Pittsburgh to Atlanta

[vaneramos]

I left Pittsburgh at a quarter to ten in the morning and arrived in Atlanta a quarter to midnight. The trip took at least three hours longer than Mapquest suggested. My frequent stops only partly accounted for that. I seem to remember Google offers more generous estimates. Next trip I must remember to mark the Google times on Mapquest maps, which are more useful.

The route passed through West Virginia and Virginia, which I'd visited before, and the Carolinas, which I had't. I was impressed with the highways, lined with forest most of the way from Buffalo to Charlotte. I-85 through North and South Carolina was not so nice. It reminded me of Ontario's 400 series of highways: billboards and devastation. The stretch through Georgia seemed nicer, but unfortunately I ran the last three hours in the dark.

As ever, I am enamoured of the land. I badly wanted to turn off Pennsylvania and West Virginia highways to explore their forests and mountainsides. Roadside wildflowers and butterflies blazed past. Next trip, I'll remember to allow more time. I love long drives with pleasant destinations.

Comments

[dabroots.livejournal.com]

The trees and wooded areas along the Appalachians are beautiful and downright comforting. I'd love to spend more time hiking through them. I spent the first six months of this year in the horrifically barren west Texas, and felt seriously deprived.

Hope Atlanta is okay for you. I wasn't impressed by the environment of the place during my couple of visits there.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Atlanta quite a bit, but of course the experience of the mountains affected me more deeply. Sorry we couldn't connect during this trip. The schedule was about as full as I could handle.

[dabroots.livejournal.com]

It's fine that we didn't make contact. I thought we might literally run into each other during your visit, as Ziggy lives one block down the street from me and Erik about four blocks further. You've known them a long time, and I didn't want to insert myself into something that had been planned long in advance. Thanks for getting back to me.

[dabroots.livejournal.com]

And about Atlanta, I've been there only on business for 2-3 days at a time and about all I saw were big highways, covention centers and hotels. One of these days, I'll have to go there for a leisurely visit and give it a fair chance.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks Gary. It was wonderful.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you arrived safely. I imagine there is plenty of flora and fauna to see just at your destination. And if you and Stephen could manage to give each other all the hugs I'd like to be giving each of you, you'll have a lovely time. ;-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks Pete. We shared lots of hugs.

[jwg.livejournal.com]

If you have any time to visit Asheville (NC), or drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back instead of an interstate I'd recommend that

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I wanted to follow the Blue Ridge Parkway, but that's one thing I ran out of time to research. Spending a morning in the Smokies made up for that somewhat. I'm sorry I didn't have time for Asheville; I've heard lots of good things from various sources. I would like to travel to Atlanta again, and the drive from Pittsburgh was a bit too long, so Asheville could serve to break it up nicely another time.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

i'm glad you enjoyed the drive. i've been feeling an urge for a road trip for months and envy you all that scenery.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad I decided to drive instead of flying. Not that I dislike flying, but I derived great enjoyment from seeing so much landscape on this trip. I would happily drive it again.

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

I know you're super busy and on the road but when you get a moment would you mind sending me your address to anoisblue@yahoo.com?