#villagediner

[kurteckardt]

Village Diner #35mm #film #analogue #photography #villagediner #coburgdrivein #melbourne #kurteckardt

[not-thewarriorprincess]

Yesterday's lunch with my #wifeys at @thevillagediner_ovc Falafel burger and vegan poutine #vegan #fatvegan #falafel #burger #poutine #friesbeforeguys #villagediner

[billpichette]

Ending Part II of the Journey

7/8/2014 – When I tried to enter Clearfield Pennsylvania into the GPS yesterday, there were two towns by hat name in the state, one  a few hours further than the other-who named these towns? – so when the exit to the closer one had no sign for the Econolodge where I was sure I had a reservation, I just about lost it. We pulled into the parking lot of a building that was obviously an old motel which now hosted a convenience store, gym, and tattoo joint. I was going to call when my great nephew spotted the sign for the hotel just up the road. They had newly converted, and even the sign on the wall near the front desk still said Days Inn, with a piece of paper that probably said Econolodge taped over it. The tape at the top of the paper didn’t hold up to the fan that was blowing from the bottom. Later I discovered that my credit card statement even said this was a Days Inn. Well, “a rose by any other name”, right? Either way, the place was dark, dingy, had a crappy breakfast, and didn’t qualify me for Choice Hotels’ promotion, but we saved $20 on the rooms.

Today we enjoyed some picturesque fog-it wasn’t on the highway, but hugging the valleys, waterfalls of the Delaware Water Gap, and “the Greek place in Matamoras”. Another day of travel on the “I’s” I would have loved the chance to photograph some of that fog, but I’ll have to savor the sight since there was no place to stop and capture it. Still, traffic was lighter, the showers stopped, and the state patrol was busy catching other drivers. One my previous stops, I finished some unfinished business left by hurried travels-in the case of Yosemite, I hurried past it 26 years ago. Today, we drove up the road to Dingmans Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which was closed when I passed this way in January. My brother in law discovered this road a few years ago which connects I-80 and I-84 and not only avoids the high country around Scranton PA, but is a relaxing break with beautiful scenery along the river. Just off the main road are several waterfalls. In January I saw Raymondskill Falls, but only as far as the sprayed and frozen trail and handrails allowed. A short walk today revealed Silverthread Falls, a narrow 80 foot beauty, and the more wild 130 foot Dingmans, which looks like a waterslide, but one that would not be amusing. Heat, humidity and timing convinced us that a drive up to the picnic area didn’t sound very inviting, so we headed for Milford. When we got to “the Greek place” we found out that the two places we were talking about were one in the same-Milford PA's Village Diner where I ate breakfast next to the Scottish Inn where I stayed in January is more easily accessed from the Matamoras exit on I-84 and has some good Greek food. Unfortunately they were out of the dolmades-stuffed grape leaves-but our various dishes were great as was my meal last time I was there and my family’s on their previous visits.

A perfect ending to a good day on the road, our Mother met us at the door, each one of the four waiting their turn in the hallway in front of her apartment for a long hug and kiss at the door. We met my sister’s goal, arriving on the eve of her 90th birthday. My great nephew and I headed off for a Ricotti’s sandwich, a warm greeting from my niece, her husband, their daughter, and a nice quiet, clean room in their basement, where I finally got some rest.

So, after a long and fulfilling nine months of travel, stopping back in Idaho to catch up and reconnect with friends, and returning to Rhode Island to what will be a week long celebration for my Mother with family from around this country and Canada, I’ll be plotting my next move, making new discoveries in this area and who knows where next. The journey continues…

[billpichette]

Milford PA and the Delaware Water Gap

1/16/2014 – I knew I wasn’t going to leave RI early, and there was no reason to rush to my brother’s in Virginia in a day. Unfortunately 50’s and partly sunny turned to 40’s and mostly cloudy and by the time I got through Connecticut it was snowing, but it didn’t last. Rain, snow, or shine, though, I had a route in mind that took me away from I-95 and the more direct route to Williamsburg-I had no desire to drive through DC traffic. Also, I had a stop in mind. Several years ago, my brother-in-law found a shortcut connecting I-80 and I-84 in Pennsylvania. It turned out to be a route discovered by early Americans who built the first road through there in 1830. A northern gap-a low pass between mountains-existed in the Appalachians between PA and New Jersey due to the geology of the Delaware River, hence the Delaware Water Gap. The route cuts off some PA hills-always iffy travel due to snow, ice, or fog- and if your timing is right it’s a gorgeous stretch of road. I have been through a few times, but always at the wrong time and usually in a hurry. Not this trip. I planned an overnight stop in Milford PA and would see about hiking around the river the next day. The motel was an old one along US Rte 6 which turned out also to be along I-84, so I didn’t sleep much, but otherwise it was a good room. It also happened to be next to the Village Diner, which had THE most gorgeous waitress and a cheap hot breakfast.

On my way through Milford in the past, I saw signs for Grey Towers National Historic Site I was just curious enough to drive out there on this trip-it`s just on the edge of town. Turns out it was the home of Gifford Pinchot, first head of the US Forest Service and twice Governor of PA. A controversial figure, he advocated the use and renewal of forests, against conservationists like John Muir, but also fought for conservation, opposing clear cutting and the transfer of lands to private corporations (railroads owned a lot of the west and cut down everything). He was a central political figure in the Great Fire of 1910 and a character in the book “The Big Burn” by Timothy Eagan, which I read during the summer of 2010-outstanding book, BTW. The “big burn” 0f 1910 took out over three million acres of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The heroes of the fire and the book, of course, were rangers, firefighters, and citizens who lost their lives and, like African-American soldiers and Ed Pulaski, managed to save some. Of course, the house was closed to tours for “the season”, so I took a few pics and moved down the gap. My first stop was the short trail to Raymondskill Falls, on a creek that feed the Delaware River. Adding the upper and lower portions, it turns out to be the highest waterfall in PA. The trail works up and down, but the trail to the lower portion was frozen over with spray and freezing temps-I almost didn’t notice the “black ice” along the trail until it was too late! Still, a great view and a good enough climb to wake up my heart and lungs after breakfast. Short, though, and I planned on stopping at another falls trail further down the highway. When I got to the road leading to Dingman Falls, I was doubly glad I stopped earlier, since the road, visitor’s center, and for all I know, the falls themselves were closed for “the season”. I managed to enjoy the drive along the rest of the gap and found an access point on the Delaware to get some pics.