From the Bay Area to Cape Cod, reader shares road trip observations: Roadshow
Q: We spent late summer and early fall 2022 in Cape Cod. We loaded our faithful Springer Spaniel, Baxter, in the car and headed east. I had lots of time to contemplate Roadshow matters along the way.
Ward Loveland, Redwood City
A: I like readers who report what they see on the road.
Q: We drove the strong spine of America, Interstate 80. It is very well maintained. We crossed the country in 6-½ days, and loved 80 mph speed limits in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.
Though not the most scenic route, there are many glorious views along the way. 80 was built to move people from one side of the country to the other, and it does a great job of that.
This was our fifth trip there. We’ve taken scenic routes other times, and three weeks is what it really takes for a good view. I’ve been to 44 of our 50 states, and we all should rejoice in, and enjoy, our country’s magnificence.
A few observations:
Road Boulders: Going, I wasn’t paying much attention to this. We ran into a couple in Pennsylvania. Returning, I kept careful attention in honor of Mrs. Roadshow’s term “road boulder.” We ran into only two, both bearing California plates. Even in Massachusetts, a pit of Roadshow hell, people stay to the right. Signage helps and perhaps more signage here should remind slower traffic to stay right.
Signage/Electronic Displays: These are much more useful in other states. Information displayed ranged from upcoming hazards to matters like what to do when a toll gate won’t go up.
Dive Bombers: In most of the country, this is considered intolerable. People actually block lanes to prevent it. Good for them.
Insane Speed Weavers: Again, this seems to be a California disease. We never saw it after leaving the Golden State.
Road Rage: We almost universally saw courtesy and patience. Massachusetts is notorious for intemperate behavior, but drivers will give you a nanosecond to get yourself out of a tough left turn or through a dangerous intersection. If people see you’re not paying attention and using the opportunity, though, good luck to you.
Blinkers: People use turn signals elsewhere, and others honor the blinker and let people in. In New York, Pennsylvania and around Chicago and Boston, though, using a blinker seems to be treated as a sign of weakness.
Gas Prices: Cape Cod is notoriously expensive, and people complained about $3.65/gallon for regular, though we found some for about $3.45. It was $3.14 in Wyoming! We paid more than $4/gallon only once until California.
Ward Loveland, Redwood City
A: Thanks for sharing your great trip and observations about Roadshow matters in other parts of the country.
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.