The Ultimate Driving Experience?

The drive between Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California spans a beautiful pass through the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The rocks hang over the edges of cliffs, waiting for the winter freeze to loosen their hold, and summer’s heat to bust them loose to slide down to the freeway. Some of their precarious positions worried me.

However, it was really other motorists that posed the perils on the last leg of our journey.

Three of those drivers moved in and out of our company as we simultaneously viewed the sights and their poor driving exhibitions.

Little Subaru took up residence in the left lane, maintaining the same speed as the car to its right, holding up both lanes of traffic.

Ms. Continental abstained from cruise control, but kept her motor mouth engaged. She passed us going 90, and then braked abruptly and rode flush on the bumper of Little Subaru. She pulled into the right lane and tried to bully the other driver as well. (Earlier, she showed her true colors by pulling out from between two trucks and nearly forcing us off the road. With no apparent knowledge of our presence, she continued to drive with one hand and talk with the other.)

Mr. Taurus appeared to lack mountain driving experience. His face was white and strained. I wondered at first if he’d eaten bad food, because his wife and two kids in the back seat were also pale and pinched.

Little Subaru refused to obey the signs that demand slower traffic keep right. I cut him some slack because the furrows, dug by the winter chains from heavy semi trucks, in the right hand lane were deep and rutted .

Eventually, Little Subaru’s annoyance of Ms Continental two-inch buffer from his tail lights won out. He signaled, jerked, and bounced into the uneven lane,

We were nearly sucked into the jet wash when Ms. Continental floored her massive engine and roared up the highway. A few moments later we saw the back end of her car lurching upwards and her bright red brake lights signaling that she had found her next tail gating victim.

We passed Little Subaru and then Mr. Taurus.

“Mr. Taurus has that look about him,” I told the hubby, “ that makes me want to be miles away when we get to that 4% downgrade ahead.”

The hubby nodded in agreement.

Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise when 10 minutes later the hubby looked in his rear view mirror and announced,
“Hold on to your hat, here comes the downhill racer.”

Sure enough, Mr. Taurus flew by us like a Whistling Pete. His eyes were wide and his expression maniacal. The wife and kids were in typical crash landing position as described by your friendly skies flight attendant.

“Wooo---- howdy,” the hubby hooted.

While sailing under cruise control we eventually caught up with Mr. Taurus. Hysterical laughter painted his and his passengers faces. They’d faced the mountain and survived.

For another 25 miles we played cat and mouse with Ms. Continental; we maintained a constant speed. She continued to swerve and bully, speed up, brake, and then slow down.

At last, the road leveled out and straightened its approach to Sacramento and the notorious highways of California. The three exasperating drivers soon disappeared into the throng; to be replaced by thousands more racing to get somewhere else.

So were we.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Remember the Chinese Guy and telling Christine to "give him THE FACE!"

I had to drive the VW Bug like Mr. Taurus once....over the Umptanums.
Anonymous said…
Beautifully written, but sadly all too common.
Carole Burant said…
Hello dear Pamela:-) Finally catching up on all your news! I so enjoyed looking at all the photos in your previous post...your grandbabies are just adorable:-) Oh dear, don't you just love the way some of these people drive...makes you wonder if they got their drivers license in a cracker jack box!! Glad you got to your destination safely! xoxo
Masago said…
Been there...
Peter said…
If it were not all true that would have been a hilarious post Pamela.
WV = oilboil
Unknown said…
That was a relaxing journey, no? Ok, no. Still I felt like I was there on the road, just couldn't decide who's car I should be in. :)
Mary said…
Must be those crazy Sacramento drivers returning from a gambling binge in Reno ;)They have to hurry home to explain why they lost their house.
Beckie said…
Check out my latest post - there is something there for you.
katy said…
i love driving and was so looking forward to driving in the States, mmmm not so sure now!!! no really we have the same driving skills over here lol
Jodi said…
Pamela... I experienced quite a lot of that similiar driving while on my vacation. I love your descriptions of Mr. Taurus and his family!! Thanks for the laugh...

Have a great holiday weekend!
BarnGoddess said…
I am thankful my car has lots of horsepower.......

when i read your post I felt like I was playing that Sony roadtrip game w/ my son!
DesLily said…
when i was a teenager an older friend was helping teach me to drive. He said: just always think that the car in front of you.. the car behind you ..the car to the right.. and the car to the left, are going to do the stupidest thing possible"... it's held true all these years!
Anonymous said…
Sorry about the "hazardous driving conditions" but what a great post it gave you.
I know all three of those drivers. They are everywhere.
Next time, use a broom.
Beccy said…
All those lanes frighten me over there but then Irish drivers are just plain mad.
ChrisB said…
I feel quite exhausted after that drive; I think I deserve a glass of wine!
ChrisB said…
I gave you a mention today.
Kila said…
That was hilarious and wonderful, Pamela!

I have very little mountain driving experience, and would probably resemble Mr. Taurus, LOL.
Anonymous said…
Beautifully and hilariously descriptive. Although, not so beautiful and hilarious at the time, I'm sure. Sounds terrifying. I don't like driving in the mountains - I get hubby to do it.
Anonymous said…
I've never experienced mountain roads, but I've experienced more than enough idiot drivers. It was a great story though.
Tammy said…
Loved reading this! All of it is hysterical- and true!


"Sure enough, Mr. Taurus flew by us like a Whistling Pete. His eyes were wide and his expression maniacal. The wife and kids were in typical crash landing position as described by your friendly skies flight attendant."

That was just great, Pamela! :D
Heather said…
That was funny. Do you ever have travel buddies? You're going, going along with another car close by. You seem compatible, speed, adherence or non-adherence to the law. Then bam! That car exits. But, but your exit isn't for another 43 miles. How could they leave you?
dieter said…
Sadly all the crazies are not just on your highways and byways and road rage is getting out of hand. Pamela
Shelby said…
truly hysterical :)

my oh my...
M@ said…
Good story, Pam. I wonder what you'd say about me.
BlondeBlogger said…
Ugh.....I HATE that!!

Hey, Amanda's car is a Taurus...an old baby blue one, lol. She HATES it!

Thanks for being so sweet to me regarding Copper and all the support you showed me. It really meant a lot to me!
Hayden said…
wonderfully written - I felt like I was there - so now I'm ready for a stiff drink and a nap!
Anonymous said…
We get many drivers like Mr. Taurus around here. Their license plates usually have 'Texas' on them!

Precious grandchildren!!
Anonymous said…
I think I've had this same drive before, but at another time in another place...s i g h...

THIS is why I worry about my kids on the road.................

p.s. How did I get so far behind on reading YOU??? Geez....

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