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We rose early to be ready for Universal, as we had a 9:15 tour, and I had to drive across LA to get there. Apple Maps estimated an hour and 15 minutes, which was about our actual travel time. We had cereal with milk and Deborah, and I had coffee. We boarded Air VW the Gray and then crawled across most of LA to near Hollywood for Universal Studios and Park. I had decided our best plan was a VIP tour as it covered everything we wanted to do, plus a nice lunch, and valet parking for Evie.

We arrived, walked for quite some time, missed the VIP sign at first, found it with help, and then signed in. We met our fabulous tour guide, Laura, who would be with us until almost 4. While they waited for the other guest to arrive, a lovely breakfast was served, our second one, and it was wonderful. Filled with baked goods, yogurt, and even shopped salmon, we were ready to start. Laura introduced herself, and we headed across the park to the backlot tour.

The tour had us visit a sound stage, walk the backlot with Laura explaining things (with here collegue Sara; Laura had another group and us, while Sara had a larger group). Laura, who had been a tour guide for ten years, answered our questions and added even more to them. She was friendly and enthusiastic. We cannot imagine a better guide.

We walked through the prop warehouse on the first floor; it was amazing (items are rented for 15% of the value a month, Laura shared). We saw items from various movies, some of which have since been repainted or revised for other shots and usage. Laura explained and pointed out these items as we walked (look but no touch).

This tour was great and the best thing we did. Laura then walked us to the Harry Potter section, and we rode two rides, Jeanne passing on them, but Deborah and I were both happy to do the Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff rides.

We went to Muilon Rouge for the VIP buffet. The food was wonderful and fresh. We spent an hour there. We met Dracula on the way in, who suggested we were going there to die, but Laura rather playfully corrected the vampire’s usage to dine. He asked us to eat well, as we would meet again!

We would meet Dracula again, and I later realized he was in a reproduction of Bela Lugosi’s costume with matching makeup, a white vest, a white shirt, and a white bowtie. He asked me, as I was wearing a St Louis Arc T-shirt, what I thought of the experience of the small containers used to lift people. I told him how small they were and that the trip might be too short for him to finish his work. He assured me it would be enough time for that,  but he usually flies up to the top in bat form. He showed a lot of fang while we chatted, and his tough crossed his teeth when we discussed his work in the lifts in St Louis.

Laura appeared, and we were soon back on track to see the rides, but the other folks had other plans, and soon it was just Laura, the three of us. Laura took us to the base of the park via a set of escalators.  Laurea walked us through the rides and explained their themes. No spoilers. It was great! Mario Land was excellent. All recommended (though some rides are short, one only 27 seconds).

Laura walked us to the Hogwarts part of the park, and after that, we said goodbye. A most excellent guide. We got Butterbeers and the 10th-anniversary glasses. I had mine poured into the new glass. I remember it being way too sweet for me, but today it was refreshing.

Shopping followed (I resisted anything more), and then at 5, we headed out (the park closed at 6). Traffic would not be good at 5, and we decided that dinner now was better than hours later (and it would not likely be cheaper in Long Beach). The Vivo Italian Kitchen fit the bill (the chairs looked more comfortable than at another place), and the manager checked in with Deborah to ensure her dinner was prepared within her parameters. I had a steak, Deborah had salmon, and Jeanne had pasta. No booze for me as I had lots of driving to enjoy (iced tea).

We thought Universal had excellent service, and while we were VIPs, it seemed that everyone was looking out for us and wanted our visit to be special, VIP or not. Laura walked us through everything and the park, explaining as we went what she liked about this show, this ride, or that cafe. She was greeted by the other staff, and we were greeted as VIPs. While expensive (don’t ask, hundreds, here), the VIP includes valet parking, breakfast, lunch, a fast pass, and being escorted onto every ride by your guide (Laura for us). It was just wonderful.

Aside: I checked, and it is too expensive (thousands of dollars) to do this for Disneyland.

We got the car back from the valet, which was included in the cost, and then took 90 minutes to get back to Long Beach, with Nav taking us through parts of LA on the local streets to avoid some highway traffic. It was fun to see more of LA.

We reached the hotel, and soon folks from the East Coast were resting (Deborah and Jeanne). A favorite board game, Concordia, is coming out in a second edition, and I pledge to it. I then wrote this blog.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow is a bus tour of LA and Hollywood.

I am at the hotel, and the folks from the Eastern Time Zone are already sleeping, Deborah and Jeanne. I have just returned from a short visit to The Cove Hotel in Long Beach (not near any water) to use their excellent charging stations. I learned that while in a sketchy part of town, it is inexpensive and very secure, with an excellent pool. Often a stopover hotel for cruising folks. I felt very safe in their modern-looking parking lot using new 350kW charging machines to charge Evie to 100%. I then returned, burnign 3% (!) and a most convoluted way back to the Hilton. Still, we are now ready to use the Air VW the Gray for some local trips.

Before this, Jeanne, Deborah, and I headed to California Pizza for Happy Hour appetizers and drinks. Our lunch at Chili’s was late and heavy, so nobody was ready for dinner. We chatted and talked about our plans and just enjoyed each other’s company (having known each other since elementary school). We had worked out that we needed to allow 1:15 travel time to Universal during rush hour. We also need to be thirty minutes early as stated on the tickets. We would need to leave at 7! Another early morning for me.

Before this, I was waiting at the cell phone lot at John Wayne Airport while they collected their luggage (Deborah and Jeanne). Their plane from Detroit was on time, and I arrived just as they did. I had reached the airport after traveling for more than four hours. The last restroom was across the mountains in the San Joaquin Valley, as all the others were closed. The parking lot was across from Grueggers Bagel’s, and I got a cup of coffee there and used their restroom, yay!

(Don’t slow down, even in construction, I learned, or you will become a hazard.)

I had started in Fresno at another IHG hotel and rose at 5:30, dressed and all that, and grabbed some complimentary breakfast, and was on the road by 6:15. It is nearly a straight shot out of the valley, and I drove 75 mph (120 kmh) for most of the trip with cruise control on. Only slowing for the Sheriff and construction. It was hard-charging driving with the traffic and often aggressive drivers.  It required extreme attention for most of the time. I did call some folks at quieter times and put on the local radio stations to cover the road noise.

It is already a blur, but I did enjoy it and never felt scared. There were some rock hits, but none cracked the windshield (so far none have starred). I did argue with Nav about when to charge the car, and finally we both agreed on Walmart on the other side of the mountains.

I climbed the mountains on Highway 5 and soon burned through 20% of my charge (glad I had plenty) to reach 4144 feet at Tejon Pass. I stopped after the pass at a familiar Walmart (having used it on my last trip), charged to 100%, and used their restroom (as, again, nothing was available in the mountains, as they were closed). I watched some Battleship New Jersey videos on WW2 paperwork that was recently rediscovered in the National Archives. I then had Nav suggest an alternative route through Pasadena, since Highway 5 was experiencing issues, and I agreed. We then spun around the LA area in the hills. Finally reaching the airport rather unexpectedly, there were only a few signs before I hit “Welcome to John Wayne Airport.”

I made two laps until they had all their bags, and then I was happy to see them, and we loaded up the car. Deborah found the Nav voice annoying (I was used to it after days of travel), and I was ordered to a toll road, which I would have rather ignored, but we thought it was another traffic issue; we made good time, as did the other lanes, some going faster than the toll or HOV-3. We arrived without issue about thirty minutes later. The valet held the car while we checked in. Deborah could get the rooms early, and I had the bags delivered (for a large tip), including the bags of food and cases of shelf-stable milk. The rooms are suites and great.

And I think that covers everything. I wish I could make a story out of the road trip. It is now just a bunch of flashes and the farms in the valley. The pass is a hard drive with a warning about overheating your car’s engine. But it was lovely up there. Again, just flashes of memory and experience. Towns flashing buy.

Thanks for reading! Off to Universal tomorrow!

I rose early, at 5:30. Having showered and swum the night before, I just wet my hair, packed up, and dressed. I was headed out after rushing my breakfast at the hotel, the usual IHG industrial breakfast, and getting coffee to-go. Evie was fully charged, and we took on the mountains again at 6:15.

BTW: Californian Highway Patrol (CH(i)P).

The power was going fast, and the Nav voice that comes with the VW complained that its plan was not working, so it changed its charging plan. This happened before, and I thought it was caused by the 40°F (4°C) temperatures, but it was the climb to over 3,000 feet again. This is a Google Maps application integrated with the EV’s information to create a live-updated plan. It even checks if the chargers are in use before recommending them.

The mountains were breathtaking; the Shasta area is one postcard moment after another. I passed Lassan Volcanic Monument signs as I traveled south on Highway 5 in Air VW the Gray. I will be staying in Chester in a B&B on the way back to spend a day at Lassan.

Traffic was heavy all day, and driving was tough. I put on Eco mode and the cruise control, usually set at 75 mph (120kmh) except when the CH(i)Ps were concentrated. I did see a Volo Stationwagon pass me with some enthusiasm, only to be reminded later of the cost of speeding by California’s Finest. The fishing for speeders was easy after all the fast downhill driving.

The land became a plain and farmland. Olive fields announced Corning, California, was approaching, the home of The Olive Pit. I did not stop for product, though I plan to on the way back, but tried to get an early charge at 400kW in Corning. Despite being on my list, it was only Tesla-style charging. I avoided 400kW after that.

I found a 350kW that worked for me, added it to my trip on Nav, and for $32, was back to a full charge. I planned on three chargings today. I switched from the recommended chargers to more expensive but faster 350kW stations on the Nav (it plans the trip and charging to minimize cost while keeping to a fast schedule). I also always booked a 100% charge to have spare instead of taking the EV to 10%. I do not want to be stranded or stressed about having to find a charger now. I can afford the time and money for an easy trip.

I texted (forgetting Joan S, today, sorry) my city-by-city progress to Dondrea, Z, and Deborah. I stopped at various rest stops as needed and ignored the Caltrans chargers, since they appear as red lights on my app. No longer working or very low-rated speeds. Circle J brand truck stops also provide 350kW charging and, while more expensive, at least have food, coffee, and a nice restroom. They also feel very safe. Some of the chargers are in urban areas and come with all that means. Tomorrow I will need a charge on the way to pick up Deborah and Jeanne at John Wayne Airport, and I hope to hit a Circle J.

Lunch was some pretzel sticks (a guilty pleasure) while driving, and then a salad with a hard-boiled egg at Circle J while I charged and used the facility. Good, except I should have checked for egg peel (adding a small extra crunch to my lunch).

Before, I had flagged it, the CircleJ, as a replacement for the location suggested by my Nav, a 150kW place, and found myself spending 2% traveling back roads for four miles (about 2-3 miles to a percent), then taking Highway 5 again to another highway, and finally reaching 99S to Fresno through the valley. With close attention to speed limits, as CH(i)Ps were everywhere. Still, it seemed like a better plan.

It was sunny, and I went for 40s to 80s with no humidity. The wind is icy cold from the ocean.

And while it seemed forever, I finally arrived in Fresno, early (!), and was happy they had a room ready at the next IHG (they were understaffed, I was told). I got my bags out of the car (to make Evie less of a target), and found room 202, the usual comfortable IHG single with a large bed. The AC was maxed, and the room was dark. I turned on the lights and discovered there were no complimentary water bottles or even a coffee maker to prevent waste. Well, I agree to the idea, I miss coffee in the morning when I wake (I will have to get a cup and my instant from the car).

Next, taking the car back on the highways, I drive four miles to a 350kW and max out the charge for tomorrow. I look at food ideas, but I would use 5% or more, and that defeats the purpose (though the steakhouse looked good). I have never tried an In-N-Out Burger, and there is one next door to the hotel. I return to the hotel and take a nap. I dream strange dreams and wake after an hour.

I walk to the burger joint and have the regular with fries and a diet drink. I read more about the American Civil War. The burger is OK, and the veggies are crisp and fresh (American cheese is not a fav), but the fries are undercooked. Later, after telling Dondrea I thought it was not equal to our Burgerville, she points out the $10 charge (in California!), and that I should have ordered (what I learned is off-menu and a shared secret) “double animal-style” to get grilled onions and secret sauce on a double cheeseburger and skip the fries. Secret burger incantations, who would have guessed?

I returned to the hotel and read for a while; my book is ending with the crushing of the last fighting army of the Confederacy at Nashville. I return to my room, having enjoyed a coffee with my book, and start to wind up my day. I write this blog.

And that takes me to the end of today’s travel day. Thanks for following long with Evie and me, enjoying mountains, plains, and urban areas all in one day. I am also anxious today after some nightmares last night, and that is finally fading.

I have put the locations in Nav, including a 350kW charging station on the way. I learned how to create a multi-stop plan to pick up my fellow travelers tomorrow by practicing with Nav. Five hours, with a charge, to John Wayne. I will head out just after six. I should arrive at the airport as they deplane, if all the plans work. Wish us luck!

Thanks for reading!

PS:

I forgot to say that I am traveling for two days instead of flying or doing the 20-hour drive in the EV. Beaverton-Shasta area to Fresno to LA.

While I was waiting for the first charge, I got out my laptop, watched YouTube videos, and called folks. I don’t like to sit in the car when it charges as it is very boring.

I rose at 6ish as I could not return to sleep, and it was a travel day. I had run everything but my PJs in the washer, wanting to avoid having dirty clothing at the house for nearly three weeks while I travel. I tossed that into the dryer and started on the blog with some instant coffee and a banana for breakfast. I had changed into clean PJs and clean sheets the night before. Those will be OK, as I used them only once.

I focused on finishing the blog and washed the few dishes I’d used when I was done. Just one cup of coffee. I published it after a few hours and talked to Deborah. Next, I showered with new towels (again, only used once) and dressed (with some of the clothing that was washed).

With the blog done, the extra laundry completed and put in my suitcase or being worn, and getting my suitcase in Air VW the Gray, aka Evie (the name Evie was used for EV in some of my text-to-English, and I liked it). I managed to jam the suitcase on the seat, leaving plenty of room for Deborah and Jeanne’s baggage and for Jeanne in First Class.

I then collected the trash from the house and put it in the bin, set the heat and AC to vacation mode until I return, and set the water heater to low. I placed my waterproof light coat and two hats in the EV (I would need them today). I arranged the items within easy reach so I could snack on them. With that done, I hit the road. It is Highway 5 until mid-California, when I head towards Modesto, not San Francisco, on Sunday.

I cut across Beaverton and Tigard to 5, then 5, until I stopped at Yrika, California, about 3:30. I do stop in Canyonville at the Seven Feathers Truck stop to charge, get a sandwich, and then continue. There was one bathroom break too.

The trip was a challenge as traffic was often moderate to heavy. I enjoy the trip and remember all the places I want to return to, as well as a few I would like to try. It always seems that Oregon just keeps going, and suddenly, there is the stateline. The steep declines up to 7% kept me busy dodging trucks.

Mount Shasta in CA.

In Yreka, after I checked in with a very helpful staff person who upgraded my room for $3 less than my price, no surprise to me, as I have done it in the past. She warned me that the pool room was hot because the thermostat had been splashed by some baseball team’s pool party and had stopped working. They are still waiting for parts and will put a box over it this time.

In my room, I immediately headed out again, found the charge station at Miner Station on Miner Street in Yreka Old Town, and spent 45 minutes charging for $22, bringing it from 45% to 100%. This charger was half as powerful as the last one. I walked through the town while I was waiting (thinking it was fifteen minutes). I found some places to eat, and an Italian place, Strings Italian Cafe, interested me most. Discovering I was stuck longer, I looked up the places, and a Thai place scored near me did well, as did the Italian place. A steakhouse with a 3.5 rating, a point lower, was my first choice, but its website, when you went to it, was up for sale, suggesting that there were no more.

I was disappointed that I missed out on a bookstore as it closed at 4.

With the charging finally done, I drove around town. Found a sign at the intersection of Miner and Gold Street. Yes, in Yreka, there are streets of gold, or at least one street named that way. I stopped at the Purple Dragon gaming store, bought a figure since I hate to leave without supporting my local gaming store, and had a nice chat with the staff at the craft and goodies store that shares the space. They recommended the Italian place.

I parked the car, headed into Strings Italian Cafe, and was not shocked by the excellent food for $50, but the service was slow, as it appeared the one waiter was running the place. Still, the food was good, and I had the combo with their stuffed mushrooms (ok), pasta (!), and a slice of lasagna, baked and stuffed in an onion-flavored pastry. It was excellent. The salad before dinner was good, though it had store-bought industrial croutons, and you used a cheese shaker to finish your Caesar salad, which was served with raisins and sunflower seeds (which were good).

I walked after dinner as my watch was harassing me about one more walk. I found that they had a park dedicated to local Native Americans, featuring a traditional wooden structure and a statue. I think Beaverton could use something like that. I took more photos and then let Evie take me back to the hotel.

 

There, I used the pool and planned my car adventures from Yreka to Fresno, a seven-hour trip. The drive from Fresno to John Wayne Airport takes four hours. I am the Uber driver for Deorah and Jeanne on Monday. They land at 11.

And it is time to finish this as it approaches 11 on Saturday. Blogs are written when I can, when in travel mode.

Thank you very much for reading.

 

It will be a short, not-so-interesting blog today, as this is more of a process than anything else.

I rose after 7 to a gray morning, but no rain. The weekend and start of the week in Oregon will be wet, according to the forecast. No need to ask Corwin to water the roses while I am away. At least for the first week.

I assemble my memories into a story and type that into WordPress’s Classic Editor, which has fewer issues (I was told years ago by one of their developers), while Grammarly finds the mistakes, and then I mostly ignore its hints for improving the text. I do this on-the-fly while I am typing. I am mostly asking the AI to find missing commas, missing plurals, and misspellings or incorrect word use. It suggests exchanging some words, for example, the previous sentence was written with ‘wrong’ and Grammarly suggested ‘incorrect,’ which is what I really meant. I might have spotted it, but I appreciate those changes. When it tries to rewrite my sentences, I look for a missing word, add it, and it then goes away. Something I have learned. Still, as Deborah reminds me, it still gets loose and mangles things once in a while. I suspect I OK’d a change when I meant to cancel it.

I also wrote a note to Mom Wild and got that in the mailbox before the morning deliveries. I had a list of items to do and added a few more. I completed the text and decorated it with some pictures. Coffee was made, and a banana consumed, my usual breakfast fare, and I made a bowl of cereal with milk.

I repurposed the milk bottle, a two-serving shelf-stable version, and filled it with liquid detergent, and sealed that in a zip-lock bag. Dryer sheets went into another bag. Ready to do laundry on the trip! Next, I sorted my bucket of coins that I keep on the counter. One bag for quarters, which I had a large supply of (from a previous run at the coin laundry), and another for other silver-colored US coinage. Pennies and non-US coins were returned to the bucket.

I found a 1951 ‘L’ Error Wheat Penny, which, depending on what you find on the Internet, is worth 3 cents or thousands (I suspect the lower amount). It was fun to be surprised and find this in the bucket. I have a vague memory of finding it and dropping it in the bucket for later, which was now. I put the coin aside in the office, as it is just fun to look at.

I published the finished blog, making it the current entry on the public website. Lunch was cold chicken and more potato salad. The last of the chicken is for Crowin to use (or toss later). I finally ran the dishwasher.

I took Air VW the Gray, fully charged, to the car wash again (sadly, not brushless) and cleaned the outside again. Next, I used the vacuum to clean up the inside. I had already wiped down the dashboard and other parts to remove dust and drips from various products. While I was not pleased with the look, it was far better. I returned to the house via the post office (picked up some new stamps).

Somewhere in the morning, before this, I had a shower, and talking to Deborah here and there through the morning and early afternoon, I finally called the colonoscopy people and waited nearly an hour on the phone. We finally agreed on a date in mid-August, and the scheduler laughed when I suggested Margarita-flavored prep (I suggested instead of lemon use the drink name, and you will not need to change anything but the label — more of a mental thing) or that our church needs to buy a six-pack of colonoscopies, as it seems someone is having one, or you know someone. The scheduler laughed when I told her I marked the prep day as a Party on my schedule.

While I was on hold, I put away the clean dishes, swooshed the toilets, and sprayed down the shower. Collected the laundry and ran it. I folded it, and previous loads, and much of it ended up in my suitcase. Packing was happening in earnest.

I then found my dermatological appointment on my schedule and moved it a week earlier, as my return date overlapped with it. I had decided to spend an extra day to see the Lassen Volcanic Monument on the way back to Oregon. More items from my list.

Corwin came by with Hank the Dog and watched an episode of Daredevil. I mopped the bathrooms and vacuumed after a quick pass of dusting. A rushed job, but it still seemed to help and lighten my mood when it was done. Shirts, pants, a swimsuit, shorts, all packed with spare shoes. Hiking boots I placed in the car with a light coat (I am crossing the passes and am always ready for events—traction devices are in the lower cargo area), plus I will need them at the volcanic park.

Dinner was out with Corwin (Hank had to stay in the house, and he was a good boy) at the local strip mall, where they had an excellent, if maybe too large, meal. I had a margarita (Corwin had given up drinking and weed and feels much better).

I returned home, cleaned up the office a bit, which was the last item on my list, and soon went to bed. I slept well and woke too early, but on a travel day, that is the usual.

Thanks for reading.