First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Jul 17th 2017, 6:55 pm
#121
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
The drive from PHX to Bay Area can be gorgeous, if you have the time to spread it out. The drive up 17 to Sedona is quite pretty, and the drive from Sedona to Flagstaff, on the 'back road' called Oak Creek Canyon is spectacular - Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive | Sedona Arizona . The drive out of PHX on 60 / 93 through 'Wikieup' is also spectacular in parts, ending up in less-than-spectacular Kingman. The drive from Kingman to Vegas is another fantastic drive; I've taken both 93 and 95 and they both have their amazing sections. From Vegas, you can pass through Death Valley which is absolutely worth it, and then you go up US 395 (one of the best drives in the country, IMO), and cut over either through Yosemite or Tahoe. I've done that drive dozens of times by now, and still love it. Last several times, though, I've done the less glamorous I-10 / I-5 drive, stopping in Pasadena for fun.
Jul 17th 2017, 7:57 pm
#122
in Northern California
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 284
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
The drive from PHX to Bay Area can be gorgeous, if you have the time to spread it out. The drive up 17 to Sedona is quite pretty, and the drive from Sedona to Flagstaff, on the 'back road' called Oak Creek Canyon is spectacular - Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive | Sedona Arizona . The drive out of PHX on 60 / 93 through 'Wikieup' is also spectacular in parts, ending up in less-than-spectacular Kingman. The drive from Kingman to Vegas is another fantastic drive; I've taken both 93 and 95 and they both have their amazing sections. From Vegas, you can pass through Death Valley which is absolutely worth it, and then you go up US 395 (one of the best drives in the country, IMO), and cut over either through Yosemite or Tahoe. I've done that drive dozens of times by now, and still love it. Last several times, though, I've done the less glamorous I-10 / I-5 drive, stopping in Pasadena for fun.
Jul 17th 2017, 9:02 pm
#123
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Yeah, I wish we had time for one or two overnight stops so we could really do something interesting. But we gotta get it done in one day. I've driven I-5 so many times in the past 4 years that I'd really like to avoid that. We'll most likely take 10 and then 395 up to Yosemite before going west to the Bay Area.
Jul 17th 2017, 9:08 pm
#124
in Northern California
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 284
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
In one day!? Wow. Even the most direct route (I10 and I5) takes me (including a few naps and gas stops) 12-14 hours; the route you mention has an 'ideal' time (in google maps) of 14.5 hours, so that would translate to about 16-18 for me (I get drowsy these days so have to do a few naps!). But it does avoid I5 !!!
But the drowsiness induced by I-5 is a killer.
I'll be flying out to Phoenix but my daughter and I will be able to share the driving on the way back. There was a time when I could have handled it solo but those days are long gone.
Jul 18th 2017, 4:56 pm
#125
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
To be fair, it's a particularly hot summer this year. Last year was much more pleasant - only a handful of days where I needed to use the AC. This year is horrific.
The worst thing for me is expecting it to cool down in September and then it doesn't. Even though I know it's not going to, I still subconsciously think that September = autumn = cooler weather. It gets me every year: I spend the month of September ranting at how hot it still is.
In other words, don't expect cooler days & rain until October (and probably late October at that).
Jul 18th 2017, 6:38 pm
#126
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Valencia, CA
Posts: 69
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Download "Waze" - The best navigational app I've ever used.
Jul 19th 2017, 4:28 pm
#127
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
For the rest of your life
To be fair, it's a particularly hot summer this year. Last year was much more pleasant - only a handful of days where I needed to use the AC. This year is horrific.
The worst thing for me is expecting it to cool down in September and then it doesn't. Even though I know it's not going to, I still subconsciously think that September = autumn = cooler weather. It gets me every year: I spend the month of September ranting at how hot it still is.
In other words, don't expect cooler days & rain until October (and probably late October at that).
To be fair, it's a particularly hot summer this year. Last year was much more pleasant - only a handful of days where I needed to use the AC. This year is horrific.
The worst thing for me is expecting it to cool down in September and then it doesn't. Even though I know it's not going to, I still subconsciously think that September = autumn = cooler weather. It gets me every year: I spend the month of September ranting at how hot it still is.
In other words, don't expect cooler days & rain until October (and probably late October at that).
Also, while these hot summer days can be a pain, have you not noticed that the evenings are pleasant - you should be able to go out at, say, 9pm for a walk, or just open all your windows, and enjoy a nice cool evening. You are probably conditioned to never opening windows in the evening, but in the east bay the evenings can be lovely and cool.
Jul 19th 2017, 4:45 pm
#128
in Northern California
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 284
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Also, while these hot summer days can be a pain, have you not noticed that the evenings are pleasant - you should be able to go out at, say, 9pm for a walk, or just open all your windows, and enjoy a nice cool evening. You are probably conditioned to never opening windows in the evening, but in the east bay the evenings can be lovely and cool.
In the hot weather, we open up the windows (and even doors) at around 7:00pm and use to fans to push more air through the house. The upstairs windows typically stay open in all night. From 6-9am the fans go on again to push the cool morning air through the house. At around 9am I close everything up and the house remains nice and comfortable for most if not all of the day.
This way we only have to run the a/c on the really hot days -- about 4 days this year so far.
Another nice spot to cool off in the evening is Jack London Square in Oakland -- right off 880 at Broadway.
Jul 19th 2017, 5:04 pm
#129
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
You guys are making me jealous. It was 90 yesterday and humid as ****. It'll be up in the 80s today but still humid. AC is on constantly to kick the moisture out of the air otherwise you spend all night sweating your arse off.
However, autumn is only a couple of months away and October round this way can be absolutely perfect. It is worth the wait.
However, autumn is only a couple of months away and October round this way can be absolutely perfect. It is worth the wait.
Jul 19th 2017, 5:10 pm
#130
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
The worst thing for me is expecting it to cool down in September and then it doesn't. Even though I know it's not going to, I still subconsciously think that September = autumn = cooler weather. It gets me every year: I spend the month of September ranting at how hot it still is.
Jul 19th 2017, 5:20 pm
#131
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,505
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Not just you. Weather here is effin gross.
Jul 19th 2017, 5:25 pm
#132
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Jul 19th 2017, 5:42 pm
#134
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Jul 19th 2017, 6:31 pm
#135
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
AC to deal with the humidity and can't leave the windows open because some little (or big) flying fokker will come in and feast on my life blood all night.