I was visiting friends in Pennsylvania. I rang the common ground office, found there was no public/mass transport whatsoever to Westminster, Md (even though West Md College is there as well as the museum)(regrettably typical of US. We had better transport in the low populated western isles of Scotland even!) Next time I phoned i asked the young woman in the office if I could get a lift to the college if I got the bus to Baltimore. She said sure and I said I'd phone on arrival as I wasn't 100% sure of time and place. Dumb girl was completely wrong and I was stuck in Baltimore. Even problems with taxis (not to mention the cost). first company I rang, said I wanted to go from Owings Mills to Westminster, asked cost. Dispatcher could only tell me mileage rates. Went to Owings Mills, rang same company and THEN I'm told they don't serve oWINGS mILLS. Run out of change, trouble recharging phone card with UK credit card!, but a taxi comes by. Find out it will cost $25-30. Well, I have my tent and that's cheaper than hotel in Baltimore. Get in taxi. Driver (from Indian subcontinent) says "I'm new driver. Can you tell me the way?" I've never been in Westminster in my life, as far as I know. Out of cab, back to central Baltimore. I hate big cities, esp in summer, but I have family to stay with in NY so that's where I'll head. Rain forecast for the weekend.