My Journey Across the U.S. - Day Ten 11/2/2012: The Final Leg

So, I ended up not going to the Hershey Factory.  Maybe I'll be back, maybe not.  I wanted to get on the road.  I'm almost there!  This drive would be about eight hours, not including stops.  Another long one... my destination would be Salem, MA.  My friend Kimberly is letting me stay with her until I am able to move into my apartment.

I passed states super fast.  I was out of PA before I could blink and into New York.  I had never seen the non-city parts of NY, so I was fascinated.  I forgot to get gas before leaving PA...big mistake.  I decided to stop right away and gas up.  The lines were ridiculous!  I managed to find a station with a small line.  They were out of everything but the cheap stuff.  Great, Marilyn is going to flip her shit, I'm sure.  

On the road again, I got through NY state and arrived in Connecticut.  Gorgeous state, but the drivers are worse here than anywhere.  I don't know why, but they're horrible.  It was around 4pm, on a Friday, and I think people were getting off work.  The traffic was insane.  Marilyn did act up a bit and I wanted to cry.  I really just wanted to be done with this trip.  Kim was really good about keeping me going.  She promised to have vodka when I arrived.

A crossed into Massachusetts and I cried.  Real tears of relief and happiness and excitement. I'm here.  I made it.  I didn't realize how long I had to go still.  Traffic was horrendous.  Friday night, it was about 6pm by then.  EVERYONE was headed home from work and the freeways were parking lots.  The Pike (Massachusetts Turnpike) was a mess... their toll booths don't have lanes, it was a cluster.  I was in the far right booth and had to make it to the on ramp on the far left.  This is crazy.  Then, it started to rain. OK, that's it, I'm done.  I called Kim and told her I couldn't do it.  I couldn't sit in this traffic.  No more.  I can't.  "yes, you can.  you're almost here" she said.  Thank God for this girl, she kept me sane ... TWO hours later, I was in Salem.  I got lost.  Kim is by far the best director EVER.  She got me to her house not using street names, but by describing what was around.

I made it.  I pulled up into her driveway and I just wanted to collapse.  I'm here. In one piece.  Marilyn is still running.  Harley doesn't completely hate me.  Kim poured me some vodka and OJ and we ordered FOOD.  Cheesy fries and a Philly cheese steak with a Greek salad.  I am in food heaven.  We stayed up late talking.  She had to go to work the next day and I was trying to move into my apartment.

I had tried getting a hold of my new roommate, but was failing.  I got nervous.  "Shit", I thought "this was all a scam and I am going to be homeless in Boston".  I start work on Monday... two days from now.