After lots of preparations last night, I was able to leave the condo at 0615 in my Chevy Malibu rental car. I got some cash (for AT Shuttle Drivers) at an ATM in Lebanon (0625) and then got on I-89. Drove west to Vermont and then used I-91 to reach Hartford (CT). Listened to audiobooks on the way. I got on I-84 and headed further west, stopping for gas in Danbury (0930). Continued driving through Connecticut and New York until I reached Pennsylvania. Listened to more audiobooks and a took call from Brenna. In Scranton, I got on I-81 and then drove south to Harrisburg. As I traveled, the other drivers seemed to be getting crazier... Used I-83, PA-581 and US-15 to reach Maryland, where I took a short break at the Welcome Center. A short time later, I stopped for gas (only $3.75 because taxes were suspended) at the Mountaindale Convenience Store in Thurmont (1430). Then continued south to US-340/US-15 merge in Frederick. Instead of using my normal route to reach Alexandria (VA), I followed US-15 all the way to Point of Rocks, where I stopped to walk on a section of C&O Towpath I’d never visited in all my years in NoVA. I’ve been through Point of Rocks before but am usually so annoyed by the traffic jam on this route that stopping is the last thing on my mind. With great weather and some time on my hands before I'd planned to meet Erin, I spent almost two hours between the boat launch under US-15 and the Lander boat launch, walking almost three miles north and then backtracking. It was peaceful and quiet and the perfect diversion after eight hours of driving! When I was finished with my break, I got back on US-15 and took it all the way to Leesburg. From there, I took VA-7 to the east until I reached VA-28. Got off in Herndon and checked into the Candlewood Suites near Dulles Airport (1730). After unpacking items from my car, I left for the restaurant, Alo Vietnam, where Erin and Austin said they'd meet me at 1800. Luckily, we all got there at the same time and proceeded to eat a nice dinner. We had lots of good conversation and stayed together until almost 2000. Erin and I made plans to meet for breakfast the next day and then I went back to the hotel. In my room, I read, rested and re-packed until bed time (2215). Looking forward to the next few days of visiting with my daughters!
