin once more in Jacksonville.
With another night-time departure by train, we decided to arrive New Year's Eve in the afternoon to be able to spend time at Raleigh’s First Night festival, held only a few blocks from the beautiful new Amtrak station. We wandered through the street vendors, through the park around the Capital, and began touring the NC Museum of History until we were flushed outside by a (false) fire alarm. We sampled some of the festival’s food, tried to get on TV behind the WTVD news team filiming on the street, and had a celebratory margarita at Jose and Sons. At 7pm, the acorn dropped for the families with small kids and those of us who had no plans to be up at midnight. We made our way to the train station and boarded the train, which arrived early. Our new year would begin once more in Jacksonville.
