We got to the rental car counter and were all ready to rent our step-up from compact car when I saw the pretty picture of all the different cars they had. This was, no doubt, to lure impulsive fools like me into renting an upgrade. Look, said the woman-car-rental-gypsy, eyeing my weakness, you could rent a convertible! My eyes glazed right past the red convertible and the mega-2-ton SUV and settled on….a Prius! Ooh! A Prius! Honey, let’s get a Prius!
Sure sign that you are an old fogey.
They were out of Priuses. But, we could get a Camry hybrid. Let’s do it! And we entered the adult world of practical joy.
What fuel option did you want?
There were 3. Option #1: pay for a full tank of gas ahead of time for $3/gallon. Option #2: Have them top you off when you bring in the car at $8/gallon. Option #3: Fill the tank up yourself.
Clearly, we would not be going for option #3. Totally not happening.
So, I said pretty confidently, #1!
Car-rental-gypsy-woman said, yes, going to Napa? You’ll probably use a whole tank. She said this totally not convincingly.
We drove A LOT. All around. We stayed in Sonoma and traveled quite a bit to get to our various dinners. One road trip involved ME driving the DEATH ROAD between Sonoma and Napa.
As you can imagine, the “shortcut” between 2 neighboring valleys is to go over the mountains in between. DO NOT EVER DRIVE ON THIS ROAD.
While driving on this road, I was suddenly taken back to 10 years ago when I’m pretty sure I was also driving this road, a road of DANGER and UNPLEASANTNESS. We’re talking about going on narrow, winding roads on sides of cliffs WITH NO GUARD RAIL. I did not like this road. Not one bit. It should be a sign whenever the road doesn’t end in “Road” or “Drive”, but “Grade.”
So not a fan of that road.
Anyway, having pre-paid for the whole tank of gas ahead of time, we were periodically checking the gas gauge WHICH HARDLY BUDGED. Dude. We drove for miles. We found ourselves ironically wishing to burn gas and make my fuel choice not a fail….while driving a hybrid. It was quite funny in an environmentally all wrong way.
In the end, we used maybe a half a tank. So, Avis, there’s our gift to you (and to the environment).
Stay away from Oakville Grade if you know what’s good for you.
Sure sign that you are an old fogey.
They were out of Priuses. But, we could get a Camry hybrid. Let’s do it! And we entered the adult world of practical joy.
What fuel option did you want?
There were 3. Option #1: pay for a full tank of gas ahead of time for $3/gallon. Option #2: Have them top you off when you bring in the car at $8/gallon. Option #3: Fill the tank up yourself.
Clearly, we would not be going for option #3. Totally not happening.
So, I said pretty confidently, #1!
Car-rental-gypsy-woman said, yes, going to Napa? You’ll probably use a whole tank. She said this totally not convincingly.
We drove A LOT. All around. We stayed in Sonoma and traveled quite a bit to get to our various dinners. One road trip involved ME driving the DEATH ROAD between Sonoma and Napa.
As you can imagine, the “shortcut” between 2 neighboring valleys is to go over the mountains in between. DO NOT EVER DRIVE ON THIS ROAD.
While driving on this road, I was suddenly taken back to 10 years ago when I’m pretty sure I was also driving this road, a road of DANGER and UNPLEASANTNESS. We’re talking about going on narrow, winding roads on sides of cliffs WITH NO GUARD RAIL. I did not like this road. Not one bit. It should be a sign whenever the road doesn’t end in “Road” or “Drive”, but “Grade.”
So not a fan of that road.
Anyway, having pre-paid for the whole tank of gas ahead of time, we were periodically checking the gas gauge WHICH HARDLY BUDGED. Dude. We drove for miles. We found ourselves ironically wishing to burn gas and make my fuel choice not a fail….while driving a hybrid. It was quite funny in an environmentally all wrong way.
In the end, we used maybe a half a tank. So, Avis, there’s our gift to you (and to the environment).
Stay away from Oakville Grade if you know what’s good for you.
I learned the hard way my first week in California what "Grade" meant. And it has nothing to do with your GPA. It has to do with driving up a VERY STEEP HILL with no guard rails because "WE DON"T GET ICE HERE". Like in California nobody ever falls off a cliff....
Anyway to make the situation even more perfect I had my brand new 6 week old baby in the car with me (crying) and a bunch of pick up trucks tailgating and honking at me. And then I had to get back down again. And all because my husband said, "Honey, could you drop off this package for me?"
I feel your pain.
Posted by: Chris | Monday, March 15, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Agh! That road sounds terrifying. The gas mileage sounds dreamy!
Posted by: Kyla | Monday, March 15, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Chris- Neglected to mention there were also large signs reading "ICY." I was like - dude, cool. I was PRAYING for no one to tail me since I was going so slow and on the outer edge of the death road. I did, of course, get a tail-er by the end. I would not be forced into an untimely demise!
Kyla- the gas mileage was quite impressive. Just wish I hadn't paid in full beforehand.
Posted by: KC | Monday, March 15, 2010 at 08:16 PM
Well, I'm in San Diego County where we don't get ICE, except in the mountains where it snows.....and there aren't any GUARD RAILS...I'll never understand California...maybe they put something in the water. Glad you survived the icy roads with no guard rails. I didn't speed up either.
Posted by: Chris | Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Awesome!! They really shouldn't give option #1 for hybrids! (sorry I haven't commented in like forever!)
Posted by: Aimee @ Smiling Mama | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 09:22 AM