Wanderlust

It’s funny when you drive east, you will inevitably have to use toll roads. There isn’t always a comparable option. Cujo has his right wing theory on toll roads, mine is just that it’s inconvenient. Yes, you do have the luxury of gas or food every 30 miles, but you pay for that ‘luxury’. And if you want to get off and back on, or even if you don’t - it takes more time with all the extra stop and gos. Okay, enough bitching.

The town of Wilkes-Barre is bigger than I expected, and it’s basically attached to Scranton. The Scranton from The Office. Anyway, Wilkes-Barre – I thought it was Wilkes-BAR, but two locals I’ve asked say it is pronounced Wilkes-BARE, and the news calls it Wilkes-BERRY. Eh... Potato... Potahto. Some really pretty country on the drive to here, and lots of tunnels through mountains.

We stopped and wandered around the Strip in Pittsburgh. Although a tad chilly and overcast, there were still vendors out and folks milling around the outdoor market area. I wouldn’t go back to Primantis to eat, despite rave reviews. I didn’t know their cheesesteak was a sandwich with a meat patty with coleslaw and fries on it, no cheese. Ignorant, I expected a cheese steak with shaved steak and cheese, ya know? So did the guy next to me, who asked “Is this the cheese steak?” to which the waitress responded with an exasperated “YES” and walked away disgusted, shaking her head. Food wasn’t good, and staff was not friendly. But the market area was great – lots of stuff on the street and in the stores that was not typical, like those German Anise cookie/pastry things and a huge selection of meats and cheese and pastas.

We got to stop in the Harrisburg area on our way and caught up with Jules. Thanks to her and the girls for providing a crash pad! We had a great meal and played a game that I never won. Hehe. Only had to break up the dogs a couple times, they did pretty good for the most part.