Time Out

October 15, 2007

It is time to call a “time out.”

Yesterday we left Plymouth in early morning. We chose Sunday to travel as it is the day, if you travel in the early to middle of the day, that traffic is at its least. I don’t think I have ever seen more cars in one day in my life. “It is a jungle out there.” :-)

The campground on Long Island, New York was calculated at 220 miles so it was not going to be a long trip, mileage wise. We caught I-95 in Providence, RI and drove it through CT and into NY. There were few slowdowns but every lane, at least in the last 80 miles or so, was full of cars. Thankfully, there were few trucks on the road. This was unnerving to a degree. In NY, there are Parkways, which are freeways reserved only for cars. Not even pickups are allowed in some cases. Bridge clearance can be as low as nine feet. We are almost 12 feet. There is a fluorescent green post-it-note taped by our speedometer with our dimensions. The visual reminder is reassuring that we will be able to pass through. It also reassures us to see a truck or two on the road with us.

Thankfully our speed slowed as we entered the Bronx. The roads were rough due to the daily volume of traffic. We crossed the Throgs Neck Bridge and skirted Queens onto Long Island. We are camped in Old Bethpage, just a mile or so from the famous golf course.

We arrived about 2 and Barb and I spent the rest of the day relaxing. At about 8 p.m. we looked at each other and we both agreed. We need a day off. The pace has been rigorous. For several days we left the RV around 9 a.m. to return after dark. The "in basket" is full. The RAM has too much information. We need a day to think, to process, to organize, to write, to plan, to exercise and to work on the rig.

So today, Monday, we had a leisurely breakfast at a local diner and are sitting in the sun catching up on correspondence. I worked on the rig a bit, will get in a bike ride, and plan a serious nap this afternoon. Barb and I will plan the itinerary this evening, then tomorrow we plan to catch a train into the city.