March 24th – Scranton, PA
Mar 27th, 2018 by rallyadmin
It’s the day before we’re scheduled to leave for a drive over the top of Labrador in Canada via the Trans-Labrador Highway. There aren’t many winter trips to do on the eastern side of North America so options are limited. The Trans-Labrador Trek will go up through New England, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ending in a ferry crossing from Cape Breton to Port aux Basques on Newfoundland Island. One more ferry crossing from Newfoundland Island to Blanc Sablon on the mainland and we’ll start the Trans-Labrador.
Barbara and I did it in the summer of 2017 to recon fuel and lodging availability. That was really an un-needed trip. I wanted toi make sure that the road would be open during the winter. Of course, when I asked people if fuel and lodging we’re available during the winter, they looked at me somewhat quizzically, “We live here all year, eh.” It was a fun trip anyway, even if the recon was unnecessary.
The Truck is loaded, fueled and ready. It’s 6 AM give Barbara a kiss and head out the door without my co-driver. Andy, my intended co-driver, is my tenant, has suddenly fallen ill yesterday and has had to cancel. I checked with a few other friends, John and Mike. I checked with Jeremiah who was originally planning on joining us but was unable to put get a co-driver. On this ultra-short notice, no one could make the arrangements. I was going solo.
Barbara wasn’t very happy about it but there would be another car joining me in New Brunswick, Marc G and Mark F, in a VW Rabbit so I would be alone in the truck but not on the road. That made both Barbara and I somewhat less apprehensive so the trip was still on.
It’s still dark. The traffic through Charlotte is just starting but it’s moving smoothly. I’ve got a coffee and the sat radio tuned to something and I’m headed up I-77 hoping to make somewhere in Connecticut.
I’m at exit 77 at Elkin on I-77 when I check my messages. There’s a message from Jeremiah asking if I’ve left yet. I had called him yesterday and offered the seat to him but he couldn’t get everything settled on such short notice. I call him and he’s gotten things worked out and can leave if I’m willing to turn around and pick him up.
No problem. We set up a meet somewhere on I-40. I trun around and head for the meet. A couple of hours latter, near Asheville, NC, we meet. Put his bags in the back of ther truck. Jeremiah gives his wife a final kiss and hug. We’re off again.
This is results in a 4 hour delay and we won’t make Connecticut tonight. But I’m very happy to have a co-driver. I call Barbara and she’s very relieved.
We make it to Scranton, PA, for the night. The hotel as has a good restaurant right behind it. Get some dinner. Day One in the books. We’ll have to re-arrange the itinerary tomorrow to make up the time but things have come together.
Sometimes things work out in the strangest ways.
Obi-wan
