I took the first shift this morning and drove to the summit of the Tehachapi Mountains; this is done in one long steep climb and we didn’t unhitch the Jetta. We went cheek to jowl with the big trucks. Even at 45 mph timing of when to pass was a constant mind grabber. Bob then took over and took the caravan down the other side and through the hell hole known as Los Angeles. Think of Seattle at rush hour and expand it by about 30 miles and it was only 3 pm. No way am I putting into this port.
We switched after LA and I drove to outside San Diego to a nice state park on the beach – only it was the start of the weekend and they were full. “Do you have reservations?”
Pulling out of the area the main arterial turned left and I found myself in a neighborhood with streets that went vertical up the side of a ridge. “I don’t like this!!” “Come on, Ron, this is a big Ford truck engine. You can do it.” Up and up then a 4 way stop and a flat cross street, crash goes the rear bumper as we climb the next set running every 4 way stop on the way to the top…. Roar, climb, flat, crash, roar, climb, flat, crash, roar…. For five mini blocks until the top and turned to the left and stopped and rested…
Bob remembered back fourteen years ago in San Diego a state park on Coronado Island called Silver Strand; a quick call to then confirmed that they had space. An hour before sunset I pulled the rigs in and parked 100 yards from the beach. Another long day but we were going to be tied up here for at least three days.
Stats: Averaging 8.5 miles to the gallon; fuel: $3.19 to $3.39/ gallon; fill ups $77 to $122; fill ups once a day while traveling……….
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Glad to see you have made it to the end of the south-running leg without mishap. Does the scangauge provide enough feedback that you can practice some fuel saving techniques with that monster. Pulse & Glide would be reasonable -- that and seeing that no one is right behind you having you pull them along in draft!
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