Great driving roads and destinations, southern PA and beyond..

[kspilly]

So, some friends and I took the day last Saturday and went for what turned into a 10 hour road trip out Rt. 30 West, leaving from Chambersburg. We basically took off with a few points of interest to stop at and snap some pics, but mostly to enjoy driving our cars. We filled up the tanks, and grabbed some 2-ways to keep communication going, and hit the road. Hitting up state parks, and wherever else looked like a nice place to stop and snap some pictures and hang out. Needless to say, we all had a blast!

Now, I'm hoping that some of you can chime in and help us decide/plan out our next route. Basically, if you know of a great route or long road that is scenic and fun to drive, please post it up. Also, if you have been to some great locations around for picture taking, please share those as well! Two of the guys that went with us had their nice cameras, and took some really great pictures. I know one of them is on here and should post up some really good examples..

Again, if you know of some decent roads/destinations/locations in the lower/middle PA areas, or MD, please post them up! Try to give some decent directions of how to get there, and what makes it really nice if you don't mind.

We are also open to adding new people to the drives, so chime in or PM if interested.
Had my mk4 jetta, a mk4 golf, a mk6 GTI, an '11 WRX, and '11 STI on this past run..


Some of my cheap camera pics to give a rough idea.. (yes, i forgot to reset the date )

[dampine]

I would love to see some interest in this thread, here are a few bump pics. I'm not a pro photographer, shooting cars is a worthwhile way to blend two of my passions and I just practice whenever I can.


pineGTI(1920X1280)4 by dampine, on Flickr


SpillyPineRuhl(1920X1280) by dampine, on Flickr


pineGTI(1920X1280)1 by dampine, on Flickr

[dampine]

Spilly(1920X1280)1 by dampine, on Flickr


pineGTI(Edit)(1920X1280)3 by dampine, on Flickr


pineGTI(1920X1280)(Edit)2 by dampine, on Flickr


chris'STI(1920X1280)1 by dampine, on Flickr


pineGTI(1920X1280)9 by dampine, on Flickr


chris'STI(1920X1280)2 by dampine, on Flickr


pineGTI(Edit)(1920X1280)5 by dampine, on Flickr

[Ihaitchu]

Count me in, sounds like fun.

[dampine]

Count me in, sounds like fun.

Yes it was, we are still coming up with the route. It might take a week or so because we have to find a few stops ahead of time. If you or anyone else knows of an amazing driving road or really good scenic route post it up, that's what this thread is for.

Our group is going to do this once a month, we will post up our route and points of interest. if anyone wants to join our train just shout and we will talk.

The inspiration for this thread came from the forums at Clubwrx, we cant let the scoobie guys have people believing they like to drive their cars more than we drive ours.

So to wrap that up, if you found a great road for back road blasts or for nature runs tell us about them. There are some hidden treasures in PA, Also if you don't have a fellow dubber to ride with ask and ye shall receive.

[Ihaitchu]

It's not in PA but I would love to get some pics in Harpers Ferry WV. it's about an hour and 30 min cruise. We could go 81,70, to 66 and go through Antietam and shepherds town. I grew up down there so I know all the roads. HF has cobble stone streets and a lot of history.

[eruhl06]

You know us scoobie guys like our cars more. Anyway I'm ready for the next trip.

[Ihaitchu]

You know us scoobie guys like our cars more. Anyway I'm ready for the next trip.

Hey. My new wheels came off a Subaru, does that count for anything?

[kspilly]

Hey. My new wheels came off a Subaru, does that count for anything?

I was eying some up myself..

Been looking into some routes for a harpers ferry run, looks like there is a lot on the way down there to check out. We'll see what we can put together. I take it there is a lot of picture worthy water area down there to, so that is a plus in my book!

[eruhl06]

Hey. My new wheels came off a Subaru, does that count for anything?

Yea, that counts. I'm looking for new wheels my self.

[Ihaitchu]

Yea, that counts. I'm looking for new wheels my self.

Give me time. I'm sure I'll get tired of these eventually.

[chad413]

The area with the windmills looks familiar... was that in somerset county?

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread, i'm always up for a scenic drive

[kspilly]

The area with the windmills looks familiar... was that in somerset county?

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread, i'm always up for a scenic drive

Yup, we couldn't pass up trying to get some windmill shots! And do keep an eye out on this thread. We are slowly gaining more interest in some trips..

Head from chambersburg down to waynesborro keep going south through smithsburg and pick up 66 there if you're trying to avoid interstates. Sorry I don't know any of the PA road numbers, I'm actually from smithsburg, but I'm not up there right now, I'd love to go with you guys.

Where to after 66? Working on a route to Harpers Ferry, think that's the one you're referencing.. Might end up going rt30 East towards Gettysburg, but then cut over the mountain and head down that way. There are a lot of scenic mountain roads, then through Catoctin Mountain Park to Harpers Ferry. Still working on details though..

Once we get another route plotted out, we will post up and start getting an idea of interest from you guys! If you are not on the vortex too much, you can PM me your number and I'll add it to a list to text routes to..


Went on a trip to Philly on the 4th with some other guys, and overall had a good time. Should be some more additions for some of our upcoming trips!

[DeepSeaDynamo]

Where to after 66? Working on a route to Harpers Ferry, think that's the one you're referencing.. Might end up going rt30 East towards Gettysburg, but then cut over the mountain and head down that way. There are a lot of scenic mountain roads, then through Catoctin Mountain Park to Harpers Ferry. Still working on details though..

If you don't mind the drive being longer I suggest doing just that, once you get over the mountain head south to Thurmont and get on 77 that't the road that goes through the park, fallow that west down the mountain (but don't go too fast, there is a VERY right blind right hander about halfway down the MT) into Smithsburg and take a left at the light. You should take your second right which should be Crystal Falls drive, a great twisty road on the side of the mountain, take that to Rt 40 but continue straight. Shortly after you cross 40 the road ends at Mt Lena Rd, take a right. Take what I think is your next left on San Mar Rd. That will turn into Mountain Laurel Rd, at the end of that take a Left onto Keadle Rd which ends at Boonesborro Mountain Rd which will take you down the mountain into Boonesborro make a left onto Main St (Alt 40) then on your way out of town take a right onto 67 which is a long smooth road with sweeping turns, if you want to go fast you should be ok, but make sure the lead car has a radar detector. Once you get to the end of that take a right and that will take you across the Potomac pretty close or maybe even right into Harpers Ferry I don't remember for sure. You'll probably want to check all this against a map, but it should be pretty accurate, I used to drive on these roads A LOT.

[eruhl06]

I was eying some up myself..

Been looking into some routes for a harpers ferry run, looks like there is a lot on the way down there to check out. We'll see what we can put together. I take it there is a lot of picture worthy water area down there to, so that is a plus in my book!

I have been down there before, it has a lot of scenic spots

[eruhl06]

I'm ready for the next drive, it's nice to take the cars out for a spirited drive.

[eruhl06]

Sucks about your car and waterfest. Are you still trying to get the rabbit ready.

[DankNugz]

Game Farm Rd. starting from Shwenksville out towards Royersford is a nice little stretch of road. I also enjoy driving from Morgantown up to Reading going through French Creek State Park. Another good one is Mount Penn up in Reading. Race from the bottom of Mt Penn to the pagoda at the top.

[udrsoulja]

if you guys are gonna hit up french creek area a good point of interest around there is st. peter's village. haven't been there in a while, but they have food and drinks. there's some really cool spots on the creek to check out with big rocks and swimming holes, but no driving cars up to it. Rt 401 is near there as well and it can be a fun road...

[chad413]

Any ideas on a date for the next drive? The .:R is road worthy again and I've kinda been itching to get it out on a good drive

[kspilly]

Any ideas on a date for the next drive? The .:R is road worthy again and I've kinda been itching to get it out on a good drive

We are trying to figure out a date.. dampine's GTI is getting repaired from being hit, and we've been trying to get to all the shows we can..

Been talking of going 30W again, so we may actually head to your way.. the windmill pics we got from over that way are some of our favorites by far! We also saw a huge auto junk yard along the way that we'd like to hit up..

We'll get through VAGfair this weekend, and then figure out a tentative date.

[eruhl06]

Word on the street says around the new years it will be apart of the group

[chad413]

Word on the street says around the new years it will be apart of the group

Can't wait for spring to get here so maybe I can actually get out on some of these drives. Although with the .:R, I'm enjoying the snow quite a bit too

[kspilly]

Can't wait for spring to get here so maybe I can actually get out on some of these drives. Although with the .:R, I'm enjoying the snow quite a bit too

Glad to hear! Last year seems to have come and gone waaay to quickly, so we are going to try to plan out 2013 a little better...

[kspilly]

Made a drive out of a wheel swap today... Just a trip to Hamburg PA to Cabela's, then to Lancaster, then back home on good ol route 30...

[eruhl06]

Great drive today...that's a sexy WR blue WRX in the pictures. The guy who owns that must have great taste.

[darkhawk]

Depending on the date and destination, I might be persuaded into joining in.

Got a MKV .:R32 that I'd gladly drive around, along with a decent (well, 5 year old Canon SLR) camera that doesn't get nearly enough use.

Only problem is wife and kid. If wife is working, kid must come along. Anyway, let me know when the next one is. I'm in Lancaster right near Park City Mall and I know South central/eastern PA fairly well.

[kspilly]

Depending on the date and destination, I might be persuaded into joining in.

Got a MKV .:R32 that I'd gladly drive around, along with a decent (well, 5 year old Canon SLR) camera that doesn't get nearly enough use.

Only problem is wife and kid. If wife is working, kid must come along. Anyway, let me know when the next one is. I'm in Lancaster right near Park City Mall and I know South central/eastern PA fairly well.

Sounds good man! I'm trying to get some kind of show schedule in the works, so we'll be meeting and rolling out to those throughout the year for sure. Some of those might be around 2.5 hours each way, so plenty of time for some rolling shots..

We have a couple route ideas in mind, but it basically comes down to someone putting the time into researching the routes, and finding some points to stop along the way. State parks are easy targets since they are usually wide open with plenty of picture worthy areas, (bonus points for water backgrounds).


I made a quick solo trip Monday. Made it into a 7 hour roundtrip to pick up different parts to put together my roof rack setup.. Got the bars and basket on so far, need to mount the fairing yet.


Stopped at a WaWa up by Hamburg, and found a pair of mkiv Jettas hanging out.


Makes a trip extra nice when you run into some other car people out enjoying thier cars... Makes it even better when you remember each others cars from smaller shows the year before.

[Two.Show]

👍 Glad you stopped at Wawa that day.

[darkhawk]

I guess it really depends on where and how far you want to drive. I really enjoy the drive up to Canada (my wife is Canadian, so trips are usually 2 or 3 times a year), and 15N up towards NY gets pretty nice, and there's plenty of places to stop along the way.

Tioga State Forest and Loyalsock State Forest are up that way, and about 3 hours to get to from my place in Lancaster. Plenty of places around there to get some photos and such, and with the highway driving mostly, there would be plenty of places to get rolling photos if desired.

There's also Shenandoah National Forest in MD, that's 3.5 hours to get to.

The only other place that I can really think of is just driving up towards Penn State or Clearfield and hitting a number of the state parks just north of that. Could even drive around PSU as well. That as well is around 3 hours to get to. Probably a little less if you don't mind doing 75 on the highway.

Another interesting place...
http://www.pa-mag.com/2009/04/16/best-value-road-pa-44/
The drive from Lancaster to Coudersport is about 4 hours though. A bit longer than I think we would prefer.

Another supposedly great road to travel is PA125.
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/pa125.html
Seems like a better drive overall, simply because it's more...twisty and windy. Unfortunately, as it seems, it's littered with a number of homes and stops and such, which isn't necessarily the best.

Anyway, just a few thoughts. I kinda assume we wouldn't really think of taking a trip until it gets to be a bit warmer. This really cold weather sucks right now. I'd rather just have it snow a bunch.

[DankNugz]

I'll be keeping an eye out for the next one. Does anyone out there live in the Allentown/reading/philly area? I'm in Quakertown.

Sent from my Bosch ECU via VAG COM

[kspilly]

I'll be keeping an eye out for the next one.

Sounds good man. We would like to have one a month, but car shows and other obligations will be large factors in when we can set one up.

If anyone else wants to set somthing up for a drive or trip to somewhere, please feel free to post it up!!

[darkhawk]

I'll be keeping an eye out for the next one. Does anyone out there live in the Allentown/reading/philly area? I'm in Quakertown.

Sent from my Bosch ECU via VAG COM

Lancaster area here.

As far as this Saturday, I'm out unfortunately. Family/life things have gotten in the way now. Hopefully next time though!

[kspilly]

As far as this Saturday, I'm out unfortunately. Family/life things have gotten in the way now. Hopefully next time though!

Understand man. Not sure which direction the next drive may go, so maybe your way...

[kspilly]

Trip is now a 'fun run' all around, not delivering tires at the end.. Still going though. Talk of stopping at the large junk yard along the way, and of course up to the windmills is a must. Still planning on leaving Fayetteville Sunoco around 8. Pm me your number if we are picking you up along the way.