cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20966
A White Van Man Finds A Heck of A Lot of H's, Part 8
Today I really am sick, so have not gone anywhere in the White Van. My wife however, has really grown fond of it, so she is out shopping with it.
Yesterday I ended the episode before we got home, so if you don't mind, I will tell you what really happened at the end of our trip.
If you recall, we had gone to the top of Mt. Palomar, home of the what used to be the largest telescope in the world. You probably have heard of the Hubble Space Telescope -- it's named after astronomer Edwin Hubble who was the first to use the Mt Palomar Hale telescope. READ MORE HERE
Anyway, then we went down into the Hellhole Canyon for lunch. Dodging raindrops, we returned to the White Van and headed for home. But our plans were cast aside as we got distracted by 3 unexpected types of events: mechanical, natural and architectural.
First in the mechanical category, I spotted a pristine (but boring) beige Jaguar XKE +2 hardtop, and I tried desperately to get a photo in the rear view mirror. You will have to take my word for it but if you know Jags you can recognize the stance. I stopped to wait for him to catch up, but he pulled off at a "rifle safety training" event.
Then while sitting by the road we saw a private aircraft doing crazy stunts, and turned the White Van in his direction, hoping he didn't crash (he didn't).
Where we found Lake Wohlford, which neither of us had ever visited. It is unusual in my experience (for SoCal) in that you can park and just walk over to the water (granted, we went through an open gate). But not a lot of messy infrastructure around it at this end - just trees and lakeside foliage. At the other end are the usual cafe, ranger station, boat ramp, fisherman's supply shop, etc.
So we watched the aquatic birds for awhile,
and on the way out, just to show respect, we read their sign:
It didn't have any holes shot in it (must be because the firearm safety class is just a few hundred yards down the road)!
After an hour of plodding through busy Saturday traffic, we saw an architectural marvel that we'd known about but never visited. We looked at each other, sighed, and swerved off at the ramp to visit the world's longest swoopy Stress Ribbon Bridge, which spans Lake Hodges.
In case you don't know what a Stress Ribbon Bridge is (I didn't) here is an explanation. Basically, it's steel cables draped over two piers, and tied into bedrock on either end. On top of the cables are some concrete plates that are tied together and slathered with anti-skid paving. It's not used for motor vehicles, only for bicycles and pedestrians, and it has the advantage of needing only the two piers in the middle (in this case into Lake Hodges) and anchors at either end. This bridge is 990 feet long, with two piers that makes each segment 330 feet (100 meters).
READ MORE ABOUT THE BRIDGE HERE
READ MORE ABOUT THE BRIDGE HERE
Of course we stopped to read the signs, refrained from fishing, and got off the bridge before 9 pm, to help ensure healthy drinking water.
View from the south end, looking north.
complete with mountain biker.
View from the north end looking south. As we walked back a half-mile to the White Van, we were slightly distracted by the wildflowers along the pathway (and the parasitic orange web on the hillside behind them).
As we were walking quietly, we also were able to sneak up on a couple local creatures, like this extremely hairy caterpillar:
and this gigantic lizard who showed no fear of us - at about a foot long he was a husky little monster!
Leaving the roadside, we ventured into a field of wildflowers which were growing over our heads.
As you might expect, the field was literally buzzing with honey bees, which called for a few more photographs, without ...
and with Grand Seiko (consider this the obligatory watch photo for the day).
This is the discretionary watch photo for the day, complete with lady bug
I stooped down for two more sets of flowers, then dragged my weary self back to the White Van.
Leaving behind the clusters of California Golden Poppy, the State Flower.
If you are tired of this series, let me know and I will STOP.
Otherwise, we have the White Van for another 4 days so there might be another adventure or two ahead of us... perhaps I could do some customization while I am confined to the house
there are many possibilities - starting with cutting it in half, increasing the headroom, hopping up the engine, etc.
Perhaps I can turn it into an ambulance to take me to hospital if I don't stay quiet, indoors and get well ...
PS Mrs Cazalea chose the title for this one, and made me put the H words in bold. Honest. This message has been edited by cazalea on 2016-04-10 14:25:50
A White Van Man Finds Signs in the Wilderness, Part 1
A UNPLANNED EXCURSION Last year we got a Fiat 500 electric, as I've written about before. One of the benefits of the lease is a $500 credit each year to hire a larger, longer-distance-capable car. As our first year is rapidly coming to an end, we decided ...
A White Van Man Finds Signs of Wilderness, Part 2
In the first episode, I told how we came to have a small white van, and how it could help me fulfill the fantasy of being a "White Van Man" - a reckless, selfish, aggressive driver. It seemed like a good idea, as I already have the coffee cup: We headed o...
How brilliant is that!
The choice of vehicle, the decoration, the story theme, appropriate food (although not looking greasy enough for a WVM), the travel writing... Keep them coming, please!
How can Americans have any fun with so many signs that say NOT?
Caz, That is a whole shxx-load of signs that say NOT! I like the idea of a middle-eastern carpet in the van. Benignly, visions of Scooby-Doo and friends. More risqué would be my imaginations of...well..."love mobiles" That's a staycation I can empathise w...
A White Van Man Finds Rams in the Wilderness, Part 3
We left today on the next leg of our vacation close to home. As hard-working white van men always do, we raced out before dawn, in the rain. We brought along a small icon, the Archangel Michael, as our guardian for the dangerous journey to the wilds of th...
White van man a vegetarian?
Surely not! I hope you get to keep the van, the stories are an absolute success
Not a vegetarian van man; that would be an oxymoron
just a brief reduction in red meat intake, which conflicts with my assumed persona of WVM.
A White Van Man Finds Blooming Monsters in the Wilderness, Part 4
The great thing about a driving vacation is that you never know what you will find - USA, England, most of Europe, Russia, Japan, etc. I've driven through these countries and always been surprised. But not so often as in this episode of the White Van Man....
Road trips are always full of surprises :)
Need to show this to my wife - you are right, watches are such non-items after this
A White Van Man Finds the Wilderness by Looking Down, Part 5
My last report in the White Van Man series touched on discovering wild desert sheep and metal monsters in the Anza-Borrego desert. As we finish up this trip report, I will reveal some of today's horticultural (green stuff / plants) action. REPORT: I confe...
Epic landscapes and wonderful flora
Not your typical WVM hunting grounds but one ought to spread the concept beyond the M25 Wonderful post - hope the series continues!
The latest episode is inside the M25; even under the arches ...
No more wilderness for a day or two. Mike
Can see why you decided to move on
Think I'd have felt like I'd have got out wrong side of bed too. Can't believe the number of prohibitions - almost might have stayed at home! Cheers JML
A White Van Man Avoids the Wilderness by Staying Home, Part 6
Unfortunately I have been grounded today by the Missus, due to a throat infection I\'ve picked up. Maybe it was all the shouting (shooting) at Prius drivers? Or the desert dust storms? (Thanks Dr. MTF for diagnosing my illness as a particularly virulent s...
I was wondering...
What kind of engine it gets for the US market (not sure if it is in the table but cannot scroll in it on my phone)? They do have tons of advantages, as you pointed out, even if prestige is not one of them Thanks for continuing and I hope you get better so...
2.4l Chrysler engine with Fiat MultiAir injection system
And a 9-speed automatic transmission is standard in all variants in the US. It seems perfectly adequate with a moderate load, even over 4500 ft passes. Mike
An engine not used here...
In Europe it is almost exclusively diesels. Sometimes I wish for more petrol propulsion here
A White Van Man Has Some Ups and Downs, Part 7
In case the title of this post worries you, I am referring to using the White Van to change elevation, and not to any other activities (quiet, you lot who are sniggering in the back). Despite my sore throat, we continued our stay-cation. First we checked ...
I think it's slowly time...
For the White Van Man to get one of those grey link buttons to related posts at the bottom
Only $150 a week
I\'m only signed up for 10 days, so using half my credit or so. I haven\'t bought it but I\'m sure I could find one from the rental pool if/when I need another vehicle. Mike
Unbelievable, the rental rates in the US...
Sooo cheap Looking forward to the remaining installments!
There are SO many things to do here, when people think only of Disneyland
But for French people, we have special treats - things you can't get at home. Like warm sunny days in the middle of winter, to taste wine Finer artwork than you would see in the Louvre. Souvenirs made with fine hand craftsmanship High-end cuisine and Amer...
A White Van Man Finds A Heck of A Lot of H's, Part 8
Today I really am sick, so have not gone anywhere in the White Van. My wife however , has really grown fond of it, so she is out shopping with it. Yesterday I ended the episode before we got home, so if you don't mind, I will tell you what really happened...
By all means continue!
I had a feeling that you already bought it off the rental company but be that as it may, a continuation is in order as far as I am concerned
A White Van Man is Banned, Part 9
I can't drive the White Van. It has been prohibited. I have to get well first. But how? The world-famous Mayo clinic says: " You don't need to feel miserable while you're toughing it out. Drink plenty of fluids. Try chicken soup (or Jack Daniels). Rest as...
Nice MIH!
To go with your white van Those graphic enhancements under the hood - priceless!
Yes, and I learned when Sharpie says Permanent Marker, they mean it
It took a pile of aggressive cleaner / wax to get the "WatchProSite Official Vehicle" off the radiator support.
LOL :)
PuristSProMobile, eh? 1001 nights of the White Van Man? Hopefully at least close!
A White Van Man Around the Harbourside, Part 11
If you have been following along on the first 10 episodes of my tale, you will know I got a free "useful vehicle" rental as part of the lease on my fun, but marginally-useful Fiat 500e. We started out expecting to go to Arizona in a shiny new Mustang conv...
A White Van Man Gives Up His Ride, Part 12
OK, it's time. My rental contract specifies that I will take the little White Van back to the rental company. It's pretty much cleaned up and ready to go home. As I am driving back, I can't help but notice there seem to be a lot of small White Vans roamin...
Thanks for sharing your White Van Man series with us!
I think another white van in is in your future!
I vote for another round at least during your 500e lease! :)
Such a great collection of stories around it - would be a shame if it does not continue at some point. But first things first, hope you have fully recovered in the meantime or are at least close to it!
What a fun journey, Mr White Van Man...what a fun road trip.
Thank you for sharing these new places. Rgds Raymond