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Road Trip!

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  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited October 2016
    Heading north again, eventually back home. Been a nice trip.

    Speaking of geology, this scene just north of Yakima has always interested me, the photogenic hill on the right. When I was a kid, I was interested in volcanoes, and I imagined this hill to be an old volcano (we went to Yakima often). I imagined having a piece of land with a little volcano on it - I guess my own version The Little Prince. I need to look up the geology of that hill (I never really asked, I doubt it is volcanic):

    https://youtu.be/zyeDoCTGNx0

    And a nice view of the Kittitas Valley. The mountains were really on display, but not enough contrast with the sky, so they are really hard to see:

    https://youtu.be/rnIBiaaHghE
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    And now I am home again. Back to the land of crowded decaying streets and timid inept distracted drivers. Used my horn twice today already B)

    A few more shots, on a rural state highway that mostly caters to farm related trucking. It's a very scenic road, but is rougher than it looks, probably due to a combination of lowest bidder engineering and truck traffic. Still, a relaxing drive - there was a convoy of 3 trucks some distance ahead of me who were moving along at a nice clip, so I set the cruise at about 63 and just enjoyed the drive:

    https://youtu.be/IKFGOPOMVdU

    Same road some distance later, smoother, same situation:

    https://youtu.be/8PAOXzNQw28

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I saw this happen on the road in my area a short time ago - one less 90-93 Accord (one of my favorite Honda designs). I didn't see it, but I heard it. I think the Accord sailed into that RDX at about 25 mph, it was a loud impact. Also shows the diverse vehicles on the road in this area B)

    image

    The old car made it about 25 years, I guess that's a good run. Sad way to be taken out though. I am pretty sure the Acura was stopped in traffic, as it is a busy street at this time of day, near a major intersection. Either brake failure or distracted driver, I'll wager on one before the other.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Hey, fin, we're talking Seattle streets here, right? What are the names of the intersecting roads here at this crash site?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Bellevue. On Main near 110th, kind of kitty corner from the Toys R Us.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Ahh. Ya spotted and photographed a chain reaction, eh? You weren't there right at the time of the accident, were you? That's a good cross-section of the kind of vehicles one is gonna see at a typical Bellevue location on any particular day, yup.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    3 nearly identical CUVs (2 same make and model), all import makes, and an old Honda - that's a PNW cross-section if I've ever seen one. I was about a block away, didn't see it happen, but I heard it, and saw the immediate aftermath.

    It would have been more "Bellevue" with a BMW or Lexus CUV, or maybe a Tesla.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Bet the old beater Honda was not insured. In CA it is the law to have insurance. Too many people get it for a month and let it lapse. Old CamCords are everywhere in various shades of disrepair.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Young guy driving it, probably chasing Pokemon while behind the wheel. I think the uninsured motorist disaster is less here than points south, but definitely a possibility. The car looked to be in decent condition before the crash.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2016
    We're on the home stretch too, hopefully without any incidents. Camped in a forest service "wide spot" last night around 8,000 feet near the appropriately named town of Alpine AZ. The temp on the van at 6am was 35; getting a bit chilly up high. Very pleasant 76° on this leg from Silver City to Deming after a terrific lunch at Diane's.

    Chatted with a couple of weavers who own galleries (Silver City is an interesting mix of a mining community and an arts crowd). Colorado is killing them. All the Texans, who aren't all that flush with current oil prices anyway, are going to Colorado for their vacations now. Something about Rocky Mountain High.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    So was US 180 a good highway to travel? Looks interesting.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2016
    Yeah, we did 260 from Show Low to Alpine and then 180 to Silver City, both were nice stretches of road.

    NM 152 from Silver to I-25 that comes out near Truth or Consequences is a great mountain drive too, but it's slow going. We skipped it this trip.


  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    stever said:

    Yeah, we did 260 from Show Low to Alpine and then 180 to Silver City, both were nice stretches of road.

    NM 152 from Silver to I-25 that comes out near Truth or Consequences is a great mountain drive too, but it's slow going. We skipped it this trip.


    Looks like fun! There were some spectacular stretches on the highway that runs north-south through Jasper and Banff National Parks in Alberta. Sadly, most of the really twisty and/or steep stuff was encountered after dark, so we couldn't fully appreciate the vistas.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Mostly I remember those as great valley drives looking up at the mountains. Seems like you got more twisties going toward Yoho.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I don't get it Fin. but it always seems to me that Seattleites can't drive in the rain - crazy!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited October 2016
    They can't. It rained all day yesterday, and it was misery on the roads. One would think with what seems like 330 days per year of rain here, people would adapt, but nope - they treat 60F and light rain like others would treat 25F and an ice sheet. My average speed going home last night was 11 mph. No crashes, no road issues, just slow. All of the transplants and "new" drivers certainly don't help, either (along with often shameful traffic controls).

    Many can't drive in the dry too. This morning and last weekend when it was dry, I had multiple people blindly pull in front of me at intersections. An epidemic here.




    berri said:

    I don't get it Fin. but it always seems to me that Seattleites can't drive in the rain - crazy!

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited October 2016
    fin-I'm a native Seattleite and I know what you mean. Rain in Seattle means "white-knuckle" careful as can be driving in Seattle. After all, if they speed up too much, how will they stop their car?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Maybe it is the fear of black ice? That stuff is dangerous and I suppose if it hit you once you become overly cautious even if the temp is above freezing? Just one of those ironies in life I guess. Kind of like you can't drive any amount of time in Chicago traffic without hearing the horns blasting B)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    It was like 58F yesterday. If people were afraid of ice, they should have their licenses permanently revoked, and then be slapped upside the head a few hundred times.

    I've noticed more horns on the road around here too, and not just from me :)
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    edited October 2016
    Perhaps, but in the PNW if you come upon an unexpected lane closure, many will let you in. In that situation in Chicago you either have to get your fender aggressively into the other lane, or be able to hold your pee until the wee hours of the evening (hoping a banger doesn't shoot you while you sit there) ! If you are the timid type, you may want to carry an empty McDonald's cup ;)
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Ahh, gotta love Chi-Town.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    A nickname I have seen lately is Chiraq,
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    A nickname I have seen lately is Chiraq,

    I should run that one by the Mrs. and see if she'll tell her family in Cub-Town that one. They might be offended, the hardcore Chicago-uns, but it really does fit. The Police Commissioner apparently has told the police force to sort of "just stand back, out of the fray, and let them duke out their own battles." Don't risk getting involved - it's just much too dangerous.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I think the politicians and judges caused the police problem. Same thing is occurring in Baltimore and is likely to spread.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2016
    Haven't driven around Baltimore for a few decades now. The last trip was a fly-in and we just walked around the harbor area. Sure could go for some crab cakes though. Really need to get my sister to take us over on our next NOVA visit with her.

    Good time to travel right now since no one else is. And the weather is still good in lots of places. So, anyone on the road?
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Just got back from a trip; the airport and planes were just as full and crazy as in summer. Maybe there really is no down time in commercial aviation anymore.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2016
    Heh, another good reason to stick to the road. Other than the heavy traffic driving into La Jolla, our recent camping trip was pretty relaxed, even on the Arizona Interstate stretches where there aren't any alternate highways.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Haven't been to Baltimore since I was too young to remember :)

    I'll be out on a road trip in about 10 days - flying into ATL, driving to Charleston, Savannah, St Augustine, Daytona Beach, then back to GA for a few days. Mostly an air miles/points trip, on a budget. Should be nice to get away from the constant rain we've been blessed with here.
  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,251
    stever said:

    Haven't driven around Baltimore for a few decades now. The last trip was a fly-in and we just walked around the harbor area. Sure could go for some crab cakes though. Really need to get my sister to take us over on our next NOVA visit with her.

    Good time to travel right now since no one else is. And the weather is still good in lots of places. So, anyone on the road?

    My 78 year old mother mentioned a possible road trip. Now that things have settled down after my dads passing, she's thinking of flying to NE Tennessee to visit close friends, then traveling to NW Arkansas to visit others. About 800 miles between the two. Likely my sister would go and do the driving.

    Maybe next year.

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  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    stever said:

    Heh, another good reason to stick to the road. Other than the heavy traffic driving into La Jolla, our recent camping trip was pretty relaxed, even on the Arizona Interstate stretches where there aren't any alternate highways.

    I hate going to visit friends in La Jolla. It is always a zoo, year round. Especially the parkway coming in from I5. A more relaxed but busy way is to come in from Pacific Beach. Stop lights but that is what you get in the Number one destination city in the USA.

    Water shortage what water shortage? Developers are trying to get the public to open up more land for high end suburbs.

    You might then presume we’d be inclined to support Measure B, which asks county voters to clear the way for the Lilac Hills Ranch project in North County, which developer Accretive Investments says will bring 1,746 new homes to a bucolic 608-acre area of Valley Center just east of Interstate 15. It made the Nov. 8 ballot after Accretive funded a signature-gathering initiative.

    http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/sd-no-measure-b-lilac-hills-flawed-20161006-story.html
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2016
    We went in on one back way on the "surface" streets with lots of lights (Miramir? Saw some fighter jets doing touch and goes). My wife was okay driving to the beach - mostly. Still heavy traffic. And then she really lucks out and finds a parking spot a block from the beach. I drove out of town. :)
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Looks like you'll be putting a lot of time behind the wheel on that excursion Fin.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Yep, a few long drives (Atlanta-Charleston and Daytona-Atlanta). I'm hoping for a nice rental car to make it enjoyable.

    4 years ago on a trip, I drove from Jacksonville to Atlanta, and had the nav avoid interstates. It took 6 hours, and it was really relaxing and interesting. Rural GA can have some empty roads, which I like.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Just for Stever:



    http://www.goodshomedesign.com/1929-ford-model-woody-teardrop-trailer/
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    All set ta go ta the Cascade Mountains of Washington state to search for Bigfoot.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited November 2016
    lol, just thinking of the maintenance on all that wood gives me the shivers.

    That coffin box on top of the teardrop really could serve as your coffin too.

    Planning a trip to LA in a couple of weeks. Camp near Malibu, day trip to Catalina, hit the auto show. Wish the days were longer.

    Anyone else got a shoulder season trip planned? Guess @fintail is headed to the East Coast soon. Get some pics for us @iluvmysephia1 in the mountains - gonna be chilly there I bet.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I'll be on the road in GA in about 2 days. Looking forward to dry weather and less traffic.
  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,251
    Wife and I both have the week between Christmas and New Year's off. Have talked about a trip to somewhere warm, but we don't know where and not sure that we'll drive.

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  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited November 2016
    All set ta go ta the Cascade Mountains of Washington state to search for Bigfoot.

    stever, oh, I meant the above to be a caption for you guys ta take that Model T and trailer to go hunt Bigfoot in the Cascade Mountains. We're staying put in the KC Metro. For now. B)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    We like HOME for the holidays. Too many crazy drivers drinking and driving.
    No Plates like Chrome for the Hollandaise. :D
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited November 2016
    Michaell said:

    Wife and I both have the week between Christmas and New Year's off. Have talked about a trip to somewhere warm, but we don't know where and not sure that we'll drive.

    I'd invite y'all down but my BIL is coming that week.... Not sure how warm it'll be either.

    Iluv, thought you were hankering to visit the old haunts there. And some prof at one of the colleges here got in a stink for spending $7,000 in tax dollars "researching" Bigfoot. I mean, this is New Mexico, everyone knows you use your grant funding for Roswell UFO research.

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Iluv, thought you were hankering to visit the old haunts there. And some prof at one of the colleges here got in a stink for spending $7,000 in tax dollars "researching" Bigfoot. I mean, this is New Mexico, everyone knows you use your grant funding for Roswell UFO research.


    Don't ya know!

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    Only $7,500?! Wow; everyone got off cheaply on that! It shocks me how much money we spend on equally fruitless activities when "Joe Public" is footing the bill.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited November 2016
    Well, that's just the amount we know about. We'll never be in the same class as Alaska, although our Spaceport is trying mightily. Unlike your launch facility in Kodiak you have to drive 22 miles of gravel to get to ours.

    Give it time, bet there's more Bigfoot dollars out there. ;)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Drove around ATL today, traffic doesn't compare to Seattle, smooth roads, not a bad day. Tomorrow off to Charleston, a moderately long drive, I've got a nice cruiser for the trip. Fair skies, warm temps, couldn't ask for more.
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    fintail said:

    Drove around ATL today, traffic doesn't compare to Seattle, smooth roads, not a bad day. Tomorrow off to Charleston, a moderately long drive, I've got a nice cruiser for the trip. Fair skies, warm temps, couldn't ask for more.

    We all want to know what car you got...
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    slorenzen said:

    fintail said:

    Drove around ATL today, traffic doesn't compare to Seattle, smooth roads, not a bad day. Tomorrow off to Charleston, a moderately long drive, I've got a nice cruiser for the trip. Fair skies, warm temps, couldn't ask for more.

    We all want to know what car you got...
    OK, never mind. I just saw your description...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited November 2016
    A nice cruiser? Okay, but what is it? :smile:

    Oh, the 300. Different discussion.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Watch out for hydroplaning if it rains heavily down there. Seattle doesn't really know heavy rain very often.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,659
    fintail said:

    Drove around ATL today, traffic doesn't compare to Seattle, smooth roads, not a bad day. Tomorrow off to Charleston, a moderately long drive, I've got a nice cruiser for the trip. Fair skies, warm temps, couldn't ask for more.

    We ate at S.N.O.B. in Charleston. Really good. (casual dress, expensive.. need reservations).

    Also, a hip burger place called HOM (long O). Also, very good. (no point in naming the crappy places).

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