Canuck
05-17-2016, 08:21 PM
My Daughter Stephanie and I take a trip every few years and try and do something that the both of us can spend some time together and have some fun. In the past she has accompanied me to Carlisle to the spring swap meet, been on numerous ski trips, a fishing trip two years ago and a few months ago she suggested it was time for another trip and this time a road trip. Her suggestion was to visit her Aunt(My sister) in Calgary a 1300 Mile round trip through the mountains.
The stipulations were, she got to do a lot of the driving and I was not to make any comments about speed or her driving style. She is a very accomplished driver with no fear and lots of experience even though she does not own a car now. She lives in a downtown Condo and walks to work and uses Coop car programs.
Lastly she said she wanted us to take my car an AMG E55 Mercedes, because in her own words its a "bad ass" car. The alternative was our Diesel X5 BMW, good fuel economy but not bas ass.
So the chosen ride as you see it here:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/IMG_1812a_zpsexru3xib.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/IMG_1812a_zpsexru3xib.jpg.html)
We set out and took the southern route through British Columbia and the mountain range with some great history and sight seeing. Our Radar detector really saved our bacon on one stretch as she likes to drive about 20 over the limit.
We alternated driving at her discretion and by the time we got to Alberta I was behind the wheel again.
On one long straight stretch we did a sustained speed of 120 MPH with a few bursts to 130. She admitted her hands were sweating a little at this speed. The pavement was not smooth and the temperature was cool so I did not want to push it further. The car is governed to 155 and my top previous speed had been 140.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1813_zps9lzecswk.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1813_zps9lzecswk.jpg.html)
After spending a few days in Calgary with my Sister and Husband, they own a beautifully Restored 1979 Mini with Right-hand drive, we hit the road on Monday to return to Vancouver.
I drive the first 1 and 1 half hours and stopped at beautiful Lake Louse for breakfast and a photo op:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/13227506_10154297165768629_8798556980742540399_o_z psnae9aavs.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/13227506_10154297165768629_8798556980742540399_o_z psnae9aavs.jpg.html).
Steph did most of the driving from there on including going through the spectacular cut near Golden BC
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1811_zpsi2kxczgo.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1811_zpsi2kxczgo.jpg.html)
For the short period I drove I decided to see what kind of fuel economy a 469 HP car with a supercharger and 3.42 gears could achieve if driven modestly. The answer is a boring 28 MPG. After that 100 miles Steph took over driving and completed the rest of the trip burning a realistic 18 MPG at 80 MPH.
We are planning another driving trip next year.
The stipulations were, she got to do a lot of the driving and I was not to make any comments about speed or her driving style. She is a very accomplished driver with no fear and lots of experience even though she does not own a car now. She lives in a downtown Condo and walks to work and uses Coop car programs.
Lastly she said she wanted us to take my car an AMG E55 Mercedes, because in her own words its a "bad ass" car. The alternative was our Diesel X5 BMW, good fuel economy but not bas ass.
So the chosen ride as you see it here:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/IMG_1812a_zpsexru3xib.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/IMG_1812a_zpsexru3xib.jpg.html)
We set out and took the southern route through British Columbia and the mountain range with some great history and sight seeing. Our Radar detector really saved our bacon on one stretch as she likes to drive about 20 over the limit.
We alternated driving at her discretion and by the time we got to Alberta I was behind the wheel again.
On one long straight stretch we did a sustained speed of 120 MPH with a few bursts to 130. She admitted her hands were sweating a little at this speed. The pavement was not smooth and the temperature was cool so I did not want to push it further. The car is governed to 155 and my top previous speed had been 140.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1813_zps9lzecswk.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1813_zps9lzecswk.jpg.html)
After spending a few days in Calgary with my Sister and Husband, they own a beautifully Restored 1979 Mini with Right-hand drive, we hit the road on Monday to return to Vancouver.
I drive the first 1 and 1 half hours and stopped at beautiful Lake Louse for breakfast and a photo op:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/13227506_10154297165768629_8798556980742540399_o_z psnae9aavs.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/13227506_10154297165768629_8798556980742540399_o_z psnae9aavs.jpg.html).
Steph did most of the driving from there on including going through the spectacular cut near Golden BC
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1811_zpsi2kxczgo.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/paulolds/media/DSK1-PM31/Pictures/IMG_1811_zpsi2kxczgo.jpg.html)
For the short period I drove I decided to see what kind of fuel economy a 469 HP car with a supercharger and 3.42 gears could achieve if driven modestly. The answer is a boring 28 MPG. After that 100 miles Steph took over driving and completed the rest of the trip burning a realistic 18 MPG at 80 MPH.
We are planning another driving trip next year.