During this stint in California, I had a landmark day — ZERO kms in a single day. I almost fell beside myself! I DID go places... or should I say, I was driven to places. But Sparky rested. His Sentry Mode was off the whole time (which gave the computer a break). I had a chance to ride in a hydrogen fuel cell Toyota, and saw my first Solar City electrical box. I am hardly able to articulate that experience here, but will no doubt show up in a future post.
But this was after my last night at my friend’s place. I had the whole day to myself before meeting up with my brother again in the evening.
First, I must say that it’s so cool to have met up with my brother in the US twice on this trip! I think the best part is that his living in LA seems so accessible now. Driving down to LA seems like such a piece of cake. I only need to find the time off to get down there — which is major challenge for me. This time, I get to meet him in his home environment. And lucky me... he was going to get me into Disneyland and Star Wars Land for free. Talk about connected, eh?
But this day was all mine. I had planned to go to one of my favourite places on earth: the San Diego Zoo. Last time I bought an annual membership on the fly. It made sense at the time... seriously. I suppose when you factor in being able to get my two cousins’ families in for 50% off as well, it was worth it. But when I saw the ticket price of $56/day — and then then $122/membership price, the logic all came flooding back. I couldn’t qualify paying that much for one day — or more accurately: half a day. It was hot, and I knew if I went, I would sit in front of the tiger for a couple of hours before realizing I should see other stuff. No, this was not the time for that.
I decided I could go stroll around Newport Beach for the day. It looked inviting on my way to SpaceX. I sat by myself to have some breakfast. Wow, that sound so pathetic! But honestly, I think I needed it. I treated myself to a speciality breakfast - their pulled pork breakfast!
However, I wanted to so desperately drive. Arriving in Newport and having breakfast, I felt so unsatisfied. Sparky and I needed a date!
San Diego still seemed like a reasonable trip. My friend suggested Old Town San Diego. So without a thought in my head, I headed there on my 1 hr 40 minute trip south on the I-5. I had even half a mind to go to Tijuana, but chickened out. Not yet, Sparky. :P
Old Town San Diego did not disappoint! Free parking for Sparky, and a really wonderful walk around. My favourite? The 25+ different brands of root beer! WOW! I love root beer, but how could I ever choose. I did resist buying a lot as they were expensive. But I did have the Americana.
This park is a wonderful stop! Take the full day to enjoy the entertainment, sit in the various cafes and outdoor restaurants — and take your time through the historical displays and unique shops they have.
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I feel it is of great importance that I get find my video camera to prop it up in my Tesla. Seriously, the drive there and back, up and down through the beige-coloured surroundings — I am so enamoured by the diverse beauty of California. Writing this on Day 137, and having already driven the coast up California, this is a MUST-HAVE experience.
More on that in the next posts.
In fact, the landscape that you are able to witness from the road really does make up for the speed of a plane. When you are riding on the road, and you are actually able to look around and admire your surroundings, road tripping takes on a whole new sensibility. I’m not sure there’s any other way I would want to travel, now that Tesla has allowed me this wonderful life opportunity.
I almost feel sorry for people around me in gas cars who are not able to relax to the extent that I can... almost!
(Note To Self: go back and edit these posts... the grammar and typos are horrendous!)
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This day’s odometre reading: 27,146
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