Slowly, Putting One Mile After Another

With trepidation, I began my journey from South Florida to Vermont plotting intentional drive times of less than five hours.  Sanford, Florida is first on the itinerary, for just two nights, to hop the overnight auto train and leave the driving to Amtrak for 810 miles.  My last visit to Sanford was in 2006 for the same purpose, but oh-what-a-surprise to see this town's transformation, and to enjoy a stay with a host that is chatty, cooks great fish and loves to read.  Hon, you just never know. 

Which brings me to my next stop, Winchester, Virginia -- a location chosen for its proximity to the station and an affordable bed.  After a 4.5 hour train delay and a nearly 2-hour wait for my Element, it was grand to simply go west in less than two hours and be in place for four days.  Yet, the best was still to come and Winchester requires more of my time in the future. 

Onward, and in just 10 miles I cross into Maryland, then 20 more and it's West Virginia, before I hit the never-ending state of Pennsylvania to regroup in Avery for a few days.  It's 29 miles to the New York border, and while I am certainly in good company; if this is spring, I'll never winter here.

April 2 is a cold, blustery day but I'm so close to the last big push that I can taste it.  I'm now safely in Whitehall, New York, just east of the Adirondacks.  As I write, I'm wearing a turtleneck and Woolie Boolie sox, while remaining optimistic that flowers will bloom during this two-week stay before I cross into Vermont.  

For highlights along the "my engine is dying!" journey, see below. The driving is nerve-racking, but the people and places continue to surprise.