Another road trip LA,CA to MS via Houston

[JAR0023]

Well after close to 30 years in the makin' it looks like I'm about to own an 86 Carrera. Most everything is settled. Car is currently at a shop getting prepped for the trip to its new home. A great big thanks in advance to everyone here as I've been lurking and learning for the last couple of years. Im' a car guy and work with cars everyday. The amount of knowledge on this board is almost overwhelming at times.

The trip will be somwhat of a sprint do to other obligations but I'd like to get some route guideance and side trip info. My 9yo daughter will be my co-pilot and the plan is to post lots of photos here.

We're flying into Burbank next Wed night. Hotel at Ventura Beach and head up to Santa Barbara Thursdy morning to see the car and have one last chance to back out. (Aint gonna happen). Then we'll ease down the coast and stop by Pelican. I figure I'll set myself up a little care package of neccessities on a Will Call order.

Once done there we'll sprint for Tucson. I'm wondering if there is a nice route out to I-10 from here?? If we run into delays there'll be plenty of places to stay in Phoenix.

If we make Tucson, we'll see a little Saguaro on Friday monring early and then settle in for the longest day. Going to try and make Boerne (west of San Antonio).

Saturday we see the Alamo/Riverwalk and run the three or so hours to Houston. Friend is getting married that evening.

Sunday/Monday we'll kick around our old haunts in Houston. (Wife and I did a nickle there in the early 90s.) Tuesday I head to Dallas and work from the home office for a few days. Friday I head across LA for home in MS stopping to see some family on the way.

Tell me about any nice (quick) alternate routes along the I-10 corridor. Any must sees?

Thanks!!
-J

[red-beard]

What day will you be in Houston? I can see if we can get a few of the guys to meet you.

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by red-beard

What day will you be in Houston? I can see if we can get a few of the guys to meet you.

Plan is to arrive in Houston Saturday for the wedding in Missouri City. Sunday/Monday are open now but we'll for sure be doing some kid centric activities. Maybe look up some old friends out 10 west. Actually I haven't put much thought into those days.

-J

[JAR0023]

Hmmm, crickets...let's try a picture.

[red-beard]

Memorial weekend? We'll be in Chihuahua...

[911Freak]

Nice ride! Congrats on the acquisition and getting a PPI, that's the proper way to start your 911 ownership.
Sounds like a great father daughter road trip, one I'm sure she is excited about (big responsibility) and will remember for years.

My only suggestion would be to have a iPhone or nav unit to watch out for traffic, getting from Pelican out to the 10 can take hours of nasty traffic, especially on a week day afternoon. If your driving out of LA on a Friday you have to get out before Friday traffic, which starts as early as 3pm or wait until its cleared out after 8pm!

I've gone from Torrance (Pelican's new home) on the 110N to 105E to 605 to 10, but so much depends on when you leave, the day of the week and the traffic. Oh, you might want to stay on the highway once your up the 605, not much to see off the highway and some less then desirable neighborhoods, especially for a guy and his daughter in a nice 911!

The drive out of CA towards AZ is rugged, not much around but can be beautiful at sunset.

Take lots of pics, I'm sure the smiles will be huge as you and yours get to know and enjoy that sweet Carrera!

I'm sure you have AAA or similar just in case?

Btw, the drive down PCH to LA from Santa Barbara will be epic, some excellent scenery, good food stops and numerous photo ops for the new ride. Just one of the most beautiful areas of CA!

Enjoy, be safe, check in often, take a ton of pics and may the sun be at your back, the wind in your face and that flat6 singing her song!

Cheers and welcome to the madness

[Zeke]

Your 9 YO should be able to post live here at Pelican. Someone is always on the forum nearby to where you are.

If I wanted to be in AZ to see the sights there, I would avoid any part of Los Angeles and get the hell out. Your trip up from Ventura to SB is as representative as it gets for the area coast line. There are some fantastic roads out of SB that can get you back on the Interstate system w/o the major L..A. traffic hassle.

Back down the 101 to Ventura, east on 126 to the 5, south on the 5 to the 210 and follow the 210 all the way to the 10. You will see it all in a half day, the ocean, the mountains and the desert.

Hope the AC is in good order.

While the folks at Pelican are all nice, they are all business; it's just a warehouse with offices. Not much socializing going on. There are no tours. It's like visiting FedEx. Not a destination, IMHO.

[syncroid]

Subscribed. I love road trips! Be safe and have fun. I miss my Carrera.

[Tobra]

That is a great color

Lot of good roads in New Mexico, but I guess that is a little out of the way

[Seahawk]

The problem is your route is a little tough to make scenic while making good time.

There are some interesting rural roads headed east from Twenty-Nine Palms to Parker.

Milt is right: You'll never make Phoenix driving though LA.

Originally Posted by Zeke

Your 9 YO should be able to post live here at Pelican. Someone is always on the forum nearby to where you are.

If I wanted to be in AZ to see the sights there, I would avoid any part of Los Angeles and get the hell out. Your trip up from Ventura to SB is as representative as it gets for the area coast line. There are some fantastic roads out of SB that can get you back on the Interstate system w/o the major L..A. traffic hassle.

Back down the 101 to Ventura, east on 126 to the 5, south on the 5 to the 210 and follow the 210 all the way to the 10. You will see it all in a half day, the ocean, the mountains and the desert.

Hope the AC is in good order.

While the folks at Pelican are all nice, they are all business; it's just a warehouse with offices. Not much socializing going on. There are no tours. It's like visiting FedEx. Not a destination, IMHO.

[JAR0023]

Looks like I should avoid LA. Well be back in July so no big loss. I'll have the shop set me up with a DME relay along with the others I might need. Fan belt, etc. I had wanted to pick up a fire extinguisher as well.

So what's the best way to drive a little of the coast and get over to 10 east bound?

A/C is still running R12 just topped up and supposed to be working well. I'm going to stop and pick up a small cooler and as much water as I can fit.

Working on how to post from an iPad. Will also have two phones and an aircard.

[Shuie]

You should stop in LA just to eat crawfish. Perfect time of year. Lent is over, and it has been a mild winter. They are plentiful, perfect size, and cheap. If you are along the I-10 corridor next weekend and you pass through the baton rouge area you are welcome to stop and eat with us. As long as i get a ride in der Porsche, of course. We will be boiling on Saturday. Travel safe.

[JAR0023]

Shui - I grew up in LA (Minden). Wife and I went to LSU. Currently reside in Oxford. I've arleady had enough crawfish this year for 4-5 lesser men. One thing I'm out of is Boudin from Jerry Lee's in Baton Rouge. Made fresh daily, but they will vacumn bag if for you and sell you an ice chest for the trip home. They also have some mighty fine hog's head cheese if you're in the mood.

Sent a note to the shop asking them to set me up with some essentials for the trip. I'll stop at a FLAPS or Home Despot for a small fire extinguiser. I have most everything else stacked here beside my for inventory.

Basic daily load out. Cash, CC, license, permit, flashlight, knife, carry spoon + reload.

I have phones/aircard from four different carriers so if cellular service can be had I should be able to get it.

AAA has been upgraded. Still camera, video camera, paper maps, GPS, XM reciever plus radar detector. Kid has an iPad plus a collection of classics. She's reading Island of the Blue Dolphins now. She's also no stranger to the road trip and travels well.

We'll dress for the heat but bring one change of warm cloth just in case. We'll have lots of water. A way to make fire and put it out.

For the car I'll be equiped to repair a puncture, change a blowout, r/r the a/c or fan belt. Fuses, relays etc. I'll also have a decent set of tools in a roll + factory tools. I have a new Bently and a dog eared 101 projects. Any more than the basics I'll call for a tow.

Always have a plan. Always have a back up plan. Hopefully this will come off without any major hitches.

I almost forgot. Wahooo! Sold my old commuter today. Been trying to sell the Accord for four months. Lady has been squirrling around calling me and cancelling for a month. This afternoon she put a stack of 100s in my hand and I signed the title. That little transaction will fund more than half the car and trip. Things are falling into place quite nicely.

-J

[JAR0023]

CA folks. How's this for an alternative to going through L.A.? Down to Ventura, over to Santa Clarita and around the north side of Angeles National Forest. MapPoint shows it to be about 30 miles longer than through L.A.

[Zeke]

The Pearblossom Hiway is one dull boring flat, straight stretch. Would not be my favorite. And, there is nothing out there. No food to speak of and not much service. On the 210 at least you will be in civilization.

Although I do like the desert side of the mountain range at dawn.

[Hugh R]

I work in Burbank and live in Santa Clarita. If you need assistance let me know.

If you have an hour in Burbank, I'll give you a tour of the Walt Disney Studios where I work. We are not open for public tours.

PM me if you want a tour.

[JAR0023]

210 it is. Zeke if your ever travelling the deap, dark piney woods of the ARK-LA-MS, I'll return the favor on the directions.

Hugh, I'll send you a PM later tonight. You may just become my daughter's new favorite uncle.

-J

[Zeke]

Hugh, that is way cool.

[JAR0023]

Don't think we'll make Tuscon day 1 unless I push into the late night hours. We'll shoot for Phoenix.

What about a detour north on 62 up and over to Joshua Tree/29 Palms? Then down through the JTNPark. Adds about 40 miles on the map. I'm reading online minimum 1 hour to drive the park to 4 hours with stops. Is JTNP busy this time of the year?

[Zeke]

If you haven't been, once again, not a compact tour. The freakin' desert around here takes many forms, from the Sahara style to the JT style. It's all huge and boring unless...


...you like desert. I think you will see enough along the 10. Hell, stop in Palm Springs and have a yogurt on Palm Canyon Drive. Say you played where Sinatra and Elvis played.