[MR] Scouting Report: The Road to Pennsic

[annewynne at charterinternet.com]

The road to Pennsic is long, but in good shape. I traveled to
Cooper's Lake and beyond this past weekend and made note of hazards
along the highway. The route I took was I-85 from Commerce, GA, to
US Route 321 (Exit 14 or 16) in Gastonia. US Route 321 to Hickory
and I-40 east to I-77 north (bypassing all of the traffic in
Charlotte). Route 321 is 4-lane all the way to Hickory, lightly
traveled, and takes about 1 1/4 hour to get to Statesville and I-77.

I then took I-77 to Wythville, VA, and on into West Va, and the West
VA Turnpike. After a short stop at Tamarack, The Best of West
Virginia, take US 19 to Summersville and eventually to I-79. If you
have never stopped at Tamarack, it is a good place to stretch your
legs, do a little shopping, and get something other than fast food to
eat. There is a Starbucks in the service area (in all service areas
on the WVA Turnpike)

Traffic on I-77 was light and there was little construction this
year. The routes through West VA were also good with some
construction (but not active on the weekend). Beware of your speed
in West VA...I spotted more state troopers and local sheriffs than
anywhere else along the route. Especially watch your speed on US 19.

Roads in PA were surprisingly good with little construction.
However,there is construction at the Ohio River bridge outside of
Pittsburg. Get into the left-hand land before the bridge. No
construction in Cranberry!

Gas prices varied considerably in the different states. I recommend
you gas up in Gaffny, SC, north of Spartanberg (cheapest gas on the
trip). Fill up again in Wythville, VA along that stretch of I-77/I-
81 whether you need to or not. You do not want to fill up in West VA
where prices were a good 20 cents more a gallon than in VA. Prices
are better in PA, but not as good as SC or VA.

Cooper's Lake was surreal without Pennsic in place. They had begun
to set some things up, and there were a few mundanes packing up after
a weekend's activity. The Serengetti was empty and wind-swept, the
bog's quiet broken only by the sound of crickets. Parking was empty
save for my car. It looked lonely. What a transformation that will
greet us in just a few short weeks!

Pennsic, Here I Come!

Wyn