This fall break of 2004, I traveled to the North-East of the United States. Starting from Baton Rouge, I traveled first to the Smoky mountains. From there, i went to Shanandoah State Park; a beautiful park with excellent facilities and stunning scenary. From Shanandoah, i went to Washington DC and camped on the outskirts at Prince William State Park: another park with good facilities. After spending another day at DC, i went Northwards towards New York state and spent a night at Locust State park. The night sky was amazing, and we took pictures on Mario's camera. From there we moved towards Lake Placid via Watertown. We stopped over at Lackawanna State Park, another excellent park with great facilities. I then drove to Cranberry State Park, which was the most pleasant experience in the entire trip. Cranberry should be the place to camp if anyone is going that way in the fall. I then drove to Lake Placid, where i camped at Whiteface Mountains campgrounds.

The fall colors were in full bloom almost all through north of DC. On my way back i drove on I-80, which was the best drive of my life. It runs right through Pennsylvania E-W, and the fall colors here were simply breathtaking. The northern Appallecians truely are closest i've felt to nature, ever. Further West, i joined I-71, which took me down the slopes and plains of the Ohio valley, and then further into Kentucky. I camped at the Mammoth Cave National Park, but didnt get a chance to look around, since i was short of time. But its a place i intend to vistit pretty soon. Then, as i continued South, i merged into I-65, and later I-55 at Memphis. Entering into Mississippi, i encountered the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrew, and driving on the Interstate in the maddening downpour was one hell of a ride! Also, it was quiet a welcome back home into Louisiana... i got castigated for leaving the deep South, and actually admiring the beauty up North!

As i entered La, the storm calmed, and it certainly felt like being home again.

Chronology