Nov 05, 2016
Worst Day on the Road
We left our wonderful Napa RV site at 8:15, ready to enjoy the drive with a container of fruit and a coffee each. The girls had been fed and had done their business. We were looking forward to a good 2 hours or more before taking a break.
Despite maps, printed out Google directions and some actual map screen captures on the laptop which was on my lap we missed our crucial turn! No ones fault, it just happened. Instead of turning left onto 12 which I thought we were already on ( which we were but then suddenly a stop and left turn was required and we were in the wrong lane) and with Colin saying that we did not want to go to Sacramento we missed the turn. We went straight through on 29 and Colin turned right into what we thought was an industrial area. It actually was a T intersection with nowhere for us to turn around and all dead ends.
We weren’t sure we would make it but have every other time so Colin went for it. Sadly it was not possible and we were at an odd angle with the car jackknifed behind us.
It was not possible to unhook the car due to facing downhill and the position of the car and the strain on the tow hitch.
So Colin went back to the car and turned the wheel and tires and hence the direction of the car as I ever so slowly backed the RV. It was a slow motion ballet. After a few of those smooth moves I then had to torque the RV wheel to the left as hard as I could which was not easy and then turn and turn some more. My arms were aching form the effort. Finally I inched forward under Colin’s direction so that the RV could turn and miss hitting the sign. It was close but we did do it. Phew!
We were back on track within 10 minutes and enjoying the wonderful scenery despite the electrical wires.
Then the second nightmare of the day began ( it was way worse than a problem ). As navigator I was prepared for 12 to merge with I80 and knew that we had an extremely quick on and then an immediate off. However the ramp exits were under construction and the signs were confusing. We took the exit for I680South and did exit. But it was not until we were into the exit that I saw the sign behind the sign. There were in fact two right turn exits one behind the other. Ours was the second one but the sign we needed was directly behind the first sign and we could not see it until we were on the first ( incorrect ) off ramp. Nothing to do but make a quick crossover to I80 hoping to get back onto I680. Impossible as we discovered. So we drove about a bit and finally got back on I80 heading West to San Francisco with no idea what to do next when a sign directed us to Napa via 12 West. Worst case scenario we could return to the Napa area and turn around and start over again. Fortunately after a few miles Colin was able to do a very creative turn around on Highway 12, certainly not legal, but fortunately the traffic disappeared for a few moments and he was able to complete the maneuver.
So now were heading in the right direction and having a do over of our I680 nightmare. We were both extra vigilant. I managed to take photos to we could recreate what had gone so wrong the first time.
The correct signage
The right turn after the signage. We took the same turn as the car on the right did. However our turn was in fact next to the white car on the left. You can barely make out a sign behind the yellow turn right sign.
This is the sign that was hidden by the yellow 25 sign with the right turn arrow. You can just barely see the orange sign to the extreme left of the photo that was the indication of our right turn. So two right turns, one behind the other with poor signage. Bottom line, we got on the freeway and began to relax.
Some unexpected scenery.
We were going over this bridge but look at that smog. We actually have been in smog all day.
Hmmm….would this industry have anything to do with that pollution?
Some interesting road design.
Once again we were traveling down the road relaxing. As I took a sip of my cold coffee, I remarked on how fortunate we were to be traveling this route on a Saturday with less traffic. I happened to look to my right and saw an older car with the driver frantically gesturing with his arm out his window towards the back of the RV. I calmly told Colin that we might yet have another problem. The tires seemed fine and all in the mirrors and backup camera indicated that all else appeared fine. But we both knew that someone would not go to all that trouble for nothing. It took over a mile to find enough of a shoulder for us to pullover on.
Yup we had a problem alright.
There was a piece of metal that had plunged into the bumper of our tow car. The sparking of the metal being dragged along the interstate had caught that driver’s attention. Who knows what could have or would have happened next if he had not alerted us.
A lovely hole on the underside of the bumper.
Colin’s foot in relation to the piece of metal. Definitely something large enough to do some serious damage. Upon refection we both recall having seen this metal piece on the highway as we did our second and proper exit for I680. Colin says he that he quickly made an effort to center the RV over it but likely it got caught in the RV mud flap and thrown back to the car.
Things happen in threes and we both touched wood ( who knows, it might help ) and carried on What else could we do? By now I had a headache and my eyes were seriously watering and were sore. Not a good travel day at all.
So we continued on with the journey.
Such a love in. The girls were so good all day today despite all the extra stop and goes.
Does anyone know why some of the vine crops are covered like this?
Finally after 319 long and weary miles we were able to pull up to Camping World in Bakersfield.
Quite the day indeed. Yes I know that I owe you one or two posts on our second winery day in Napa but after today, it will just have to wait. It is me time. Please forgive any typos.
Silverado Trail in Napa to HWY 12 to I80 to I680 to I580 to I5 To Bakersfield…lots of moves today. Plus we did it in only 319 miles so we only did an extra 19 miles, not bad for all the’ stuff ‘ we had to deal with.
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What I’ve heard is that when growing late season table grapes, approximately two months before harvesting, the grapes can’t be exposed to rain because of rot and mold developing on the grapes before they reach the super market. Thank goodness you two have rather calm personalities when Murphy’s Law kicks in and deal with each incident in a methodical manner. Beach and I would have cursed a lot and snapped at each other.
Dee
Awww-Geez….I have only had to unhook my Samurai one time due to those crazy sign directions…
Free sailing now..eh??
David
Always fun being on the road, bound to make a few wrong turns, just livens up the day for us. At least nobody was hurt.
Do you not have a GPS? The Garmin products show exit ramps easily on a screen that even looks like the road you are traveling. As far as the sign goes for I-80 Sacramento, it clearly was not the way you wanted to go and you can see even up to the next sign that there is another sign yet to come. True, there are multiple signs blocking a clear view, but there was also evidence that another green highway sign was ahead. I always write down the roads I need to make turns before I depart for unfamiliar highways so that even tough I also use a GPS, I have my paper maps that I trust more. You were very fortunate to not have that piece of metal penetrate your tire. Thank goodness we have some considerate drivers on the road
I know how you feel. Horrid feeling when you discover you aren’t where you were supposed to be. One time we were going north past San Francisco, I too did not see the correct sign. Next thing we knew we were heading right towards downtown SF. With the Alfa 40′ and tow car. We sure got some strange looks driving down Market St. Then we had to cross the Golden Gate bridge. Very narrow toll booth, worse then Mexico. We clipped one of our mirrors. I kept very quiet the rest of the day.
When we see you in MX remind me to tell you about driving through Mazatlan as far as Olas Alta in the Alfa. We turned around where the deer statue is – or tried to anyway.
Well at least you got back on track and on your way. We’ve often made a wrong turn and ended up in a big city maze!
Let’s just hope all the crap is behind you now and you have a smooth safe trip the rest of the way!
Looking at the picture of the metal piece that pierced your PT Cruiser, I can’t tell what it is. Have you determined what it might be?
Oh, I can feel that sense of dread coming over me when I realize I’m not going to make that turn….and the car is now jackknifed! It’s only happened to me twice now, but it’s a sinking feeling!
And what a FREAK thing to have happen with that piece of metal! Well, I guess there were worse places it could have gotten stuck. At least you are left with only a little hole in the bumper rather than a hole in the radiator, oil pan, tire, etc. etc.
Glad you got that all behind you now! Onward to the Isla!
That was my worst nightmare when I was full-timing — getting caught at a dead end with a jackknifed toad and no way to get it unhooked! I sure could have used a helper back then. Glad you got it sorted. So sorry to see the damage on your toad. 🙁