Day 15

Before leaving Mansfield this morning we did a quick stop at Walmart for a few things and stopped a few geocaches. We journeyed on through the Allegheny Mountains down the Grand Army of the Republic Highway stopping at the National Guard for a geocache. The cache is a notebook inside the building where the guards greeted us and gave us a bag filled with goodies, t-shirts, lanyards, water bottles, pins and pens. First time we ever had one like that.

The little villages and towns nestled in the mountains popped up every few miles. We passed fewer Mc D's and Dunkin' Donuts than usual though. The one we spent the most time in today was Wellsboro, PA. There were many red brick historical buildings, mixed in with the colonial buildings, churches, and newer homes and businesses. The street lights in this town are the original ones that needed a lamp lighter to light them up each night. They have replaced the wicks with modern ones like in Coleman lanterns and hooked them up with gas so they just stay lit all the time. The park had a few historical markers, several statues and a water fountain. In the middle of the fountain was a sculpture of Wynken, Blyken and Nod in the wooden shoe.

The area we passed through is called "The Grand Canyon of PA". The elevations continued to rise and drop from 2400 feet to 1700 feet. We had to chew gum to help our ears pop from all the air pressure changes.

We were surprised to see quite a few small oil rigs near the roads on most of our travels today. At one point we crossed "The North Country Trail" before coming to the Allegheny Resevoir. We stopped near the dam for photos.

We have not had any phone service while in PA, not sure if there aren't many towers where we are or if AT & & just does not service this area.

At 2:30 we crossed back into a little corner of NY. The mountains started tapering off a little as we neared Lake Erie. Crossing back into PA by 3:15, we found a place to stop and go in the Great Lake for photo along the Seaway Trail at Orchard Beach. This area is obviously good for growing grapes as there are vineyards everywhere.

Before checking into the LaQuinta in Erie, PA we filled up the gas tank at $2.69 per gallon. We grabbed a quick sandwich at Arbys and are settling in for the night.

I found three small spots where poison ivy must have got me on my leg, good thing I have the Benadryl with me. I knew I saw quite a bit in NY and NJ but I thought I stayed out of it... obviously not.