Vacation is finally planned

[J.R.E.]

 

Ed and I have made the final arrangements  for our vacation this year. We'll be leaving Palm Harbor, Fl ,  Sunday August 14th @ 10:00 AM.  We have to drive, across the state to Sanford, Florida ( about 2 1/2 - 3 hours - maybe less)

We decided on the Auto train this year. Placing the car on the train, will save us about 750 miles of driving, and a lot of time, and headache. And the cost wasn't bad,  $207.00 for the car.

The train departs from Sanford, Fl around 3:30 Pm, on that Sunday , and arrives in Lorton Virginia, around 9:00 Am Monday morning. We should be able to get a good nights sleep on the train, and should feel pretty refreshed, driving to NJ.

From Lorton, Virgina, will will be driving up to  North Plainfield, New Jersey, and will probably arrive there, early afternoon. I think, from Lorton, VA,  to North Plainfied, NJ,  is about 225 miles. It's a pretty straight shot up 95.  We will be there until 6:00 AM Wednesday morning. We'll be staying with a long time friend of ours.

 From there, we will continue our trip up to East Syracuse, NY area,( Actually Chittenango) and will be staying with my sister, until Saturday Morning.

After leaving New York, we'll be heading back to New Jersey, and staying in Little Ferry/ Hackensack area.

We want to spend a day or two In NYC, to see the sites...

If anyone , wants to get together, for lunch or dinner in NYC, Let me know, and I will give you some contact information, and try to be a little more specific with the time and dates.

 We should be in the Little Ferry/ Hackensack area for at least 2-3 days, before making the full drive back down to Florida. With two of us driving, it shouldn't be too bad.  

We're going to stay on Daytona beach, for one day, and then head back over to Palm Harbor. And then ( for me) I will need a vacation from the vacation, cause I know I am going to be pooped out.  


We're really looking forward to this vacation.


Ray

[J.R.E.]

Oopppps,


Sorry!!!!! Mods,  I meant for this to be in Off topic. Could you move it please?  I thought I was clicked on the off topic forum. Duh  


Ray

[anniebc]

Hi ray

Although we will be in different part of the US we will be travelling at the same time, so I'll be thinking of you, I hope you both have a great time...with all that planning how could it possibly go wrong..

Aroha
Jan

[Miss Philicia]

fyi: I'll assume you'll plot your course with google/maps or something similar, but from Lorton to NJ you won't be on I-95 the entire time. South of Wilmington, DE you will want to take the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ and then go up the NJ Turnpike for ~60 miles, because if you stay on I-95 it will take you through Philadelphia and once you get up to Trenton on that I-95 is not completed (it's the only portion of I-95 that was never finished, though currently they are now doing so).

ps: be prepared for a lot of toll booths

[Ann]

because if you stay on I-95 it will take you through Philadelphia

Maybe Ray and Ed were hoping to stop in for some of your fantabulous coffee, Miss P.

Ray, hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing vacation. The train ride sounds like a good way to get started.

[Miss Philicia]

Could be...

I should also add that one should expect a massive clusterfuck around the Delaware Memorial Bridge, as well as the toll booth right before the bridge. That link says "completion Summer 2011" so I don't know if it's actually done yet, but last time I went through there I got off and took back roads around the congestion because I knew how to do it, though I'd not recommend it for anyone else. All of this can easily add an entire hour onto your journey, maybe more depending on what day of the week it is and time -- consider summer traffic here is how everyone goes to the southern part of the Jersey Shore for the beaches.

[Ann]

Miss P, have you ever thought of doing traffic and weather reports for a living?


Oh, and I just noticed your latest sig-line: Sucking stripper nipple and felt like salty. Those Am I's are starting to get to you, aren't they.

[Miss Philicia]

Miss P, have you ever thought of doing traffic and weather reports for a living?

Considering I don't own a car the traffic proposal might not be worthy. But I do know the ins and outs of the Northeast megalopolis I-95 corridor as I've lived on it in four different locations over a span of 45 years.  

As far as the weather goes, we're expecting 15 days of +90℉ temperatures here, including eight days of +95℉.

[Assurbanipal]

Actually, you might want to think about staying on 95 through Philly    and up into NJ (where it turns into 295 -- even though it is still the same road).  Then you can take 31N to 202N to 22E.  Fewer tolls and some beautiful countryside. 

Since N. Plainfield is not really near any of the interstates, you are going to have to go to smaller highways at some point -- and it sits right on US 22.

A (who used to live near North Plainfield and really dislikes that stretch of the NJTurnpike)

[drewm]

Enjoy your gaycation! 

[J.R.E.]

Actually, you might want to think about staying on 95 through Philly    and up into NJ (where it turns into 295 -- even though it is still the same road).  Then you can take 31N to 202N to 22E.  Fewer tolls and some beautiful countryside.  

Since N. Plainfield is not really near any of the interstates, you are going to have to go to smaller highways at some point -- and it sits right on US 22.

A (who used to live near North Plainfield and really dislikes that stretch of the NJTurnpike)

Thanks David and Assurb for the advice. !!  I just read this to Ed, And He like this idea.  Anything he says to avoid the turnpike would be nice !  I remember all those tolls from years ago.  Seemed like the tolls were every 5 miles. Ed's originally from Dumont, NJ

Our friend lives right off of US 22, Ed can't remember the the exact exit number , but knows it goes east and west. Our friend lives on Greenoch Ave , in N Plainfield .  Ed said when you get off 22, it's just a couple of blocks to where we're heading.


We still have to get some mapping out finalized.  Least amount of driving and frustration is what I want!  Ed's going to AAA later in the week.



Thanks----Ray

And Jan,... One of these days we will make a AMG.  This year, our vacation , was at the same time as AMG, but we really wanted to head up North.   Have a great time in Seattle !

[Miss Philicia]

Assurbanipal should do the directions north of Philly -- I always take the train to NYC from here, but I drive south when I go see my parents in VA. Coming up I-95 you will encounter something like three toll booths on I-95 between the Baltimore and Philadelphia. Reference this if you want a better idea how much you'll need -- should be $13 going north, $11 going south:

http://www.i95exitguide.com/tolls/index.php

Because you won't be going across the Delaware Memorial Bridge you'll stay on I-95 through Philadelphia. There are no tolls on this portion. Stay on I-95 and when you cross the PA/NJ state line (which is when you go over the Delaware River at the point northwest of Trenton, NJ) you'll start to look for exits to Rt. 31-North.

(like I said at this point Assurbanipal will have to give you more directions)

Also, as an "fyi" -- the portion of I-95 in Maryland has two very large, nice clean (more like food courts) rest areas like this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_House

From what it says "it's the busiest rest area in the US"... how charming. But they're well situated should you need a bite to eat and a dump.

Oh yeah, and coming up from Lorton I-95 doesn't go through Washington, DC it goes around on the Beltway -- the signs will read I-95/I-495 if I recall correctly, but it involves turning off an interchange. If you're not paying attention and don't get off the highway becomes I-395 and you'll find yourself right in the middle of Washington with no way to get out of the city except on local roads.

[Assurbanipal]

About tolls... If you have EZPass down in Florida it would be a good idea to get hold of one -- EZPass will take you through all the Maryland tolls and later on your trip it works on the NY thruway as well as all the Manhattan river crossings which all have hefty tolls.

Sounds like you have a lot of connections up here, but PM me if I can be helpful

A

[J.R.E.]

About tolls... If you have EZPass down in Florida it would be a good idea to get hold of one --
A

I think we do have that here in Florida. I've never used it before.  Anyway, thanks again guys. I'll let you know what AAA says.


Ray

[wolfter]

Have a great trip and enjoy yourselves. 

[WillyWump]

I've always wanted to do the Amtrak Car-Train. I think it would be awesome to be able to take my car with me on vacation (and not have to drive it to the destination).

Have a great time!

-W

[randym431]

Sounds like a plan! NYC. Wedding bells??? 

[J.R.E.]

Sounds like a plan! NYC. Wedding bells???  

LOL...  Sounds like a plan, but maybe next time, up in New York.  July 27th marks our 31st anniversary ! 


Ray