Day 2-Nomad Rule #1: Always Befriend the Guy with the MillerLite

September 20th, 2025

After a tough hunt for diesel in a pretty downbeat Utica, NY, we struck gold (or at least fuel) with James—Red Sox cap proudly on—who’s been running his small downtown service station for 36 years. He pumped our diesel with a smile and let us know he’s a Sox, Celtics, and Pats die-hard. Who could’ve guessed?

Fueled up, Rolling Royalty was back on I-90 West, bound for Presque Isle, PA (297 miles) and Sara’s Campground just outside of Erie, PA. The drive was stunning: endless vineyards stretching across the fields and the historic Erie Canal keeping us company along the way.

At Sara’s Campground, we met our neighbors, John & Bobbi from Pittsburgh. With a Miller Lite in hand, John (retired from Heinz after 36 years) told us about the company’s shift after the family era ended and the Kraft merger began. “The good old days were gone just like that,” he said.

We swapped stories over beers and wine, while Jess gave Bobbi a royal tour of our rig. Dinner was easy, delicious Thai takeout, and by 9 p.m., we were tucked in, feeling like we’re starting to get the hang of this nomad life.