Recently I was able to make a solo trip to do a bunch of railfanning, something I’ve been hoping to make happen for a long time. But what to wear was an easy choice to make, to put on a dress (or skirt!!) And this was a wonderful opportunity…
First day weather was fabulous…not cold, perfect for a turtleneck blouse and skirt, a change which I could easily make without much effort, right in the car. I left the house in turtleneck and stirrup pants, but changed not too many miles down the road. And it felt so nice, I was looking forward to this big change…
My first sightseeing stop was unfortunately a flop. I had always heard about an abandoned small section of the “original” Pennsylvania Turnpike which was bypassed in 1968. But I hadn’t been there yet. So I did my research, and found a spot near a major interchange, and headed there to see if I could find it.
Yes – I found the spot. However, the only car in the parking area was sitting in a pile of broken glass – from all the side and back windows being smashed out – certainly not an inspiring sight. Hmmm. Wonder if the vandals who did it were lurking in the nearby woods? Didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that perhaps I didn’t want to walk too far from the car (especially in a skirt, since I didn’t know if I was “passable” that day, or what might happen if I was. (Doggone it, there’s that word again!)
I drove around on nearby country roads for a while, hoping to find any other areas which had views of the old ‘pike, but with the exception of one overpass (and no steps leading up to the road), all I could find were overgrown embankments which required hiking/hill-climbing in the weeds. My nylons and legs weren’t going to survive the burrs and other high weeds. So, I gave up, in order to move on…
One of the sights I visited was a rail station in south central PA, which I had visited years ago to see the steam engine they had kept from being scrapped and were cosmetically improving it. They actually did finish the project a number of years ago, though it is now starting to show the effects of weather, despite being under a “carport for locomotives.” And the docent (a lady my age) offered Mandy (it was actually nice to be able to use my legal first name and be recognized as a girl) a guided tour of the site if I could return in an hour (due to her prior commitment.) Unfortunately I couldn’t return, so I had to give that up.
A few other nearby sites I visited were Dunkle’s Gulf service station and the Koontz coffee pot, both on US Route 30 in Bedford, PA. These are relics of a bygone era, though the gas station is still in operation, and I had visited it years earlier in the antique car. Think about it – when was the last time you saw a gas station operating under a Gulf sign? The Coffee Pot is still in relatively good condition, though it’s not an operating business. At least it still exists.
Ever heard of Gravity Hill in New Paris, PA? According to the internet, this is one many around the world. They all typically have the following characteristics: a hilly road in a rural (low traffic) valley, an obstructed 360 degree horizon, and on an “apparent” incline. The perfect setup for an optical illusion! You stop your car on the apparent “downhill” slope and put the car in neutral, look behind you to be sure nobody has come up on your tail, and then take your foot off the brake. Surprise! You don’t drift forward “downhill” – the car slowly begins to inch up the hill backward! Mother Nature isn’t really defying the laws of gravity. But in reality, it’s simply amazing!
Then it was onward, to the Ship of The Mountain (one of its many names since inception) at Grand View, on the Lincoln Highway (US Route 30) near the summit of Mt. Ararat in the Allegheny Mountains. The small 4 story hotel/restaurant (with entry at road level on the 4th floor) was built in 1928 as Grand View Point Hotel, and drew a large crowd because of the location and its “grand view.” The Lincoln Highway (2-lane with hills and curves then, and still is today) was bypassed by the PA turnpike and business dried up, causing several changes in ownership and eventual abandonment 1n 1980. It deteriorated rapidly through the 1990’s.
Just a month after the US “911” tragedy, it caught fire and burned to the ground, never to be replaced. What remains are: the pull-over on US 30, the remains of the roadside stone foundation and former pillars of stone forming the lower floors, all on the mountain slope which supported the building built on the side of the mountain. The abandoned and collapsing gas station remains across the road, but most importantly, the one thing which will never fade – that Grand View! A fabulous stop, to be sure, and a highlight of the trip.
After a touristy stop at the Old Log House in Bedford, and an obligatory visit to the nearby covered bridge, it was off to the hotel for the evening.
Now a few words about my trip. After I exchanged my pants for a skirt the first day, I locked them into a bag which was buried in the trunk. I don’t travel light. But even so, this trip was unusual in that I brought food for 2+ days of lunches and evening meals with me in two coolers. I’m still not comfortable mingling with people of unknown Covid status, due to the virus – which is still infecting people.
When I had to be around people, I was wearing a mask. But remember, this was mostly boondocks travel, and there weren’t a lot of people out. Restrooms were not a problem – due to real restrooms being closed there were porta-pots everywhere I needed one. I obligingly used the women’s after one of two women in a short line for the women’s porta-pot reminded me that I was headed for the men’s! (I guess I “passed.”) The line moved quickly, though, and we all were soon on our way, with only a little “girl talk.”
And at the motel, I was addressed as a woman the entire time. Makes me wonder if they even bothered to look for the big M on my license! (Not that I’m complaining, mind you!)
More to come…
Mandy
Mandy's Miscellany 