tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post8728273373358773282..comments2024-02-24T02:44:59.075-08:00Comments on Merikay's Dream : A Driving AdventureMerikayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378095339747943548noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-52999343323656170832014-10-31T18:10:35.478-07:002014-10-31T18:10:35.478-07:00In Atlanta, speaking from experience, going around...In Atlanta, speaking from experience, going around sounds better when almost 50 feet long.mobileerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17469546242145358291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-29785795391546997382014-10-31T14:59:47.741-07:002014-10-31T14:59:47.741-07:00Cities and roads in the East were designed without...Cities and roads in the East were designed without the rectangular-gird surveying that you see in states in the Midwest and West. In fact, between most cities that were close enough to want a road between them, people simply built such a road, which pretty much travels radially between their centers. So a big city may have as many such radial roads, each named for the city to which it goes.<br /><br />Along comes the internet system, and its traffic experts add a new feature to the cities road: beltlines! These are typically circular roads that go around a city, typically at about the same distance from its center. Our hypothetical big city might have several more-or-less concentric beltlines.<br /><br />We've all learned that each interchange on a limited-access road causes its own slowdown due to exiting and entering traffic. Some bring traffic close to a halt at busy times, some only slow traffic a little.<br /><br />Somehow our driving culture has come to believe that the best way to get through a large city is by driving around it on its outermost beltline. Suppose this beltline has a radius of 30 miles, and there are 20 radial intercity roads and 3 beltlines. <br /><br />To go halfway around involves 10 interchanges in 100 miles for intercity roads, but to drive through downtown on two radial roads only involves 6 interchanges (one for each beltline) in 60 miles.<br /><br />Which one sounds better?Merikay MacKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07090072368063727932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-82488993231743963982014-10-30T14:17:40.128-07:002014-10-30T14:17:40.128-07:00I just try to stay out of Atlanta with the RV. The...I just try to stay out of Atlanta with the RV. The furthest around downtown you go with an RV the better. We took the outer loop at 1 PM when I had to get to Stone Mountain and it was just as crazy.<br /><br />I can't really compare it to LA traffic since I've only ridden in 20 min cab rides from LAX, but Atlanta has the most nutso drivers I've ever encountered.mobileerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17469546242145358291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-70016356627353635762014-10-30T12:38:14.571-07:002014-10-30T12:38:14.571-07:00Thanks for the chuckle, it reminded me of all the ...Thanks for the chuckle, it reminded me of all the trouble I've gotten myself into all by myself while driving our 40' MH and toad. ;c)Paul and Marti Dahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332654035718777839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-76320787521074597612014-10-29T21:29:09.904-07:002014-10-29T21:29:09.904-07:00For the past three years we have traveled, and I t...For the past three years we have traveled, and I thought this would be the year that I did not have to "un-hook" the tow vehicle due to a parking lot, being led down a street by the GPS, etc. Almost made it, until we pulled into a Cracker Barrel in North-West Arkansas...it had a rear parking lot which only had ONE entrance, which was also the exit, and yes, I pulled into it. Darn!Dave Burdick (GoingRvWay.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10706797381982584920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-30651330673017935502014-10-29T11:17:53.484-07:002014-10-29T11:17:53.484-07:00OMG, this is my worst nightmare. :) I totally get ...OMG, this is my worst nightmare. :) I totally get the driving and being in control thing, that is me to a T. And while I've gotten into some hairy situations, I don't think going to TJ's while towing will be one of them. Glad you made it, and at least you had some wine to celebrate your successful trip.lindagraydaveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13357592624367907095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-20143186187056525942014-10-29T09:39:06.611-07:002014-10-29T09:39:06.611-07:00Karen, it was my idea to take US 19/129. It was a...Karen, it was my idea to take US 19/129. It was a beautiful drive because Merikay is such a good driver. Also it was less crowded because "you all use" the other route. It was also my left turn to get out of the campground by the most direct route.<br /><br />We have several written lists for leaving a camp site, including one built into the Freightliner dashboard. None of them include checking that the table is hitched to the wall, which is the problem we had. We only detached the table because we were there for such a long time.<br /><br />Having to detach the toad is always a possibility when visiting a parking lot designed for cars. We look forward to future improvements in satellite image resolution that will allow us to see a curb-type barrier in a lot. Given all the wonderful things that TJs has for sale, it was a a good tradeoff.<br />Merikay MacKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07090072368063727932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-49222155339569049522014-10-29T06:13:19.836-07:002014-10-29T06:13:19.836-07:00I can sure identify with your experience in the TJ...I can sure identify with your experience in the TJ parking lot. While traveling between points A & B we often slip into various challenging parking lots. Walmart, Cracker Barrel & McDonald's to mention a few. Sometimes OK & often times a nail biter. And can also identify with the stress & strain of getting turned around in heavy traffic areas after missing exits or streets & roads. Never fun at the time but can always look back later with a bit of a chuckle & a big sigh of relief....... Al Bossencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04307619781955351484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-75130534996159552772014-10-29T06:04:23.300-07:002014-10-29T06:04:23.300-07:00Merikay, Merikay, Merikay
There are two ways from...Merikay, Merikay, Merikay<br /><br />There are two ways from here to Atlanta, the easy way and the hard way. :) Why did you chose the hard way?<br /><br />The route we all use, is Hwy 515 through Blue Ridge. It's a wide scenic 4 lane road with gentle grades and no sharp curves. It leads you right out of the mountains to I-575 and I-75. I felt sure I had told you the best way out, but I do know how you like a challenge. <br /><br />Your first challenge was when you guys had pulled left out of the campsite instead of right which would have eliminated the sharp left turn with the ditch and rock that you had to work around. Turning right, and driving the circle around the campground is much easier. We're going to put down a big rock to discourage future people from turning left out of the site. It will be easier on them, their rigs, and our grass.<br /><br />We've only been to Trader Joe's one time and the parking lot was small and packed. I'm not surprised you had trouble there, especially in downtown Atlanta. Yikes. You're braver than me, but then again, you do like those challenges. <br /><br />Glad you made it and have settled into your new campsite. I think maybe Craig ought to take over as trip planner though! Or does he like challenges too? <br /><br />We have a written check list for breaking camp. It's too easy to forget something.<br /><br />Safe travels to Florida! Try to stay out of trouble. <br /><br /><br />Karen and Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-43160057603637496502014-10-29T01:19:50.603-07:002014-10-29T01:19:50.603-07:00
What a deal...... I am laughing, holding my breat...<br />What a deal...... I am laughing, holding my breath, and sighing working my way through your dialogue...... Think I have been in that TJ parking lot.....not sure how in the world you pulled that off..... But believe me I am impressed to say the least !!!! So glad you found your resting spot ......RELAX !!!SallyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06638827772999662579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-61038976003513177662014-10-28T20:52:49.889-07:002014-10-28T20:52:49.889-07:00I know that its nerve wracking driving in congeste...I know that its nerve wracking driving in congested areas and my RV is much smaller than yours. But "maybe he won't notice us" made me augh out loudTerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019364333876469130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-33490321234471327702014-10-28T20:29:59.356-07:002014-10-28T20:29:59.356-07:00Hair raising indeed, good job.
Hair raising indeed, good job.<br />Bob and Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04128674200250063454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-59194538596051099232014-10-28T19:33:12.424-07:002014-10-28T19:33:12.424-07:00nice job on the driving! you and Craig make a grea...nice job on the driving! you and Craig make a great team!Sue and Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11436889944386917688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822169260430560826.post-24546612659270792712014-10-28T18:18:04.416-07:002014-10-28T18:18:04.416-07:00Ah yes, I've had a few of those hair raising j...Ah yes, I've had a few of those hair raising journeys myself.Travels with Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com