California's
Highway 17 is a wonderful,
stress-free commute; provided you are
not driving during
rush hour,
or have
prepared,
at minimum, the following:
- Radar detector. Passive (non-transmitting) radar detectors are legal in California, ever since a 1998 California Supreme Court decision bitchslapped the legislature. :-)
- Full tank. It's a good (or a terrible) 30 miles from San Jose to Santa Cruz. Fill up!
- Good tires, and excellent brakes.
- An up-to-date, notarized, Last Will and Testament, to aid your next-of-kin in divvying up what swag you can't take with you.
There is but
one constant on this road: no matter how
recklessly you drive,
everyone on the road will be doing their
damndest to outdo you. Indeed, it often seems like a
contest for the title of "
World's Nastiest Driver", and the competition is decidedly world-class.
The key to survival on Highway 17, is this: take Highway 9, instead.