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Gilroy, CA

It's close to midnight by the time I get my 55th picture taken with a supercharger.  Like the majority of those I've been to outside of California, there is no one here.  I still have a hour of pavement ahead, so I pick up just enough joules to coast through Silicon Valley and into my driveway.   Although this will be my last supercharger of the trip, I leave Gilroy, not with a sadness of an ending, but with an eagerness that comes with a beginning.

My metamorphosis has been in the making for quite some time and if truth be told, I'm done with the days of waiting for "tomorrows", "somedays" and "if things were a little different".  That (and fall colors) is what got me packing and heading cross country in the first place.  It was during many a red carpeted stretch of asphalt, that the chrysalis cracked open even further.  A very simple yet poignant revelation started to emerge.

14,991 miles!

We've all heard Einstein's definition of insanity:  Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.  Sound familiar?

Change is a catalyst, an energetic accelerant needed when the chemistry has been stagnant for too long.  Its formula isn't complicated, elemental in fact and I found my answer in the periodic table under the symbol No.

Say "No" less

 "No" shuts the door, ends conversations and inhibits irons from being introduced to the fire.  Conversely, leaving my comfort zone, making room for people, events, situations and places previously not entertained, stretching boundaries, and trying something new, have triggered unexpected chain reactions.  New irons are now in the fire because of this trip and as soon as I'm unpacked, flames will be fanned and conditions primed to see what can be forged.  I'm beyond excited and (we all) deserve "no less".

Say "No" more

Perceived obligatory expectations, you know, the ones that little voice inside is telling you to stay away from.  Yet, you allow yourself to be sucked in.  Wasted time, wasted energy and wasted opportunities that could have yielded oh so much more had they been protected from intrusion.  So, no more putting myself on the back burner, no more thinking I'm not ready, no more overlooking the beauty in small moments,  and no more wasting time explaining myself to others.  No more.

I feel very grateful to have had this experience (which keeps giving even though it's technically over).  I want to extend my thanks to YOU for finding value in my blog, accessing it and following my daily progress.  Although I have no idea who you are, your name, or any other personal information, I can see what country you're from and I am profoundly grateful to the many thousands who have accessed my site from:

• The United States
• Canada
• Sweden
• New Zealand
• Russia
• France
• India
• Germany
• Mexico
• Ukraine
• Egypt
• Spain
• Romania
• Taiwan
• Switzerland
• Ireland
• United Kingdon
• Australia
• Malaysia
• Panama

Many a night have I spent with you and Kitt.  I looked forward to our evenings together.  Seeing that "New Zealand" checked in or that someone from Romania found me, was a highlight.  I found pleasure in this ritual and am thankful for your company, more than you may know.

Although there is quite a geographical spread,  I am in contact with Tesla regarding a "reunion" of sorts.  Perhaps you may be able to attend?  I will post details on my blog as they become available.  Should you like to be notified via email and have not already done so, please sign up for "Follow by email" in the blue box to the right.  Blogger will send you notification of any posts I make  (there's just one more I imagine) and you can cancel at any time.

Trip Stats

14,991 miles traveled

32 states

18 weeks on the road for Be-jouled

5 months on the road for Kitt

96 chargers visited

63 superchargers visited

55 pics with superchargers

4,376.2+ kWh used
292 Wh/mi used

no traffic tickets, yea!

one warning...errr

and...One heck of a good time!

Smiles and Hugs, 

Be-jouled

There is so much to see and do in San Diego that you could live a lifetime here and never see it all.  Both my boys graduated from this city and every time I come here, I try to explore something yet unseen. I plan to lite here a few days and add to my list.

 I've been waiting oh so patiently for the first SD supercharger to open.  There has been much speculation in the past with regards to its secret whereabouts, but as the following thread from the Tesla Motors Club suggests, it's location has pretty much been confirmed.  Now it's just a matter of wait time. I'd like to see just how far along they are, so off I go to do a little supercharger geocaching for myself.  http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/39447-San-Diego-%28Pacific-Heights%29-Supercharger?p=840783

The supercharger is said to be off Barnes Canyon Road in the QualComm parking lot.  I find it easy enough and ask a construction worker to authenticate its location, which he does.  Yea for that!  He estimates a April opening, but I won't be counting my spring chickens any time soon.

12 conduits still sticking out
of the ground.

For now it's slow charging on a 30 Amp J1772  (~17 mi/hr) which Marriott has installed since the last time I was here.  Although there is no charge to charge ;D downtown parking, especially by the marina is none too cheap.



Ya can't complain too much though, as all you have to do is walk outside for a million dollar view.

This is a naval town with the defense industry comprising 26% of the local employment.  The Navy's presence is obvious and the $30.5 Billion it pours into the local economy is staggering. 

Although mite's presence is substantial, art has made it's way into the ballasts.

Artwork by Salvador Torres

Elusive yet inviting, muscular but gentle, San Diego's long reaching tentacles capture all that swim by.  

I'm welcomed this morning by my own personal butler who hands me another resplendent day on a platter.  Talk about getting pampered!  It's in the 80's and gorgeous.

I learn from my friend that people pay rather handsomely to have some semblance of this experience.  My quarters have been booked for months now, however it appears there is still availability at Steve's.  

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Room----Inside-a-Tesla----Is-Offered-On-Airbnb-289530071.html?partner=xfinity1

I exit my "zero emissions hotel room" for the Sonora Desert Museum, but wonder how it can be any better than what I've already seen.





I arrive at 9 am, just a half hour after they open as I want to be there for the Raptor Free Flight at 10.

Oh golly, where do I begin?   This place is huge, 21 acres and I already know I won't be able to do it justice in just one day, despite the website saying "It normally takes at least 2 hours to see all the museum has to offer".  I present my $2 coupon (which I received from the campground ranger), pick up a map and will concentrate first on 3 exhibits;  Hummingbirds, bees and raptors. 

At home, just 3 species of hummers visit my feeders; Allen, Rufous and Anna.  I'm wondering what Arizona is able to attract.

Anna's, Calliope's, Costa's, Broadbill's, and Magnificent's are all (bred) here.  As they can not be release into the wild, the young are pulled each year to prevent inbreeding and are relocated to zoos and other museums.

I grew up with bees, selling the honey door to door and still have family members who keep hives, so this is my 2nd pick.

With over 1,000 different bee species in the area, this exhibit alone, could take the whole day.  I concentrate my attention on the carpenter bee as they are true masters of their namesake.  





Female carpenter bees bore round nesting tunnels inside sotol stalks, laying a single egg on a loaf of nutritious honey and pollen.  She then builds a particle-board like partition of plant fiber and secretions across the tunnel sealing the egg and provisions inside.  This process is repeated until the tunnel is filled with separate nurseries.  The hatched larva will stay in the cell until adulthood feasting on the food source at which time they will chew their way out  Wow!


-To bee continued...

Last picture I take with my tri-pod as it got
left behind in my hurry to get on the road.

I awake to a darkened sky. Light usually dances in from various slits around my cardboard cocoon, but not this morning. Thinking it is pre-dawn, I unlock Kitt and step outside.  Serious?
It's snowing and an inch or more has already accumulated on the ground.
Not far enough west, I sigh.

Since this is the beginning of the storm, and I want no knowledge of it's full demeanor, I decide to high tail it outta there, skipping all of my morning routines.

Back in September, I switched out my 21" wheels for 19's, and I now get to experience for myself how Kitt will react.  I've heard many times how well the Model S performs in the snow, but my experience with 21" wheels have not synced up with that.  I pull out of the KOA with a heightened sense of alertness but not fear, for I feel that whatever happens today, I somehow will get through it.

Although the roads are slushy in heavily traveled sections, it is still freezing outside with plenty of ice.  Kitt is doing well, a lot better with the 19's.  I sashay onto I10 along side the big rigs (not my favorite partner for this white dance party).  I'm cruising at 17 mph, until up ahead one pirouettes, causing all traffic to stop.  

A space is open to the left however, and a 4WD pickup slips by.  I decide to do the same, but when I attempt to go, Kitt's back end slides to the right.  As there are cars directly behind me, I'm unable to back up, so I get out to survey.  I see I've stopped on a thick layer of ice and with no other option, I pull the cables from the back hold.

I'm now hoping I remember enough to get these on correctly.  The driver from the car directly behind sees what I'm doing, gets out of his car and offers his assistance, which I accept.  I position the cables, red towards the back, split opening to the front.  I give a brief tutorial; he installs one side and I the other.  I ask if I can give him some money for his assistance, but he refuses.  We exchange pleasantries and he wishes me safe travels, and I the same for him. 

Security Chain Company Z-563 Z-Chain

No one is on the road behind me and as I learn later, they've closed the road. 

Kind of peaceful, kind of eerie, I travel for miles alone in this white landscape.  

The cables are making noise as if they are hitting the wheel well and are too loose.  I stop multiple times to check, but they are tight with no evidence of contact. 

I finally break free from the storm's grasp and pull over to remove the cables. The hook on the inside proves to be a formidable opponent who I battle until my fingers are numb.  Cold, wet and tired, I drive the remainder of my 195 miles to Willcox, AZ.  

Tesla's recently opened service center in Tennessee is the fastest gun in this part of the country.  Since we're just 90 miles away, we align the cross hairs on Brentwood, TN and make like a bullet.

Although not a supercharger, the high power wall connector at 80 Amps is the Ruger 204 in the charging world.

I must admit, in general I'm not a big fan of software updates. I figure, if it ain't broke don't fix it.  This has serviced me quite well, however I make an exception with Kitt's firmware as well as the associated phone app. 

The phone app (shown in the lower left hand corner of the pic) allows for me to see Kitt's condition from a remote location.   I can check/set/start/stop the charge, check/set the climate, check Kitt's location and get directions from the phone's location, (un)lock the car, start the car, vent the roof, honk the horn, and flash the lights.  I (or my husband from his phone) have employed every one of these functions on this trip.

While I'm here, I stop in and chat with the folks at Tesla and get to see the new Model D, the 4 wheel drive version of the Model S.  Most everything is the same, however the frunk is smaller having lost the "microwave" compartment to the front wheel drivetrain.

I fill to the brim, as I have 224 miles before I can reload in Memphis.  As usual, I start off conservative in my driving until I am confident that I have enough charge to go faster and still arrive at my destination.

We check into the Heart Break Hotel and then drop Kitt off at the RV park directly behind.  Since we are staying at the hotel, there is no fee to charge.

Elvis's music is playing everywhere and I totally get into it, much to the chagrin of my son.  For the next 24 hours, until we're out of Memphis, I'm either singing an Elvis song, playing one on slacker, doing an Elvis impersonation or talking about Lisa Marie/Michael Jackson, or Pricilla's botched plastic surgery. 

"Graceland"
Presley's mansion

I consider it "educational".  Not sure, but I think he sees it as a firing squad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all had a peaceful holiday season filled with contentment, love and the joy that comes with time spent with family and friends.  I cherished my time at home for the holidays, but have to say I missed being with Kitt and the open road.  Well, we are reunited once again, back in Nashville ready to kick up our heels and resume our cross country trip!  Thus far we've logged just under 11,000 miles but still many items remain on the bucket list.

Now, you just might be wondering where Kitt spent the last 6 weeks?  As I was searching for an enclosed storage unit, I kept running into the impediment that most facilities have removed their 110V outlets from the units due to some people living in them and the resulting liability. Since I had some minor maintenance work to be done on Kitt,  I thought I would ask Tesla if they had any suggestions.

To my surprise and delight, Samantha Eash, Tennessee's Service Concierge offered to provide "day care" for Kitt as their branch recently opened, had lots of space and not yet much service work.

Rob, Samantha, Keith, Taylor, Brent
You guys rock!

You might think yourself lucky that you had a great experience like this once, but it's been 3 times now!  This is no random occurrence and I'm trying hard not to expect this level of service, but golly-g I've gotta say I'm hooked.  In addition to storing Kitt, great service work, shuttle rides to and from the airport, these guys helped trouble shoot the installation of tire cables for (anticipated) snow conditions, recommended cheap parking downtown and filled Kitt to the brim with joules.

Elon... not only do they read your memo, they digest it!  I can't wait to see what will be on Tesla's New Year's resolution list this year.