After a restful sleep, I woke up at 0630 and did some reading/Duoligo/Sudoku. I ate breakfast in the hotel lobby (0730) and then packed up the car. Checked out by 0810 and drove to the gas station next door (Exxon) so I could get some air for my tire. Left Triadelphia, WV (0815) and drove (via I-70 and I-79) to Pittsburgh. I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time there but thought it might be nice to get a view of the Three Rivers spot. Checking the map, I found a place that looked like it had good photo potential: the West End Overlook. Made my way there (via a lot of rugged roads through depressed areas of the Steel City. Upon arriving, I found myself alone at a viewpoint that had the photo opportunity I was looking for and spent time looking at the city and river below the bluff (0910). Was only there for about 15 minutes before I continued my drive to the north, through the middle of the city. I eventually was able to get on I-79 and drove (through some intermittent rain) until I could switch to I-80 (east). Since I was in a part of Pennsylvania that I don't normally visit, I thought it would be a good idea to do some more sightseeing. So, I got off the Interstate and used PA-8 to drive further north. Since reading “Titan” (Ron Chernow biography of John D. Rockefeller), I’ve been wanting to visit the region of northwestern Pennsylvania where the oil industry began. On my way through the area today, I decided to stop at several significant sites that featured in the book and launched the human race on its current quest for petroleum. My exploring began in Oil City (1120) and ended in Titusville (1345), with the clean, quiet presence of Oil Creek in the background of the entire narrative. After walking a bit (and talking to Eileen a bit) in the first town, I visited the oldest producing well (McClintock), an oil “ghost town” (Petroleum Center in Oil Creek State Park) and the first commercial well (Drake Well Museum). Active wells and storage tanks lined the side of PA-8 (which was the route I used to find nearly everything of interest) but there was also a lot of “retired” Infrastructure evident. The oil boom swept through the valley in the late Nineteenth Century, wreaking havoc and destruction everywhere. You’d never know it, though, because most all of the terrain was green and inviting. Fortunes were made and lost in the blink of an eye - it was mind blowing to imagine. One could argue that the area was a cautionary reminder of so many things that people hate but it also seemed to provide some hope. The book described many instances where Rockefeller’s rapacious behaviors ultimately resulted in medical breakthroughs, major improvements at educational institutions and land preservation (Billings Farm is one example). Whatever their intention, the investors, roughnecks and anyone else who made their way to Oil Creek completely changed the world. This area is a monument to the highs and lows of the American Dream and is well worth visiting. After getting my history fix, I got some lunch at Burger King (1400). While eating, I spent some time planning the next leg of my trip - decided to head east and look for a place where the North Country Trail crossed the road. Leaving Titusville (1445), I used PA-27 to reach PA-59, which took me through some beautiful country. Passed the Allegheny Reservoir, stopping a few times, and later located the NCT Trailhead, where I decided to stop for a bit. It wasn’t a long hike but I logged a bit more distance on the NCT, this time in the Allegheny National Forest (PA). Parked in a lot on the south side of PA-59 and explored the trail conditions on both sides of the road. Signed a trail register and found some NCT maps at a nearby Ranger Station. I definitely need to return to this beautiful area! Afterwards, I drove a short distance to the Bradford Ranger Station (for the National Forest) and got some maps. Then continued east until I could switch to PA-770. Followed that to US-219, which I took all the way into New York and I-86. After that, continued east. Even by this point, the long drive was already making me tired. I listened to audiobooks but also found my speed creeping up unintentionally. Used cruise control to avoid speed traps. Eventually, I made it to Binghamton and then used I-81 to reach I-88. After continuing east to Oneonta, I stopped at Walmart to redeem some deposits for cans (2000). Before getting back on the Interstate, I squeezed in some walking, Duolingo and social media. Bought "dinner" (snacks) at Walmart too (2030) and did some more walking while I ate it. After that, I drove to a nearby Mirabito (first time using the loyalty card, despite having got it in 2016) and filled up my tank (2050). Back on I-88, I drove all the way to the western suburbs of Albany. Got off the Interstate before the toll (US-20) but still made good time all the way to I-87. Next drove north to NY-7 and crossed the Hudson at Troy. At times, I was stuck behind slow traffic but was able to eventually all of it. It got really foggy as I approached Vermont. After using the Bennington bypass (VT-279), I took US-7 north to Manchester. I crossed the Green Mountains (via VT-11 and VT-103). Barely staying awake with more audiobooks... Eventually, I was on I-91 and had no difficulty reaching I-89 or crossing the Connecticut River. Made it to my condo by 0030, unpacked and was in bed by 0100. Whew! It was a good trip, though, and I'm glad I didn't return straight home. NCT Today = 0.2 miles (hiking) / NCT Total = 15.0 miles
