I made piles of clothing and other paraphernalia over the past couple weeks and today it all got loaded into the car. I ended up getting in the car at 11:11am, managed to get the GPS in the car to find where I was going, and off I went!
I drove on a lot of roads I had never driven on before, especially in Delaware. Went through a town (Bridgeville?) that had a sign saying it was the birth place of General Custer. Who knew?
Speed limits varied along the way, the fastest one being 70 MPH. Drove over quite a few ridges. I only stopped once, at a rest stop in Maryland, but there was another rest stop that right as I passed it I wished I had stopped because it was at the top of a ridge and there were some hiking trails. Oh well!
And, I was surprised – I was in MD almost all the way to the resort! The last 20 miles-ish was in PA. I didn’t realize MD reached that far west. I learned yet another thing new today!
Okay, so I am at the Nemacolin resort just south of Pittsburgh PA. The wifi here is surprisingly not working with my phone so I can’t upload any photos right now. But, I had the most amazing dinner and this place is overwhelmingly amazing so, I recommend, if you are willing to spend the $$$ (cuz it isn’t cheap), you come stay here for a few days. They have lions and tigers, acupuncture, spa, golf, fitness center, meditation house, 24/7 shuttles, wave pool, shops, many different restaurants and bars, axe throwing, bowling … the list goes on and on. I have a little time tomorrow before heading to Columbus so I’m hoping to get a nice hike in before I leave. Oh, and cookies at bed time!
UPDATE: My photos finally uploaded at the 21c Hotel in Louisville, so I’m adding them now.
First off, Kenn arriving at Nemacolin!
And funnily enough, the valet who showed me to my room and carried my bags’s name is Ken! I told him about Kenn but didn’t show him to him. perhaps I should have.
View from my room in The Lodge (there are several buildings with rooms – I didn’t realize it when I booked but this was one of the last ones available to book. But, it’s on the top floor with pretty amazing views so no complaints here.
Some artwork throughout the main buildings
Patio in front of The Chateau (where you check in)
I wasn’t expecting Nemacolin to have and be so much. If I had, I probably may have stayed another night. But oh well. All is good.
Anyway, I had dinner at the restaurant called Aqueous. My rez was for 6:15 so it was pretty empty when I arrived.
A most delicious martini! Made me so happy!
An amuse bouche – ‘shrimp scampi’ on a homemade cheddar cracker with some kind of BBQ sauce if I remember correctly
Smoked trout dip with homemade ‘crackers’ – very delicious!
Roasted scallops with pea puree and lime foam, and tempura asparagus. Oh. My. God. this was so good. This was my conversation with the waitress, Rhonda:
“Rhonda. This. Is. So. (fucking!). Good!” I didn’t say “fucking” out loud since I was in a fancy restaurant. We both laughed and she said “I’m going to go tell the chef – he’ll love hearing that!” Which she did, and she later told me that he was peeking out to watch me eat after she told him I said that. But boy was it good!
Next day I walked around a bit before heading out. Here are some pieces of art I saw:
Chateau lobby
They even have their own zoo – I saw lions, tigers, wolves, fox, goats, bears, donkeys, rabbits – all kinds of animals!
Also came across a meditation building
This is the inside
Front of The Chateau as I was waiting for my car
It was a wonderful stay and I would definite stay there again if I were in the area again. It was over the top but a great place to stay for my first night on my roadtrip.
Talk to you from Columbus tomorrow!