With a wide-open weekend day, I didn't figure on getting up early. However, the hotel conditions weren't the best for sleeping and I was awake by 0615 (no alarm set). Trying to make the most of the situation, I did some reading, puzzles and Duolingo before moving on to blogging and social media updates. At 0800, I went to "breakfast" (hardly any food and no drinks but coffee) in the Lobby of the Econolodge (Clarks Summit). I went back to my computer after that and didn't check out of my room until 1030. By then, it was 38 F and overcast. I wasn't in the mood to battle traffic on I-81 so decided to take the "scenic route" to the west. Leaving Clarks Summit, I used Shady Lane Road to reach PA-307 and then followed Country Club Road, along with some unnamed side streets to PA-92. Along the way, I crossed the Susquehanna River (at towns of Falls & West Falls at 1055) and then followed PA-92 to PA-292. I passed through the town of Dallas at 1110 and then got on some gravel roads that continued west. Next, I accessed PA-309 but it was only for minutes - after that, I followed more back roads. Eventually, I found myself on PA-415 and then made it to the (more substantial and direct) PA-118. I followed this road into Ricketts Glen State Park (1145) and then continued north on PA-487 so I could do some hiking in the center of the park. I had to climb a big hill - I learned later that it was called Red Rock Mountain (2449 feet). During this time, I snacked on some more baked goods that Eileen had packed for me - mmmmm... At 1155, I reached the Visitor Center (located in Colley Township in Sullivan County) for the State Park - sadly, it was closed. I spent time looking at paper and wooden sign maps until I figured out what the best trail for me was. The park had Ice Climbing options! After a short drive, I parked at the closest trailhead (lots of road closures) and got geared up for a walk in the woods. From the car, I used the Lake Rose Trail to reach the Lake Rose Parking Lot (closed to cars). Nearby, there were signs that the Falls Trail was closed (Mud Season?) - there was actual police tape crossing the entry to the trail. I heard a local lady giving other hikers guidance that the falls were accessible via a different route. Following this advice, I didn't try to hike on the Falls Trail and, instead, took the Bear Walk Trail. I was the only person on that trail and I eventually discovered that it only tracked went east. I wanted to go south, towards the water, so ended up bailing on trail and backtracking on the road for a while. After a little while, I used a dirt road to return to the Bear Walk Trail. When I reached the Lake Rose Parking Lot again, I saw a dad and his two sons bypassing the police tape for the Falls Trail. Hoping to find the scenery I'd been seeking for over an hour, I followed them and soon encountered some pretty waterfalls. There was no evidence of ice climbing opportunities with the warm temperature but I could imagine the appeal when the water was frozen... After lingering for a little bit, I backtracked to my car. By 1325, I'd finished a hike of about 3.7 miles and felt good about my detour through the "wilderness" of north central PA. Returning to my drive towards Northern Virginia, I used PA-487 to return to PA-118 and then drove west. I reached Hughesville (Lycoming County) by 1355. By then, it was 46 F and the sun indicated warmer temperatures ahead. Using PA-405, I headed to I-180. This drive went well until Google Maps suggested that I exit on to PA-147. Soon after that, I crossed the Susquehanna River again (West Branch). Beyond that, I followed US-15 to US-11 and the town of Shamokin Dam. I arrived there at 1435 and parked briefly at the Northumberland Boat Club Snyder County. The river was covered with all kinds of seagulls and my temperature gauge read 49 F. After my brief pause for birding, I got back on US-15 and followed it to the south. Initially, there was a LOT of traffic and annoyingly long cycle lights. Later, it got faster and I felt even better when I transitioned to US-22 (Google Maps' suggestion). This decision caused me to cross the Susquehanna River for the third time during the day. Just after that, I got off the four lane highway and took PA-443 into Harrisburg. Alongside the (mostly one way) road, I noticed an interesting bike path (I figured out later that it was called the Capital Area Greenbelt). Passing through the northwestern corner of Harrisburg (1530), I crossed the Susquehanna River for the fourth (and final) time. Shortly after that, I noticed the temps had risen to 58 F and that the scenery looked very familiar. Within minutes, I understood - I had rejoined US-15 and was following my "normal" route to the DMV... My friend, Kelly, texted that she and her husband (John) weren't going to get home until almost 1900 so I immediately saw an opportunity to stop for Mass. A quick web search revealed that I was only three miles from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg - and they had a Mass scheduled for about 10 minutes later. I headed over there immediately and joined the packed pews for the 1600 Mass. The church seemed quite vibrant and had a giant Parish Hall attached to the main sanctuary. When the service was over (1655), I drove back towards US-15 and, after getting stuck at the lights while driving through Dillsburg, decided to get some dinner at the Arby's there. While eating my meal (1805 and beyond), I had some strong Deja Vu feelings about the many times I'd been in the area - all those trips to hike the Appalachian Trail in the northeast... In fact, it was right in this parking lot when I realized my 1998 Ford Explorer had bought the farm. Once I was done eating (1725), I continued on US-15. Fortunately, the speeds picked up tremendously as I drove south. I passed through Emmitsburg (MD) at 1750 and was soon transitioning to I-270. There was a traffic jam just north of Rockville (due to a cop pulling over an expensive car). Once I got beyond that, it was mostly smooth sailing to I-495. There was the normal slow down at the Cabin John Bridge but I made it into Virginia by 1850 and arrived at Kelly & John’s (in Vienna) at 1900. It seemed like a long time since I'd visited them at home but it was also very familiar. I also got a bonus this time: Aidan (Kelly's son) arrived a bit later - it was good to see him (all "grown up") after so many years. For a short time, we hung out in the living room. Later, though, we walked a short distance to Open Road for drinks (arrived at 2000). Kelly, John and Aidan bought dinner but I resisted the temptation. Along the way, we met another one of their friends (another John) and everyone talked about their Trivia Team (they'd all been to a tournament earlier in the day). Aidan and Kelly departed earlier but John and I stayed at the restaurant until about 2230. After walking back to John & Kelly's, John and I took Gipper for a walk. For the rest of the evening, we all visited (with some bourbon) - it was well after midnight before I even thought about bed... I didn't' note the time but I think I finally settled down to sleep at 0100. What a great weekend day!
