New 8,000km one-week road trip...........
Discussion
The time has come when Canadian winter in setting in and the dog hates snow. As usual we will drive her down to Arizona for a pleasant winter. This trip will be different in many ways.
We will do a fast trip for time reasons with fewer diversions on the way, pick overnights in hotels that are on-highway and have food in walking distance, and run far.
It is also the first AZ trip for my 2022 Cayenne GTS as my old black one now lives with a neighbour and has 320,000km on it.
Preparation:
The car has full ceramic/PPF which should help with stone chipping. I am also trying a windshield coating. Within two weeks of getting the new vehicle a stone shattered the windshield. I had specified a heated windshield and I suspect that are more fragile - a replacement was $3650, so hopefully the coating will reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.
The 21” summer wheels were replaced with more basic 20s fitted with proper Michelin Alpin winters. Weather is very variable this time of year. We had a major storm two weeks ago and have had many whiteouts, some tornadoes, dust storms and so on. As it happens the forecast looks OK.
The carpeting in the rear deck is too slippery and the dog slides around even in very modest cornering. My co-driver cut up an old yoga mat which solved the problem.
The dog had to get her papers updated. US crossing requires an up to date Rabies vaccine and a health check.
So, time to go.
Dog is very happy to see my co-driver.
We head for the US border at Buffalo at 4:30am. The usually very busy crossing is deserted,and the bored officer asks if we have dog papers. When we confirmed he said “ don’t want to see them” and we were on our way into the darkness.
It is still dark by the time we reach Pennsylvania:
We will do a fast trip for time reasons with fewer diversions on the way, pick overnights in hotels that are on-highway and have food in walking distance, and run far.
It is also the first AZ trip for my 2022 Cayenne GTS as my old black one now lives with a neighbour and has 320,000km on it.
Preparation:
The car has full ceramic/PPF which should help with stone chipping. I am also trying a windshield coating. Within two weeks of getting the new vehicle a stone shattered the windshield. I had specified a heated windshield and I suspect that are more fragile - a replacement was $3650, so hopefully the coating will reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.
The 21” summer wheels were replaced with more basic 20s fitted with proper Michelin Alpin winters. Weather is very variable this time of year. We had a major storm two weeks ago and have had many whiteouts, some tornadoes, dust storms and so on. As it happens the forecast looks OK.
The carpeting in the rear deck is too slippery and the dog slides around even in very modest cornering. My co-driver cut up an old yoga mat which solved the problem.
The dog had to get her papers updated. US crossing requires an up to date Rabies vaccine and a health check.
So, time to go.
Dog is very happy to see my co-driver.
We head for the US border at Buffalo at 4:30am. The usually very busy crossing is deserted,and the bored officer asks if we have dog papers. When we confirmed he said “ don’t want to see them” and we were on our way into the darkness.
It is still dark by the time we reach Pennsylvania:
Edited by RDMcG on Monday 12th December 17:06
Edited by RDMcG on Monday 12th December 18:50
We decide to run long, about 1800km/day. We run through NY, Pennsylania, Ohio, Indiana,and deep into Missouri, stopping only for fuel, toilets and Red Bull. Some amusement was provided at the Indiana state border which is a time zone change. The analogue clock on the dash whirred rapidly with hands spinning as it reset the time.
Springfield Missouri is one of the only Route 66 towns we have not spent any time in, though our visit will be brief. We check into the local Hampton Inn ( these are comfortable but do not serve food except for a rudimentary breakfast
We stroll over to the local chicken place had have am modest beer:
There is quite a lot of traditional 66 here…old motels. A brilliant Teamsters Union sign from 1939 - the place here not yet been improved.
Next morning we do a brief drive around Springfield and have a breakfast at an excellent diner called Ziggy’s. I was impressed with the waitress who had a shirt saying “ Show me your tips” in large letters.
By this stage I am very familiar with the Cayenne. Being a much younger generation than my old one, it has all of the usual features..bluetooth, Apple play, intelligent Nav, superb 18-way seats that are heated and cooled and can be adjusted to fit anyone comfortably- great lateral support. I had specified a Burmeister sound system which is excellent.
It is bloody quick and has outstanding roadholding, very precise steering. I do not understand people who say it handles like a sports car as it bears no resemblance to my GT cars, but it will compare very favourably to any fast road car.
Dislikes are few:
On start up is it startlingly loud. I have had more than one person ask me if I have a sports exhaust ( I do not). However it is quiet in motion.
The nav system cannot be changed on the fly. You have to stop. I understand this for a driver of course, but a passenger cannot change it either
The touch screen and haptic controls get dirty all the time from fingerprints so I have microfibre cloth and cleaner in the door.
We aim for Amarillo TX in the middle of the Panhandle. This is typical fairly quick with a lot of fast traffic, and speeds limits very from 75 to 80 mph. Traffic is light and we run at a steady 90-95 a lot of the way. Weather remains cool and dry.
We stop at the Big Texan steakhouse which has an attached motel and is dog friendly. This pleases the dog mightily as there will be some steak for dinner and breakfast
We stop at the Big Texan steakhouse which has an attached motel and is dog friendly. This pleases the dog mightily as there will be some steak for dinner and breakfast
It is beautiful and open here in New Mexico and you can drive forever. I have been all over the state, and whole South West is a delight if you like to road trip.
We could easily make our destination from here but decide on a shorter trip to a very good hotel called La Posada in Winslow AZ, an old railway hotel. Firm dog favourite and they give her a biscuit on check-in. They had brilliant margaritas and a great huevos rancheros for breakfast.
Into Scottsdale next morning on empty roads.
We could easily make our destination from here but decide on a shorter trip to a very good hotel called La Posada in Winslow AZ, an old railway hotel. Firm dog favourite and they give her a biscuit on check-in. They had brilliant margaritas and a great huevos rancheros for breakfast.
Into Scottsdale next morning on empty roads.
Edited by RDMcG on Monday 12th December 19:19
Mileage on the down trip 3816km
We have a few things to do . I have to drop the SL down to Mercedes- it is showing a battery problem and there was not time to fix it on last visit. I take the Jeep out for a shakedown, drive out on a river bed which looks very benign but is actually very soft and lethal in wet weather. As I get deeper the becomes fine silt and the Jeep begins to slide, so I turn back.
On the way back I run into a place called Fountain Hills. ( "home of the world-famous fountain").
Well, this is the Arizona Desert, to not expecting much,. However, it is higher than the Washinton Monument and is raised higher on certain holidays. Go figure:
We have a few things to do . I have to drop the SL down to Mercedes- it is showing a battery problem and there was not time to fix it on last visit. I take the Jeep out for a shakedown, drive out on a river bed which looks very benign but is actually very soft and lethal in wet weather. As I get deeper the becomes fine silt and the Jeep begins to slide, so I turn back.
On the way back I run into a place called Fountain Hills. ( "home of the world-famous fountain").
Well, this is the Arizona Desert, to not expecting much,. However, it is higher than the Washinton Monument and is raised higher on certain holidays. Go figure:
I pick up OH at the airport and we sort out a few chores.
Two nights’ stay and we leave at dawn.
The roads up to Flagstaff rises very rapidly from 2000ft to 7000 in 90 mins, it is dark and twisty but empty and dry at 4am.
Except for the cop.
My co-driver gets the ticket for 97 mph in a 75. Very decent young officer, asks if we have firearms, ( we do not), gives us the ticket, can be paid on line, and of course, no points.
Two nights’ stay and we leave at dawn.
The roads up to Flagstaff rises very rapidly from 2000ft to 7000 in 90 mins, it is dark and twisty but empty and dry at 4am.
Except for the cop.
My co-driver gets the ticket for 97 mph in a 75. Very decent young officer, asks if we have firearms, ( we do not), gives us the ticket, can be paid on line, and of course, no points.
It is a pretty morning with the moon still in the sky over the San Francisco Peaks as we go East on I-40.
I take the wheel and again decide on a long stint to Oklahoma City. These are the quickest roads so our day will be about 1600km. We do not eat breakfast or lunch, just run, as we can make it back in two nights’ stay.
Dinner is not great:
Second day will be a run to Dayton Ohio. We consider St Louis and Indianapolis but that would mean stopping too early, Dayton gets us back home late morning next day. There is a sports bar next to the Hampton Inn which does the job.
Meanwhile OH has picked up the Mercedes ( which only has 29,000 miles on I since bought new in 2003). Pulling into home the whole dash lights up and the car dies. Luckily I have good roadside assistance and a flatbed arrives in 15 mins to drop the car back to the dealer.
I take the wheel and again decide on a long stint to Oklahoma City. These are the quickest roads so our day will be about 1600km. We do not eat breakfast or lunch, just run, as we can make it back in two nights’ stay.
Dinner is not great:
Second day will be a run to Dayton Ohio. We consider St Louis and Indianapolis but that would mean stopping too early, Dayton gets us back home late morning next day. There is a sports bar next to the Hampton Inn which does the job.
Meanwhile OH has picked up the Mercedes ( which only has 29,000 miles on I since bought new in 2003). Pulling into home the whole dash lights up and the car dies. Luckily I have good roadside assistance and a flatbed arrives in 15 mins to drop the car back to the dealer.
Returning to Toronto with its congested roads I have the familiar feeling that there is no pleasure in driving a fast car ( or any car really ) in cities as the traffic comes to a complete stop. At least we avoided weather.,
The snow hits overnight.
Conclusion is that the new Cayenne is a very competent successor to my faithful 2008. I wonder in the long term about reliability given the huge increase in electronics. We will see.
Love reading these, always very inspiring trips and hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to do a US road trip.
One question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
One question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
Imasurv said:
Love reading these, always very inspiring trips and hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to do a US road trip.
One question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
OH winters there so dog has company all winterOne question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
- I go back and forth.RDMcG said:
Imasurv said:
Love reading these, always very inspiring trips and hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to do a US road trip.
One question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
OH winters there so dog has company all winterOne question, who does the dog stay with when you leave it? Assume there are other family members down that way? Not wanting to pry but just wondered and won’t be offended if you don’t answer!
- I go back and forth.Doofus said:
I'm confused. You left the Canadian winter by driving from Canada to Canada via AZ?
Precisely.The dog is too big and old to fly, so I drop her to winter quarters around now and pick her up in April so she has a pleasant winter.OH based in AZ for winter and I t back and forth as time permits .We keep a couple of permanent cars there.
In other words the dog does 16000km per year so is a 154000km dog so far. This is how my old Cayenne got to over 300000km.
I regard the Cayennes as working vehicles.
RDMcG said:
Doofus said:
I'm confused. You left the Canadian winter by driving from Canada to Canada via AZ?
Precisely.The dog is too big and old to fly, so I drop her to winter quarters around now and pick her up in April so she has a pleasant winter.OH based in AZ for winter and I t back and forth as time permits .We keep a couple of permanent cars there.
In other words the dog does 16000km per year so is a 154000km dog so far. This is how my old Cayenne got to over 300000km.
I regard the Cayennes as working vehicles.
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