Vette_Fan

I'm here and alive. Just checked in. The goal was Pheonix, but I changed it to Blythe, CA since I was covering the ground pretty well. When I reached Blythe at 9PM, I thought what am I gonna do in a room? So I got gas and continued another 2 hrs, I'm in Riverside, CA now (40 Miles from LA).

My passenger seat was like my home. I had a Pizza, 1 gallon water jug, 2 liters Coke, bag full of my medicines, a bag of candy, Chips/cookies, napkins, garbage bag, 2 full-size Maps of the South Western States and local regions (yes, I still use maps GPS doesn't make decisions for you), and box of Chinese food (Chicken & Rice). You have to realize I was reading the maps and making changes to the route on the fly, while I was eating pizza for lunch and Chinese for dinner, and water gallon, and taking all sorts of meds as needed. When I had my C5, I got pretty used to steering with the left knee...Lol. I only stopped for gas and quick restroom break, that's all. That's why I am in LA area now.

I went from ice, to a clear day, to snow, back to clear, storm with snow, and then back to clear finally California. It's amazing how the scenery and weather kept changing every hour or so. I'll post some pix from my cell phone from today.

Vette_Fan

Smooth sailing - NM (I-40 West)

Vette_Fan

And then I run into crazy AZ high winds with snow and very low visibility. This is where I'm thinking it was a bad idea going through Tonto National Forest, I should have just gone south from Albuquerque

Finally, it starts clearing up again as I approach Pheonix; but I continue to CA. And it's again parked right outside my window


P.S: Tomorrow she gets a "hand wash"

Jeff T.

Sounds like you've had your hands full!! Continued safe travels!!!

cadyshac

Good grief you have certainly battled the weather, beautiful scenery though. After driving thru all of that I bet you know your vette pretty well. You are showing your age with the map thing but I get it, especially when you are travelling alone. Sounds like you have the weatherman beat, good for you. One more thing, watch the parking stops, backing in works like a charm.

BADBIRDCAGE

Hey I recognize the Petrified Forest sign from last year. Stopped in to get a Senior Pass but the Ranger was at lunch so had to continue on to Santa Fe without it.

You certainly have gotten to experience differing and quickly changing driving conditions on your trip. I use GPS but I don’t leave on a trip without the most up to date paper maps I can get from AAA. Sometimes GPS speak with forked tongue. Paper map no lie.

Safe travels. Arrive home and give that car a nice bath. Cleanout that interior, it sounds pretty pigged out right now. That happens on the road.

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SK '08

Crazy weather, indeed ! Thanks for putting some pics up & continued safe travels !!

buckmeister2

Although the painter's tape may have been a PITA to put so much on, it was a good idea. I had the front of an SUV blasted raw travelling long distances through snow country, so I know the value of doing something like you did.

Isn't it great when you hit good weather, and nice road? Did you notice how the Vette is just loafing along at 104?? This is a trip you will relive over and over in your mind, and regale over dinner with others, for years.

Torchsport

What a true adventure that you will re-live many times.
Congratulations on the new C6!

ruxvette

Instead of blue painters tape it looks like you should have used some 100+ MPH speed tape!

owc6

Vette_Fan

Oops, that pic isn't true. The HUD gets confused over 70 Mph, it's just a number.

Honestly, NM has the MOST smoothest road I've EVER driven on. At one point a car next to me driven by an elder man was going so slow, I didn't know why he was going barely 25 Mph on an Interstate Highway? Then I look at my dash, and we're doing 75. My car felt like an electric car - no noise, no sound, barely moving. I swear this is true. I push the gas a little just to see if the car wasn't in idle. I reach 90+ and it feels I'm still driving an electric car.

I'm finally in LA today, and roads here let you know if you're over 70. I'll post some more details and pix...

Vette_Fan

So here's how I started my day...

Vette_Fan

Finally, I shaved after 3 days and felt like a normal person . My baby was dirty too going through that mess; so took her to get washed.

Afterwards, we both felt "normal" and smiley faces. For now, she looks good. Once we get home on Mon I'll get her my special wash

Vette_Fan

Back to CA traffic; but at least the weather is nicer...

I haven't taken any so-called car's pix. But these are just a few casual shots from today...

Vette_Fan

At the gas station in LA tonight.

The guy in the Ferrari and his passenger were checking out the White C6. His car is nice but didn't look that exciting.

BADBIRDCAGE

Glad you had a safe journey. Enjoy that car.

AORoads

Not sure I'd use the term "safe" but he did make it to LA, and that is a feat in itself! jmo.

buckmeister2

Born and raised in LA County, learned to drive on the freeways. I do not envy that part of the trip, though it is very cool having such a nice car to travel in. What you said about the NM roads is so correct. Mile after mile just clicks off, and you don't know if you were driving 55 or 95. Most of Texas had pretty decent highways, as does Arizona, except from Williams to Kingman.

I'm glad you made the trip. Think about it...you could have had it shipped, and would not have this journey to remember forever, to laugh about with friends.

"Oh, gee, here's a pick of my car coming off the trailer when I got it shipped! Isn't that cool"...or, a whole album of cool, fun, and scary, one great adventure. You made the right choice. Welcome to the "drivin' it home" club.

Atomic6

Thanks for sharing all the photos. We really enjoy our travels out west. Last year we went to the national parks in Utah and then travelled a bit on Rte 66.