Went to Cambria last weekend. It was something of an impulse.

 

I was invited to a production of High School Musical. OK, it would NOT have been my first choice, but I know the costumer. So, I promised I'd be there. Because I never like to put a large number of miles on my car (a 10-year-old Mazda Protege with less than 80,000 miles - every time I take it into the dealership for service, the Service Manager tells me he has at least 10 people who would love to buy my car.)

 

All right, I'm like everyone else. Trade me a car for car, and I'll love you forever. I want a new car, but I don't want a car note. (See the problem)

 

So, in keeping with my personal tradition, I rented a car. Actually, made a reservation with Enterprise here in my neighborhood. As with all good things, something always goes wrong. This time I thought I had everything in hand. I selected a reservation time for 2-1/2 hours before I needed to leave. Would you believe they managed to screw that up? Apparently, only a handful - a small handful - of people work on Saturdays. This seems to be especially true on the Saturday I need a car. Needless to say, I had to get a neighbor to take me to the office that promises to "pick you up". This would have worked if I lived in their parking lot. Unfortunately, - no, make that fortunately, I don't.

 

I arrived at the office only to discover that they were still very very busy. I might add that no one told me I was suppose to put my name on a list for attention. By the time the young woman behind the desk realized her mistake, it was apparent that "I was not happy." Anyway, I finally got her attention. After completing the paperwork, while apologizing, she walked me to the lot behind the office, pick up the car she said was waiting. At the last minute, she offered me an upgrade . . . . A Tahoe. I had to explain that I don't drive trucks. If she paid close attention, she would see that I wanted a car. Next, she was walking me toward a Pontiac when I saw . . . TADA . . . and asked, "Who gets the convertible?"

 

I was looking at a silver Ford Mustang convertible. "You want it?" "How much is it?" "I'll give it to you for the same price." "Yes, I'd like to have the Ford."

 

And there I was, driving down the highway, top down, Breathe, by Soul Food, coming from the CD player. Life is good.

 

Let's hear it for impulse.

 

The production was great. I publically admitted that I would have never seen that particular production had it not been for a promise to a friend. However, I'm glad I went. Other than the fact the music does make you bounce in your seat, I learned something. If we could figure out how to harness the youthful energy I saw that afternoon, we would have one of the best and cleanest sources of energy in the world. There would be no need to raise energy prices.

 

All right, now I have a car, a convertible, and a whole day (Sunday) ahead with no real commitments. Whoo-hoo!! I heard the highway calling. At 9:00 A.M. Sunday, I was on the highway, headed north toward Cambria, my favorite place in all of California. (I allow for the state limit because I might eventually find another place that I love as much, but it's really hard to imagine at this moment.)

 

I had lunch at Robins (http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/), my favorite restaurant in Cambria. I stopped in to say hello to Terry (or Teri, I keep forgetting to ask) the owner of the Burton Inn. (If you're looking for a quite, but friend place to get away,  check out this website: http://www.burtoninn.com/ . Anyway, this is my place for relaxing.

 

I also visited my favorite winery (http://www.harmonycellars.com/). They have won so many awards, they rotate them on the wall behind the tasting counter.

 

Jeez, I just realized this is looking like a product placement paradise. No, that's not my intent. These are just the places that I enjoy.

 

Anyway, along the way, I took a few photographs. Yes, I'm still learning my cameras.

 

Nothing really exciting happened, but it was a wonderful weekend. I'm only sorry that (1) it was so short and (2) I had to return the car. OK, I know both of those were true and inevitable, but that doesn't change anything. I always return ready to face new challanges. Well, small new challanges. It seems wrong to ruin a good feeling with reality. Oh, such is the way.

 

So, now I've had two full days of my own reality and I'm ready for another weekend. Maybe without the rental, but in the long run, that doesn't really matter. Weekeneds are special, even in an older car. (Its old and dirty, but at least its paid for - doesn't get much better than that.)

 

 

 

 

I made the mistake of looking at the moon. Once I saw the bright round orb I had an explanation for all of the weirdness on the road today. (Oh, well – sigh)

I drive a 1999 Mazda Protégé with a little over 67,000 miles. Yes, I am the original owner and Yes, I live in California. The explanation is simple: When I travel I rent a car. This saves wear and tear on my car and allows me to get that “New Car Craving” out of my system.   

By the way, if you’re looking for a car that will last forever, give a thought to this little car. It gets great gas mileage and I have had no problems. In fact, when I told the man at the dealership that I was undecided as to whether I wanted to put the money into a little body work, he asked me, despite the dings and dents, to let him know if I decided to sell. He said that he knew of at least four people who would be willing to purchase it, As Is.

I don’t know. I rather like living without a car note. This in spite of the fact I love the new Chrysler Sebring hard top convertible. The only downside is the size of the trunk. Of course, little cars can’t be expected to have large trunks. Truthfully, the real downside is that I want a car, but I don’t want a car note. And I have had no luck winning the lottery.

Anyway, for my little jaunt to Cambria, California, after Thanksgiving, I rented a Chrysler Pacifica. Now, remember, I drive a little car. This is the first car I have ever driven that I had to “mount”. (Yes, I have short legs.) But that wasn’t the most embarrassing moment.

First, I have to explain that Cambria is a coastal city on the Central Coast of the state. Therefore, forget whatever general statements you’ve heard about California weather. During my last visit, the night temperatures dropped far enough to warrant a frost warning. OK, the guarantees that the car is going to be a little cool in the morning.

I decided to drive up the coast early on Thursday morning. Right after breakfast, I pack my camera, a bottle of water, a sweater, and I’m ready to go.  I go out, open the car and mount the leather seats. I immediately dismounted, locked the door and returned to the Inn.

The two owners were standing in the lobby when I returned. The husband turned to me and said he thought I was off on adventures. I said I was until I encountered the cold leather seats. He gave me a strange look and asked if I knew there were seat warmers in the Pacifica.

“No,” I answered, “I thought I was carrying my own personal seat warmer.”

He was kind enough to walk me to the car and show me the button. I pressed the button, mounted the car, thanked him and drove away.

There is only one problem with seat warmers. It heated my personal seat warmer to a point of discomfort. (Ok, maybe I’m just not accustomed to luxury.)

The car drives like a dream although I don’t like the way it handles in wind gusts. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. You know, the once and famous car capital. Forget the cost of gasoline, I miss those serious engines. You know, the ones where, when you press the accelerator, the back end of the car dips down and you are off. The little engines are not so forceful. With four cylinders, when you press the accelerator, all four cylinders have to discuss the request. So, there you sit, wondering whether or not the instruction will be fulfilled. (I don’t like it, but I have learned to live with it.)

Well, I’m looking at the clock. If I don’t get to bed, I’m in real trouble. (The day started with a flat tire and ended with me entering a Verizon to complain about a battery that is not holding a charge. It was purchased about three months ago. On that date, I purchased two items, meaning I had two receipts.

Want to guess which one I had when I entered the Verizon Store?

I’m hoping things will get better – and soon.