Northeast Trip
 

Figure since you diesel folks are more of a community and will be driving my diesel, post this over here. John, I understand if it needs to be moved.

How about the reason first for this mad trip, for I live in Mesa Arizona and there is an event in Fairport/Rochester New York. I wasn't planning to go because of the distance, but found out a fellow I know from England is going and most likely this be my only chance to meet him, it seems. It has been a very long dream to drive through the Northeast., so plan on doing both.

Second, the event will end 22 June, which is the only date known yet. Also, I tend to be flexible, so two hours can change the whole thinking. I will take my Service Dog with me, so will not have to worry about getting back to her or that cost.

Speaking of costs, know this will be very expensive as summer and motels per a person is very low. I have a wagen, so the plan is to sleep in the back when possible/safe. But this time, know that most likely will not happen, as the last summer trip rained every night, however that was six years ago in a sedan.

So, here is my plan so far, but no way set in stone. ;)

Rochester to Riviere-de-Loup, but not sure yet if that is where I will stay (forgot to get the books), just a point where there is two options for travel. From there, camp at Kouchibouguac. Stop into Summerside to say I have been to Prince Edward Island, then spend the night at Cape Breton. This is where things become fuzzy, but have several states to say I have been to/cross off. So thinking from there to St. Johnsbury Vermont and down to Boston area. In Boston, the only place I have in mind is the U.S.S. Constitution. I also have a dinner invitation by a fellow Mercedes diesel owner, which is more than I could ask for! Thank you so very much! :D Then onto Philip Johnson's estate and Castle Garden.

I have no desire to see the Statue of Liberty as can't go inside, so what is the point? I rather go to Castle Garden where my great great grandfather and his large family came into the U.S.A. in 187? from Russia (Mennonite Brethren). The plan is to get heck out of New York, as scared to death of getting into an accident... :o

From Castle Garden, next stop is Independence Hall. This is where local help be much appreciated, as know only roads are tolls. I have no clue how much or how to pay, let alone which is the better route.

Next point is just driving the scenic route through the northern part of Delaware to cross that off. Plus, trying to avoid toll roads to keep costs down.

I have been all over South (except sadly the Florida (Everglades)), so plan on jogging through West Virginia to cross that off. Not sure if I will cut through Pennsylvania or not.

In short, if there is a better route and/or some place on the way or not too far off that I have to see, please let me know and will look into it. :book: Thank you all so very much! :D

Just remember the number 1 rule on this forum - pictures or it didn't happen!

If you happen to pass through Philadelphia by any chance I'd be glad to meet a fellow Benz owner!

Well, I plan on taking my 640 film size and a standard film, so will take time. I had a digital point and shoot, but learned movers have sticky fingers...

Was the plan too long to see I am stopping in Philly? That is one of the most concerning parts of the trip, which is going though New York and getting safely to Independence Hall. Looks like it is only tourists and residents that dare venture into New York City!

Sleeping in the wagon should be fine-just park somewhere half decent.

If you swing through Baltimore give me a shout

NYC isn't bad just: Don't be polite, don't hesitate, and don't block the box. I've taken a motorcycle through the city no problem.

If you are going to be in Riviere-de-Loup, you must continue NE along to coast (route 132) to get to Kouchibouguac. Do not cut across land and miss one of the most scenic coast drives.

St. Lawrence Seaway, Bay of Fundy, Niagara Falls

Being low on blood sugar, I forgot to than Jake... :o

Jake, than you so very much for the invitation!

Well, my issue is knowing if half decent...

Thank you so very much for the invitation! :D Yes, it was going to be just another city to pass through... However, I don't mind stopping.

Why should I be rude? What do you mean by the other two?

Hey, you read my post and figured out what I was trying to decide on! Woot! :D Thank you so very much! :D

Decision make, I will take the 132.

Thank you for the link, as that is a major help! Too bad there isn't a map, as I am a visual and tactile person... Once I read it, can I ask questions?

I meant in traffic-if you stop and wave people out in front of you they will go, and the car behind them will start going too and block you out.

For the hesitation-if you need to move over a lane and there's a spot juuust big enough for the wagon go for. They close the caps in traffic pretty quick.

Blocking the box...well there's a special circle for those people ;)

My eye sight is terrible lol I didn't see that in the post. No problem, by the way.
I-95 South would take you about 30 minutes to get to my place from the city.

In my experience, Boston drivers are far worse than anywhere else, including Manhattan. If you must drive, show no mercy, or even courtesy. It will be interpreted as weakness. Leave not even a car length in front of you or two cars will squeeze into it.

Better--take a tour bus in Boston and park, errrr --Cape Breton sounds nice.

Walking in Antigonish, maybe 20 years ago, was the first place I ever saw traffic come to a complete halt if I even looked like I wanted to cross the street. The pedestrian really did have the right of way.

Philly is the easiest of them all. All you hear down here is people whining about Philly traffic blah blah and I say ever done Boston?

Oh! Very good point, as drive Portland style and have gotten honked for it (at lest that is what my Sister said). So, when I leave New Canaan, I will remember no letting anyone in.

Scares the heck out of me I will hit someone by being assertive, but have done it here. Good to know it must be done.

What the heck is the "box"? Is it like the knights who say ni?

Oh... :o Sorry.

Fine, that sounds about right, as Joosippee is hour out of the big city.

Know of a good place to get a Philly cheese stake sandwich? I discovered them back at the Sady Eggo community college cafeteria and while in Philly, why not get a proper one? ;)

So are you saying I will have to learn to cope with tail gating? It really bugs me here, to the point I was so tired and warn out a while back, I just stopped on the freeway. :o I used to be MUCH worse, but my journey of being more pacifist helps.

Well, I want to see in the city proper is the U.S.S. Constitution. I don't need to go to all the tourist traps, just the top five to ten in the Northeast.

Cape Breton was top five for Nova Scotia, so figure I have to go! Looks like I better just plan on Canada being a week... Though, I would then have to decide if I should leave the event a day early, as my pasport expires on 30 June?

See! Once out of New England, driving will be a challenge for me until apparently Philly. So, might be good and learn new skills and mature. That is part of the reason for the trip: I am in a new part of my live. I will have been in the Master's of Architecture for a year and can have time to think and process.

Greg, I now see there is two 132 routes. You apparently went all the way around the peninsula! :eek: You then skipped Prince Edward and Cape Breton.

What that means is tossing out Kouchibouguac, as only a place to camp.

How was camping at Nicolet? Then time to get to Matane? How was the camping there? That might be a good way to escape the cost of a big cities. ;) Then, how long did it take to get to Jacquet River to stay the night? How was the place?

Did you camp at Fundy Bay and was it worth it? What was your route to the camp site in New Hampshire? What place?

in the 12 seconds it takes you to pass through RI from MA to CT on the way from boston to NYC, you should give a heads up. There are a couple members here, you can always stop by and shoot the shlt.

If you have maintenance issues at that point on the trip, I have a decent work space where work can be done if you need to.

Thank you so very much for the invitation and space! :D

That was part of the point of this thread, as know there is a lot of diesel folks in the Northeast. I am a Autistic introvert, so just chatting can be difficult... :o But, all I ask is if it is in the evening that I can find a place in the neighborhood to park and sleep. I don't drive anymore after ten at night, as blood sugar is too low and have problems. Oh, and speaking of "problems", because of the two aforementioned health "issues" I have to stay away from alcohol. Hope I don't sound problematic or a wet blanket... :o Just figure honesty is the best policy.

As for repairs, hope I don't have anything significant! I figure I should bring a tote full of tools and parts. Just have to find a list...

Though, maybe if I don't have this clunking at shut down resolved, we can come up with some ideas?

Shanks Original Uptown. 120 South 15th Street is probably your best bet. Excellent! It's in Center City you'll love it!

When you're in Philly, the cheesesteak is an ok sandwich but what you really should try is an Italian roast pork sandwich from George's in the Italian Market or from DiNic's in Reading terminal.
I'll be living in Philly by that time as I'm moving into a new apartment at the beginning of the new year. I'll keep tabs on this thread but certainly do let us know when you'll be in the city.
With a short drive over the Delaware, you can find a few good campgrounds which are out of the way and out of the city. I wouldn't sleep in a car in Philly because of both law enforcement and general safety. It's not really a dangerous city but sleeping in a car there I think would be taking a bit of a risk.

I'm about to drive back to Philly from Albuquerque and look forward to getting on the road.

Happy travels!
Phil Forrest

Danke! :D

Sounds like you know your way around. Want to meet at Shanks or do you prefer your home? Either is fine, just tossing out ideas...

And only a twenty minute walk to Independence Hall! :eek: Might make parking easier?

If you want extra space don't wash the car-people will be scared of you hitting them :)

I don't eat pork... :o

How long will you be in Philly? The trip isn't until late June, so far all I know, you will have found another place to go...

Well, don't recall ever saying I would camp in the big cities, as know too big of a risk. Only time I car camped in town was outside a "friend's" house (no longer for other reasons).

Delaware? Well, I forgot to get the camping books, so kind of shooting in the dark... :o I haven't wrote out the times yet and think I will wait for Greg. I can't believe how long I have been on the Peach! :eek:

I like to think so. :) I'll drive up to the city to make things easier and we can meet at Shanks.

No worries on not eating pork! My bad for the assumption.

Crossing the Delaware river from Philly takes you into New Jersey and a few miles past Camden either east or south you can find little campgrounds. If you've already got plans, my apologies again! :o

I'm signing a lease on a new apartment so I'll be there at least until next fall.

Phil Forrest

Oh is that what it is! The Volvo is black and the only baths he has had is rain, which means once I roll him out, enough gets on him to make mud splotches! :rolleyes: I wouldn't say drastic, but will be more aware.

I bet after a week in Canada I will be plenty dirty! ;) Just seems when I go on any trip there is no way to keep clean.

Jake, thank you so very much! :D Shanks it is then!

Man! This is getting better and better! I now think I will make even more changes to make this happen! See, if I had gone in my youth, I would have missed out on SO much! I don't think Vater be one to do this, but he taught me well how to be a penny pincher! Now I have gone even further! :P Think he would have skipped Canada and I don't plan on telling my family as think they come up with some good reasons how I will die.

Phil, thank you so very much! :D

No problem, man! I am not hard core, just a preference for health. If I came to a dinner and it was being served, I wouldn't say a peep and finish it off. If it tasted good, I even say so. One every now and then isn't going to kill me. ;) Especially if it helps relations, which is something I am just learning.

Hmmm, back through New Jersey again.

I guess you didn't see it... I am sorry. I don't make firm plans. Within an hour, I have made a trip that I was thinking be no more than a week to almost two! :eek: With these people I am meeting, well worth it! So far, looks like I can avoid the major centers at least, if not camp the whole time. I don't mind rain in a tent so long as not a chance of lightning! That was in the Midwest in summer. I drive eight to ten hours, think I am camping, but see lightning. So I would have to go find a motel. Now I have a wagen, think it will be a game changer.

No problem! I will have my E300 up and running then and I'll come down in that and show you the 606. So are you bringing the 300TD up with ya?

Oh man! Show me something complex, huh? :P

Yes I am! She is supposed to be my daily driver, but was too focused on University I ended up in the E.R., thus why I am at home. :o I was going to work on her this morning, but...

I know the feeling, I have problems with my heart and a number of other things so I'm not always able to drive/fix my cars everyday but hey I got them so good enough to me. :cool:

Well, things have changed. I am no longer putting her on the back burner! She has to be on the road A.S.A.P.! Tried going to class yesterday, but now suffering today. So will go onto campus for my acupuncture and see if I can talk with a professor, then that is it except for Friday's massage and chiropractic. I like to just get up and go, but didn't work and they want me to take a week off, so why not? I can get the notes.

I did just have an idea! :idea:

What if I took out the passenger seat? Why would it be needed?

That then give me 42" x14" deep cargo space. My Service Dog just loves making a bed in what ever is in the back. I put in an old 3 inch bed topper for the old dog I had and she still does it!

Only issue would be the dog coming up front though instead of pushing on me she could just walk right up. Since Vater isn't coming with me to spend Christmas in Oroville, now that I think of it, maybe I will have time before and then can do a practice run.

I know I got another car too I gotta get on the road to sell it's just rotting at a friends shop and I'll drive that till the E300 is done. So much to do, so little time! Speaking of chiropractors, I was heavy lifting a 600LB log outside from a tree from Hurricane Sandy for firewood that'll last me months and what do you know my shoulders and blades hurt so bad I can't sit. :rolleyes:

I was thinking of getting a wagon soon after selling a car or two for my dogs. #3 will be on the way! A second Nova Scotia Duck Toller I think.

And I have to get the Volvo sold, but can't do that until I get the Volkswagen out here and drivable! Anyone got a straw? ;) :laugh:

Any of the three can do wonders! I am so tense I have had to forget about chiropractic, but my neck needs help and that isn't where I am tight. The sooner you get checked out, the better! If you slipped something, only takes a week to start fusing and then only gets worse!

Jake, I tried not having a wagen, but as you know, one dog hardly fits in the back seat and trips become a pain for both. It was so bad I just dumped the sedan and was glad to get anything for it!

Shhhh... Don't let Ember hear you! She then will want to to come and have a romp! Darn Goldens are too friendly! :rolleyes:

I know right! After the third pup there will be a wagon in my possession. My one dog though is really good in the back seat, once you sit her she just sits back there and looks out the window and doesn't even bark. Yes, my Daisy she's like a mini golden. The smallest of her kind and really has come a long way since I've had her.

Jake, what kind? Notice your fleet, and see you are all over the years and engines. Even a Porsche, which I would never own.

Sounds like a content dog. Ember has too much energy to just sit for a half hour. She is truly my copilot as I learned when I saw her head watch the vets office go by and then went in the way back and sulked! :eek: [chuckle]

Only time Ember ever barked was when another dog was trying and trying to get her attention by barking and told her she needed to to have a look.

So two Retrievers and a what?

Duck Tollers then are a friendly retriever? Labs can be, but doesn't seem to be a given, though only met a few and one was super aggressive.

I'd probably go for an 87 300TD. I gotta update my signature a lot of my cars are gone. When I moved out of my old house I lost a LOT of space. I got a few sitting around, the Porsche was fun but it's gone. Right now it's the 84 300D sitting right now in a junkyard (just for storage), C230 sitting at a friends shop and the E300. I've been kinda gaining stamina back to get back to what I was doing before for about 3 years now. So I plan on getting another duck toller and I have a hound mix right now. The duck tollers are excellent dogs. Very friendly, but standoffish at first a bit.

Jake, now how did this thread turn to dogs and autos? [chuckle] Oh well...

Wow! You did update it! :eek: I hope I can keep my heard thinned down; don't want to own more than three dogs or three autos! Takes too much time!

I have been tempted to get a '87 TD, but instead went for the W123 as had history and available. Now though, be silly as I have to get the Squareback fixed up!

Well, thinking the next Service Dog will be a mix. I like Rottweilers and German Mastiffs, but has to have the brains and some basics so Ember can train him or her. Ember is now about four, so three years until I get another. That gives two years or so for Ember to train him or her and retire at age nine.

http://goo.gl/maps/g5Icc

That trip was 7 years ago, so I do not remember a lot of the details.
We camped at the Bay of Fundy in Alma. We thought it was worth it. We stayed a day to watch a complete tide cycle.

What are ya gonna do? Yes, keep your heard thinned (dog wise and car wise :D). They reported all my cars including my 86 Pontiac Trans Am GTA "project car". They were gonna fine me $100 a day each car on all the cars that were in my signature. Anyway I moved shortly after but I was mad I had to sell my favorite 87 300E and 82 300D. Hey this is what the square back could look like when it's done! just kidding

What do you mean by what I will do? When my egg donor asks to take care of one of her animals, I will say no! If Ember brings home hoe a boyfriend, we will find him a home like last time. Don't have much bread, so that keeps the spending down...

The best way I think to help the pain be get a nice '87 TD. ;)

Keep, hope you are, as like to keep her stock! Though I do have a nicer camshaft, but that was when I was younger and stupid... :o Don't want to share now, as the last ones were long ago and in poor shape. :(

Oh, I was just joking when I said "what are you gonna do" about how you were kidding about how the conversation about how it went to dogs and cars. That 87TD sounds nice right about now. But right now, I got the E300 and one day I wanna run that baby on WVO.

Oh! Well, sortrry about being Autistic! :o But, I am working on a plan! :evilgrin:

We can all have aspirations, right?

I looked into W.V.O. and S.V.O., but didn't want to deal with the coking. Also, around here there is no sources...

Sure can. Have you ever seen the movie Mr. Jones with Richard Gere? That's me in a nut-shell lol. I'm not sure if there is sources around here, but I will find something for Bio-Diesel. I'm just gonna run it in the 84 first because I haven't heard too many people yet with newer models like the 1999.

What? :confused:

Are you saying you are like a character in a movie?

So which are you going to run, bio or veg?

Never mind, it was a joke. Veg, if I can find it. Bio-Diesel if I can't find veg. Depends on what I can find. I haven't looked into sources.

Ah, got what you mean. Seems I forgot to eat lunch... The acupuncture I though I had I don't, and no point driving an hour to see a Professor especially since I really should be no stress.

If you find veg, not a huge deal to convert to bio, especially with the benefits of bio considered. ;)

Ahh, me too I gotta heat up some of that Shepherds pie lol. After I get this Benz running on veg one hopefully. I'd like to get another 98 or 99 and slap on a better turbo like a HX35. I've seen a W210 Diesel with an HX35, they're nasty!

Jake, wish I had something to just heat up! But, how about both eating? :P

Oh dear! You got an itch to scratch... ;)

Here is another rough sketch to have reviewed:

Day One (Sunday):
Fairport, New York to Nicolet, QC, Canada
7 hours based on Google

Day Two (Monday):
Nicolet, QC, Canada to Matane, QC, Canada
5 hours and thirty minutes ''

Day Three (Tuesday):
Matane, QC, Canada to Jacquet River, Belledune, NB, Canada
8 hours and thirty minutes ''

Day Four (Wednesday):
Jacquet River, Belledune, NB, Canada to Baddeck, with a stop in Summerside Prince Edward Island
8 hours and thirty minutes ''

Day Five (Thursday):
Baddeck Cabot Trail
2 hours ''
Baddeck to Fundy Bay
5 hours and thirty minutes ''
If I was to stay a day in Fundy Bay, I would have to skip Sunday at the event. That make Fundy Bay on Friday and no Church Sunday.

Day Six (Friday)
Fundy Bay

Day Seven (Saturday)
Fundy Bay to Lancaster, New Hampshire, via dropping south from Saint Stephan to the coast and through Bangor, Maine
8 hours and thirty minutes ''

Here is where I really need help.

Day Eight (Sunday)
Lancaster, New Hampshire to Boston, via St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
3 hours and 15 minutes ''

:idea:

Wait a minute! I am forgetting my primary schooling! I bet I could just walk into Vermont and accomplish the same thing: say I have been there. Such a small state and so same appearance as New Hampshire which it broke off from.
2 hours and 45 minutes ''

Then I would spend the rest of the day in Boston since I have a dinner invitation?

I also have an invitation and desire to go to Rhode Island. '' only an hour, so mean two to go back for dinner and find a place to sleep. Apparently there is several auto accessible campgrounds within close proximity! :eek:

So, could look like this:
Lawrence, New Hampshire to U.S.S. Constitution
U.S.S. Constitution to Rhode Island
Rhode Island to Boston

Day Nine (Monday)
Boston down to New Canaan.
2 hours and 45 minutes ''

New Canaan to Castle Garden
1 hour ''

Castle Garden to Philly
2 hours ''

Have lunch with Jack and Phil and see Independence Hall.

Independence hall to a Delaware campground
2 hours ''

Day 10 (Tuesday)
Now getting really uncharted.

Simpler=Better gave me an invitation to Baltimore.
Delaware to Baltimore
2 hours ''

There is several campgrounds along the way though West Virginia, so that makes it easier than the coast.

As I am saying, work in progress for you all to have a look at. So far, I wouldn't have gotten this far without you alls help, so thank you so very much! :D

Does this mean you want to drive the entire Cabot Trail?

If so, Google is pulling your leg. I have done it twice and I think you can plan on at least four hours. It's been more than a decade since the last time, but I haven't forgotten how sore my behind was, and with me that's at least a four-hour run.

My dad's family are from the area.

Well Zacharias, Google isn't always right, thus why I am trying to get you alls help, for which I am grateful for. :D So thank you so very much! :D

I saw it is in the top five for Nova Scotia, so think so. Or, is there a way to trim it down? How about the other Canadian parts?

If walking take less time, then I do that.