PA Covered Bridges Tour
On Saturday, July 15, the PACBT took place under overcast skies and favorable temperatures. The day before, Sharon & I packed up Bald Eagle and met Steve and his son Brandt at the VC Diner in Whitehouse, NJ for lunch. Now, the plan was to meet the Mass. Contingency, but being forewarned that they might be late, that did not happen. So, two Wings with the four of us headed for the Comfort Inn, New Holland, PA.
My immediate concern was the weather forecast, which was a washout for the entire weekend. At first, partly cloudy skies with some sun graced us. After passing Reading, PA & while on I-176, the skies turned dark, and we rode into a storm. Heavy enough to slow down but not heavy enough to get wet, we continued on at reduced speed. Five minutes later, sunshine replaced rain, and the bugs were removed from our windshields! We continued on to the motel without incident.
I usually gas up before the next day, so I pulled into a Getty station just before the motel, where I saw a green Wing. 'Must be Art & Lisa', I thought, but the bike was one up, so I thought nothing of it until the green Wing followed by a car pulled into the motel just after me. To protect the guilty, I won't say who was in the car, but there were Art & Lisa!
Unknown to me was that the Mass. Contingency was only about 30 minutes behind us, so shortly after checking in, Michael & Naomi, Bill & Debra and Stew & Ruth showed up. The Comfort Inn was nice enough to permit us to park under the canopy in front of the lobby. Before everyone had finished with the bikes, Ray (R.J.) arrived to join the party.
After the bikes were put to bed, we walked next door to the New Holland Family Restaurant for dinner. Again, PA hospitality prevailed, and after a short wait, we were all seated for dinner. It was at this point that I estimated 16 to 20 for breakfast, so I asked the waitress to alert the manager. So that I might be easily seen, my traditional hat was used to ID me, and breakfast was arranged for 7:30 AM on Saturday.
From the List, I knew Emma Wood was pedaling AFAP to make the event; true to form, I received a phone call about 10 PM Friday night. Emma was held up by a storm, but was nearby & would join us for breakfast.
Back to the weather channel: Let's see; flash flood alert for Lancaster County and rain all weekend. Well, we all know how accurate forecasts are; ever shovel partly cloudy from your driveway? I hoped the forecast was wrong.
During the night, the mother of all storms hit us with a light and sound show big enough to wake me up. OH NO! Solid rain! The storm woke Sharon also. 'What will we do if this keeps up?', I wondered out loud. Sharon thought for a moment, then lit up with a brilliant smile. 'Just tell them this is Wing Ding!', she exclaimed. 'You know, that just might work!', I replied, & we peacefully went back to sleep.
Saturday dawned overcast but dry. At breakfast, Emma, Roger, Dale & Lynn joined us for the total of 17. Naturally, Emma & I had scrapple, that favorite of BJ, included with breakfast. Don't worry, I saved you some for later!
OK, I had asked everyone to print out the trip directions just in case someone got lost. With 10 bikes, I assumed we would spilt into two groups. Well, everyone had the directions, but as for following them, the group just echoed, 'We just thought we'd all follow you!' Art graciously took the sweep position. 'How about the chance of rain? Won't it diminish if we all put on rain gear?' Good idea! So, ten bikes with 17 of us in rain gear formed up & started the first loop of six covered bridges.
Oddly enough, we timed our turns so that ten bikes remained together with few exceptions for the first loop. In route to the first covered bridge, we came upon a horse & buggy and no place to pass. No problem, as we were in no hurry, but the sight in my rear view mirrors and the report from Art, who was our sweep, was awesome! Too bad that there was no way to get a photo. We just followed our Amish travelers, who turned off into a farm after a few minutes.
By about the third bridge, the rain gear tactic had worked! Overcast skies gave way to partly cloudy conditions with breaks of sun and temps in the low 70's. At the bridge in the PP&L park, we took a break for scenery & photos. It was here that I perched my camera on a mailbox, set the timer & ran to the group for our group photo. We even have pictures of others taking pictures!
We continued through several more bridges, stopping at the last bridge in another park for a second photo opportunity & a comfort break. We met a man walking two Greyhounds, and talked with two park rangers who became interested in our tour. Then it was off to the lunch stop.
Just after lunch, Ron Allen showed up in a van with his children. Seems that Ron's GWRRA group had lost a director, and Ron was off to a meeting to assemble (or reassemble!) the Chapter! Ron was gracious enough to video tape us as we left the parking lot to continue on the second loop. Hey, maybe next time, you'll have a trike & sidecar for the kids?
Some of us decided that the rain was not going to happen, including Sharon & I, so we lost the rain gear for the afternoon. The second loop included the high speed part of the trip, north on US 222 from Lancaster to arrive at the first bridge just above Ephrata, PA. Here it was back to those local roads at 35 to 45 mph. On the afternoon tour, there was just one spot for a photo opportunity, about half was through. Some travelers were observed while poking their heads from a window in the bridge; I'm sure someone has some candid photos of that!
During the last part of the tour, there were some very scenic views as well as covered bridges. One of the best views was coming down the hill from Cats Back Road, in which a very scenic view presented itself to the group. Then, near the last bridge, we witnessed a very unusual event, a cow race! Naturally, the bets were on the black & white one.
Sometimes the allotted time is not filled, and such was the case when we arrived at Shady Maple at 3 PM. Too soon for dinner, as we had just finished lunch. So, the group assembled, I announced the end of the 'formal' part of the run, and everyone was free to shop, go back to the motel or just head for home. Those of us staying over debated the idea of returning for dinner around five.
We had gone about 110 miles through 12 covered bridges, and not a drop of rain! Michael asked me to bring my 'rain prevention' skills along for the New England Fall Leaf Run in October!
Those who were departing said our good byes while those staying over headed back for the motel. Again, we were allowed use of the canopy. At this point, some rest was necessary! Towards five, the threat of rain presented itself, so we decided to have dinner at the restaurant next door, and bed down the bikes for the night. The ten of us walked over to the restaurant, and again, after a brief wait, we were all seated together. During dinner, Mike made the comment while Naomi was away from the table that she would even go south for a Krispy Kreme doughnut! So, we put that to the test, starting a conversation on the subject. She simply agreed with just an OK! Maybe next year!
Sunday found some heading out early for the trip home. Sharon & I took a slower pace, traveling back with Steve & Brandt to NJ. Michael & Naomi headed through the back roads, the Catskills, and eventually wound up home. By Monday, everyone had checked in and had made it home. Most importantly, no rain was encountered! In my case, the storm came Sunday well after the Wing was back in the garage.
I want to thank everyone who participated in this ride. I had fun putting it together, and from the feedback, everyone had a good time. To me, that is what has made WOTI what it is. My wish for all of you is that the adventure never ends.
A special 'Thank You' must also go to the staff at the Comfort Inn of New Holland, PA, and the staff & manager of the restaurant next door, the New Holland Family Restaurant. Folks, if you have the chance, these people deserve your business.
Now to get ready for the New England Leaf Run.......