December 6, 1999, Monday- travel day- but with a short distance- 120 miles from Pismo Beach to Ventura, no need to rush. It was great ride, over beautiful route 101, next to the ocean. The place we checked into, we found out today, had been flooded last year. Flooded up to the roof of the office/general store. The Ventura River is adjacent to the park, and with last year's heavy rains, combined with some poor damn management, the water came up and everyone had to get out their snorkel. The owner's hands are somewhat tied- whereby he can't build a berm along the perimeter, nor can he dredge the silt filled river channel. Both would change the flood plane. So, the cable had been destroyed, along with most of the phone lines. Installed in its place is a siren system- to warn you if the water starts to rise- and you must head for the hills. Unfortunately, the owner is not replacing the infrastructure needed to restore the property to its former self.
Tomorrow we have to get to Torrance- on the southern side of LA. Although it's only 80 miles - everyone says to allow three hours, and pray. The coach next to us is heading to San Diego tomorrow, and is leaving at 3 AM to get through the traffic before it's total gridlock. When we leave in a week- we won't play that game- it's easier to sit in traffic, or so I say now.
Susan's cold from the last 3 days is getting better, and my foot is starting it's pressure problem, again. I guess that's the good news and the bad news.
December 7, 1999, Tuesday- fortunately the 3 AM departure by our neighbor was not heard by us. Our 8 AM departure was greeted by light traffic for the first 50 of 80 miles, then a 20 minute backup at the junction of "the 101 and the 405" due to a truck having a broken driveshaft, and backing up traffic for miles. After that, smooth sailing again- and our 80 miles went in under 2 hours. Everyone says that's a miracle for LA. Our meeting with Michael on financial planning went well, and we got to finally see his office and meet the support staff.
Our homeward journey was via the scenic route- along the coastal highway- past the beaches of Redondo, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Venice, Hermosa and Palos Verde. Lots of diversity ranging from little beachy places to mansions.
December 8, 1999-
Wednesday-
a reunion day today. We drove to Patricia's lovely, cute, quaint, and
beautiful
home in the hills of Santa Barbara. Susan and I hadn't seen her for
two years- but we all picked up where we left off, with warmth,
friendship and catching up on two years of travels. She moved into
her home two years ago, and recently finished an extensive remodel.
It's up to the standards that Susan was ready to move into. Need I
say more?
We then all walked down the hill to the lower village and did lunch with Patricia's dog Lilly, and Hobbes, on the deck of this wonderful Mexican restaurant. Afterwards, the entourage cruised down to the beach, past the fancy hotels and landscaped mansions. This whole area is definitely upscale, and ranks right up there with the best places that we've visited.
After visiting some more at her home, and doing some online holiday shopping for both us and Patricia- off to a cute little Italian restaurant- continuing, nonstop, with our catching up on each others lives.
December 9, 1999, Thursday- with the possibility of wet this afternoon- we gave Hobbes a touchup wash with the hose and a few gallons of shampoo, and then off for a two hour walk along the beach. What more could someone want. As the clouds came in the afternoon, sans rain, we cruised into a local mall to get some photos done, and came across an AT&T Phone Kiosk. I had noticed that the case was cracking on our cell phone- so I asked about a replacement case. They suggested that we go down the street to another AT&T shop that was a real business, as opposed to licensee shop, and they could help. Off we went, and they said- oh- you have to go to a town 15 minutes south- where they have an AT&T repair facility behind the shop- and they can help you. So, the adventure continues- and off to the third shop. The repair facility is a different operation- in the rear of the mall. Trek on--- the repair place doesn't stock the cases- so we are back to square one, and will try to call on the 800 phone number, and see what's up. But, it was a nice afternoon to chase- and see some new areas.
December 10, 1999, Thursday- did you ever start a day expecting to go one way- and then the rest turns into a bizarre direction. It started out with the normal tire rotation to be done at the free Goodyear dealership. No problem- until they say- please check out the brakes- the front ones are totally shot and the rear have less then 10% remaining. I sort of expected that since we have had some brake pedal pulsing. With the 60,000 mile service due in 3000 miles, it was do it now or do it latter. Then, check out the leaking shocks- well, with 85,000 miles between being driven and towed- okay- replace the shocks. How about the serpentine belt that's now showing cracks? It's usually replaced at 60,000 anyway- so do that also. $721 for a free tire rotation… but I worked a small deal. The dealer was going to clean off the oil that covered the bottom of the car- since our oil filter leak in Death Valley.
Goodyear took me back to the coach for a few hours while they did their thing. Susan, Hobbes and I walked downtown and cruised the neighborhoods and antique shops.
Back to Goodyear…all is done- but they couldn't get all of the oil off. Why not take it to the car wash down the street- where they can steam the bottom for $20. What a deal! Next thing- the owner of the shop comes over to ask if the "check engine" light was on before. Naturally it hadn't been.
So- off to the Jeep dealer, where they will take us in and put the car on the computer. What do you do while they service the car- cruise the new car line. Next- you get approached by a salesman who guarantees that he will get you a price that is going to be beyond belief! During the time the salesmen is preparing prices- the mechanic resets the engine computer for $65, and lets me know that the rear end is making noise. Jeep had rebuilt it at 36,000 miles, 14 months ago. Also, a drive train seal is leaking.
The salesman returns and is really working a more then fair deal- if you really want to spend for a new car. He is offering a price for our car slightly higher then the price I had checked out on the internet, and is pricing the new car $20 over the invoice copy that he produced. Still, when you go in at 8 AM for a tire rotation, and it's now 6 PM and someone wants you to fork over $19,000 plus taxes- you take a deep breath. More examination reveals that California wants you to register all new cars in their state- and pay the big bucks, plus pay their 7.25% sales tax on the full price of the new car- not on the net trade. Also- they will only give you a tag to drive the new car straight out of the state, and not grant a 30-day temporary tag while Texas will process their registration papers.
So, we leave the dealership- still with a $1000 difference in price, and several thousand in taxes and registration fees. Add to the facts of not having our ownership with us, (it's at Steve's), needing a different tow plate and wiring to enable the new car to be towed, (which would have to be overnighted from Nebraska), and that fact that we're scheduled to move 100 miles south to Long Beach on Monday- we decided to take a bye.
On the good news side- our cell phone rear case is starting to crack- so a call to AT&T- a replacement phone is on it's way. It's been since February since we had a replacement phone, and over a year and a half since we started service- but they said we are still under warrantee. It's not for me to complain.
So, I tried the same with Nokia on a battery that's failing after a year and several hundred charges. Slightly different- we have to send them the old battery and will receive a new one by overnight express. At $100 plus for a new battery that we almost bought yesterday- saved a few bucks. It almost paid for today's car repairs.
December 11, 1999, Saturday- a better start to the day. Off to the car wash from yesterday- and get back the $65 that the Jeep dealer charged to clear the computer "check engine" light. Then we headed towards Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. A coastal route seemed in order- with bright sunshine- the homes along the beach and on the hillside in Malibu were something to write home about. Rodeo Drive lived up to it's reputation- full of "le crème de la crème" shops. All of the high-end jewelry shops- from the Tiffany and Harry Winston- on up, were represented. All of snob appeal clothing shops, gift shops, and galleries had their respective storefronts. I don't know if I'm losing touch with reality- but $400 pairs of shoes on sale for $279 didn't seem to be mainstream America!
We took the scenic route to get to "Junior's" deli for lunch- which included a trip into downtown LA and through the Spanish, Greek, and Oriental sections before returning to yuppieville.
We heard an interview on NPR from a Panama Canal ship pilot. His usual type of vessel- the largest that would fit through the canal. The oversized container ships are 965 feet long and 106 feet wide. Dimensions of the locks- 2 feet bigger in each size, and 15 longer on each end. Now that's a tight fit by anyone's standards.
Next stop was the Christmas boat parade in the Channel Island Harbor. At seven PM boats of all size started cruising up and down the many channels in the harbor area. Now we are talking all types of vessels. Some were kayaks with lights strung from end to end. Others included giant sailing ships with two masts. In between were all sizes. Decorations ranged from mangy looking strings of a few lights, to some ships that looked more like Rose-bowl entries with ten and fifteen foot high displays, from stem to stern, and loud speakers that could be used in a stadium. Thousands of folks and hundreds of dogs were out and about, sharing in the holiday event. One typical California scene- was a young man who wore a sweat shirt and his shorts, no shoes or socks. Since the temperatures were in the low 50's- he brought along a Coleman propane space heater to warm his feet as he stood next to us for an hour.
December 12, 1999, Sunday- a perfect day for a bike ride. So, the perfect ride was started along the beach, on the concrete boardwalk. For the next 15 miles- in and out of the harbors, with hundreds of sailboats. Then we stopped for a few minutes at the displays of the Channel Islands National Park. Back along the beaches, watching the surfers, roller-bladders, bikers and families playing along the way. No wonder so many people have chosen southern California as their residence.
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