| Author | Message | ||
     Wolfridgerider |
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| Lemonchili_x1 |
"I'm confused... are you starting in Los Angeles and riding across the country?" As much as I would *love* to do that, and maybe one day in the future we will, for this trip our basic plan is: LA/Las Vegas for about a week, then fly to... NY for about a week, then hire a car and drive to... Columbus OH for a few days, ride to... Homecoming! Ride back to Columbus, plane to LA, plane home, probably sleep the whole way! Froggy - Thank you  . I think we're all sorted for transport, I'll email you. Weird, I would have thought the US law enforcement would have been all over speed cameras. They love them here, fantastic revenue raisers, I mean "safety devices"  Rob Zombie is a freak... of the best kind  Jim - we'll be careful. I find the biggest problem is when you get home and go back to driving on left again. Glitch... you're scaring me now...  | ||
| Froggy |
Good news is they haven't really gained traction. The state of Arizona is getting rid of them along with the illegal aliens http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20004508-71.html One of the big issues has been the legality of the cameras, (don't quote me) they can't give a real speeding ticket due to not having an officer to do the paperwork and prosecute you, so basically it becomes a parking ticket, and even those are going largely unpaid making the camera programs unprofitable. (Again my take from reading about them over the years) | ||
| Doerman |
He he. My wife and I get to be the first in line as V&C US Tour - 2010 BW ambassadors! We're looking forward to it! I have a friend from Melbourne. His phone works here. Expensive to use! But works. Might just be better to get a use and lose for while you're here. See you soon! | ||
| Vampress |
nervous twitch of anticipation It's getting closer. We're not really worried about anything, just trying to make sure all our i's are dotted etc. Have had to organise the parts of the renovations that needed to be complete before we could leave, arrangements for while we are gone(the dogs are doing 'homestay') and what we have to take/bring home. In the midst of it all business picked up for me with Mothers Day and Chili's music is moving along too. We're mostly ahead of the game with bookings and flights sorted now. We have enough storage to take a million pictures across two cameras, insurance arranged and contact details out to everyone. And yes..I reiterate, we are looking forward very much to meeting you all | ||
| Etennuly |
It is so awesome to know that you are making this trip! I will be meeting up with you guys somewhere near HomeComing time. Can't wait!  Something tells me this summer is going to go fast.  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Have you got your ESTA's? Needed for visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Program. Takes 5 mins online. http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visa_waiver_prog.htm l | ||
| D_adams |
I thought it was dotting the "T's" and crossing the eyes? Hope to see you guys here at homecoming. Enjoy the trip. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I have already checked out US Embassy stuff, just have to sit down with passport and flight numbers and do it. Looks like I'm out of date with phone stuff, but I think you're right, will be cheaper to get something basic while we're there. | ||
| Court |
Your phone from Australia will also work fine but it may be less pricey to get one of the cheap prepaid while you are here. I know ATT charges me $0.25 for text messages to Australia. You'll have "no worries, Mate". | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Yep, She'll be right. Court, I know you have some interest in history so don't forget to ask Lemon about his roots. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Not to hijack, but my buddy just bought the severed arm that was used to poke at the victim in House of 1000 Corpses. He got it from Mr. Rob Zombie himself. I'll see if I can get a pic of it. He has a bunch of movie effects from those 2 flicks. Just made me think of how small this world can be. Hijack over.  | ||
| Drkside79 |
You will encounter RED LIGHT CAMERAS when in the Chicagoland area. Just an FYI. Oh and most of us drive on the right. | ||
| Drkside79 |
Oh and as for the phone you can get a cheap burn phone for under 30 bucks in most 7-11s | ||
| Gunut75 |
Red light cameras in SE WI too. Well, anywhere between Indiana and Milwaukee you can find these. | ||
| Wbrisett |
5. Speed Limits: Can vary from 20 MPH near school zones to 75 MPH on the Interstate. 5 MPH will usually not get you a ticket, but 10 MPH over most definitely can. Use common sense. Correction: up to 80 MPH on the Interstate! Of course you do have to go through the most desolate parts of Texas to see them. However, I-10 and I-20 east of El Paso have 80 MPH speed limits! The beauty is now the highway patrol rarely is seen along the road except for near the "big" cities. When there was a national 55 MPH rule, the highway patrol (AKA Texas DPS), was always out there enforcing the speed. Wayne | ||
| Court |
Hahahaha. . . . well we TRY to drive on the right. We just had Australian guests here and one of them, a Badweb legend in his own right, had a bit of a problem one day . . . it gets confusing when you make a left turn. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Heres the "House of 1000 Corpses" arm.  With it he got a cert. of authenticity, and the actual hand written script for the take in the movie. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Eeek! 2 weeks now!!! I'm finalising a rental car. Best price I've got now is with Dollar Rent A Car. I should've booked the great deal I saw with National a couple of months ago... doh! | ||
| Froggy |
I take it you're not bringing over a right hand drive ute  | ||
| Crusty |
Remind me to tell you about following a ute with a cow in the back on my XJ900, during my first trip to Australia in 1994. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Ute Xr8 please! | ||
| Vampress |
I take it you're not bringing over a right hand drive ute Sorry Froggy-baggage restrictions said 158cm and they don't float real well. although I'd be willing to drive one to it's watery death to double check that  | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Great to hear the anticipation in your threads, you're gonna have a good time I'm sure. Don't forget to make that call when you get to vegas, I'll be there in a jiffy ! | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Hadn't forgotten, will PM you before we leave to get your number. Should see you in Vegas around 31st May | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Doh!!!! One week 'til we leave and the exchange rate takes a little nose dive  . Hopefully it will stabilise in the next day or so... Speaking of money, something else I'd meant to ask: Do you "pre pay" at most or all gas stations? What's the deal if I want to fill the tank with a credit card? Do I go and swipe the card, then fill up, then go back to sign it off? | ||
| Doerman |
You can pay at the pump in many states with a credit card - not CA,since the pump will ask you for a ZIP code where you live. (the pump will not understand the 4QX3RRW - or whatever cruel joke of a ZIP code the Queen imposed on you?!?)  You can always pay inside with a credit card before filling up. | ||
| Froggy |
99% of gas pumps have a card reader on them, sometimes they ask for a Zip code, usually they don't. Due to drive offs, most stations require you prepay if paying by cash. Also, like everything else, Octane is measured differently, and in most areas 87 Octane is the cheapest grade with 93 being the most expensive. 87 for us is equal to your 91, and our 93 is equal to your 98. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Cool, thank you both, sounds simple enough. Thanks for the tip on the octane ratings "(the pump will not understand the 4QX3RRW - or whatever cruel joke of a ZIP code the Queen imposed on you?!?) " I've always wondered what zippers have to do with mail...  We don't have those freaky UK codes either, just a simple 4 digit post code. The first digit signifies the state, and generally the lower the number the closer it is to the capital city. ie 4000 is the Brisbane CBD GPO, we are 4017. (Message edited by lemonchili_x1 on May 20, 2010) | ||
| Court |
Hahahaha ... you'll go through the same thing that Paul and Kathy always do . . . you'll go inside, tell them you want to fill up and they'll ask "how much?". . . . "well, I don't know Mate, I've not filled it yet". Just give them like $40 bucks, put the $40 in and you'll be good to go. Stick with 87 Octane unless you are hiring a Porsche 911. The zip code thing varies from location to location . . . you'll do fine and have a great time. Your room's ready. |
