Rain and Rally (Hershey, PA)

Last week (September 7), we left Wellsboro, PA in the rain and drove south all in rain.  Our projected trip was supposed to take about 4 hours.  However, as we approached Harrisburg, PA the rain kept coming down harder and harder.  We made it around Harrisburg and turned east towards Hershey still in rain.  The closer we got to Hershey, the more water there was coming out of the sky and staying on the roads.  We made it to Hershey and couldn't go anyfurther--our turn-off from one road to another was closed due to a collapsed road.  We followed our on-star directions and turned down a street, went up a hill and came to a sudden stop--the other side of the hill was flooded with water and other things flowing across the street.  Pat got out of the truck and walked back to tell other drivers that the road was flooded.  Obviously we were not going anywhere soon and it was still pouring.  Finally, we managed to move enough cars out of the way so Pat could back up into a business parking lot.  We went back to route 422 which is the main street of Hershey--it was crawling due to flooding.  In this picture, you can see the top of a car (police car, I think) which is under the trees.  Later we discovered that the car was actually on a street!  I guess 20 inches of rain (yep-20 inches) will cause all sorts of problems.

 Finally, we turned on a street that would take us to the road we needed to be on.  However, after going two blocks, a temporary traffic control person wouldn't let us go any further and we had to turn down a narrow street with the camper.  Pat handled it very well and we managed to make it to a bank parking lot to try to figure out what we could do.  Since we drive two vehicles, I left to scout out a possible route.  By this time, the rain had stopped for a while and I found a way to get out of Hershey.  We finally arrived at the campground as the rain resumed at a horribly heavy rate and in the dark.  With some help from a very nice fellow camper, we were able to get into a spot without floating into the pond.  WHEW!!

The next morning we were able to assess the situation.  The campground roads were in pretty rough condition and the area roads were still closed.  Our friend, Judy, came out from Harrisburg to spend a few days with us and we did some touristy type things such as going to the Chocolate World and the Civil War Musuem. 

Sunday, the RV-Dreams Rally led by Howard and Linda Payne started.  The campground managed to repair many of the roads so all the attendees as well as other campers were able to enter and establish camp.  The rally was an educational seminar to help both old and new RVers with various topics ranging from RV safety to making the decision of what type of RV to buy to the emotional issue of moving from a stick & brick house to an RV.  This was a first class rally that was worth every penny.  We learned a lot and made lots of new friends.

EASY LIVING!!