The Search For Diesel
I'll do a more thorough update on what I've been up to later, but for now, we have this.
Internet in my apartment here went out sometime Thursday morning, and then I was on the road and then our hotel didn't have free internet access so I basically went from Wednesday until tonight (Sunday night) without internet access. I don't know how I survived!
Driving down to OC I have the gas situation figured out: I fill up right at the station right next to the 113 and then again when I get to Gorman 325 miles later. Returning, however, is a different story. The nearest diesel that I know of anywhere near my house in Mission Viejo in a northwar direction is at the very tedious intersection of El Toro & the freeway, so I like to avoid that if I can. However, travelling further north there are no diesel gas stations until Gorman which are easy to find or known to me.
To make matters more exciting, my gas gauge does not work below the halfway point. The low-gas warning light does work, so I know I really need gas but not how far I can go before I'm stranded.
So on the way back up today, my warning light came on as I was driving through Los Angeles. I held out for awhile hoping to see a gas station with a diesel sign from the freeway, and then at least a gas station. Finally I got desperate and got off in the general area of the centre of this map (looks like Glendale, CA, part of LA). I found a gas station, but it didn't have diesel. The attendant gave me some confusing directions about going under a bridge and I followed them as best I could and came to this ghetto looking gas station with a diesel pump. Unfortunately however, I soon learned that they were out of diesel. The attendant told me gas was at "the other station." "other station?" "next building over ::Gestures next door::" I look outside, knowing there's not a gas station right beside this one. "down the street you mean?" "yeah!" ... weirdo.
Anyway down the street I find another even dodgier looking station with a diesel pump. Once again, the pump ain't pumping anything. Turns out that that pump is broken though and I move to a different pump. Now I'm several turns away from the freeway and my hands are filthy trying to operate the broken pump. )=
Light lit up again several hours later in Ceres, just south of Modesto. Once again I held out for an obvious diesel station until I was getting desperate. Seeing a Valero sign from the road I get off to investigate. No diesel, and the attendant has no idea where the nearest is. Back on the freeway and a few more exits I see another gas station. There's one that does have diesel, but its closed down for the night. I go into the one beside it and ask where the nearest diesel is. Attendants speculate that they think this one does thats four blocks down the road (away from the freeway).
Arriving there, they do not have diesel. Lady gives me barely intelligible directions to another gas station even further in a different direction. This station finally has diesel (but not a working restroom!).
At this point I'm in some obscure corner of Ceres. Fortunately I'd been to Ceres once before, and since I actually do have a photographic memory for directions I was able to find this hidden freeway onramp I never would have found otherwise.
And then I get back to Davis, completing my 500 mile return journey, and there is some bozo in a white pick-up truck parked in my spot! )=<
Completely Unrelated Picture of the Day
