TOUR AMERIA 2023 – CANDY HILL CAMPGROUND, WINCHESTER, VA

July 31, 2023

Operation Extraction: Leaving the Forest Prime Evil

Five States

322 Miles

Five Hours

One Lunch Break

0800 hours the Operation began. Slowly our convoy of two weaved its way down the narrow and rutted road toward freedom.

Soon enough we broke out of the forest and into daylight again. Our hearts began to sing.

Down county roads we rolled until at last we turned west on Route 195. We were doing it. All systems were within normal operating parameters. We hit the cruise button and let Elvira do her thing.

Then it was a turn south on the NJ Turnpike. We received a report from our advance scouts of possible problems along our route. Sure enough we eventually found ourselves encountering resistance in the form of construction and a closed lane. Not to worry, we were prepared and so just sat back and slowly worked our way through. Soon enough we were rolling again at normal cruising speed.

We saw the Delaware Memorial Bridge ahead of us and as we started up and over we saw the line announcing we were now out of NJ. Our first major objective had been reached. We gave each other a high five and smiles broke across our faces. One state behind, four in front of us.

Down the other side into Delaware. Through the toll both with just inches to spare on either side. Wow, it was a tight one but no mirrors were lost.

Our convoy of two rolled on into Maryland. Three states down and two more to go. Bogies came at us from all lanes. The pilots of vehicles in these parts are as nuts as they come.

Our advance scouts reported the road was clear and we would be able to roll through Maryland without an issue. On to Route 70 we went and then we began to climb. Our lead vehicle, Elvira, got quite a workout. She was putting out some horsepower during a couple of those hills. Our vehicle behind did nothing to help, except to merrily follow along. Would sure have been nice if it had offered to push a time or two. But no, as always it just hitched a ride and went were we did.

Our tummies were beginning to rumble so we rumbled into a rest stop for a little down time. A couple of sandwiches, some potato salad and a cup of iced tea and the convoy was ready to go again.

It was south on Route 81 and we knew now we were definitely heading toward home. In the blink of an eye were we through West Virginia and into Virginia, our fifth state. Time to give Elvira a much needed drink of fuel. She’s frugal with it, but still needs it every 300 miles or so.

Back on the road and just minutes later were at our new home.

What a difference from our last stop. This campground is fantastic! Nice sites, good spacing between, lots of green grass, we were definitely impressed as we drove in.

Our new home until Thursday when we will be back on the road again. What are we going to do here? Sightseeing. Nope. Not even going to take the car off the bar. Naps. Yup. And get the sand out of all the nooks and crannies it has gotten into. And now that we have cable as well as satellite we’ll watch some TV. Life is good.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.