Dad used to refer to Pennsylvania as “Pennsyltucky.” I don’t know why. I didn’t know if it was really a “thing,” so I looked it up. This is what my Preferred Source had to say:
‘”Pennsyltucky” is a slang portmanteau of the state name Pennsylvania and Kentucky. It is used to characterize-usually humorous, but sometimes deprecatingly-the rural part of the state of the state of Pennsylvania outside the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, more specifically applied to the local people and culture of its mountainous central Appalachian region. The term is more generally used to refer to the Appalachian region, particularly its central core, which runs from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and its people.’
Who knew?
Anyway, I hitched up and headed down route 5. I was tired of paying the Thruway tolls.
If you have a few extra minutes, Route 5 is a lovely alternative past vineyards with the occasional glimpse of Lake Erie.
I jumped back on I-90 at the state line, just in time to stop at the welcome center with its most welcome restrooms.
I drove on until I got to the campground I had selected for a couple night’s stay; Penn Wood Campground for Airstreams near Clarion, Pennsylvania. I figured that I’d better take advantage of still being an Airstream owner to visit an Airstream only campground.
It was a lovely campground and it was so much fun to wander around and see aluminum gleaming between the trees.
The people there were very welcoming. They invited me to a happy hour and to a pot luck dinner. We also had an art time, where we did some coloring. I’d be happy to go back!
One evening I went out to eat. I’d seen signs for this chain during my travels, but never stopped. Personally, I would think the Parking before Eating would be a better idea, but they didn’t ask me.
Also, if the theme of the restaurant involves Parking, why do they have a pick-up window? Again, they didn’t ask me…
Apparently Eat’n Park is related to Big Boy. Either that, or they are involved in some heavy-duty copyright infringement.
And, as luscious as the pie looks, I skipped dessert.
I mean, they had orange marmalade! I didn’t need dessert.
While I was sitting at the table, I took particular notice of the Heinz label.
It bore a striking resemblance to the symbol Pennsylvania uses for their state roads. Now, I know that Pennsylvania’s nickname is “The Keystone State”. According to State Symbols USA that is because it was the middle colony of the original thirteen colonies, and because Pennsylvania has held a key position in the economic, social, and political development of the United States.
If you want more information about how arches work and why the keystone important, check out this page on ScienceABC.com. There is a cute little gif that demonstrates the principle.
Anyway, I wondered about the relationship between the Heinz logo and the Pennsylvania road sign. Heinz is based in Pittsburgh. I wondered if they convinced the state to use the same shape for their road signs as they used for their labels.
I did some research, and came to the conclusion that the road signs came first. I don’t remember how I decided that was the case, but I think Heinz did a great job piggybacking their brand to the state logo. I know I think about Heinz every time I see a Pennsylvania state route sign.
Well, enough rambling. It’s kind of amazing how your mind wanders and ping-pongs around when you are traveling solo.
Back to Flo. I hitched up in the morning and headed to the Mothership.