California # 1

[BIGNASTY]

Penny here guy's

Gail wouldn't do it, he said that he's not up to an argument right now. We have been in Sothern Calif for about a week and a half, our Brother-in-law (Sisters Husband) took ill when we were in Las Vegas at the Rodeo. He wanted to go home, so they flew home. Gail and most of the Family drove home in the bus, Gail can still drive like the Truck Driver he once was. Father said that if he had gone any faster that we would have gone back in time.

Sadly our BIL passed away, He being a Native Californian and there's not many of those. Whished to have his ashes spread at sea. Today was that day for Jim. There was a nice ceremony that the Recording Studios that Jim worked for as a Studio Musician gave him, a really nice send off on their 100ft Yacht, boat, ship what ever you call it.

This is the part that Gail didn't want to get into but I WILL!! YOU PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN TO DRIVE!!! what went wrong? we have only been gone something like 4 years and this place ( we are still here for now) has gone to XXXX It was raining the day we flew back to Calif to meet up with my Brother that had taken our car from Las Vegas and came here for the ceremony. JUST A WORD OF ADVICE, you have had a drought and there is oil on the roads SLOW DOWN!!! We went to Banning outlet malls one day and 5 bad wrecks on the way, what's it like 30 Miles?

Gail would see them fly by in the Bullet lane and said THAT ONE IS GOING TO CRASH!! sure enough 3 or 4 miles up the road into the center K-rail :-laf

Common decency behind the wheel is NON EXISTENT!! one of you Gentlemen has talked to Gail about coming up to our Place in MT for a visit. Don't go driving like that at home. They don't put up with that to very well, we don't mind out of state plates and tourists but ya got to behave yourselves. :-laf

The reason for the California # 1 is for the # 1 worst drivers




Penny

 

[Regcabguy]

Penny here guy's

Gail wouldn't do it, he said that he's not up to an argument right now. We have been in Sothern Calif for about a week and a half, our Brother-in-law (Sisters Husband) took ill when we were in Las Vegas at the Rodeo. He wanted to go home, so they flew home. Gail and most of the Family drove home in the bus, Gail can still drive like the Truck Driver he once was. Father said that if he had gone any faster that we would have gone back in time.

Sadly our BIL passed away, He being a Native Californian and there's not many of those. Whished to have his ashes spread at sea. Today was that day for Jim. There was a nice ceremony that the Recording Studios that Jim worked for as a Studio Musician gave him, a really nice send off on their 100ft Yacht, boat, ship what ever you call it.

This is the part that Gail didn't want to get into but I WILL!! YOU PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN TO DRIVE!!! what went wrong? we have only been gone something like 4 years and this place ( we are still here for now) has gone to XXXX It was raining the day we flew back to Calif to meet up with my Brother that had taken our car from Las Vegas and came here for the ceremony. JUST A WORD OF ADVICE, you have had a drought and there is oil on the roads SLOW DOWN!!! We went to Banning outlet malls one day and 5 bad wrecks on the way, what's it like 30 Miles?

Gail would see them fly by in the Bullet lane and said THAT ONE IS GOING TO CRASH!! sure enough 3 or 4 miles up the road into the center K-rail :-laf

Common decency behind the wheel is NON EXISTENT!! one of you Gentlemen has talked to Gail about coming up to our Place in MT for a visit. Don't go driving like that at home. They don't put up with that to very well, we don't mind out of state plates and tourists but ya got to behave yourselves. :-laf

The reason for the California # 1 is for the # 1 worst drivers





Penny

There were 225K San Diego residents when I was born in 1950. I dare say,we drive fine. This place is the mecca for the rest of the US and world and I think that's where the problem lies. Montana has 1/38th the population of California so your chances of encountering mobile screwballs are minimized. I cringe everytime I have to drive through LA but thanks to the carpool lane it is pretty uneventful.

 

[Tractorat]

I didnt thing Bignasty to go back to ca ?

Funny to hear someone from Montana where until recently they didnt even have a speed limit telling folks to slow down.:-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

Just have to let them go by and not worry about it, I drive over the speed limit, but some people have after burner speed. In California, when it rains, you have only two kinds of drivers, fast as you can, or go as slow as you can. Both can get you killed, 65 in the rain is OK but when you have a line of cars traped by a driver doing 50 in the second lane because they don't want to get behind a truck, makes for a special kind of accident. The Driver that wants to go 85 suddenly thinks he needs to go a 100 to get around the slow person (slower than the trucks) when another auto is getting on the freeway and closes the gap, well Penny you saw what happens.

 

[Simplysmn]

Penny and Big I'm sorry to hear such bad new's during this time of Year My Heart goes out to you .as for the driver's in Ca. I agree When it's Raining half of the fool's don't know what a Headlight switch is let alone a wiper switch.common Sense is Rare any more in Calif. and I have lived here all but 4 yr's of my life .I've been driveing sense the age of 14 Had a special License to drive my Mom around because my Dad was in the Service .I tried to Teach both of our kid's and I think they are both good driver's but the kid's now day's don't know the First thing about driving .They Can't wait to turn 16 so their parent's don't have to drive them around any more .It's Scarry as Heck. Have a Safe Trip going Back home . Merry Christmas and Have a Blessed New Year.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Mr. Simplysmn

Thank You for the kind words, we don't feel that anytime is good for the reason we are here.

Gail was 10 when his Father was sent here in the Military, he was gone for the 4 years he was in the Military so to my way of thinking he's just as much a Native as most. Gail has a very calm demeanor behind the wheel, driving a gas truck in this mess has made him sort of immune to the ignorance of others. That being said he knows what many are going to do BEFORE they do it and is already taking countermeasures to avoid them.

Mr Tractorat

Gail had to get permission from the Courts to return for the Funeral.

Yes Montana has its share of WIDE OPEN spaces. I can say that most are in the middle of nowhere and that's the places that speed is not regulated as much. In such places there are very few speed limit signs, one can look at that as maybe we have more common sense that tells us to behave ourselves?

Mr RVTRKN

Force of habit for Gail is to drive to the right. He finds himself over in the right lanes most of the time I guess that with as many miles of driving there its a hard habit to break. When most of them crashed that I seen was when they were just about ready to break the sound barrier and in the carpool or fast lane and hit a large pool of standing water and heaven forbid that they have both hands on the wheel!! You must!! have one drinking coffee, beer, soda and the other full of CELL PHONE.


I don't know where Gail got the info, he said that the population of LA alone is the same as the whole state of Montana. My Father asked him if these people are that stupid about the rules of a 4 way stop? Gail started to laugh and said now that depends on WHAT!! Nationalities come to the stop!!

If your the only white person and the others are Border Brothers go for it because they cant figure out the ONE ON THE RIGHT GOES FIRST rule, and most likely cant read the signs anyway, have no insurance and are afraid of deportation if they have a problem, so they will sit there until its only them.

If your the only white person and the others are Black, DONT EVER THINK ABOUT GOING FIRST because they don't give a rats XXX about anyone or anything other than themselves.

If you pull up to a 4 way and in ANY COMBINATION of people there is an Asian person in the mix HOLD YOUR GROUND they have absolutely NO IDEA of what they are doing.

If 4 whites come to the 4 way its a toss up, they could be so mad from the other combinations and just do what they want or they could be human about it, its a guess?


A couple of days went by and Father said I believe your right Gail.

 

[Simplysmn]

Gail n Penny I think you hit the Nail Directly on the Head on that statement . AMEN .

 

[RVTRKN]

I always give trucks room to merge or maneuver and that was before I got my Class A lic. LA driving is realy not that hard, hell, you cant go over 25 MPH most of the time but my experiance with the LA city and freeway driving takes finesse due to all nationalities. In Beverly Hills your lucky to get up to 10 MPH before you hit the next traffic light, In Hollywood you have a thougher time because the same applies with Beverly Hills, but now you have Weird, Crazy & I don't care what color you are cause I'm going to cross the street anyway. I've been driving all over SoCal for years due to my job and have seen some realy stupid driving, but when it rains here, keep an eye on any nationality, race or gender.

You guys have a safe trip back home, and in 2016 with our planned vacation of visiting your neck of the woods, with all the National Parks around you, I promise to black out my Comifornia lic. plates. :-laf

And I too am sorry to hear about your loss of your family member, I agree, its never a good time for that.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Gail and Penny, First, very sorry for your loss. It's never easy and this time of year it seems to be even more difficult. God Bless.

Now for California. I've been in California my entire life, born to a military man who made the rounds in California. SF Bay Area is where I was born and then spent a few years in the San Diego Area. Folks settled in the SF Bay area after he left the Navy. With 65 years in this crazy state I can't disagree with Gail's observations! I've seen the state grow and in the process seen it get dumber every year. I finally settled in a RED county, put on the map by "The Grapes of Rath", good people willing to give a hand when needed. However the state politics still suck.

Merry Christmas and Safe Travels.
Greg

 

[Tractorat]

Penny
I share your opinion of cal drivers. But dont think for a minute it is something that has just happened. There has always been the stigma of "california drivers". It has only gotten worse. You may notice it more now because you have not been around those guys for a while. But they have always been bad. One reason I'll never go to ca again.

Up here in Wash we used to be pretty good and courteous drivers. But since we were discovered starting in probably the late 70's or very early 80's, drivers around here have gotten bad as well (but not nearly like ca). It comes from the californians and east coasters moving up here. And now their offspring.

That was mostly a joke about Montana not having a speed limit. It was because Montana has miles and miles a miles of straight highway. And it used to be that there just wasnt any traffic. No cars, maybe a few trucks. So you could drive pretty fast and still be safe. (it isnt quite like that anymore). The first time I drove across Montana by myself was the summer of 1966. I still remember driving 90 and 100mph and not seeing another car. I only saw one cop, and he was going the other way. And, btw, that was on the hwy. I90 had not been built yet.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks all for the Kind words for our loss, Jim will be missed Dearly by our Family.

Just a word of advice get that Prostate checked!! it may be embarrassing but its better safe than sorry with Jim it was to late and there were NO symptoms other than the normal problems that you guys have at 68 years old.

Gail and I were Married in Sept of 77 and I moved to his place in Rialto Ca. Its FAR different than what I was use to. Back then there wasn't a I 15 that went from 91 to Cajon Pass the route was I 10 to I 215 and north. Or take Milliken to I10.

All the grape and citrus vineyards and groves are gone and homes and strip malls are in place. Gail and I rode our horses to the Music Festivals at Ontario Motor Speedway and really didn't cross that many BIG streets. Your right I didn't drive that far when I started to work I rode my bicycle it was only a few miles to work, Gail use to drive to Montebello for work until they opened a rack on Riverside ave and I10 and then he rode a bicycle to work. We were talking about it neither one of us would ride our bikes any longer People aren't paying attention AT ALL.

Montana is really not that much different in the large towns, our only problem is that Hwy 83 is extremely fast. People fly down the road and hit Deer, Elk and Bear almost nightly. Our poor Pine tree was hit 3 times in the last month all of the passengers were killed, Gail quit working his Mule team in the front pasture because people would see him working and turn to watch and plow into the tree or others parked and watching.

We have Elk jams not traffic jams, the animals are out of the high country and are in the valley where its warmer and some crazy cowboy named BIG puts feed out to help them thru the winter, people (even locals) see them they STOP in the middle of the road!! so now he puts the feed in the backyard and they are off the road and cant be seen or bothered.

We are going to a Christmas Party where Gail worked tonight Management only!! but will make an exception :-laf in his case. He gave Management Fits when he worked. I'm surprised they even let him on the property and then to let us fill our car with gas whenever it needs it. I didn't say that did I ? Actually they think a lot of Gail and didn't want him to retire just move into the office, he said that would have been Jail for him. Then resting up and heading home the next day. I know that he wants to get home for a small Family Christmas this year. I think he feels Jims Passing more than what he's letting on Jim and Gail were Pards.

Thanks again for Your Kindness


BIG and ME!!

 

[jhenderson]

Sorry to hear of your loss. You are right, it's sad any time of year. Particularly if it may have been prevented or at least postponed. It sounds like driving in Ca. is sort of like driving in the conjested areas of the East Coast. Around here we get driver re-training at the first snow of the season. By February folks have the skills required but they loose them every summer. The biggest cause of problems on our highways seems to be the left lane driver marking time with right lane traffic. Even the State Troopers don't understand the difference between the travel lane and the passing lane. It's common to see a trooper all by themselves in the left lane.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Well Gail watched the weather report on TV and said pack it up lets go. So before the Winter storm comes in and makes travel hard we're heading to the homestead.


THANKS FOR ALL THE KIND THOUGHTS, See Ya!!!!!!


Penny

 

[Wayne M.]

Condolences to you and your family, BIG 'n Penny. Safe travels.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks to ALL

We made it home after a stop in Idaho Falls ID just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, I must be getting old? Anyway we are home now and it feels good to breath air that has no taste or smell. Think that I'm going to take the Cadillac in for an alignment and tire balance, there are some pot holes on the Hwy in all the states OBOZO should do some infrastructure work or our Hwy System is going to be so bad that it will not be repairable !!

Thanks for the kind Words, Our BIL is missed, like Mr, Henderson said it could have been prevented or postponed if he would have gone to the Dr. he was just the kind of guy that if it didn't hurt that bad it was part of getting old we have found out that is NOT THE WAY TO THINK


BIG

 

[CBari]

Big, sorry to hear of yours and Penny's loss. Enjoy the Christmas time on the Mountain. I am sure the view is just a little better this time of year. Being in the healthcare field, I have heard and learned many different things, but the one that will stick out in my mind the most is something a patient told me about ten years ago. He came in and something was said about going to the doctor he quickly told me he doesn't go to the doctor. When I inquired why he told me that "doctors give you cancer." I asked him how he figured that he said "you never have cancer till you go to the doctor, before you go you just don't feel good." It took me a minute but I saw what he was getting at. A lot of people are scared to death to go to the doctor cause they find out that they have some terrible disease that will kill you or the treatment of the disease will make you so sick you wish you where dead. So I now can understand why some don't like going to the doctor but find that those with that life philosophy sure make it harder on those that love them.

Remember the good times cause all or time is numbered. Hope you enjoyed the rodeo.

PS I have driven lots of places to and I always think the drivers in my home town are the worst.. So don't come visit me or drive through Jonesboro without taking some deep breathes before you start.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big, sorry to hear of yours and Penny's loss. Enjoy the Christmas time on the Mountain. I am sure the view is just a little better this time of year. people are scared to death to go to the doctor cause they find out that they have some terrible disease that will kill you or the treatment of the disease will make you so sick you wish you where dead. So I now can understand why some don't like going to the doctor but find that those with that life philosophy sure make it harder on those that love them.

Remember the good times cause all or time is numbered. Hope you enjoyed the rodeo.

PS I have driven lots of places to and I always think the drivers in my home town are the worst.. So don't come visit me or drive through Jonesboro without taking some deep breathes before you start.

Mr. CBari

Gail read this message and got up went out the storm door, slammed it so hard it broke the glass. So now he has to fix that
I asked what made him so angry he said nothing. I found this message and asked him about it.

Seems that what you wrote is what has made him so angry at himself. (GOOD!!) Jim and Gail went to the rodeo several nights they had a wonderful time. They had met some Real Cowboys according to them. The real cowboys where all former Gold Buckle winners of rodeos years past, Jim and Gail fit in with their cowboy ways until Jims rapid departure for home. So Gail and Jim had several nights of a last good time.

Jim and Gail had music as common ground between them. Jim for many years asked Gail to come to the Recording Studio and cut a recording record ( now a CD) Gail seemed to always have an excuse as to why he never wanted to. When Jim found out of his fate he had set this all up to finally get his way, Gail would have to come to Calif and meet with some Professional Singers / Musicians and Studio Technicians to sing at Jim Funeral Services.

The day we went was an experience that Gail NOW wishes that he would have had with Jim there. Jim had always told Gail that he could become be a singer, I don't think Gail ever thought so until we went and played at the studio. Gail sang many songs and the professional musicians were really taken back with his ability and I think so was Gail. We have some recordings of Jim and Gail playing in their band here in MT. These are as Gail puts it the " Real Deal Studio Recordings" When they played a song they would play it back in the studio and ask if anyone had any ideas to make it better. When Gail heard the song he looked at me as if to say is that Me? I think that he had one of he best times ever with his music, but it was without Jim and that's what made him angry. Our days and opportunities ARE!!! numbered and this one got passed Gail.

Jims first wife died of Breast Cancer years ago, Gail and I were there with Jim at that time. Jim told Gail that he would never go out like that, she had Radiation and lost her hair and so sick she couldn't even get out bed to throw up, it was just an awful thing to see. Jim held true to his statement and took the alternative method after all its each persons choice.

Now for our being home and being a little better view on the mountain. I will answer for all of the Family, we have missed this place so bad. California is a Concrete Jungle the only Green Spaces are parks and the little mountains that we in MT call hills. It feels GOOD TO BE HOME.

Hopefully Gail will now have some closure with his feelings and Christmas with the Family will become something of a rebirth of our " Times Together " I know that Gail is hurting spiritually pretty bad right now and could use a good cheering up.

Thank You Mr. CBari


Penny

 

[CBari]

We never know how someone will receive our words, my only hope was to give all another perspective of how some see things so differently than their loved ones do. Now as to the screen door Penny I am truly sorry that I caused a reaction that triggered it's demise. Only silver-lining that I can offer is that it probably won't be needed for the next couple of months anyway. Merry Christmas to all and let us know when the cd is released I bet most of us here will like to buy a copy.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Should would like to hear Gail sing a little someday. Maybe you guys goes post a few of his songs to give us some Christmas cheer???

 

[BIGNASTY]

We never know how someone will receive our words, my only hope was to give all another perspective of how some see things so differently than their loved ones do. Now as to the screen door Penny I am truly sorry that I caused a reaction that triggered it's demise. Only silver-lining that I can offer is that it probably won't be needed for the next couple of months anyway. Merry Christmas to all and let us know when the cd is released I bet most of us here will like to buy a copy.

CB

It had nothing to do with what you said Pard, These people are worse than OPRA at times, I felt bad about my Pards leaving this world a tad prematurely. I hadn't had time to digest my thoughts before family were doing the physic hot line answers on me.

People close to me were trying to tell ME how I should feel about this. I might not be as Strong Spiritually as they are and concede that its all in God's hands, yes I agree that when its your time to clock out, you punch the time card and call it a day. But to me and my little minds way of thinking is that My BIL GAVE UP!! Its NEVER OVER!! until your last breath or last ounce of Blood is pumped. They have no idea what a gift life is until you hold a buddy's head and listen to this huge hole in his chest spewing blood out with every breath, all the while asking you to do something for him. He never gave up what gives a person the right to give up something as precious as life with all the medical advancements that we have at hand, So you go thru a little MORE hell before God takes you, or Maybe just maybe the little hell you pay the price for works and you survive another, second, minute, hour, day, month, year to me its worth what ever time you get.

When my time comes I'm not going to take it laying down, I'm kicking XXX all the way to the end before I punch my time card and go home.

BIG