Chapter 5: Downsville NY to The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

We woke to ice on the sliding glass door to the balcony/back porch and freezing temps. The forecast was hinting at a warm up coming in from the west and we were looking forward to it.

The check out time was 11AM but they were gracious enough o let us poke around till noon so the frost could burn off with the sunshine.

The plan was to head southwest into Pennsylvania winding through the Catskill Mountains down to RT 6 and take it across PA.

RT 17 is an old favorite of mine and my usual route down to the infamous RT 6.

About an hour down the road we found a nameless little diner for breakfast and warmed up. That gave the sun time to warm up the hills and make a nice day out of the icebox of a morning. We ran RT 17 down to RT 370 then shot south on RT 171 towards carbondale.

on RT 171 in Union Dale PA. is a great little bar/restaurant called The Beacon Bar & Grill. The bar is classic Americana with the separate restaurant section accessible by a large doorway. The food looks great but were had just ate and were looking for a place to take a break and relax.

The Beacon is where we met Bonnie. She was bartending and lighting up the bar with her perky yet earthy attitude. We had so much fun we didn't want to leave! I saved the bar into my GPS so it can be a must stop next summer.

Pennsylvania is Yuengling territory and we were taking full advantage of it. Yuengling is a locally brewed beer from the oldest brewery in America. It has a limited distribution area making it a legend among travelers from outside Yuengling-land.

We left the Beacon & Bonnie ready to rock and roll. We blasted through the mountains still in full fall colors and enjoyed the fresh air and endless scenery. We rode west sightseeing right into Wellsboro PA. I was having a vacation induced disconnect with the days of the week and didn't realize that it was Saturday. When the motel I wanted to stay at was full and was informed that everything in town was booked reality set in.

It was sundown and getting real cold real fast. Night time temps were forecasted in the low 30s and the prospect of being homeless for a couple of hours down the mountain road was not a good plan. Pam and I both were miserably cold as we turned around and backtracked towards Mansfield in search of a room.

A bit down the road we stopped and called the chain hotels at the RT 6 and the freeway crossing. They were all full. At this point I used the GPS to show all the motels on a map and started to call places farther and farther of the beaten path. After a few calls I eventually called The Star Crest motel who had one room left for $60.

The owner in a heavy Indian accent promised to hold it for me. In the tourist land of the Grand Canyon of PA a room under $200 is a bad sign and a $60 room is a scary thought but beggars can't be choosers. I just hoped we wouldn't be sheltering with the beggars.

We hooked a narrow road winding sharply through the night and in about fifteen minutes we were crossing a main road and our destination was in sight. It was an old outdated motel used by non english speaking long term transient workers.The owner hopped out of his bed behind the desk in the tiny office. the walls were covered in tattered posters of Hindu Gods and assorted deities statues littered the room.

He asked if I wanted a smoking or nonsmoking room. An odd question for a place with only one room left. I asked for nonsmoking and he smiled and said no problem. Shortly after he nervously asked if a "not to smoky" smoking room would be alright.

It was cold and we were tired and hungry. The room could be over run with possums and we would have taken it. We braced ourselves for the worst and opened the door. We were surprised to find a worn out but clean room. Cigarette burns on the blankets, curtains and carpet told a story of a long list of Shale Oil workers following the work as it migrates from one site to the next.

The air was thick with stale smoke but everything was very clean, worn out but clean. We settled in and the decision was made that I would leave on a scavenger hunt for dinner to bring back to the room. We seemed a long way from civilization so I was expecting to work for it. As soon as I rounded the bend riding north I fell into a Home Depot and Wal-mart with all the associated restaurants and fast food.

I found the pizzeria I was aiming at from my smart phone and decided to venture on. Something about a pizzeria/gas station combo that doesn't sit well with me if I have options. I pulled up pizza joints on the GPS and found another place a mile down the road with a mafia sounding name... It turned out to be awesome pizza choice. People always look at you in disbelief when they see you pick up a large pizza on a motorcycle.

I soon was back to the room with dinner, drink mixers and a can of Lysol air disinfectant. All worked very well and the night was a success. I slept really well on the firm mattress after an evening of cocktails and TV. The next morning we had to laugh at the cleaning staff's cart. It is a stolen Wal-Mart shopping cart.

In the morning we roll out to tour the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.

Chapter 6: Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania To Detroit Michigan Via Youngstown Ohio

 

CH 1

CH 2

CH 3

CH 4

CH 5

CH 6

 


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