Travel to Petaluma, CA

Traditional San Fran cloud cover to the west

Today we traveled about four and a half hours from Coarsegold up to Petaluma, CA (San Francisco North KOA).  This is the week Donna reunites with her cousins who she hasn't seen since 1968.  We're looking forward to it. We'll see who recognizes who first.  (That's a joke!)  Unfortunately, I don't have any real interesting pictures to post today.

My plan was to travel east of Oakland and cross westbound on Highway 37 to US 101 along the San Pablo Bay Nat'l Wildlife Refuge.  As soon as I could get the satellite radio tuned to the San Francisco traffic (as we pulled out of Park Sierra), the traffic announcer was noting how heavy traffic was along Highway 37 due to the races today.  (I have no idea what "races".)  So we moved on to plan B - follow the GPS.

Entering San Quentin

Sam - our trucker GPS - routed us through Oakland and crossing through the middle of San Pablo Bay.  Worked well as it's the truck route to the Oakland docks.  Definitely not scenic, though.  No pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge.  I could see it, but couldn't get a got shot of it with the camera phone.

It seems the changes we made to the truck while in Coarsegold have made a difference.  Still a rough ride on rough roads, but it's not as intense.  Changing to the Michelins up front did change the truck's handling, so we're getting use to it.    The guy who actually did the front end alignment had a F450 and towed a 43 ft toy hauler.  He recommended some changes in the toe settings which helped the drive-ability with the Michelins (in my opinion).  Removing the airbags really made a difference in the rear (ride-wise).  Again, when it's a rough road you know it, but the intensity of the bounce has calmed down.

We've got a wheel tire combination on the rear that seems to give everyone a fit when balancing one of the outside rear tires.  (Most people that are familiar with tires will make a comment when they see the wheel weights on that wheel.)  Only the guys at Pro Trucks in Stafford, VA seemed to be able to get it to settle down.  But that only lasted a few thousand miles and we were back to annoying vibrations at 40 mph (and it seemed we're were always driving 40.)  With the addition of the Centramatics that's now gone.  Only time will tell if putting Centramatics on the front axle was worth it.   

So here we set at the San Francisco North KOA.  It's packed!  Kids everywhere.  I'm told there's redwoods here.  We may be next to one, but I wouldn't know it.  Some type of fir is alongside the dinning table window, but I have no idea what type.  It's definitely cooler here that in Coarsegold!  Cool enough to start grilling outside, again.  Later, David