There’s nothing like planning out a road trip, detailing routes, finding exciting locations to visit, and creating a fun itinerary… and then getting sick. Specifically, getting the flu after flu season is almost over, and despite having a flu shot. A friend and I had planned a fun road trip to central Pennsylvania, by way of the Brandywine River Valley and Lancaster, but it was all for naught, as my immune system decided to sit this one out. Instead, after a few days of rest and recovery, we were left to improvise and make the best of the time we had.
We managed to complete one leg of our planned trip, venturing to the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum has a large holding of paintings by the Wyeth family, and is located on a beautiful piece of real estate in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Wyeth family were painters in the tradition of American realism. N.C. Wyeth and his son Andrew Wyeth are two of my favorite painters, and being able to spend some time with their work again was worth the 1-hour drive, despite the lingering illness. Here’s a link to one of my favorite paintings, “Roasted Chestnuts.”
Beautiful day for a drive.
The museum itself is quite distinctive. My friend was struck by how the entrance to the museum incorporated wood, brick, steel, and glass into its facade.
Panoramic view from the first-floor lobby.
On the way back, the Accord broke the 58,000 mile barrier. So far, it’s been 10 months and over 15,800 trouble-free miles. Aside from routine maintenance (2 oil changes, 1 tire rotation, 1 transmission fluid change, and new air filters for engine and cabin), the only expense I have incurred with this car has been a set of Nokian WR G3 tires in advance of this winter, as the Michelin tires that came with the vehicle perform… poorly… in snow and ice.
And as proof that the best trips can be to the end of your street, we were driving home from dinner Thursday evening when we spotted this view at a nearby park. I kicked myself for leaving my dSLR camera at home, as all I had with me was my venerable iPhone 5s. Still, the iPhone performed admirably and I was able to bring back some decent images.
Not a bad way to end a day, even when you’re full of cold medicine.
Everything looks better at sunset, even a dirty Accord in polished metal metallic!
Thanks for riding along on another adventure with DH. This one might have been a bit shorter than intended, and it was accompanied by some nasal congestion, coughing, and fatigue, but it was still fun.
‘Til next time.
The Open Road Ahead 
…often go awry. One of the best poets ever. Read all your entries. Great reads! I had the song ‘Roadrunner’ by Jonathan Richman stuck on my head after reading these fine entries. Perhaps another trip north of the wall is in your near future? ‘Radio On’🎶
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