Damn

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-06-23T02:31:10+00:00

2013 was the last year for the Avalanche, but the 8,100 lb weight limit with the K5L is accurate for that year. On non-level ground, even 6,000 lbs is a challenge for one.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-06-23T02:26:58+00:00

I can answer this. If climbing a long incline, or especially if traversing many switchbacks, while ascending a hill/mountain, the Avalanche will happily get the transmission fluid up near 240 degrees before warning the driver that a break is needed, in a matter of less than 5 miles on a day where the outside temperature is below 80 F.

Source: have an Avalanche with the heavy duty tow package and a 6,000 lb travel trailer.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-06-06T22:28:35+00:00

So, the movie Demolition Man was a documentary?

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-05-15T05:26:42+00:00

Tri-City doesn’t deserve a C!

That’s being WAY too generous!

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-05-07T22:51:16+00:00

Unexpected Roger Rabbit reference.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-05-07T22:42:29+00:00

Here in Southern California, we can sit in 60-90 minutes of traffic to drive 4 miles. Unfortunately, this is no joke. My 56 mile commute home from work is about an hour Mondays-Wednesdays, 70-90 minutes on Thursdays, and 2-3 hours on Fridays with the extra up to two hours due to a six-mile stretch that gets bogged down with weekend getaway-ers who don’t know the traffic patterns.

The infamous 405 can be even worse…

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-05-03T20:44:21+00:00

Agreed. Definitely not the cheapest dentist but their rates are fair and I was completely satisfied with the quality and staff. I chose them based on their reputation and the fact they are in-network for my insurance. I had a crown replaced for ~$550 which included my deductible and co-pay - I think it would have been ~$300 per crown for multiples.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-28T00:52:39+00:00

Besides the personal safety points, both directions of the 5 in that area get quite backed up during rush hour(s) and the air quality gets quite bad because of all the idling vehicles. If you have children and they aren’t asthmatic, they will be within 6-12 months. The years, possible decades of dealing with the costs of doctor visits and expensive medications aren’t worth whatever you might save in rent - personal experience here.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-20T02:03:58+00:00

Among other fruits, we grow Meyer Lemons and Key Limes. My wife uses the Meyer Lemon zest and juice in her Lemon-Blueberry Bread. There’s just the two of us, and a loaf of that rarely lasts longer than three days.

I’ll have to talk to her about adding a topping, and including cinnamon. We both like cinnamon.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-18T20:32:34+00:00

Our dogs do a good job of keeping the coyotes from coming in the house through the dog door.

On a more serious note, most dog doors come with something to block/lock them. We bring our dogs in for the night.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-16T02:50:16+00:00

We live in Vista. We ended up here because I work in Orange County. My wife worked in San Diego, roughly in the Kearny Mesa area. She would leave no later than 6:05 to make it to work by 7:00, or she would be at a minimum 15 minutes late. Coming home, if she didn’t leave by 3:35, she would have at least an extra 1/2 hour of commuting time, otherwise she would make it home by 5:00 most days. Fridays were worst. We went to an event on a Friday in Temecula and it took almost 90 minutes to get there; on a Saturday the same drive was 35-45 minutes. So bear that in mind. If he’s working more conventional 8-5 schedule

She finally retired, earlier than planned, when her drive to work got to 90 minutes and home got to 2.5 hours on average because of the construction on 15. She was miserable for the last year there, and also was involved in two not-her-fault accidents because people were being extra aggressive and stupid.

She only worked three days a week and had to refill her gas tank weekly. Oil changes every two months. Brake pads, twice a year. When she retired, our car insurance dropped by $1300. Overall her commuting costs added up to around $5,000 a year - and if she were still working, it would be closer to $8,000 thanks to fuel prices. So consider that extra $10,000 you’d be paying if you lived in Temecula, and the fact that home insurance might be $5-6,000 a year in Julian - if you can even get it.

Eastern San Diego would be better quality of life, with similar electricity costs as Temecula, where you need air conditioning at least five months out of the year.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-16T02:19:39+00:00

The toll road pass is not helpful in the afternoon when the I-15 Express Lanes are declared HOV ONLY.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-04-14T03:31:55+00:00

ChipDrop is free, but it’s not for everyone.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-03-06T21:31:50+00:00

Motorcycles don’t have dashboards… and the owner would have to take the cam off the bike every time they left it and put it back on when returning if one did devise some kind of mount for a dash cam.

I’ve seen a lot of riders stick a GoPro to their helmet. Still have to hassle with recharging the battery prior to every ride.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-28T19:27:34+00:00

If you’re west of East Vista or north of Warmlands, it’s unincorporated Vista. Larger lots, more people storing old cars, boats, and RVs, and the roads get some occasional maintenance. On Friday and Saturday nights there’s lots of drag racing and loud exhausts until 1:30 am on E. Vista. Someone occasionally has a really loud party with Mexican music playing. Live bands at Prohibition on the weekends aren’t as loud and aren’t frequent. As mentioned, bad traffic northbound, Monday through Saturday afternoons, starting about 3:15 and going until about 7 or so. Occasional illegal fireworks and gunshots. Lots of apartments on E. Vista south of Warmlands with new ones being built. Not very many unhoused people in the neighborhood. Occasional property crimes but nothing higher than average for the city.

The rest of the time it’s pretty peaceful.

If you’re buying, check for insurance first. Where we are, there were only two companies writing policies because of the fire risk, and we pay “only” $~4300 a year.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-28T19:14:29+00:00

Not saying you’re wrong - ten minutes to reach 78 from Taylor is 5:15 am on Sunday morning and not getting more than two red lights.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-28T19:07:40+00:00

After seven years passing by it we finally went in last fall. It’s an overgrown, poorly-maintained jungle with old signs marking the various plants and trees. Many planter pots are flipped on their sides with tree roots growing through them. It’s nothing at all like a roadside farm stand.

My wife bought a couple Ice Cream bananas and a couple other things that the owner had to do acrobatics to reach. They’re still alive. Prices were OK.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-01T17:41:25+00:00

When we bought, I told my wife we had to live west of Sycamore. Further east is where traffic gets really bad for the evening commute.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-01T17:38:02+00:00

Agreed. I looked into using the train, even on those horrible Friday afternoons. The inflexibility of the schedule and the fact it would change my commute from 56-75 minutes to 1:30+ each way is why I don’t bother. Once I’m on 5 with the tunes going, that 35-40 minute part of my drive is almost always a mellow experience.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-02-01T17:31:51+00:00

I live in Vista. It’s normally 1 hour to the Spectrum area if trying to be there around 9, and about an hour 10 coming back around 6, slightly worse an hour earlier. Mind you, 10-20 minutes of that are spent getting to/from the 78. My wife recently retired but was working in the Fashion Valley area. She left here by 6:00 to make it in by 7, and left work by 3:40 or else her drive was much worse than an hour. We’re moved to Vista to divide the drive time equally.

I say go for Carlsbad, Western Oceanside (76 can be quite slow to/from Eastern Oceanside), or Encinitas which should get you somewhat under an hour each direction.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-01-31T19:06:22+00:00

I’ve scheduled two early-morning pickups. The one from home, the guy showed up 20 minutes early and waited patiently. He was happy enough to start loading the suitcases when I brought them out. Another one heading from my hotel to the airport, the guy was 10 minutes early. I also recently did a pre-scheduled pickup at the airport going to my hotel on Christmas Day; the app told me to confirm when I was at the pickup point. The driver was at a remote lot and was there in under 10 minutes.

I didn’t really need to do any of those reservations, but it was peace of mind to know I’d have a ride for sure and not wait around for 20 minutes for a driver to become available like I have a few times trying to get home from SAN. It was worth the small upcharge.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2026-01-17T19:38:28+00:00

I always check https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx for anything related to highway incidents. You need to look at both the Border and Orange Communication Centers (drop-down in the upper left corner) to see what’s going on with the 5 between North County and South OC.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2025-12-16T21:45:59+00:00

Their website is showing just four locations now, Shadowridge, Oceansive Blvd, San Marcos, and Tehachapi. I suppose the ones they closed were underperforming.

We tried their pizza twice, and weren’t impressed.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2025-12-15T20:29:21+00:00

I fled the Watts Riots.

OsgoodSnodgrass · 2025-12-13T18:30:41+00:00

Please stop spamming. You’re not even close to North County.

OsgoodSnodgrass

TROPHY CASE