Top Gear-Pennsylvania

  Heading out on the
Interstate today? Better take a
lunch! 
  I remember when the
Interstate Highway system in
our area was just taking shape.
  In fact I remember covering
the groundbreaking ceremonies
for the junction of I-81 &
I-80 just outside of Hazleton
back in the mid 19
60's.
  Back then they were know as
The Anthracite Expressway (81)
and The Keystone Shortway (80).
  Don't you just love those
terms? "Shortway." "Expressway."
  They actually sound fast.
  Yesterday I used Interstate
81 to go from the Bear Creek
Exit on Route 115 to the
Central Scranton Expressway.
  The trip took three times
longer than Governor Scranton's
speech at the dedication!
  The delay, this time, was for
pot hole patching.
  I'm beginning to think we might
be better off to let the pot holes
form until the entire road has
found it's natural level.
  When Interstate conditions
are just right you can zip along
from one state to another.
 But those ideal conditions
only seem to come along about as
often as a solar eclipse.
 In my opinion there are
times when you should do
everything possible to avoid
any highway with the name
'Interstate' attached!
 The first is Winter!
 During my active on the road
reporting days there were two
occasions when I literally
spent the night in a car on
one of these 'Expressways.'
 Both involved a simple
mathematical formula. 
  Slippery roads plus one jack knifed
tractor trailer equals two
Interstate highway lanes closed for
12 hours!
  Summer, on the other hand, is
when maintenance and repair
work stalls traffic.
  Of course they do warn you.
  You'll see a State Police
Car with flashing lights
parked on the side of the road.
  They're usually set up
a couple hundred feet before
the traffic jam and about a
half mile past the last exit
you could have taken.
   So, with the travel season
just ahead, may I respectfully
recommend that you enjoy the
scenery and slow but steady
pace offered along Pennsylvania's
back country roads.
  The pot holes are just as good
as any you'll find on the
Interstates!
  Happy motoring. And may all
your NEWS be good!