Ms. Adventure

Dec 1, 2008 - Giving Thanks

Coming out of the Thanksgiving weekend, what I am most thankful for is making it back home to San Francisco without incident driving a 16' rental truck. I had to rent a truck to take back a piece of furniture and a few miscellaneous boxes that my parents had been storing for me since I left home back in 1996. I finally bought a house this summer, so I was going to have space for the gorgeous china cabinet I inherited from my grandmother.

We had ordered a 10' truck, which already was too big for our cargo, and when we went to pick up the truck Saturday morning, we were informed that there were no 10' trucks on the lot, so we'd get a 16' for the same price.

Reminder: I drive a del Sol. The entire car could have fit in the back of this truck.

At any rate, we set off a couple of hours later from Phoenix to San Francisco having to stop a few times along the way for my husband to expunge himself of the remnants of the food poisoning he received from the sunny side up eggs he had for dinner at the casino we went to the night before for my mother's birthday.

Phew!

I drove most of the way to our halfway point in Los Angeles due to the aforementioned food poisoning and I must say, people drive like butt. There were a few times when a car would zip past us, nearly taking off the back end of the truck because they had to get around someone who they felt was driving too slowly in the fast lane.

Another thing - truck drivers really can't see you! Like -- really, really. Sure, trucks have these big side mirrors, but I'm telling you there were a couple of times where I almost side swiped someone because I didn't see them until I started switching lanes. Maybe it's my lack of truck driving experience. Regardless, it was really scary.

Through the two nerve wracking days of driving this beast, I have to say I've come out of it with a new appreciation for truck drivers. I wish you all safe travels -- especially for my truck driver brother.

Oh, and that gorgeous china cabinet? The sucker doesn't fit nicely anywhere in my home, so it's covered in plastic down in our basement. :-\

3:42 pm | Categories: s.f. driving, road trip, freeway driving, driving, l.a. driving, trucking, truck drivers, moving, trucks, humor Comments (1) | Permalink | Alert Administrator

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Jul 18, 2007 - And So It Begins... With Yokohama Tires

So, as Miss Crazy mentioned the other day we embarked on a road trip down to our Santa Monica offices in a spiffy 2007 Toyota Rav4.

The first thing I noticed about the car were the tires: Yokohama. I have baaaaad memories of Yokohama tires. My del Sol came with them off the lot and within 3 months, I had to replace the right front tire twice. After the second Yokohama tire bit the dust I decided to go with another manufacturer. I mean, those suckers are expensive! At least they seemed expensive in my college ramen noodle eating days. Take it with a grain of salt -- I have always heard great things about Yokohama tires, but I can't say I've ever had a good experience with them.

Miss Crazy mentioned to me that the rear door to the trunk was very heavy to open/close. I kinda figure that's a "pro" because I'm forever trying to tone my arms in prep for my dream of spinning the wheel and making it to the Showcase Showdown on "The Price is Right". I only wish I'd made it before Bob departed. *sigh* Oh, well...

Just after we crossed the Richmond Bridge we came upon a Mazda pickup that had modified the lettering on its back bumper to make a new word. I'm always fascinated by these people. The ones who modify "Toyota" to "yo" or "toy" or whatever -- you get the idea. The Mazda truck had actually stripped off part of the "M" to make it look like a lowercase "n" and completely removed the "z" to come up with... drum roll please... "na da". Nada. Prolific, don't you think?

Next up: traffic jam for over two miles while we waited to pass a broken down van with a smoking hood. Ouch. I didn't notice what make the van was but it was older -- probably early to mid 90's. As we're trying to get around the van and merge into the lane just left of us, some %^&*!@# tries to weasel in on the left of Miss Crazy and there's no room! Miss Crazy gently veers to the left a smidge more to kindly point out that there really is no room for %^&*!@# to get around (Ms Adventure would have been far more obvious and far less kind).

After getting around the hood-smoking-van it was time for our first refuel. Alright, alright maybe I needed a pit stop of my own (I really had been drinking a lot of water). As we exited the freeway Miss Crazy noted that %^&*!@# was exiting behind us and she wondered if they were following us in a road ragious (yes, I said it - road ragious) state brought on because we'd prevented them from passing us in the aforementioned merge. I just reminded Miss Crazy that I am from New Jersey and it wouldn't be a problem to make quick work of them if need be.

Reinvigorated by the Starbucks running through our blood and the Rav4 all filled up with gas we head back on the road. As we drive I look around the interior of the Rav4. I notice a button that reads "Auto LSD". Say what? Well, Auto LSD (or limited slip differential) is basically a fancy way of saying "transfer more power to the wheels that need it based on traction" for the times you find yourself trying to get your back tires out of a ditch. Happens to me all the time... so embarrassing.

Aside from the occasional speed freaks it really was a pleasant drive down. Miss Crazy is actually a wonderful driver and I don't have to pretend to be comfortable and relaxed at all the way I do when my fiancé is driving (love you, honey!).

9:48 am | Categories: tires, road trip Comments (2) | Permalink | Alert Administrator

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