Driving to San Diego

Date: August 14, 2005

      I am, besides being laid off, tra la, remodeling the house in San Diego. This means I drive back and forth (about 500 miles each way) right when gas went to $3.09 / per gallon. I have to go thru San Jose and Los Angeles. (No help for it - LA extends all the way to Las Vegas these days.)
      I also received a recall notice on the truck - seems the front ball joint suspension --- oh Lord. I also need brakes (60%) and a lube and oil (overdue).
      Rats.
      Needless to say --- I am driving anyway.
      Getting up early and leaving early has been my pattern.
      Thursday night I loaded my truck and was hot, sweaty and exhausted - having spent the day breaking down my home office. (Not essential things - just software, books, etc.) It hgas been muggy, hot and miserable for weeks.
      Until the floors are in at the house (laminate - oiled maple - light wood look), I am limited by what I can haul down to San Diego.
      So I opt for tables, boxes and stuff. Included are the two base cushions from John's sofa so I can sleep in better comfort. The chaise from the patio is lacking in creature comfort. I do not do well on floors.
      Friday, I overslept and did not get up until 8:30AM - about four hours late.
      Ho hum.
      I got on the road by 10:30 - and after about an hour I realized I had fed the dog a can of food but neglected to put out the dry food. I had put out bones. Chews. Whatever. And lots of water.
      Rats.
      The cat - who insists on barfing on the rug whenever I threaten to leave - barfed on the rug before I left. He has canned food (to stop barking) and dry food and water too.
      (And another barf trail was there on the rug when I came home.)
Little Bit can forage. Maybe she'll get her booty back into the house now.
      I stopped at Bernal for gas and coffee - decaf.
      I then headed down 101, and missed 152East.
      Rats.
      This is not good. I saw 1the sign for 156 and knew that I had overshot. I have done this before. John was with me.
      Unfortunately, I managed to leave my California map at home.
      I guessed at 46 being a connector - that's Paso Robles - and got off. (The McDonald's was crowded (the line was long for the ladies' room.) It was too crowded to get a drink.)
      I went to the Chevron and could not pump gas!
      Someone was emptying trash and we (two of us) managed to get the gas flowing. The handle is designed for a big man to operate! Boo hiss! Avoid that station in the future! I don't like to arm-wrestle gas pumps.
     
      When I went inside to pay (because of course the Visa was acting up. It's OK IN San Diego and IN Fremont, but not at stations in between. (Guess I am supposed to use the transporter. Beam me up Scotty.) I took a look at a map and did not buy it. (I was annoyed at having to walk inside.)
      I got on 46 West. Which is the wrong direction.
      Rats.
      101/46 South was slow as molasses so I got off at Hearst castle exit (slow) and did a U turn and went back up several miles (they go fast at 70 MPH) 101 to 46 East, where I got to follow a big slow red truck all the way to 99. (100 miles.) Heavily loaded, I did not even attempt to pass. No one else did either.
      I did not turn South on 5; I went for 99.
      This is because I drove 99 so often before with John in the car. I go to a specific MacDonald's on White Lane.
      It is crowded, hot, and I have to wonder why I keep going there. I make a note to stop. Enough already.
      I drove down 99 toward San Diego.
      I hooked up to 5 where they merge.
      I also decide that I will not do 99 anymore.
      I hit Los Angeles at 5PM - on a Friday night! EGAD! It took 2 1/2 hours to clear LA. It has been worse.
      Rats!
      I must be insane. The Gods really are crazy.
      I got to the house at 8PM.
      Oh yes, I need a better driving route.
      And leaving early is a must. Not too early. Some McDonald's don't open until after 6AM. San Juan Capistrano is one such. And I ALWAYS STOP THERE. That one is a ritual.

      Of course, this time, the parking lot was torn up (of course), someone knocked on my window and was asking for money (the manager couldn't find him) and I had some ice cream in retaliation (bad Mommy!).