Experiencing America > 2025 > A Drive Through The Mountains > Day 2
Day TWO...
Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Today was a day hoping for daylight, and staying away from rain as we venture across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Yes commonwealth, not a state. The day started out in Pittsburgh, and the theme for the day seemed to be a day of "giant" objects. This included a giant ketchup bottle; which being from Illinois...ours is bigger. I am not 100% sure of that, but you have to give bragging rights to where you are from. I will give Pennsylvania that Heniz ketchup does taste better than Brooks. I am not sure if I have even ever had Brooks. Then outside of Pittsburgh, is where the Mc Donald's Big Mac was invented, and that resturant has the self proclaimed world's largest Big Mac.
A Heinze Ketchup bottle in Pittsburgh.
A giant Big Mac at the founding resturant.
To make some headway across Pennsylvanian it was time to jump on the famed and extremely expensive Pennsylvania Turnpike. Yet, like other trips we wouldn't be on it for long. Soon it was time to journey down the Lincoln Highway; which does run along the turnpike corridor. Along the way there were more giants discovered. This included a large ice cream sunday, and a quarter. These were near Everett.
A giant ice cream sunday.
A large quarter along the Lincoln Highway.
Just west of Harrisburg, our journey ventured us north along the western bluffs of the Susquahana River. This was to get more content for our other websites. Along the way we passed through the Sterretts Gap in the Blue Mountains, and since we went to East Liverpool yesturday, why not goto just simply Liverpool today. Also in this journey we came aross a line of large crosses. Which those following the journeys know that is a road trip requirement.
A sign for the gap on NB PA 34.
A mural in Liverpool.
A line of crosses along PA 104.
As we kept going north along the Susquahana River, the view were amazing. The sights of the small and mid-size communities brought some unique charm that makes one wish there was more time to experience each mile one mile at a time. Near Northunberland and Sunbury, there is a split in the Susquahan River. Along U.S. 11 is also the Shikellamy State Park. Inside this park there is an overlook of this split and the community of Northumberland.
Looking over the Susquahana River and at Northumberland.
Once up to Interstate 80, it was time to head towards the east. We made ground along Interstate 80, and into the Pocono Mountains. This was an interesting transtion in the day. Starting off back in Pittsburgh with rain and in the 60's to sunny skys at one point, to snow and in the 30's at the Poconos. While driving through the Poconos and towards the Delaware Water Gap we came across a KFC in Stroudsburg that still had a bucket on it's sign.
A sign along EB I-80.
A KFC in Stroudsburg.
At the Pennsylvania/New Jersey State Line, is the Delaware River. This is also the Delaware Water Gap National Park. Not only to get I-80 crossing into New Jersey, we also started to explore the park. This took us into New Jersey, then back to Pennsylvania, then north along the Delaware River.
Now to State #7...New Jersey!!
The New Jersey welcome sign on EB I-80.
EB I-80 along the Delaware River, west of Columbia, NJ.
Back to State #5...Pennsylvania!!
WB I-80 at the Pennsylvania/New Jersey State Line.
Back in Pennsylvania we followed U.S. 209 north through the park. Here we were once again racing daylight. Eventually we reached the point where Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York meet. This is at Port Jervis, New York. To add a state to this trip, it was into New York!
Now to State #8...New York!!
The New York welcome sign on EB I-84.
After a brief jount around Port Jervis, we really ran out of daylight, and decided to use U.S. 206 to head south. To get to this path through New Jersey, we had to go back to Pennsylvania.
A rock garden at the first exit on I-84 as you enter New York.
Back to State #5...Pennsylvania!!
WB I-84 at the Pennsylvania/New York Line.
A short trip through Milford took us to U.S. 206 near the northern part of the Delaware Water Gap, to head south towards Allentown for the evening.
Back to State #7...New Jersey!!
SB U.S. Rt. 206 at the New Jersey Welcome Sign at the Pennsylvania/New Jersey State Line.
There was not much as we worked out way south in New Jersey. Dinner at a Wawa, and following the path of many U.S., State, and County Highways. Eventually we reach the I-78 corridor near Easton. It was time to head back to Pennsylvania for the evening.
Back to State #5...Pennsylvania!!
In Pennsylvania it was a quick trip to Allentown for the night. But there was a brief drive around Eaton and along the Delaware River to see the sights.
The Northampton Street Bridge across the Delaware River.
Day THREE