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| Der Whopper - Austria 2019 |
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| Serways - Austria 2019 |
Right out of the airport Mike immediately started driving the wrong way, he had to back
up and start over again. We wanted to get to Route 12 - and saw the signs showing that Route 12 was to the left. But the car's GPS
said to turn right. So we did, alas. Then the Mercedes started to issue
contradictory directions, left turn, right turn, U-turn, etc. We ended up
stopping in a residential section, then deciding to use the iPhone’s system.
Unfortunately we couldn’t figure out how to turn off the car’s system, so we
ended up with two dueling GPS ladies talking past each other using very loud
voices. Hali finally managed to turn down the volume on the car GPS system, but
it wasn’t until much later that she could shut it down.
Once we got on the highway, traffic went smoothly enough,
very similar to freeway driving. The views of the Austrian mountains that we
could see along the route were very impressive. One interesting thing is that
the highways don't switchback over the mountains, like in the US, but instead
plunge directly into very long tunnels.
We wanted to have lunch at a European fast food place, but
when we took a random off-ramp we were obliged to park at a Burger King. Not
bad, actually. The fries were better than in the US!
2 comments:
This account reminds me of our trip to Scotland in 2005.
We too had a Mercedes, albeit one that was a bit of a tight fit for me (as you know, I'm 6'4"), but the car
ran well. Right hand drive.
The roads in Scotland are very narrow, and there is often no margin (with is how they were in japan). If you weren't careful
you could ket-plunk in the gravel off the edge of the blacktop.
We have had problems with GPS even in the Bay Area. Occasionally, as you describe, it will go all haywire and
become addled, suggesting multiple turns and backtracks. Still, it's something we're beginning to depend on.
I used to be 5'6". Alas, according to Kaiser I've turned into the incredible shrinking man. My doctor just waved his hand and airily proclaimed that "Oh, everybody loses inches when they get older."
The thing with GPS is, even when it's right, it can still be annoying . . . taking you on a convoluted circuitous route just to save a few seconds. (End of geezer rant.)
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