Posts in Category: Travel
Indian Wells – Free
To keep it brief (because it’s bed time), today was the first day we got to see tennis. Free admission. It was the end of women’s qualifying (WTA) and almost the end of men’s qualifying (ATP) rounds.
We saw some good hard hitting, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and some cool practice sessions of the players.
Ten feet away, those 130 mph serves and topspin ground strokes are just sick!
We also got to watch the ATP draw picked (from a big open tennis ball). Interesting to see how they split up the top seeds so they don’t play each other in the early rounds.
Other than that, just hung out and enjoyed some free tennis. Thursday will be more official (and all day).
Cars – Rentals Can Be Fun
I love renting cars. Especially ones that are fun and you’ll probably never own.
You probably read about the Volvo C70 hard top convertible in a previous post. Well, due to timing and circumstances, we had to rent a day car before cashing in Becca’s card points for our Indian Wells car.
It was a Nissan Juke. Neat little car! Some may say “ugly as sin” or goofy, but FUN to drive! It also is a turbo and has a 6 speed auto stick! Becca found that by accident when picking it up. When the RPMs get stuck at 5000 and won’t change, something is awry.
For those who are unfamiliar, it is basically an automatic with the option to manually shift up or down without the hassle of a clutch… shifting with training wheels. I had lots of fun… and never came out of shift mode. And the turbo… yup, it got out of the way.
Becca just rolled her eyes.
🙂
Off tomorrow early to return this one for another potential toy!
Rear View Mirror – One Last Time (I Promise)
Last time I “catch up” and hopefully blog as going or just after.
Anyway, we returned late that night after eating Bubba Gump’s at the pier and slept hard. In the morning, we got up early to zoom down to Malibu for pictures and some more driving (yes!).
It was very nice and not too sunny so jackets were a must. The windy canyon roads to and from Malibu over the Santa Monica’s were really fun and hope to have at least one or two POV videos posted on YouTube soon.
If Becca is learning anything on this trip it is to move fast, think fast so you can get as much in as possible because you may not be back. Example given, we needed to be out of the Walnut RV Park by 12 noon. It was 10:45am and we were on the beach. It takes 45 min to get back. Hit da button!
Gone. AT noon +2 min.
Then she still wanted to go walk the stars and the car needed to be back by 4pm with a 29 min grace period. We park the RV in Von’s parking lot, buy some stuff (to be good patrons) and drive the Volvo to the Blvd. We have 1 hour for fame and concrete hand prints. Bam! Done.
One hour to return the car… but WAIT! I spy a Freestyle Photographic Supply and whip the car around. Perfect! I was running out of 120 film (yes, the analog stuff) and had no clue where to buy. Great service, but not very fast when you are in a hurry… I didn’t say anything being a nice southern dude.
Becca was about to pee herself waiting in the car.
We get to the RV, I jump out, she takes off and flies up the I-5 to return it just in time. I mosey along to pick her up. Fair warning, going 8 miles in LA is not the same trip time anywhere else I’m the country.
PS…
We saw a sea gull with one leg in Malibu. Felt sorry for the guy. His name shall be One Leg Fred. Goodbye Fred.
Done. Now off to Indian Wells.
Rear View Mirror – Hwy 1 and Gas Problems
Wow! All I can say is wow!
But I am me, so I’m gonna lie to you and say more.
Besides what I stated about 5000 lb. backsides, dancing and seals, the road is a must-drive. Although smaller vehicles recommended, I loved the opportunity. The Santa Cruz RV place guy said it is worth every bit of 4 hours and 35 mph.
The catch. Make sure you have enough gas. We were getting low and there are few places. SEE photo. Also notice the price. Captive audience… supply and demand! I’m a capitalist so more power to them.
By the way, running behind, we end up taking the final Hearst tour of the day (evening tour) which was exquisite. Yeah, I said it. With a lisp. And a pinky-cocked wrist. And it also was worth it.
Not much has changed there since 1988. We did enjoy the evening tour and live role-players. SEE gallery above. Who woulda thunk it… LARPers at the Hearst Mansion. (again, ask a geek next to you)
