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Trailer trash every where will rejoice!
all those new gadgets really take the fun and adventure out of a road trip!
unfortunately for my kids ... they're gonna learn to read ... and fold ... maps.
and pay attention to road signs ... and eat at truck stops ...
and get lost sometimes ... and find new places.
etc.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
They wouldn't be able to do that here in Austin. The road maps are mis marked. Roads aren't on them. There are often no road signs and no one can give directions that resemble anything meaningful.It would be fun waving to you as you fly over the flyovers trying to figure out how to get down here...while I try to figure out how to get up there! My wife was going to an address today. We googled it. Immediately my spider senses went up. I've been lost in that intersection at least 15 times...and I know where I'm at...somewhat! I warned her to bring in the gps and together we'll study the Garmin game plan. The freakin thing would have routed her 16 miles south when she was withing 1/2 mile of the place! I couldn't find a logical way according to the google maps. I had to route her a slightly different way and tell her to listen to the Garmin only when she got to a certain road..about 1/4 mile away. She might return this millnium. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
>> She might return this millnium.<<Jim,Did she make it home yet?I'm beginning to get worried about her...."Historic preservation is an essential part of a civil society; historic buildings form the core assets of many communities, and their restoration is key to neighborhood revitalization. Preservation is an essential part of any conservation-minded approach to human settlements. Historic buildings serve as anchors in time, preserving cultural richness and providing essential lessons for contemporary work." Kevin Pierce
No, I did call and check on her and she got there fine. In the conversation, I learned from my son that he has been to the same place three times in the last two days. Two out of the three times, he got lost going there and was trying real hard to get there (a car dealership), not just goofing around. I'm telling you, the road system here is the least logical and intuitive that I've ever driven on. I'm going to start taking pictures of the signage. It's not uncommon to be on a six lane road and they show signs for four of the lanes. What about the other two????!!!! Now, when I'm coming to an intersection, I always jump into the longest and slowest lane because it don't matter which way I think I should go...it's always the one I need and I'm too late to get in!!!! Lanes end upbruptly and become turn only lanes. Everyone knows it but me. I turn and then I have to do some five miles of turnaround driving to get back to where I was....only to forget and I'm IN THE WRONG LANE AGAIN!!!!! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
>> I turn and then I have to do some five miles of turnaround driving to get back to where I was....only to forget and I'm IN THE WRONG LANE AGAIN!!!!! <<That's gotta be bad on your gas mileage.."Historic preservation is an essential part of a civil society; historic buildings form the core assets of many communities, and their restoration is key to neighborhood revitalization. Preservation is an essential part of any conservation-minded approach to human settlements. Historic buildings serve as anchors in time, preserving cultural richness and providing essential lessons for contemporary work." Kevin Pierce
Just do what UPS does and never turn left, and watch your MPG go up.
Just do what UPS does and never turn left, and watch your MPG go up.
LOL.... that was a pretty good description Jim. Been there myself too many times. Sounds a lot like Cambridge MA. I swear every road is a one-way and some of them must change direction somewhere in the center.... cuz everytime I try to turn down a road it says "One way do not enter" no matter which end of the street I try from.
And if you're in the far left lane or the far right lane, anywhere, there's a good chance then you'll end up merging onto either another one-way (that you didn't want to go down and can't turn around on) or you'll end up on a main road.... with Jersey barriers down the center so you can't turn around. If you miss a turn you have to go to the next city or town to turn around and come back and try again. I won't even bid jobs there anymore. Cuz if you can actually find the job, you'll get lost again trying to find a parking space anyway! View Image
How many times have you been in Boston and gotten sucked onto the Pike? There's one spot in Copley Square that always used to get me.
That happens too here. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I've got no complaints with M5. I live in Redford and can get to and from a job up in Commerce in rush hour in about 25 minutes.M5 is a great mover and an easy way to get up that way. Biggest pain in the butt for me these days is the Sheldon road exit off M14. It's been closed close to a year at least and is said to have a good year left before it'll be done. That one closing is the biggest pain in my rear as I do a lot of work in Plymouth/Canton and having to drive an alt. route just for that exit being closed sucks.One thing I will say about SE mich area - I can't stand driving above 8 mile. Try not to get anywhere near Oakland county if I can help it.I don't persue any jobs near RO or Troy or anywhere in that area - too much of a pain to get to.Rather work in the western areas, even AnnArbor if need be.JT
Now try living in Clarkston and going to that job in Commerce. It's closer.
One time, I-275 was supposed to tie into I-75 just north of Clarkston.
Then came that walnut tree...
That connection was scuttled a long, long time ago. When I was an apprentice they were talking bout it. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I'm telling you, the road system here is the least logical and intuitive that I've ever driven on.
Jim, I'd like to second that! Austin TX has to be the worst place on the planet that I have ever driven.
Tulsa OK has to be the best, when I lived there back in the 80's it took about 1 week to be able to find any address that was given to me. Everything laid out on a grid system, I think I could go back there tomorrow and find my way around like I'd lived there for the past 25 years.
Doug
It's OKC that always throws me a curve.
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
It's OKC that always throws me a curve.
The only thing I ever do at OKC is either drive north on 35 or take 44? over to Tulsa.
I could always find my way around Austin pretty well but the time it took was ridiculous. Of course I wasn't listening to a little navigation box, just looked up at the signs on the roadway! I know the area that Jim is talking about in Austin and I know how to get to the other side of 183/Research but it still takes forever, and if he thinks those neighborhoods are rough around there then I have to wonder if he ever made it into Detroit!
When you're from Iowa you just never see traffic like that!
In Iowa where I can still figure one minute for every mile!
Doug
LOL, my little gps box knew the way to get across too. It was a 25 minute trip down 360!!!! I laughed when I saw it.I have no idea how to get through that particular intersection down there at the lowest level. My intuition tells me to just jump the curb but there's probably a barrier erected there because too many people were doing that. I get a kick out of all the impromtu off ramps that you can clearly see in the grass on I 35. I've had to use them myself on occasion. One time it was a truck only off ramp. Only the people with trucks and high frames could get away from the traffic jamup. I laughed as I Baja'd down the slope confident that my 4wd would get me over the ditch. I'm sure the people stuck in the hour long jam were jealous. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I get a kick out of all the impromtu off ramps that you can clearly see in the grass on I 35.
Yea that was one of the first things I learned while driving in TX, the impromptu off ramps! There everywhere. I used them frequently too.
Driving home to San Marcos every evening I found the unmarked off ramps very necessary for getting home within the 2 hour time frame that I allowed for the 25 mile drive.
Texas roads, ya cant beat em!
Doug
what intersection are you talking about?
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
Did your wife ever make it home?
"Historic preservation is an essential part of a civil society; historic buildings form the core assets of many communities, and their restoration is key to neighborhood revitalization. Preservation is an essential part of any conservation-minded approach to human settlements. Historic buildings serve as anchors in time, preserving cultural richness and providing essential lessons for contemporary work." Kevin Pierce
Yes, she's fine LOL. She didn't like some of the neighborhoods she had to drive through to get there though. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
She was trying to get to an dealership on (183) Research Blvd and Mopac. She was coming from the North and was told to take the Mopac. My son just told her "take the 183 exit". I don't know much but that sounded too simple. So, when I pulled up the map, I saw this spaghetti. Notice that "Research Blvd" doesn't connect. Don't ask me why. That is just crazy. So, I have no idea how to get to the east side of research blvd. Also notice that they want to call both highways 183 even though they are different. One of those 183's is 100' in the air. The original one is buried underneath everything on maps so you really can't figure it out with a map. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
just access roads and off ramps.
lotsa placesdown south have the access roads that parallel the highway, with the same route numbers.
we here we call them "business route" ... same deal.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
yeah, I know exactly what you are talking about with that intersection.
sometimes you almost have to take backstreets to go north on 183 from southbound mopac
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
appearantly you've never driven around Pittsburgh!
streets and roads ... big and small ... aren't laid out based on anything aside from the old trails, ridges and valleys , and rivers and stream beds ...
certainly not like Franklin laid out Philly.
most people complain about none of it making sense ...
I always say it thin's the herd. The weak never make it out alive.
once U can get around here ... U can get around anywhere.
if I can make it around the Welsh country side ... I'm sure I could find ya in Austin!
relying on those gizmos will just make ya weak.
a map ... compass ... and good sense of direction ... all ya need.
(plus a full tank of gas, some extra snacks and cash)
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'm pretty anti-GPS. I really appreciate a good map reader. I'd much rather look at a map and then search for signs.
Seems like you would get more out of the trip as opposed to waiting for the dashboard to tell me when to turn.
Yeah, but your in MI, the land of the "normal" grid! You have major roads every mile, both ways. They warn you when your lane is going to merge. They don't suddenly make the speed lane disappear. They don't suddenly make the right lane turn only...you actually have to move into the "turn only" lane. They put signs on the corners. They even put signs on the freeway over passes so you know you passed the road you were supposed to be on and can turn back before you gro0w old. Do you know how crazy sq lake road is at Telegraph? That intersection is better than 90% of the interesections here. I can write novels when I'm waiting at a light. I used to hate MDOT. Now I know they are geniuses. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I used to hate MDOT. Now I know they are geniuses.
Now wait a minute!
You haven't been to enuff other states yet and other parts of MI to fully give them exoneration.
That #### they've pulled with M-5, M-15, and countless other places can't be forgiven. The failure to use sensed lights, or at least better timing across jurisdictions, provides the basic reason for half of the depression cases in Michigan and 40% of the bankrupcies.
Let's not even get into the mass transit system - there's none!
We could start a whole 1,000 post thread on the issue...
"you haven't been to enuff other states yet and other parts of MI to fully give them exoneration.".One spin around Austin and you'd be singing a different tune tweety bird. Multiply M15 squared and that's what Austin is like. I have maps, gps, the internet and I still shudder when I have to get to anywhere.I hate MDot as much as I could hate any governmental agency that owns orange barrels but they've got TXdot beat hands down. There's no contest. These guys flat out lack common sense. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Then you gotta drive back to Deetroits a few times.
I've had to do it 4 times so far this year. Each time I get bugged off by something or another about the GD roads up there.
M5 - the road to nowhere. An expressway stopped in it's tracks becuse of some walnut tree. (Of course, some nut cases from Farmington were behind that.)
M15 - which has more voume of traffic than I-75 (which has 3 lanes each direction) has only two lanes from Clarkston to Bay City. One has to experience the unending column of cars from Davidson to I-75 during the morning and evening commutes.
And M-59 going thru Utica & Pontiac. You are fully aware of that. How is it that an expressway can start out of the middle of a dead city and get dumped into another?
And those unsensed stoplights. Michigan car users are so "entitled" to have their rides, that built in conveniences like having stoplights switch for you when no one else is in the other direction are unheard of. (Or is that a trick for the poll-leece behind that sign?) But most of the poll-leece have been laid off...
Although I do notice the freeway speeds of 90 plus are down to only 75 to 80 recently with the gas prices up there... But maybe that's because they can't afford to pick up the dead deer carcasses littering the freeways - people have to drive around them.
In California, I was shocked to see them routinely resurface streets with no apparent need. Same here in Colorado. Every 5 years whether they need it or not. New asphalt. Only time that happens in Deetroits is when Kwanme needs some cash from a kickback from one of his (new-to-the-business) construction buddies.
I do have to warn others about driving out of Lincoln, NB on the day just following the CornDoggers losing a football game. That is road rage on a biblical scale! Which is a recognized sport in Michigan.
LOL,I'm trying to avoid driving back to DEEtroit. But if I do, I will avoid M15, just like I always did during the rush hour commutes. I know there will be no way to avoid the orange barrel brigade though. I'm going to buy stock in OrangeBarrel Co as soon as I make an extra buck.I did the m59 drive since the 70's. I think it's funny that they reworked that one ramp five times near OCC. Here, they build dumb ramps and leave em. At least M59 and M15 opens up during the day. Here in Austin, I35 gets chocked full at rush hour and then continues to be slow all day in the downtown area, well past 6pm usually. I don't see much road rage here. There would be no point to it. In MI, you could actually get around a slowpoke, find a whole and get past the ten cars slowing the parade down. Here in Texas there are three full lanes, full of cars all traveling the same speed: five under and sometimes ten under. I think the pulleece would mace anyone going 80 or over. I was traveling at 62mph the other day in a clear part of I35 during the middle of the day when I watched a motorcycle cop whip past to nab the guy who might have been traveling a whopping 68 in the fast lane. The speed limit in that section is 65. Be thankful that there is a lack of cops in your area. I've seen them here on motorcycles running on the shoulder during rush hour and peering in every car and pulling over people who aren't wearing their seat belts! Yes...they think we need seatbelts to travel at the high speeds of ten miles per hour! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Sounds like your polleece make it a sporting form of revenue. The only time I've seen people drive under the limit is when they're carrying dope.
Maybe that's the cause?
I think you are right. MI makes it's money on the sales tax for orange barrels. They get us here for speeding one mile over the limit. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
When I drove truck I went pretty much all over east of the Mississippi.
Still prefer the atlas.
I had to pull out the map today. What a disaster. I took one road....tried to make a left on 25th. Closed. Kept going thinking I'd hit some other road. The road suddenly turned into a parking lot. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD AFFORD A "DEAD END" OR "NO OUTLET" SIGN AUSTIN? There is no limit to their omissions and idiocy. On the way home, I had to take a route that I know I've missed the turn on at least five times. Yep...I blew it again. The road that I'm on suddenly decides to split. When I see it splitting, I have to make a decision about going on a road THAT I DON'T WANT TO GO ON AT ALL, but the signs are huge and put me on that road anyway. At the split, I'm 1/8 mile from the ramp onto the major freeway that I'm thinking I'll find. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD ADD A SIGN THAT SAYS "N I 35"???!!!!That simple sign might save the nation a million gallons of fuel this year! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Edited 7/11/2008 10:34 pm by Jim_Allen