I rose at 6 and enjoyed the industrial breakfast at the Comfort Suites in Visalia, California. Deborah was already on her flight enjoying plane WiFi and eventually connected with me while I was driving to Long Beach. I learned about the local news playing in the breakfast area (no National Fox News playing here, local valuable news instead). The harsh weather has not closed roads on my way to LA. I missed two tornados on Monday in the rain storms that made the drive difficult. I missed the twisters by about an hour each. You have to love driving trips! I got my few items from the room, forgot nothing, and boarded Air VW the Gray, looking for the charger in the same parking structure. Nope.
Today’s travel was shorter, but the EV options were fewer. I had to charge in Bakersfield at 10%, so I looked for other options. I discovered that CalTrans had charging machines along 99 and Interstate 5 in the Rest Area, but they were not offered as charge options (though free) on my Nav. Hmmm. I missed my first chance as I noticed this.
My trip to Visalia caused some backtracking, and soon, I was back on my way towards Long Beach. The hotel was cheaper than the Fesno ones, and I liked the town. It is also where the famous horse saddles (American and also known as Western) came from; the original site is now a bar. I was wondering how I knew the name. The Internet suggests the shop is now in Oregon.
Aside: I checked the pricing. It is $7,000 for a saddle, but at least there is no sales tax in Oregon.
Once I am out of the city traffic, it is mostly 70+ on roads filled with other transports driving between 100 and 55. This requires considerable attention. I drive for about an hour and park, and attempt to charge at a bowling alley with a decent charger. The guy in an electric Ford Mustang (who hates the car and the $70 a day he pays in fast charging twice a day) says, “It is not that fast,” but helps me work out how to charge with yet-another-app (YAA). It takes me three tries and one password reset, but I spend an hour charging to 100%. Walmarts, bowling places, and grocery stores are my leading providers of electrical charges for Air VW the Gray.
I see mountains and wonder if I am again crossing. Yes! It seems I am constantly climbing mountains. This time, it is 4,000+ feet and cold up there. It’s not freezing or snowing this time. I stopped at a rest area and topped off the EV to 80% for free (a 10% charge would not have got me there) while I used the facility. And it does not require YAA! Next time! It is cold and clear in the mountains outside of LA. It is lovely with the farms and then the mountains on 99 and 5. Glad I drove!
Santa Monica bound to pass around LA, and Highway 405 was the following road.
Aside: In the USA, interstates cross states and have one—or two-digit numbers. Hundreds are added to them for local ring roads or connections (thus, Interstate 95 travels the East Coast, and 495 is the beltway around Washington, D.C., that connects to it). Odd numbers run North and South.
LA traffic and folks range from insane speeding and lane changes to slow, scared driving. I am in the left lane and get a stop-and-go, then fly to over 80 and brake to stop-and-go. I am at 60% charge, so all is good. I am happy that I topped off in the mountains. Deborah has landed, and we are both racing to the hotel. I managed to beat her by only minutes. She even sees Air VW the Gray outside as I check us in. We are reunited at the hotel.
We have a few hours, and our room is ready. We get to our room, unpack, clean up, etc. Deborah has a reception and soon heads out while I head to find a hairbrush–the required brush was forgotten. Claira’s Outlet store has a pink metallic one with “Glam” in rhinestones. It is the most subtle one they have. Later, I think it looks excellent in Deborah’s hands when she brushes her hair. Hmmm.
I walk to Rainbow Harbor and all the tourist-like shops and see all the usual food joints for those on high-expense report limits. Prices are not low, but not the insane Las Vegas corporate limit-melting levels. I find a local shop in the local tourist mall selling a nice-looking T-shirt, and I check in with Corwin while looking at all the sailing boats I do not own. I get one for Corwin at Queen Mary Couture in Shoreline Village Shops. You can get some fake fur and a hat for that night on the Queen Mary! I enjoy my walk.
Deborah is done and tired, and her internal clock is on East Coast Time. We stopped at the hotel bar and got a sandwich with the worst Spanish coffee ever. Paper cups and just rum poured into coffee in paper cups. “Yes, we will take cream,” we say, wondering what happened to the whipped cream.
Other teachers from Las Vegas sit with us, order better drinks, and listen to the odd bartender’s suggestion for food. We talk about education and travel. We beg off as they continue with their evening.
I am tired from my drive, and Deborah’s body is in the wrong time zone. We soon are resting.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 