A view of yesterday, today and tomorrow -- the past, the present and the future
Sunday, November 22, 2020
L.A. UPDATE -- AUTO POWER -- THANKSGIVING
Day after day our local TV news features photos of traffic lines that appear to have no end as people line up in their autos, waiting for hours well into the night at the Dodgers baseball team stadium for drive through free Coronavirus testing.
Most of California is now under a voluntary 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. curfew due to escalating coronavirus infection numbers that if they continue increasing may lead to institution of a lockdown.
Viewing the vehicle lineup reminds me of hydrogen-powered cars which have long appealed to me as a possible preference over electric and gas autos. Now it seems Lancaster, California has become the first U.S. hydrogen city and is reaching out to Japan for this purpose. Here's how you drive a hydrogen powered car HERE.
Also, here's what some auto manufacturers are doing to explore hydrogen-powered cars:
Driving, whether a gasoline combustion engine, electric or hydrogen vehicle, they especially matter now as a means for shopping for picking up our purchases from stores and using drive thru services.
When I lived in the Great Lakes midwest a popular fast food drive thru restaurant there was White Castle -- for what are now referred to as "sliders" -- tiny little hamburger/cheeseburger sandwiches. My husband said as a boy he used to be invited with other classmates to the owner's home to celebrate their son's birthday who was their friend. Each attendee received a gift far more expensive than they could afford to give the birthday boy he still recalled from so many years ago.
Many years later as adults when we moved to California a very popular drive thru here was a family-owned fast food restaurant famed for the high grade meat quality as were other ingredients, plus their excellent service, called In 'N Out Burger. They continue to gradually expand into other states.
Through the years tragic family owner deaths gave rise to customers wary speculation the business would be sold with the expectation any new owners would sacrifice quality. The business did finally stay in the family under the guidance of a granddaughter reassuring customers product quality would be retained.
Whenever I frequently drive by the nearby business on ol' Route 66, sometimes stopping in myself, there are always waiting lines at each of the two drive thru windows, but outdoor seating only -- perfect for coronavirus business today. Even after my children became adults, moved out of state, when they return home for a visit, sooner or later they want to make a run to In 'N Out for burgers, shakes and fries. We were not frequent customers so our children considered going there a treat.
Efforts to undermine citizen trust in our democratic system of government continues to be the focus of our U.S. lame duck President. So far, his efforts to invalidate the popular vote or to hijack the Electoral College votes have not succeeded. State and national election officials declare this has been the most secure election in American history but the current President continues making claims otherwise with no supporting evidence.
Transition efforts normally in progress by now continue to be blocked forcing the newly elected President to prepare to take office without such cooperation potentially jeopardizing the safety of the American people and our nation. A reminder of important timelines to track:
December 8, 2020: Safe Harbor Deadline -- States must choose electors that will be accepted by Congress; voting disputes must be resolved.
December 14, 2020: Electors Convene and Vote in D.C.
January 6, 2020 at 1 pm: The vote will be finalized and certified in a joint session of Congress.
January 20, 2021 at noon: The President is inaugurated.
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So what vehicle powering system do you prefer, or is there some other type about which you might fantasize, i.e., solar, to take you to what favored drive thru in your area?
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Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving this coming Thursday!
Electric vehicles, both four wheel and two have made fairly recent and successful entries into our market. Plans are afoot to increase electricity generation and if both converge that I think will be the future.
I remember hearing about hydrogen years ago but it fell to the side then. Anything besides fossil fuels would appeal to me. Never had an "In and Out" burger but saw the long lines on TV. Must be special.
Electric was slow to catch-on,too, as it has now. It’s mostly about the quality of the meat, potatoes fresh prep for fries, other ingredients including for shakes at In ‘N Out.
We have a 10yr old fossil fuel car sitting out there. I use it maybe once a month if the weather is too abysmal to cycle to work and thanks to the pandemic, I can work from home most days anyway. The man did all his commuting by bicycle before he retired. We use the car to travel (pre pandemic) or when items too big for panniers or the bicycle trailer need transport or to pick up visitors (also pre pandemic). The plan is to get rid of it once I retire or when the local authorities ban these old dinosaurs, whichever comes first - and join one of the many electric care sharing schemes for whenever needs be.
I, too, still drive a gas-user but from an earlier century which will likely outlive me. I did look at an electric before purchasing this vehicle a year or two before electrics became popular. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't physically comfortable in it so though he had a station wagon i settled for this used sedan since I was still working and. needed a car. Your plan sounds goid.
Using the power that is best for each need seems most sensible to me, but the current mantra is everyone must do the same thing. If we eliminate all natural gas heat, what do people use instead? And on it goes when it's all or nothing. I see fossil fuels as good for some, electric for others, and on it goes but that's the mantra of a moderate or independent.
Interesting ... I had never heard of In-N-Out burger but just this morning it was highlighted on the MSNBC Good Morning Joe show. Wishing you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING too and prayers for a better 2021.
Although I lived in Lancaster at one time (and in Buena Vista, Downy, Hacienda Heights, and Sunnyvale) with an In 'N Out place within a few blocks, I never tried one, despite their reputation. As to WCs, I made my husband borrow his dad's car to take me to try one when we lived in St Louis one summer. Very forgettable.
The infrastructure to support the variously fueled vehicles is lagging far behind the development/availability of the vehicles. Understandable, but daunting nevertheless.
WC’s were mostly appreciated for their size, cost, novelty, simplicity, unique when, compared to full size burgers and just caught on with many people i guess.
OTOH: When we moved to Wichita in 1959, there was a burger place (Griff's) that sold burgers for 12 cents each. They weren't huge, but they were not sliders.
What vehicle powering system do I prefer? Well, anything that relies on renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels. Hydrogen has been mooted for many years and I'm surprised it isn't a commonplace fuel by now. We have a petrol car, but all petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be illegal from 2030.
We have a hybrid plug-in car right now. We bought it in January of 2020, and we've only filled the gas tank twice.
As far as fast food, I just don't care for it. I know In 'N Out is supposed to be fantastic, but here in NE Ohio, there's no sign of it coming our way.
I can tell you that when the big craze was to replicate fast food items, the way to make WC sliders was to add a jar of Gerber Baby Food liver to the burger. Not sure why, but that got closest to the original flavour of those little burgers.
Colo is as far east as they’ve gone with In ‘N Out. I never heard of the replica WC’s. I recall when we lived in Arizona a new housing community, Fountain Valley, was being developed. Some oil man flew in planes full of people from Ohio promoting the development. As some began to build homes and move there i was amazed to read they had chartered a plane to bring in WCs.
Well, I'm going to be driving my 2011 Toyota Corolla until I no longer can drive, or until I die -- whichever comes first. There's no way in the world I'll ever be able to afford a new car, so discussions like this are irrelevant to me.
I did notice that the URL I've been using to try and follow your blog isn't the one you're using now, so maybe I can get back on track with following!
That's probably true for me, too, but I still fantasize that by some fluke I'll still be around, able to drive and a miracle will occur so I end up with one of these vehicles with all the new features designed to make driving even easier. I don't want a smart car though as I understand those systems can be hacked.
I haven't changed my URL so any changes would be what Blogger has made: https://joared-along.blogspot.com
Electric vehicles, both four wheel and two have made fairly recent and successful entries into our market. Plans are afoot to increase electricity generation and if both converge that I think will be the future.
ReplyDeleteA move ro electric seems to dominate currenrly.
DeleteI remember hearing about hydrogen years ago but it fell to the side then. Anything besides fossil fuels would appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteNever had an "In and Out" burger but saw the long lines on TV. Must be special.
Electric was slow to catch-on,too, as it has now. It’s mostly about the quality of the meat, potatoes fresh prep for fries, other ingredients including for shakes at In ‘N Out.
DeleteWe have a 10yr old fossil fuel car sitting out there. I use it maybe once a month if the weather is too abysmal to cycle to work and thanks to the pandemic, I can work from home most days anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe man did all his commuting by bicycle before he retired. We use the car to travel (pre pandemic) or when items too big for panniers or the bicycle trailer need transport or to pick up visitors (also pre pandemic). The plan is to get rid of it once I retire or when the local authorities ban these old dinosaurs, whichever comes first - and join one of the many electric care sharing schemes for whenever needs be.
I, too, still drive a gas-user but from an earlier century which will likely outlive me. I did look at an electric before purchasing this vehicle a year or two before electrics became popular. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't physically comfortable in it so though he had a station wagon i settled for this used sedan since I was still working and. needed a car. Your plan sounds goid.
DeleteUsing the power that is best for each need seems most sensible to me, but the current mantra is everyone must do the same thing. If we eliminate all natural gas heat, what do people use instead? And on it goes when it's all or nothing. I see fossil fuels as good for some, electric for others, and on it goes but that's the mantra of a moderate or independent.
ReplyDeleteI guess we’ll see what choices we may be left with as occurs with much change.
DeleteInteresting ... I had never heard of In-N-Out burger but just this morning it was highlighted on the MSNBC Good Morning Joe show.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING too and prayers for a better 2021.
They started in Calif. and have resisted moving out of the Southwest lest quality control be compromised.
DeleteAlthough I lived in Lancaster at one time (and in Buena Vista, Downy, Hacienda Heights, and Sunnyvale) with an In 'N Out place within a few blocks, I never tried one, despite their reputation. As to WCs, I made my husband borrow his dad's car to take me to try one when we lived in St Louis one summer. Very forgettable.
ReplyDeleteThe infrastructure to support the variously fueled vehicles is lagging far behind the development/availability of the vehicles. Understandable, but daunting nevertheless.
WC’s were mostly appreciated for their size, cost, novelty, simplicity, unique when, compared to full size burgers and just caught on with many people i guess.
DeleteOTOH: When we moved to Wichita in 1959, there was a burger place (Griff's) that sold burgers for 12 cents each. They weren't huge, but they were not sliders.
DeleteWhat vehicle powering system do I prefer? Well, anything that relies on renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels. Hydrogen has been mooted for many years and I'm surprised it isn't a commonplace fuel by now. We have a petrol car, but all petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be illegal from 2030.
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to know what system predominates or if they will all be present, at least for awhile.
DeleteWe have a hybrid plug-in car right now. We bought it in January of 2020, and we've only filled the gas tank twice.
ReplyDeleteAs far as fast food, I just don't care for it. I know In 'N Out is supposed to be fantastic, but here in NE Ohio, there's no sign of it coming our way.
I can tell you that when the big craze was to replicate fast food items, the way to make WC sliders was to add a jar of Gerber Baby Food liver to the burger. Not sure why, but that got closest to the original flavour of those little burgers.
Colo is as far east as they’ve gone with In ‘N Out. I never heard of the replica WC’s. I recall when we lived in Arizona a new housing community, Fountain Valley, was being developed. Some oil man flew in planes full of people from Ohio promoting the development. As some began to build homes and move there i was amazed to read they had chartered a plane to bring in WCs.
DeleteI meant to add, interesting to learn about gas usage of your hybrid — that’s remarkable, I think.
DeleteRight now I am eating soft foods like ice cream and puddings.
ReplyDeleteSounds good! Glad all is going well.
DeleteWell, I'm going to be driving my 2011 Toyota Corolla until I no longer can drive, or until I die -- whichever comes first. There's no way in the world I'll ever be able to afford a new car, so discussions like this are irrelevant to me.
ReplyDeleteI did notice that the URL I've been using to try and follow your blog isn't the one you're using now, so maybe I can get back on track with following!
That's probably true for me, too, but I still fantasize that by some fluke I'll still be around, able to drive and a miracle will occur so I end up with one of these vehicles with all the new features designed to make driving even easier. I don't want a smart car though as I understand those systems can be hacked.
DeleteI haven't changed my URL so any changes would be what Blogger has made: https://joared-along.blogspot.com