9/9 Southbound

Once again I packed up damp camp gear but that's what trash bags are for! Headed out of camp and took the scenic route along the Maine coast passing thru various small towns along the way. Very scenic with each one providing a different view of the water. Eventually I headed inland to pick up the interstate as my next destination was my brother's in VA. There are not many freeway options other than the dreaded I95. YUCK! First it's a toll road. If that's how they pay for roads somebody is holding out because they are very rough. I passed thru NH again, MA, CT,NY, NJ and DE before calling it a nite. MA gets my vote for the WORST roads so far. Abosolutely bone rattlling with patches on top of patches and very uneven abutments between the roads and overpasses resulting in more sharp jolts. This was by far the most stressful day in 3 weeks. Speed limits are ignored, lane changes are fast and NASCAR style - barely enough space to fit in but they do and back and forth etc etc. I also managed hit NY City at 1700 on a Friday nite. I was dreading the traffic I would encounter. It was slow but not as bad as I expected and the 'Welcome to The Bronx' welcomed me. Fortunately I was on the hiway and not going thru town. Once over the George Washington Bridge you enter NJ and I95 becomes the NJ turnpike. 12 lanes of traffic, 6 in each direction and all full and flying. The speed limit was 65 I was doing 75 and being passed like nobody's business. Again lane changes all around and cutting in and out. I could not do that on a daily basis. I think it was ~120 miles to the border and It cost me $23.50 at the toll booth at the end. What I rip! I get charged for 3 axles with my trailer same as someone towing a boat or travel trailer. What a racket. Those roads should be smooth as glass instead of the horrid mess they are. I continued on thru to DE and called it a nite. I was exhausted after that mess.