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Nasdaqsam · 08-24-2019, 07:49 PM

I just did a solo trip from Upstate NY to FL starting Friday August 9th. The trip went like this.

I was prepping to take off early on Aug. 10th but was bored waiting to get going so at 4pm sitting there I deciding to hitch up and take off maybe get a few hours under my belt. The trip started nicely with very lite traffic, around 9pm I had to decide to stop at one of the rest areas on I87 or push it past I287 since there are not a lot of places to stop on I287 and find a spot in Jersey. I decided I had gotten a good start so why not stop, have some dinner, a cocktail and get some sleep. It was a bit hot so I ran the gen to keep the A/C's running. I got a descent nights sleep.

I hit the road around 5am and was really making good time with DC ahead I was hopeful for once I wouldn't get caught in DC traffic. I was running the beltway around DC heading for I95 South. I ran right around DC with no traffic to speak of I had it made it was 8am and I am making time...………………..then it hit. Right at the Virginia line I ran into a traffic jam that lasted until the middle of South Carolina. Stop and go for three straight states. 5mph most of it but once in a while it run up to 40 then right back to stopped. Ugh!!!!

Finally out of that mess I decided I would stop at the Georgia Welcome center and get some sleep and just pull it in Sunday morning. As I approached the northern Welcome center I was feeling pretty good so said why not run it to the one just before entering FL. WOW what a mistake. I no more than passed the rest area when my phone started to beep with a weather alert. I could see the skies building quickly but figured I could make the rest area 35 miles ahead. The storm built quick and hit with a vengeance. I could barely see 15' ahead of me. I tried pulling over but the wind was fierce and felt like it was going to tip me over I found moving slowly on the flank of a Semi the coach felt more stable so I inched along at 5 to 10mph. The winds and rain where intense, I can not even begin to describe the lightning strikes that where going off like fireworks every 5 seconds all around me, some where just feet away. I've been through two hurricanes and many lightening storms but nothing like this one. At this point I was really regretting not stopping at the first rest area but I was committed and really had no where safe to stop. I didn't want to pull off just anywhere with no knowledge of where I was pulling off or anyway to check into it as I was pretty much using all my abilities to drive the rig. I made it to the rest area just as the storm began to subside.

The last of the leg was uneventful but what a day the 10th was.....

Itchytoe · 08-24-2019, 08:33 PM

Sounds like you got a dose of my luck. I've had some terrible luck lately, but things are starting to look up for me. I guess I passed my luck on to you. Sorry.

A32Deuce · 08-25-2019, 06:01 AM

Shame you did not have a book map with you. Rt 1 runs along side 95. May be traffic lights, but the speed is faster then not moving. Been running South for more years then I can count and have done this! Same with I 70 in Ohio. Rt 40 runs along side. I will take 301/50/301 over I 95 any day of the week. Some traffic and lights at mostly 55 is much better then stop and go and wacky drivers on 95.

WDW · 08-25-2019, 01:59 PM

We ran into those portable parking lots in the same timeframe in Virginia. There was no reason other than rubberneck driving that I could see other than too much volume and not enough road.

Nasdaqsam · 08-25-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itchytoe

Sounds like you got a dose of my luck. I've had some terrible luck lately, but things are starting to look up for me. I guess I passed my luck on to you. Sorry.

You're welcome but dam......lol

Nasdaqsam · 08-25-2019, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Shame you did not have a book map with you. Rt 1 runs along side 95. May be traffic lights, but the speed is faster then not moving. Been running South for more years then I can count and have done this! Same with I 70 in Ohio. Rt 40 runs along side. I will take 301/50/301 over I 95 any day of the week. Some traffic and lights at mostly 55 is much better then stop and go and wacky drivers on 95.

I thought about getting off several times but who would have thought 3 freaking states? I was sure it would clear up soon...…….lol

Nasdaqsam · 08-25-2019, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDW

We ran into those portable parking lots in the same timeframe in Virginia. There was no reason other than rubberneck driving that I could see other than too much volume and not enough road.

Exactly there was no road work r accidents it was just one person hitting the brakes that backed up traffic for miles. Crazy!

A32Deuce · 08-25-2019, 08:44 PM

That's one reason I hate the interstates. Running along and suddenly everything stops. You finally get going and never see anything to cause it. At least state and county roads, its either a traffic light, train or an accident. 95 has gotten worse. The more lanes they add the heavier the traffic.