Ferrari Mailing List: Left Coast Road Trip

[robert_h_bowser [at] juno.com (robert_h_bowser]

Well, I'm back home again.  That was a very fun trip, and the old 308 did very 
well.  No problems.  Never missed a beat.  San Diego to San Jose and back.

I left my house on Friday morning.  Bright, sunny, warm Southern California 
morning.  Pic below shows the Mistress in the driveway, ready for takeoff at 
9am:

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip1a.jpg

I headed up I-15, then cut through the north LA basin on I-210.  Beautiful 
drive with the top off.  Moderate traffic.  Headed north after merging onto the 
I-5 to Santa Clarita.  There I picked up the CA-126 and motored over to the 
coast, merging onto the 101 in Ventura.  Moseyed along the US-101, with the 
Pacific Ocean on the left, looking much like its name.  Stopped along the way 
and took these pictures:

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip2a.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip3a.jpg

Went up a bit further and took these two:

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip4a.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip5a.jpg

Stopped for the night in the San Luis Obispo area.  Took this picture of the 
sunset in Cayucas:

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip6a.jpg

Got up in the morning and had breakfast with my stepson and his girlfriend in 
Port San Luis.

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip7a.jpg

Then headed up the 101 to San Jose to stay with my brother.  Attended a 
Superbowl party on Sunday, then headed home on Monday.  As the weather 
continued to be beautiful, I decided to head down Highway 1 along the coast and 
stay in San Luis Obispo.  My brother, being a member of the working poor, had 
to leave early, so I did also.  Headed over Highway 17 to Santa Cruz where I 
picked up Highway 1.  Lots of worker-bee traffic till I got down to Carmel 
where it thinned out and the Ferrari began to stretch its legs.

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip9a.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip10a.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/bowserrh/Roadtrip/Trip11a.jpg

Had an amazing run down Highway 1.  No traffic at all.  I think I had to pass 
two or maybe three cars.  I really took it fairly easy.  Most of the way I was 
in fifth gear.  Downshifted to fourth a few times.  Third once, I think.  Just 
enjoying the drive, carving the curves.  Top off.  Perfect weather.

I had thought to stay in San Luis Obispo, but I got there before noon, so I 
just headed on down the 101.  Arrived home just before 5pm.  Total trip was a 
little over 1100 miles, of which over 560 were on the last day.  Got a little 
over 20 miles to the gallon.  Many more smiles.  Arrived home refreshed, ready 
to do it again.

Couple of things I noticed (became re-acquainted with):

The old 308GTS is a great road car.  No A/C, no cruise control, but it is very 
comfortable for long distance travel.  Things just fit.  The arm rest is in the 
right place.  Pedals are right.  Steering wheel is in the right place.  Maybe 
it is my size (5'9", 185lbs), but it just seems to fit.  Top off, passenger 
window up half way, there was plenty of ventilation, but very little buffeting. 
 Very pleasant.

It was warm enough that the windows went up and down relatively rapidly.  
Almost like a real car.

Plenty of power, right there.  Granted, the 308 isn't that powerful, but the 
gearing is such that it is on the power curve most of the time.  Cruising at 
75mph, it is turning just under 4000rpm.  Give it gas, and it moves out smartly.

Really awesome sound effects.  Any time you want them.  If you don't, ease off 
the right pedal, and it quiets right down.

Lots of comments from lots of people along the way.  All positive.

Bob
'78 308GTS
'01 Corvette Z06

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