Your Cutest Couple Ever has separated, but not how you may be thinking. In order to meet family obligations on each coast, Cutest flew east to New York for visits and my grandson and I began a west coast adventure in California.
Our first stop was San Diego where I rented a car to begin our drive up the coastal highway, concluding in San Francisco some eleven days later.
It was in San Fran that we first encountered the WAYMO (formerly known as the Google Self-driving Car Project which started way back in 2009) form of transportation. A few days earlier while walking near Fisherman’s Wharf we had glimpsed these odd-looking white Jaguar SUVs. Whirling attachments on the roof and forward side panels gave me the impression of a mobile washing machine. What further snared our attention was that these vehicles were driverless.
WAYMO taxis are only currently available in four cities. San Francisco has 300 of these oddities prowling the hills of the city by the bay. At first Bentley had no faith in this 21st century Uber. Later in the day, our feet and legs tiring of the steep sidewalks, I dared Bentley to give a WAYMO a try. He accepted the challenge, somewhat warily.
Using their handy app, I easily summoned one to our location. Bentley climbed onto the front passenger seat. A Siri-like voice suggested we buckle our seat belts and resist any desire to touch the steering wheel or the brake pedal. We obeyed.
Once underway, Bentley’s eyes were glued to the steering wheel as it magically rotated, hopefully ensuring that we would stay out of harm’s way. From my seat in the back, I watched an I-Pad-sized screen that was positioned behind the front center console. In a slightly animated form, nearby people, buildings and cars were shown. At each traffic light or pedestrian crossing, the Jaguar smoothly paused or stopped as the situation required.
Soon Siri announced our approaching destination and when stopped, instructed us how to unlock the door and exit.
Later Bentley admitted he enjoyed the experience, would do it again - but only on city streets, no open highways.
So for me it was a terrific journey filled with beautiful sights (but I'll spare you those) and shared experiences with my grandson. Now just as soon as Cutest gets back from New York City, we will once again begin reporting on our explorations in Kansas City and elsewhere, doing it in our old fashioned way with ME probably being the driver.
And below, here we are in our rendition of Bullitt. Steve McQueen would be so envious!
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