Highway 50 2017
  
 

Day 02

June 17

  
     
   
  We're both up and after it as we have over 430 miles to do, most of which will be two lane.  
   
  Fortunately, the morning traffic is not too bad so we can make some good time on the interstate portion.  
   
  But before long, it looks like we are about to get an instant replay of yesterday.  
   
  It looks worse the farther we go, but we hope for the best. Weather on two wheels is always a roll of the dice - sometimes it's snake eyes, sometimes it's not.  
   
  Fortunately today it's not snake eyes, so we get off the slab and onto highway 460 to a beautiful blue sky. Highway 460 sort of cuts across Virginia from I81 down to Newport News where the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel is located. I find this route a lot less intense and more enjoyable for getting to eastern Maryland than riding through the DC/Baltimore area.  
   
  We are still dry at first gas break and for that we are thankful.  
   
  As we move along through Appomattox, I see this sign that refers to the War Between the States. I understand it from a historical perspective, but lately with all the bitterness and rancor coming from both sides of the political arena, I'm not so sure about it now. At one time, this noble country of ours had statesmen who would put personal goals aside for the good of the nation. Now about all we have are politicians - poli - many, ticians - blood suckers - who are only interested in reelection and the latest sound bite they can get posted.  
   
  Once we are back on the road, it appears that the dark clouds are just not going to give up.  
   
  Along Highway 460, the sights are always intriguing. From see a beautiful old manse like this one ...  
   
  to an interesting railroad museum.  
   
  We finally arrive in Newport News and head for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel that will carry us across the bay and into Delaware so we can ride on to Maryland.  
   
  There's a bit of a helter-skelter merge into a tunnel as we approach the bridge.  
   
  The rain does catch up with us but there's no good place to pull off and put on our rain gear.  
   
  After wading through the traffic, the rain and paying the toll, we are finally on the bridge.  
   
  It's interesting as you do get out of the sight of land while on the bridge system. From here, it looks like it would be a mighty long way to swim to shore.  
   
  When I first crossed it back in 1973, the whole affair was a two lane. Now the bridges have been duplicated, making it a four lane, but the tunnels are still two lane.  
   
  From what I understand, the tunnels are there so that major ocean going ships have clear passage in to the Chesapeake Bay and ports of call.  
   
  There are two tunnels and this one goes under the main shipping channel.  
   
  It's a little interesting that inside this tunnel is a fair amount of water. I'm just hoping that it's water running into the tunnel from the entrances ...  
   
  Another peculiar sight is of the seagull 'watchmen'. I've been across it when almost every light pole has a seagull sitting on top of it. Today there only appears to be one that is brave enough to weather the storm.  
   
  Finally we come off the bridge and out of the rain, but it looks like the clouds just won't leave us alone.  
   
 

We make it to motel a little later than we planned. Tom and Jan McCrea, old riding friends from way back, are going to meet us for supper. The lady at the front desk tells me that they have already been by to see if we have arrived. As we are unpacking, they pull up. Tom says with a grin -

"Running a little behind, are you?"

I just laugh and give him and Miss Jan a big hug. They are taking us to a highly recommended restaurant in the area called Fratelli's.

 
   
 

Once we get seated, our server takes our picture. I tell Tom -

'Well, that's a pretty good camera test!"

  
   
 

One of my favorite seafood choices is scallops - especially if they are fresh and large. I ask the lady waiting on us -

"I'm from Tennessee. Our scallops are about the size of the end of your little finger and got so much batter you can't taste the scallop. How are yours?"

She assures me that these are sea scallops and they will be excellent. And I have to say, she is absolutely right.

  
   
  Over a great meal with great company, we are able to solve all the world's problems, or at least I think we do. Andy and I are trying to hit Ocean City tomorrow about good daylight so I can get the picture of the start of Highway 50 without getting run over. So Tom and Jan carry us back to the motel and I thank them and give them a parting hug. Knowing tomorrow will be a challenging day, with a ride right through the middle of Washington, DC, I turn in early to check my eyelids for holes. But it is a short examination as I am down for the count before you can say "What happened?"