Anyway, one state down and six to go. We're well on our way now. It's getting awfully cold now, though.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
(Un) Welcome Mat
Well, our first border has been crossed and we are in New Mexico. Oddly, New Mexico has no welcome center over its border. Most states have a glorified rest area shortly after the border to show off why their state is awesome; not New Mexico - apparently their nickname (the Land of Enchantment) is awesome enough that no further information is needed.
Anyway, one state down and six to go. We're well on our way now. It's getting awfully cold now, though.
Anyway, one state down and six to go. We're well on our way now. It's getting awfully cold now, though.
Good Fortune
Thus saith the Panda:
Panda hath spoken. No matter how hard it tries over the course of 2000 miles, this trip will not kill us.
Panda hath spoken. No matter how hard it tries over the course of 2000 miles, this trip will not kill us.
Movin' Right Along
Location: Just outside Casa Grande, AZ
Miles: 63
We are officially underway. After several weeks of waiting, lots of planning and thinking, we are on the road headed for Georgia. 2000 miles of highway, lots of open, empty space (read: west Texas), and unknown weather conditions lay in our way, but we are ready for the adventure.
We've already cleared Phoenix, are rapidly approaching Casa Grande on I-10 (the one rest area is closed now, apparently), and I've already learned something new despite having been on the road less than an hour. Prepaid Visa cards do not work at gas pumps. In fact, the little buggers freeze up when you try to use them there - a rather emotionless woman on the other end of the 866 number said that when they are swiped at a pump, their balance is instantly frozen for a few days. Seems like false advertising - "Use anywhere Visa is accepted" is not the whole truth, apparently.
Regardless, we have a car full of snacks, plenty of music on our phones and about 8 hours of Top Gear episodes to watch/listen to - we're ready.
Bring on the road.
Miles: 63
We are officially underway. After several weeks of waiting, lots of planning and thinking, we are on the road headed for Georgia. 2000 miles of highway, lots of open, empty space (read: west Texas), and unknown weather conditions lay in our way, but we are ready for the adventure.
We've already cleared Phoenix, are rapidly approaching Casa Grande on I-10 (the one rest area is closed now, apparently), and I've already learned something new despite having been on the road less than an hour. Prepaid Visa cards do not work at gas pumps. In fact, the little buggers freeze up when you try to use them there - a rather emotionless woman on the other end of the 866 number said that when they are swiped at a pump, their balance is instantly frozen for a few days. Seems like false advertising - "Use anywhere Visa is accepted" is not the whole truth, apparently.
Regardless, we have a car full of snacks, plenty of music on our phones and about 8 hours of Top Gear episodes to watch/listen to - we're ready.
Bring on the road.
The Noble Steed
In a few short hours, we will be on our way. This trip has been a long time coming, and it is finally here. I am not sure whether I should try to get some extra sleep or finish packing, though my natural inclination is to put face to pillow for a few hours.
Alas, excitement is proving the more powerful emotion, and I am still awake. I am sure that I will be able to sleep in the car, given the distance and its rather amazing flexibility. While by no means a Sleep Number bed, our 2007 Honda Fit is at first glance the ideal small car. Time - and nearly 5000 miles of driving - will tell, of course, but the Fit makes an excellent case for itself as a road trip vehicle for two people.
First of all, the Fit is as economical a vehicle as currently exists on the market. For just a shade north of $15k, the car comes with nearly every option available in a small car except navigation and stability control (though this is now available as of the 2009 version), a flexible, foldable "Magic Seat" arrangement that allows this miniscule vehicle to haul around 60 cubic feet of cargo, and an average government fuel economy rating of 30mpg (28 city, 34 highway, even though that technically averages out to 31 . . .). Combine that with Honda's refusal to play the "options shell game" - each Honda vehicle has a few trim lines with options specific to that level, so there is no negotiating individual options as with other companies - and the Fit is an ideal choice for a small hatchback.
Of course, you can't have everything at this price point. The tradeoff for all of this is the fact that instead of a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine under the hood, Honda instead equips the Fit with the less-talented animal actors who did not make the cut for the most recent Alvin & the Chipmunks movie. They might not be bright or gifted in the acting sense (not that the actual Chipmunks are . . .), but they are decent little runners. And if they run fast enough on their little wheels, they will get the Fit to 60 mph in about 11 seconds. The little guys could definitely use a caffeine buzz from time to time, but oddly, Honda discourages the addition of Red Bull to the fuel.
It is also not the most quiet vehicle on the road. For one, the stock chipmunks have a tendency to emit tinny shrieks of protest during higher-RPM accelleration. 109 horsepower is not a lot of "get up and go" when trying to pass a semi at highway speed. I have looked into aftermarket rodents, but chinchillas are far too costly for the limited performance upgrade they offer. Turns out that both PETA and the fur industry object to this point as well, so performance chinchillas are very hard to come by - politics certainly make for some strange bedfellows.
On another front, while the Fit's 15-inch wheels and econo-box suspension are adequately plush under most surfaces, over any highway asphalt less than glass-smooth, they transmit every little imperfection into the cabin, making for an occasionally-raucous ride. While the decibel level varies depending upon the condition of the pavement, it is fortunately never so intrusive as to be disruptive to conversation or concentration. Or more importantly, to beauty sleep.
The latter is a good thing because the Fit's seating arrangement allows the passenger to lay out and take a fairly-comfortable nap while still remaining buckled and legal:
Though not easily seen in this shot, Brittany is actually sitting in the back seat and reclined all the way out over the front seat, which is folded flat and connected the the rear. Here's another shot from Brittany's point of view:
Well, that's not much better, but you hopefully get the point. This seating configuration allows the passenger to stretch out without their legs dangling off and into the floor, keeping them from cramping and allowing the passenger to sleep leaned up against the rear window. If the rear seatbacks would just recline a few inches, it would make for the perfect rolling lounge chair.
Even with the seats folded in this manner, we still have enough cargo space to carry all of our luggage (choke on that, airline baggage fees) and all the outside snacks and drinks we like (choke on THAT, TSA restrictions). No airline weather delays, no inconveniences in packing or comfort, and complete control over environment, entertainment, and route - plus the fact that every seat is both a window and an aisle seat - make the Fit a compelling road tripper for two. Now if it only didn't take a full day (and then some) to cross the country . . .
Alas, until the Star Trek transporter is invented or the highway speed limit is revoked, such an undertaking is not feasible for everyone. Truthfully, though, even if the transporter were invented, I'd probably prefer to road trip it. I'd just assume save the money and keep all my molecules where they're supposed to be.
On the way shortly!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Continuing Quest For The Perfect Coat
The search for the perfect coat continues. Burlington Coat Factory had a couple good ones, but out of our budget. Wilson's Leather had a better selection and much better prices, but I decided to sleep on it. Anybody in Phoenix, please let me know where to find a good place for coats!
In the mean time, enjoy this picture of me looking like a polar bear.
"Rawrrr!"
In the mean time, enjoy this picture of me looking like a polar bear.
"Rawrrr!"
The Quest For the Perfect Coat
Talking to my family today, I found out it's around 17 degrees in GA. When it's 71 in Phoenix, we have no use for things known as sweaters and jackets. So on the Great Georgia Trip Checklist is to shop for winter items.
Thankfully, since it is 71 degrees, all winter clothes are on sale and clearance. Unfortunately, said winter clothes are hard to find. Phoenix has no clue what winter clothes are! Not a surprise since Phoenix doesn't do winter, but you'd think they would have some winter clothes.
I was able to manage to find two sweaters. And tonight I'm on the hunt for a jacket. David has a leather jacket, so he's taken care of. But I only have hoodies. Not exactly wedding attire. So hopefully we'll have luck on the hunt. Otherwise, it's going to be very very cold...
Thankfully, since it is 71 degrees, all winter clothes are on sale and clearance. Unfortunately, said winter clothes are hard to find. Phoenix has no clue what winter clothes are! Not a surprise since Phoenix doesn't do winter, but you'd think they would have some winter clothes.
I was able to manage to find two sweaters. And tonight I'm on the hunt for a jacket. David has a leather jacket, so he's taken care of. But I only have hoodies. Not exactly wedding attire. So hopefully we'll have luck on the hunt. Otherwise, it's going to be very very cold...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Is It Pronounced "Root" or "Rowt"?
We have a start point, an end point, and a "stop-for-breakfast" point somewhere around the middle to visit some family. Start and end are ludicrously far apart, but therein lies the adventure and the challenge: enjoy the voyage just as much as the trip itself. Here's hoping, though that this idea does not progress from "adventure" to "irreconcilable differences." Nearly 2000 miles of road and over 24 hours of drive time is a long time to spend with anyone, no matter how much you love them, but I think our combination of patience and stubbornness (Brittany calls it "determination") should see us through.
First off, though, there has been an update as to the timeline. Brittany cashed in a bit more PTO than we had originally planned for, so we consequently have a total of three extra days for this trip. We will leave from Phoenix on Saturday, January 16th at around 5pm, as opposed to the Tuesday plans that we originally had. While Google says that this trip will take close to 29 hours, it assumes that one drives the speed limit - in some cases lower than the speed limit, as the average speed needed to make that time is right around 60mph. While I'm certainly not known for heeding speed limits, who in their right mind only does 60mph on the highway?
The route we plan to take is fairly simple: get on I-10 eastbound in Phoenix and stay on it until it meets up with I-20 in west Texas. At that point, we take 20 clear through the rest of the state - the gigantic, desolate, boring western portion of the state - until we take a slight detour to Flower Mound (just north of Dallas/Fort Worth) to see Brittany's cousin and family. After the drudgery and monotony of west Texas - the only consolation of which is that most of it will be covered overnight - this will be a welcome break. After stopping to see them, we get back on I-20 and follow it until it reaches I-285 in Georgia. I have yet to deduce why 285 has an "interstate" designation, as it is barely an "inter-city" highway, but this blacktop ring will eventually point us in the correct direction and hopefully put us home sometime Sunday evening. All in all, not a difficult road to follow - very few brains are involved in following it, which is fortunate for me.
In talking about and preparing for this cross-country trek, though, we have encountered a fair share of raised eyebrows and quizzical questioning of our sanity. "Why not fly?" is a common question. "Isn't it that much easier?" Easier perhaps, but there is something to be said for the control over one's trip that driving allows. While certainly longer in duration, driving one's own car allows control over personal space - no crying kids with inattentive parents, no random seatmates with poor hygiene (hopefully, anyway), and one's itinerary is largely in one's own hands rather than the TSA and the airlines. It's also comforting to know that Mother Nature has less pull on a car than on a jet.
Still, covering nearly 2000 miles of road is no walk in the park, and as such, preparation is of the utmost importance. Things to consider include food, sleep, (frequent) bathroom stops, clothing, and mental stability in the face of monotony and road hypnosis. All of these things will be covered later, but the risks are very real and definitely warrant exploring and planning for.
It's going to be quite the adventure - strap in and hold on!
First off, though, there has been an update as to the timeline. Brittany cashed in a bit more PTO than we had originally planned for, so we consequently have a total of three extra days for this trip. We will leave from Phoenix on Saturday, January 16th at around 5pm, as opposed to the Tuesday plans that we originally had. While Google says that this trip will take close to 29 hours, it assumes that one drives the speed limit - in some cases lower than the speed limit, as the average speed needed to make that time is right around 60mph. While I'm certainly not known for heeding speed limits, who in their right mind only does 60mph on the highway?
The route we plan to take is fairly simple: get on I-10 eastbound in Phoenix and stay on it until it meets up with I-20 in west Texas. At that point, we take 20 clear through the rest of the state - the gigantic, desolate, boring western portion of the state - until we take a slight detour to Flower Mound (just north of Dallas/Fort Worth) to see Brittany's cousin and family. After the drudgery and monotony of west Texas - the only consolation of which is that most of it will be covered overnight - this will be a welcome break. After stopping to see them, we get back on I-20 and follow it until it reaches I-285 in Georgia. I have yet to deduce why 285 has an "interstate" designation, as it is barely an "inter-city" highway, but this blacktop ring will eventually point us in the correct direction and hopefully put us home sometime Sunday evening. All in all, not a difficult road to follow - very few brains are involved in following it, which is fortunate for me.
In talking about and preparing for this cross-country trek, though, we have encountered a fair share of raised eyebrows and quizzical questioning of our sanity. "Why not fly?" is a common question. "Isn't it that much easier?" Easier perhaps, but there is something to be said for the control over one's trip that driving allows. While certainly longer in duration, driving one's own car allows control over personal space - no crying kids with inattentive parents, no random seatmates with poor hygiene (hopefully, anyway), and one's itinerary is largely in one's own hands rather than the TSA and the airlines. It's also comforting to know that Mother Nature has less pull on a car than on a jet.
Still, covering nearly 2000 miles of road is no walk in the park, and as such, preparation is of the utmost importance. Things to consider include food, sleep, (frequent) bathroom stops, clothing, and mental stability in the face of monotony and road hypnosis. All of these things will be covered later, but the risks are very real and definitely warrant exploring and planning for.
It's going to be quite the adventure - strap in and hold on!
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