Five Exciting Challenges

October 22-23, 2019

Harvest Hosts, Far Far Away Farm, Allentown, New Jersey

Day 130

Today was a CRAZY driving day. Things started off wonderfully, although the weather could have been better; it was raining. As the crow flies it wasn't far, even the most direct route would have been 3.5 hours, 140 miles, but I left at 10 am and got there at 4 pm, exhausted.

I took 209S thru the gorgeous Delaware Water Gap which I took a few weeks ago on my way up to Boston. I can't say enough good things about this beautiful road. It's really worth the drive.

Couldn’t find the connecting Route 602 to 521 to 519, so I go 6 then I80 to get to my pit stop Hope, NJ. Since I am on the interstate, I pull over and pick-up a state map and ask if there are any restrictions I should be away of. Nope they say, I should be good.

Hope is where scenic Route 519 starts. I saw a TV clip about this route being a pretty road to drive. But before I got to Hope, I had my FIRST exciting challenge of the day…a tunnel with an 8’ wide restriction. My trailer is 8.5”. Ok. I take a deep breath and luckily find a nearby safe place to turn around. GPS reroutes me back on I80 to the next exit.

Got off in Hope but there was SECOND exciting challenge at Hwy 57. Bridge height 10’…my trailer is 9’9”. I pulled over and regrouped. I am now in a congested area near Easton and my sense of direction is off. So, I reprogram both GPSs for Milford on 519, and abandon Hope. I see the truck route for 519 and take that. Ok, things are looking pretty again. Good.

Now there are detour signs on 519 for all cars. At one point, I am on a county road that says no trucks over 5,000 lbs (I’m about 12,500 lbs). I get a little nervous and take that detour. Then there is another detour, but GPS tells me to go straight to Milford. I go straight.

So, the THIRD exciting moment comes about 2 minutes down the road. The sign says “one lane road”. Usually you see a stop sign or timed light or even a person to control traffic, but no, not here. Why should I be concerned then? This road (Spring Mills) boarders a 40’ rock cliff on the driver’s side and a guardrail/railroad tracks on the other. It looked like some of the road deteriorated/fell onto the tracks at one time. The pavement looked new, so, I continued. Cautiously. There really wasn’t a place to turn around; I had to continue. I figured there would've been a sign saying trucks/trailers do not enter if I shouldn't be here. At most points along this 1.3 mile route, it was wide enough only for me. I’m not sure if I would call them turnouts, but there were a few areas that an oncoming car could pull over. Honestly, I was really nervous. I don't think I would not have been able to back up. This road is isolated and there were no signs. Two cars passed me; one was clearly annoyed. And another car was behind me. Clearly this is not a road for a commercial truck or RV. I actually took a picture on the road as proof – and that was at a wide part!!!

So happy to be off this road only to have a FOURTH challenge to deal with. I am now in cute Milford, New Jersey and GPS has me on a short narrow two-lane bridge over the Delaware River to Pennsylvania. There's not much traffic, but I wait on my end until I can hog the bridge for the 100-yard dash.

Once over the bridge, the two-lane road is pretty, lush, windy and very narrow. Nice homes and each side of this charming road make for a nice drive until you have to share the road with oncoming traffic. At times, I was white knuckling it.

Finally, we arrive at another bridge, going back into New Jersey. This is our FIFTH challenge of the day. This bridge is just like the other, but it’s a little longer and with more traffic. I turn, position myself and wait for me to hog the bridge again. They don’t wait for me. About ½ dozen cars cross in my direction, including a woman who grunted at me. Another car feels sorry for me and asks if I need help. I tell them all there were no signs!!! Honestly, I wouldn’t have come this way if I had known. Finally, my opportunity presents itself and I cross, hogging both lanes while flashing my lights and honking my horn. Victory! I am now in Lambertville an adorable town I hope to stop back in one day.

Now back on 29 in New Jersey, things are good until I see a sign about propane and the tunnel. What?? I thought I did my homework. No propane in the NYC/NJ tunnels, no RV’s on parkway…but here in Trenton? There’s a lot of traffic on this road and fortunately, I see some DOT guys at the light. I ask them about my propane, and they say I should be fine. Thank goodness I drive with propane off.

The traffic thru Trenton is not too bad nor stressful; it’s organized. I finally see the tunnel. It’s really a half tunnel with one side is open to the Delaware River. Though the DOT workers said not to worry, I do and hope I don’t get pulled over by police – they might not be so nice about it and give me a ticket. All’s good though, and now I am just 10 miles from camp.

I'm staying on Far Far Away Farms tonight in Allentown, New Jersey. I find boondocking is becoming easier and preferred. The owner meets me at the driveway because it’s a tricky parking situation. He guides me thru it and it’s easy because the Ford Back-Up Assist is working. They raise chickens, turkeys and goats too. The historic house on the farm is their retreat, they live nearby. This is just their hobby; a very nice hobby. They sell meats and eggs, so I stock up on some chicken and scrapple.

The rain is coming down heavy now. I settle in and decide I need a GPS for trucks and trailers. I am hoping I can find an App versus buying a separate unit, and I do! The app RV Life seems exactly what I am looking for. I plug in the make and model of the truck and RV and it maps out two safe routes. They have a trial period, so I will be able to test it out for a few days. What a relief! I'll use it for tomorrow.