Wednesday, February 2nd

Today was one of those maintenance days. 

For me, that meant I fixed a couple of do-dads around the motor home, then took a nap.

For Judy, it was time for a cut, color, curl and manicure.

While I have little to report today, I would like to take the opportunity to share my observations on the Southern California freeways and the people who occupy them...

First, did I mention that I hate the freeways out here?  If I didn't, then let me state now that I HATE THE FREEWAYS OUT HERE!

Once we have set up camp, we have two forms of city transportation...the Smart Car or the Harleys.  Both can handle any kind of traffic situations and the Harleys are only restricted to paved surfaces.

Around these parts, a larger than normal number of vehicles appear to be luxury imports like Acura, Audi or Mercedes, but for some reason, the simple turn signal does not seem to an available option on the models sold here.  In any highway congestion situations, the drivers are switching lanes to gain a better position more than Kobe Bryant jukeing down the court.  As a result, riding or driving on the freeways is a white-knuckled experience to say the least.

The most frightening thing I've seen here, and I've seen it way to much, is "lane splitting".  Lane splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between lanes along the broken white line on the highway.  In the short period we've been here, I have seen it dozens of times, especially when the traffic slows during rush hour or because of an accident or construction.  Now given the extremely low odds of a "cager" (Automobile driver) using a turn signal to change lanes, this puts the two wheeled rider in serious jeopardy. 

Anyway, one thing owning a motorcycle has done for me, is to cause me to look for the "alternate" route.  There is a lot to see on the city streets and back roads between points A and B.  Things you will miss on the freeways.