Pulaski Skyway Bridge in Jersey City, NJ

[Gorganzola]

So, I got back from my trip out east to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I drove from Newark, NJ to Allentown, PA, back to Jersey City and Hoboken and back to Newark to grab my plane back home.

Pennsylvania is some seriously beautiful country side for certain. The drive along 78 was quite enjoyable. Of course I wasn't driving in the traffic jams that can happen there. On my way back to Jersey City yesterday there was one that went for miles and miles on the west bound side of 78, thank god I was going east.

I noticed that the speed limits around there are a loose suggestion. 55 MPH means at least 65 MPH, 65 MPH means 75-85 MPH depending on the block of traffic. The cops seem to just let it go as long as they don't see anyone being dumb or tailgating.

One maneuver I found humorous was coming up on my tail, when I'm already doing 75 MPH in the centre lane on 78, passing me, and then pulling in front of me and going 75 MPH two car lengths ahead of me. Is there a tradition of playing leap frog that I'm not familiar with?

The poor 4 cylinder Ford Explorer sure got a work out with 4 full size adults and our luggage in there, that's for sure. Not a vehicle I would buy.

And then there is Broadway Blvd in Newark. I never so so many no left turn and no turn signs. It sure made getting to the airport entertaining. Ended up taking Mulberry and made the way along. The GPS sure doesn't tell you about these things.

The one thing that really puzzled me was this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...S-W_bridge.jpg

What the heck is with that speed limit sign? You think they could make it harder to read?

And anyone ever talk to the guy that has a couch under the bridge?

I was in Journal Square in Jersey City too. I was waiting for someone right in front of the PATH station there. Why don't they just put a crosswalk there? It seems everyone and their cousin crosses there anyways. My favourite (please note a great deal of sarcasim) is the mothers who walk their kids across the street there. Just natural selection waiting to happen that is.

I still had a good time and enjoyed Hoboken. I ate lunch here: TRINITY • Restaurant, Bar, Lounge and of course had to get me a frappachino from Starbucks around the corner. I enjoyed the view over the harbour.

All-in-all it was an entertaining trip and may well do it again sometime.

[SupDawg]

Sounds good my friend. Glad you enjoyed the eastern US. I would really like to go on a road trip somewhere up in the east. I have been to DC and Philly when I was younger, but I would like to go again when I was older. I would also like to check out NYC too.

[polonyc2]

almost made it to NYC--the best part of any trip out East

speed limits are just a suggestion indeed...75 is the average...unless you're in the midst of commiting a crime then 65 is the law

pedestrians are a traffic hazard in the area...be careful of little old ladies and babies walking right through the 'Don't Walk' signs (and full grown adults for that matter---but we can swerve better to avoid any head-on collisions)

NJ is nice too...I have a lot of friends in the Jersey City/Journal Square area so the Path train is my friend...Newport/Pavonia has a nice mall in it

the guy on the coach was just looking to cool off from this hot and humid weather...the bridge acts as a shield from the sun's rays ...hope he can safely move the coach back to his house without getting heat stroke

[PeterT]

I used to live in NYC years ago. I haven't been across that bridge in years. Seeing it in that picture made me realize how run-down everything is in the NY/NJ area. Made me realize what a sad state our infrastructure is in. Shocking. Looks like a third-world country.

[Gorganzola]

I could have gone across to New York, maybe see the memorial and all, but I didn't feel like it at first. I was right by the ferry in Hoboken. $5 to go across, but it was 30 min until the next ferry and I didn't have much more time, so I didn't go across. Next time I will plan for it better. Some of the day was just complete spontaneity.

It did look run down coming into Jersey City. Hoboken was nice. Damn was it hot though, 97F it got up to. I'm sure it can go more though.

It didn't take me long to figure out the pedestrians. They indeed just blindly walk out. I startled a few because I didn't slam on the binders right away so they let me go first, You just learn to expect it.

Turning onto Jefferson I almost had someone burry his frontend into my vehicle. That would have ****** me off, but I tapped the gas and got out the way. You really need to pay attention and be agressive.

[Gorganzola]

I think part of going to New York and Philly is figuring out where to go and what to see. I really don't know what those cities have to offer. It's all great and dandy to go see the Statue of Liberty, the memorial and whatever Philly offers, but there has to be more. Those cities have been around for so long. Plus, you don't exactly want to wander around late at night in some areas of those cities, and probably not during the day in some areas as well.

Originally Posted by SupDawg

Sounds good my friend. Glad you enjoyed the eastern US. I would really like to go on a road trip somewhere up in the east. I have been to DC and Philly when I was younger, but I would like to go again when I was older. I would also like to check out NYC too.

[Gorganzola]

Might want to tell him to ditch the toque eh!

Originally Posted by polonyc2

the guy on the coach was just looking to cool off from this hot and humid weather...the bridge acts as a shield from the sun's rays ...hope he can safely move the coach back to his house without getting heat stroke

[Sir Skully]

Hey Gorgan, glad ya enjoyed your trip and made it back home safe.
Next time try the south and Georgia, its a slower pace down here.
I've been to NYC a number of times its all a marvel to me.......

[Gorganzola]

hehe, ya, there was no lazing about there, that's for sure.

I'd love to make a trip to Georgia and the southern states. I was in Texas in the summer of 2007, and they had some damn good BBQ. There was a show about BBQ in Kentucky that look appetizing. I actually tried a piece of alligator in Texas. Didn't have much in the way of taste, seemed to be more of a texture thing. I'd imagine there are a lot of alligator dishes in the southern states.

Originally Posted by Sir Skully

Hey Gorgan, glad ya enjoyed your trip and made it back home safe.
Next time try the south and Georgia, its a slower pace down here.
I've been to NYC a number of times its all a marvel to me.......

[polonyc2]

I had alligator tail when I was in Houston...you're right, it doesn't really have a specific taste to it, but I liked it nonetheless

[WhiteEclipse]

That "bridge" is consistently rated one of the most dangerous roadways in the country. You are lucky you made it out alive of NJ and those terrible roads. There is nothing NJ drivers love more than passing you, changing lanes and then hitting their brakes. Just makes their day.

In the interest of full disclosure, I live in NY and we think of NJ as our ugly stepsister.

[ctal]

In my experience, if you drive anywhere in the tri-state area (NYC and neighboring parts of NY, NJ and Connecticut), within a few minutes you will inevitably see someone driving literally 10 feet behind the car in front of him, even if the traffic is moving at 75 mph. Even if the car in front is a big SUV, so that the driver in the tailgating vehicle can't possibly see what the traffic up ahead is doing, such as possibly coming to an abrupt slowdown.

Traffic enforcement seems to occur mostly during off-peak hours, or on minor roads, when and where it is least needed. And it seems to focus on speeding per se, rather than tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and other forms of reckless driving that are much more dangerous, in my opinion, than simple speeding.

Although the majority of drivers seem to have a reasonable amount of common sense, and an instinct for self-preservation, there is so much traffic in this area that, as I say, it is uncommon to drive for more than a few minutes without encountering one of these lunatics. My impression is that a lot of the rest of the country is not like that, thankfully.

Regards,
-- Al

[Sir Skully]

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I had alligator tail when I was in Houston...you're right, it doesn't really have a specific taste to it, but I liked it nonetheless

Yeah I've had the alligator tail deep fried, I looked to see if I still had the soles on me shoes. I though somehow they got hold of em and stuck em in the deep fryer......

[Gorganzola]

Damn, just read this article about the bridge:

Pulaski Skyway repairs will cost millions more than first thought - Breaking News From New Jersey - NJ.com

I'm pretty certain that I went through the 0 and 2 rated sections. Definitely glad I made it through in one piece.

Originally Posted by WhiteEclipse

That "bridge" is consistently rated one of the most dangerous roadways in the country. You are lucky you made it out alive of NJ and those terrible roads. There is nothing NJ drivers love more than passing you, changing lanes and then hitting their brakes. Just makes their day.

In the interest of full disclosure, I live in NY and we think of NJ as our ugly stepsister.

[Gorganzola]

haha, chewing on shoe leather were ya?

Originally Posted by Sir Skully

Yeah I've had the alligator tail deep fried, I looked to see if I still had the soles on me shoes. I though somehow they got hold of em and stuck em in the deep fryer......