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Hello fellow road trippers:
We have listened to you our fans who drive
to Florida every year down Interstate 95 (along with the other the 42,500,000 people), and finally, diligently, charted the
130 exits in Florida for our just released 4th edition of Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia. So we now cover 552 exits, all the way from Boston to Miami. Along with our
usual food options, motels, radar traps, radio stations, 24-hour mechanics, ATM
machines, pet accommodations, golf courses and places to shop, we’ve amassed 174 amazing new stories
to keep you entertained. Here are some of the fun things in the new book as well
as events that are happening now that might fit into your travel plans. |
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Wrap It Up
| | 2 - | Why Did Washington Cross the Delaware? | | 3 - | Antique Haven | | 4 - | Gourmet Break | |
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Dance in the Ocean
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We're wired: Download our Boston to Miami Edition
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 | 1 - Wrap It Up
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Whether you are on the Northern end or the Southern end of I-95, there are secret warehouses to score real deals on all that wrapping paper you need for holiday gifts. In GA, at Exit 76, it's worth searching out the industrial park and head straight to the deals at International Greetings Factory Store for wrapping paper, journals, invitations, gift bags, tissue, note cards, ribbons and stationery by names like: Pepper Pot, Carter's, Stephen Lawrence and Zutano. 338 Industrial Blvd. Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. www.giftwrapcompany.com Tel: 912-884-WRAP (9727). 
In the north, at Exit 32 in CT, craft lovers will love the Hudson Paper Company, which is a real wholesale outlet open to the public for all things paper. Around since 1908, it's still run by the same family and is still making some boxes on a circa-1880 machine. Looking for hat boxes, gift boxes, Chinese take-out boxes, rolls of wrapping paper (Sandra's favorite) and tablecloths, bubble wrap, clear bags and ribbon (look for the clearance cart in the doorway) - they have them all. There's one room for party needs (in the left back there's liquidated stock), paper place mats, plastic serving stuff - you just never know what you might score here. Kids might like to see the ostriches, ducks and geese out back. Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. 1341 W. Broad St. Tel: 203-378-8759.
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| 2 - Why Did Washington Cross the Delaware? |
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 To get to the other side. You probably know it as the famous painting, but Washington really did cross the Delaware. Since it took place on Christmas Day, every year there is a re-enactment at Washington Crossing State Park, which lies in Titusville New Jersey at Exit 7.
On Christmas night 1776, Washington had to take a gamble in what was the bleakest time of the war. He wrote, "I think the game is pretty near up". As his troops shivered with hunger and disease, the British and Hessian soldiers were snug in their winter quarters on the NJ side of the Delaware River.
Washington's many shoeless ("Some of them have tied old rags around their feet") troops crossed the icy waters in the dead of night in a snowstorm, and left bloody footprints in the snow. About 2,400 men (including 2 future Presidents - James Madison and James Monroe - as well as future Supreme Court Justice John Marshall and famous rivals Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton) made it across. They caught the Brits and Hessians in a drunken slumber, and the Revolutionaries managed to get them to surrender in 40 minutes. No Americans were killed, though a couple had frozen to death. They captured over 900 prisoners, 1,000 muskets and 40 horses.
The incredible victory flashed through all of the colonies, changing the minds of many battle weary soldiers, and turned the tide of the war. The army that had been on the brink of falling apart now felt that all was not hopeless, and planned for the campaigns ahead.
To join the re-enactors, you can view it from the NJ or the PA side. If you want to get up close to George, though, you should get to the Pennsylvania side of the river by about noon (7,000 showed up last year), since it all starts at 1 p.m. About 15 minutes before it begins, a park superintendent gives a bit of historical background (as above). Then you can hear the commander read Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "The American Crisis". Afterwards, the soldiers get into boats and cross the river, weather permitting (but this of course, didn't stop George, thank goodness....) http://www.stateparks.com/washington_crossing.html
Tel: 609-737-9303. NJ side or 215-493-4076 PA side.
There is more parking of the NJ side and you can easily walk across the bridge (to get to the other side!). Give yourself about 15 minutes for the walk and don't come late as there can be traffic jams. The event lasts about an hour and then you can enjoy the Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum on the NJ side with its 500 item collection, including a real GW letter and swords and muskets. Museum hours that day: 11am to 3 pm All of this is FREE.
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| 3 - Antique Haven |
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You may just find the special holiday gift you are searching for in one of the dozen or so antique shops in the town of Walterboro off of Exit 53. Starting back in 1784, Walterboro was a summer retreat for nearby plantations. It is easy to follow Washington St.'s crushed seashell sidewalk along the newly defined antique row. Get here before the place is discovered and the prices go up.
After your walk, set yourself on a counter stool at the 55-year-old Hiott's for a $.60 or $.80 real fountain coke (cherry or vanilla too) and a pimento cheese sandwich (If you're there the right morning you'll even find 79-years-young Mr. Eddie Hiott as the soda jerk). www.walterboro.org Tel: 843-549-9595.
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| 4 - Gourmet Break |
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Bistro Bethem in Fredericksburg, Exit 130 is an oasis for gourmet food lovers on the road. It is upscale but casual, with live music Tuesday and Saturday evenings and art on display that is for sale. Husband (and chef) and wife team Blake and Aby Bethem serve bistro cuisine with a daily chalkboard of fresh specials. Usually there's a steak/frites plate, but expect to see quail (maybe with mushroom risotto), seared duck with caramelized onions on mashed potatoes, free range chicken or shrimp and grits. Starters will usually include a bisque soup, homemade sausages and grilled romaine salad. Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm and 5 pm -10 pm, Sunday: brunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm & 4 pm - 9 pm. 309 Williams St. Tel: 540-371-9999.
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| 5 - Dance in the Ocean
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What a fun way to end a year or to start a new one. On Sunday December 30 th (8 pm) and Monday, December 31 (9:30 pm) on the beach in Hollywood FL, you can join in the action of OceanDance. This 9th year of their dance performance will feature Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre, whose style ranges from contemporary classics to the avant garde. The ten-member, multi-cultural ensemble is known for its bold and athletic style. The Monday performance will be followed by a New Year's countdown, and there's a laser show both nights. 
You only need to bring a blanket or a beach chair to join in this FREE cultural event. Partygoers are welcome to bring their own treats or purchase them at one of the many restaurants on the Broadwalk. You can purchase a VIP package, which includes reserved cocktail table seating, open bar, party favors and snacks. To purchase tickets, call 954-921-3274 X 233.
http://www.artandculturecenter.org/oceandance-2007
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| 6 - We're wired: Download our Boston to Miami edition
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If you can't think of a holiday gift, just buy our new Drive I-95 4th edition, which now includes the 130 exits in Florida. You can buy it in its traditional book edition (opened lying flat conveniently in the car), but for those of you who are computer wired, you can now download the electronic edition here for a mere $9.98.
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| What's inside Drive I-95 : | |
Look ahead exit by exit to see which motels (with 800 numbers), gas stations, restaurants, campgrounds, 24-hour pharmacies, auto mechanics, radio stations or radar traps are there, and where you can stay with your pet. We share our stories of the road : history on I-95, museums, trivia, towns to explore or places to run the kids. These can be read for entertainment during the drive, and may entice you to stop, stretch your legs and discover someplace new.
Merry Everything,
The Posners.....
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| PS: Buy the book to plan your winter getaway. Click here | |
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