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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / March 2007Route recommendations - Austin to Seattle
Does anyone have any good recommendations on a road route from Austin to Seattle? I would like to shoot straight west to California and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, but time and gas will probably not allow that, it will need to be more of a straight shot, though I will have time to stop and see a few things. Also, Bruce, are you near Federal Way? That is actually where this is located. Thanks! Pat > Does anyone have any good recommendations on a road route from > Austin to Seattle? Yes. > I would like to shoot straight west to California and drive up the > Pacific Coast Highway, but time and gas will probably not allow > that, it will need to be more of a straight shot, though I will > have time to stop and see a few things. Shortest = Austin to Albuquerque to Salt Lake City to Boise to Pendleton to Seattle. Not real scenic but avoids Interstates if that's a good thing? Quickest = Oklahoma City to Denver to Cheyenne to Boise to Seattle. > Shortest = Austin to Albuquerque to Salt Lake City to Boise to > Pendleton to Seattle. > > Not real scenic but avoids Interstates if that's a good thing? > > Quickest = Oklahoma City to Denver to Cheyenne to Boise to Seattle. Thanks! I will have to plot that out. Now I have to decide. Sell the miata and get a more civilized one or even another car, or push this sucker on up there. I guess I would need to research snow tires for the first time ever. Any idea what I should ask for this if I sell it? It just turned over 150K miles and has a small quarter panel dent that needs to be repaired and a few small hail dings on the hood. I am about to replace the top with one that is near mint. Most of the upgrades are 3 to 4 years old with about 35K of use on them. 1991 Mazda Miata (red) Hard Dog Hardcore Double Diagonal with pad/cover SSR Competition (Type C) 16x7" lightweight wheels (needs new tires) Mazdaspeed Short Shifter '94 1.8L bottom end (8.8:1 compression) (30K on seals, belts) '99 head & intake manifold (valve job ~38,000 miles ago) ARP head studs ACT Extreme clutch Flyin' Miata/Fidanza lightweight flywheel '99 Torsen differential (4.3:1), '00 axles & driveshaft Flyin' Miata aluminum radiator Coolant reroute to exit at rear of head Mazdaspeed motor mounts Linearized temp gauge, tach modified for quicker response No AC, no PS Tec3 ECU with latest software running full sequential Momo Champion steering wheel Black voodoo brake handle Black Voodoo shift knob Leather shift boot Team Miata Hood Lift 5 point harnesses in addition to factory belts CD player & headrest speakers Boost (in eyeball vent) & EGT (below stereo) gauges Flying Miata Blow-Off Valve Garrett ball bearing GT2871R turbo w/ ATP turbo T3 .86 A/R exhaust housing Tial 40mm external wastegate w/ .4 bar spring ETD Racing "shorty" turbo header Custom downpipe by Corky Bell w/ flex sections & wastegate joined in at Cat Racing Mazda 3" high flow cat, bolt-in Enthuza Racing 3" single outlet turbo exhaust 18"x8"x3" bar & plate intercooler from Bell Intercoolers Silicone hose couplings, T-bolt clamps Vishnu dual feed fuel rail RC 550cc/min injectors Racing Beat front & rear swaybars Racing Beat front swaybar & under engine braces Flyin' Miata rear suspension brace Flyin' Miata front shock tower brace Flyin' Miata poly bushings KYB AGX adjustable shocks Ground Control coilover sleeve kit Flyin' Miata stainless steel brake & clutch lines Larger brake pad and rotor upgrade from 1996 miata Mazda Factory Air Dam Mazda Factory Trunk wing/spolier A few other things I have forgotten about I am sure. One thing that it does lack is a HUGE TAK!, I never did really put one in. Pat > Any idea what I should ask for this if I sell it? Blue Book Excellent = $3,400 > 1991 Mazda Miata (red) Less $3,400 because it's a slow color = $0.00 > A few other things I have forgotten about I am sure. One thing > that it does lack is a HUGE TAK!, I never did really put one in. No HUGE TAK, no really ugly wing, deduct $50. Deliver the car here along with $50 and I'll take it off your hands..... ;-) No idea, I think you could get a bunch here but it would take forever to sell because most non-Miata people are afraid of modifications. >>Any idea what I should ask for this if I sell it? > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > No idea, I think you could get a bunch here but it would take forever > to sell because most non-Miata people are afraid of modifications. Ouch! I don't even know why I am thinking about it, the answer is obvious, I'll tear it apart and sell the pieces..... Hard to believe, the wheels were almost half of the blue book value in cost. Pat > I don't even know why I am thinking about it, the answer is > obvious, I'll tear it apart and sell the pieces..... Are you out of your %#$@% mind? You've got the critter exactly the way you want it, KEEP IT! You'll never own another car that's exactly what you want. I sold a car years back that I shouldn't have and have never stopped regretting it... > Are you out of your %#$@% mind? Many people have told me so. > You've got the critter exactly the way > you want it, KEEP IT! Actually, most of it was done by the PO. It is fun, but I often wonder what I am doing driving a near-race car on the street. It is very rare that I am using all of the power even at 10 psi. She also wants premium gas and synthetic oil, plus bigger tires. She is a more demanding mistress than the last one. Curb-surfing on $1400.00 rims also makes me nervous. > You'll never own another car that's exactly what you want. I sold a > car years back that I shouldn't have and have never stopped regretting > it... I modified my last miata to the way that I wanted it, though I did want forced induction of some sort. I don't like the color of this one or the fact that you can't use a glass window top or a hardtop on it. I could always swap the rollbar. A/C has been a big factor as well, this should not be a primary daily driver in Texas, but up north it will obviously be better. Anyway, I bought this one because he was forced to sell it for a very low amount of money because of a sudden overseas job offer, right after dumping an absurd amount of money and time into it. He started at $9500.00 and came way down as the departure deadline approached. His plan was to turn it into a full racer with the dash removed, racing seats, etc. It was obviously not his only vehicle. I guess that he was not planning on any mandatory-hardtop racing with the rollbar that he chose. Pat >She also wants premium gas My experience is that 93/92 octane is impossible to find over most of the US, area wise. With Bozo, my approach was to disable the SC, but it is likely more difficult with a turbo. Though I guess you can play games with the waste gate. Just a thought in case you do decide to drive it up north. Leon  SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > Does anyone have any good recommendations on a road route from Austin to > Seattle? [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Pat Delorme Street Atlas 2004 makes the quickest route to be I-35N to I-25N to I-80W to I-84W to I-82W to I-90W. About 2385 miles. Speed is up to you. Of course since it goes to Denver and turns north going through some mountainous areas one would fervently hope for no Spring storms. Out of curiosity I checked the shortest route they recommended and it is 2105 miles and looks almost as if someone drew a straight line on the US map. Austin to Albuquerque to Durango to SLC to Boise to Yakima to Seattle. No doubt in my mind that the shorter route would be more interesting and they only estimate 7 hours more driving time than for the quickest route. Have fun! I've always enjoyed my cross-country trips. SignatureJohn McGaw [Knoxville, TN, USA] http://johnmcgaw.com > Delorme Street Atlas 2004 makes the quickest route to be I-35N to I-25N > to I-80W to I-84W to I-82W to I-90W. About 2385 miles. Speed is up to > you. Of course since it goes to Denver and turns north going through > some mountainous areas one would fervently hope for no Spring storms. That will be the longest one-way I have ever done. That's right, snow....forgot about that. I'll pray for no storms, I do have 3 to 4 weeks to go if that helps at all. > Out of curiosity I checked the shortest route they recommended and it is > 2105 miles and looks almost as if someone drew a straight line on the US > map. Austin to Albuquerque to Durango to SLC to Boise to Yakima to > Seattle. No doubt in my mind that the shorter route would be more > interesting and they only estimate 7 hours more driving time than for > the quickest route. Gas is somewhat of a factor, but the trip can take a few more or less days, it won't really matter. I guess I am also looking for any must-see things along the way, besides the obviously popular ones. > Have fun! I've always enjoyed my cross-country trips. Thanks, this could be one-way for quite some time. Pat > Durango to SLC You want this on your route, no matter where the rest of it goes. Ahhh, US550, the Million Dollar Highway. Stop by Flyin' Miata in Grand Junction. > You want this on your route, no matter where the rest of it goes. Ahhh, > US550, the Million Dollar Highway. Stop by Flyin' Miata in Grand > Junction. Never been there. Is that the crazy one through the mountains? Pat > > You want this on your route, no matter where the rest of it goes. Ahhh, > > US550, the Million Dollar Highway. > > Never been there. Is that the crazy one through the mountains? Not crazy, just achingly, mindblowingly scenic. Even if there's snow, it should be plowed. The crazy one is US191 in eastern Arizona, a bit far out of your way and possibly iffy before late spring. If you get into trouble there, it could be a long time before the next vehicle comes along, even in summer. > Not crazy, just achingly, mindblowingly scenic. Even if there's snow, it > should be plowed. Excellent! > The crazy one is US191 in eastern Arizona, a bit far out of your way and > possibly iffy before late spring. If you get into trouble there, it > could be a long time before the next vehicle comes along, even in summer. Ahhh, now I remember. You saw the specs on my car, do you think I should expect any trouble on the trip? Low-grade gas problems? Anything like that? I may roll on the stock 15 inch alloys and have the SSRs shipped afterwards. I will want a second set of wheels for snow tires anyway if I stay up there. Thanks! Pat > You saw the specs on my car, do you think I should expect any trouble on > the trip? Low-grade gas problems? Anything like that? Nah. Remember, though: high-altitude gas is lower octane, so don't fill up just before you drop back down below 5000'. > Nah. Remember, though: high-altitude gas is lower octane, so don't fill > up just before you drop back down below 5000'. Thanks, I had not thought about that. This here flatlander has only been above 5,000 feet a few times. Pat >> Nah. Remember, though: high-altitude gas is lower octane, so don't fill >> up just before you drop back down below 5000'. > >Thanks, I had not thought about that. This here flatlander has only been >above 5,000 feet a few times. And don't forget the words of wisdom from Flying Miata: a turbo will "correct" for higher altitude by compressing the air more by volume, meaning much higher knock potential than you would expect for that altitude for nonturbo (including SC) cars. Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > And don't forget the words of wisdom from Flying Miata: a turbo will > "correct" for higher altitude by compressing the air more by volume, > meaning much higher knock potential than you would expect for that > altitude for nonturbo (including SC) cars. Presumably, Pat's fancy ECU has a knock sensor to deal with that. >> And don't forget the words of wisdom from Flying Miata: a turbo will >> "correct" for higher altitude by compressing the air more by volume, >> meaning much higher knock potential than you would expect for that >> altitude for nonturbo (including SC) cars. > >Presumably, Pat's fancy ECU has a knock sensor to deal with that. So does my fancy ECU. They are quite limited in what they can do. Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas >>>And don't forget the words of wisdom from Flying Miata: a turbo will >>>"correct" for higher altitude by compressing the air more by volume, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Leon Ok, which is it? You both know more about forced induction, driving at high altitude, knock and what needs to be done to avoid problems than I do. This isn't who has the fancier ECU thing, but is it possible that the Tec3 can be programmed in a way that the link can not to compensate for the higher altitudes? It is supposed to be "state-of-the-art" for whatever that is worth. The adjustments are nearly endless and I have just gone back to the map the PO set up each time I have messed with it. http://www.directignition.com/products/tec3.html Thanks, Pat >>>>And don't forget the words of wisdom from Flying Miata: a turbo will >>>>"correct" for higher altitude by compressing the air more by volume, [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > >Thanks, I am a theoretician, remember? :) One of the problems with retarding timing after you hear knock is that by then, the cylinder wall deposits are already igniting the mixture by themselves, so even not igniting with any spark at all may not be enough if the mixture is combustible enough. I do not know how adjustable those waste gates are, but if you can set them to open right at atmospheric pressure, it ought to do it, I would think. Otherwise, try searching the FM web site tech pages for a hint. It must be something that a lot of their customers can encounter. Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > I am a theoretician, remember? :) One of the problems with retarding > timing after you hear knock is that by then, the cylinder wall deposits [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Leon Thanks Leon, one more thing for me to research..... :-) I'll see what I can find out. Thanks again, Pat Gee, the FM guys live at 5,000 feet ! Don't you think they have set up something in the system so that the turbo will work without damaging the engine going over the mountains ?? Bruce Bing '03 LS >Gee, the FM guys live at 5,000 feet ! Don't you think they have set up >something in the system so that the turbo will work without damaging the >engine going over the mountains ?? Maybe they know where to get good gas in Grand Junction? Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > Gee, the FM guys live at 5,000 feet ! Don't you think they have set up > something in the system so that the turbo will work without damaging the > engine going over the mountains ?? > > Bruce Bing '03 LS You may just have a point there. I also wonder about my friend's stock Audi turbo. How about that Mazdaspeed Miata going through the mountains? Are these people just screwed when they hit high altitudes? I am doubting it. Still, I will see what I can find out. Pat >> Gee, the FM guys live at 5,000 feet ! Don't you think they have set up >> something in the system so that the turbo will work without damaging the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >You may just have a point there. I also wonder about my friend's stock >Audi turbo. How about that Mazdaspeed Miata going through the mountains? Which brings up a good question. What does the owner's manual of the Mazdaspeed say about using less than 93 octane? Mazdaspeed owners? There are vast regions in the US where you are lucky to find 89 octane. I know there are vast regions where you simply do not get above 87 octane, if that. How do the owners of those cars deal with it? Or do they simply not sell those cars in that region? Leon >Are these people just screwed when they hit high altitudes? I am >doubting it. Still, I will see what I can find out. > >Pat SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > Which brings up a good question. What does the owner's manual of > the Mazdaspeed say about using less than 93 octane? Mazdaspeed [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > above 87 octane, if that. How do the owners of those cars deal > with it? Lower octane fuel is no problem to most fuel injected cars and Mazda is probably not an exception. The knock sensor should detect knock and retard the timing. Performance and fuel economy should take a BIG hit but it shouldn't damage the engine. Hi Pat, Yes, I live about 10 miles North of there. I will send you my Phone # in an Email. Drop me an E-mail when you ata going to come up and I will get with you. Bruce Bing '03 LS > Hi Pat, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Bruce Bing '03 LS Gonna meet another r.a.m.m. member, cool, especially after being so coldly rejected by Carol. Now let's talk housing. You wouldn't happen to have a spare bedroom would you? Rent free would be great! ;-) I'll give you a call. Thanks! Pat One way? Spare bedroom? You leavin' Austin then Pat? (Sounds like it should be a country song :-)) Eric > One way? Spare bedroom? You leavin' Austin then Pat? (Sounds like it should > be a country song :-)) > > Eric It sure looks like it. A couple of friends are saying no way will I do it, it looks like it is time to surprise them. I didn't get an answer from Bruce, so I am assuming that it is a go with the bedroom at his place. I hope he can cook... ;-) Pat Pat Sheldon's leavin' Austin A trail of broken parts behind Some of 'em he sold on ebay, Though others were a waste of time. Pat Sheldon's leavin' Austin Lookin' for a room to hire But without a penny in his pocket Looks like he'll have to sell his tires. Next verse please, someone. > Next verse please, someone. Our Pat's leaving soon for Seattle; As for lodging, his brain's in a battle. He really oughta Sleep in his Miata-- If the trip doesn't kill him, a cat'll. >>Next verse please, someone. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Sleep in his Miata-- > If the trip doesn't kill him, a cat'll. You guys are killing me! How about this. Too many hands on my time Too many feelings Too many things on my mind When I leave I don't know What I'm hoping to find When I leave I don't know What I'm leaving behind Ok, I totally stole that. Free shipping on the pink poodle mug to anyone who can name the song without punching the lyrics into Google.... :-) Pat Pat wrote: > You guys are killing me! How about this. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > anyone who can name the song without punching the lyrics into > Google.... :-) I think it's Rush - um, Analog Kid? Iva & Belle.) '90B Classic Red.) #3 winkin' Miata > I think it's Rush - um, Analog Kid? > > Iva & Belle.) > '90B Classic Red.) > #3 winkin' Miata You win the free shipping! Now get on there on grab that poodle mug before someone else does. ;-) Pat > You win the free shipping! Now get on there on grab that poodle mug > before someone else does. ;-) Is second prize two poodle mugs? > Is second prize two poodle mugs? There ya go, dissing my poodle mug. This is a very rare and coveted item, you won't find two in one place. The prize was also for the free shipping only, I would never let this thing go for free. There is one person watching it, out of horror more than anything else, I imagine. It is one of the more hideous things I have ever listed. Still, an old coffee mug with the logo from a company that I worked at in the early 1990's got almost $27.00 last night, so ya never know. I'll take a tankful of gas over an old coffee mug any day. Pat > There ya go, dissing my poodle mug. This is a very rare and coveted > item, you won't find two in one place. Thank you. I'll sleep better tonight knowing that. > Pat wrote: > > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > I think it's Rush - um, Analog Kid? DING-DING-DING-DING! Give dat driver a seee-gar! :) (Rush fan of many years typing atcha - That whole album just plain rocks. One of their finest efforts. Eagerly anticipating their soon-to-be-released new one, titled "Snakes & Arrows". Check out the lead-off single, titled "Far Cry") SignatureDon Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist, or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow" somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd> for more info > DING-DING-DING-DING! Give dat driver a seee-gar! :) > > (Rush fan of many years typing atcha - That whole album just plain > rocks. One of their finest efforts. Eagerly anticipating their > soon-to-be-released new one, titled "Snakes & Arrows". Check out the > lead-off single, titled "Far Cry") "Grace Under Pressure" was a fantastic tour. Favorite band for 28 years now, heard them at age 9 and never looked back. I did not know that they had a new one coming out. It is funny, a lot of people don't even know who they are, but they were tied with KISS for the #3 spot on gold record sales, behind The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. With one release and another coming up since then, I imagine that they have or will take the #3 spot. Pat Well, I was (am?) what I thought was a pretty big Rush fan but I don't know anything about that album. I guess I wandered about that time but, 2112 is an all-time classic of mine amongst several others. Definitely three of the best musicians to get together of all time. If ya gotta steal Pat, I guess steal from the best, eh? Chris 99BBB >> Pat wrote: >> > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > soon-to-be-released new one, titled "Snakes & Arrows". Check out the > lead-off single, titled "Far Cry") > Well, I was (am?) what I thought was a pretty big Rush fan but I don't know > anything about that album. I guess I wandered about that time but, 2112 is [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Chris > 99BBB Yeah, and you would think I could get the albums right after claiming them as my favorite band for 28 years. "The Analog Kid" is from the album "Signals", not "Grace Under Pressure". "Signals" was released in 1982, a year that I do not remember so well..... Pat Pat wrote: > > Well, I was (am?) what I thought was a pretty big Rush fan but I don't know > > anything about that album. I guess I wandered about that time but, 2112 is [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Pressure". "Signals" was released in 1982, a year that I do not remember > so well..... No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to remember! <g> Iva & Belle.) '90B Classic Red.) #3 winkin' Miata (Seventies? What seventies?) > No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to > remember! <g> Young whippersnapper. For some of us, it's the '60s. >> No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to >> remember! <g> > > Young whippersnapper. For some of us, it's the '60s. And for some of us it's the '40s. > >> No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to > >> remember! <g> > > > > Young whippersnapper. For some of us, it's the '60s. > > And for some of us it's the '40s. Your 40's or the 1940's? <g> Iva & Belle.) '90B Classic Red.) #3 winkin' Miata >>> No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to >>> remember! <g> >> >> Young whippersnapper. For some of us, it's the '60s. > >And for some of us it's the '40s. And for others of us, it is the '50s. And '60s. And 70s'. And '80s. And '90s. And '00s. And 30 seconds ago. Leon :) SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > And for others of us, it is the '50s. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Leon :) Absolutely, though I can't speak for the 50's, and I was only around for 26 days in the 1960's. Now what were you talking about? I already forgot. :-) Pat > > No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to > > remember! <g> > > Young whippersnapper. For some of us, it's the '60s. Like they say, "If you remember the 60s, you probably weren't there" :) SignatureDon Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist, or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow" somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd> for more info > No, no, no, Pat, it's the 70's you're not supposed to be able to > remember! <g> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > #3 winkin' Miata > (Seventies? What seventies?) No, I still have clear memories of early childhood from that decade. It was not until the 1980's that I was experimenting with recreational drugs, or doing full-scale research, depending on how you look at it. I did not, however, inhale, even once, so I am still good to go when I run for office. :-) Pat No, not much room at my place. Only 2 bedrooms and our pet Mountain Lion sleeps in one of them. "Jasper" is a good boy and he walks on a leash. He keeps most of the local dogs ont of the yard. :-) The good thing is, our "pet control" lady likes him so she doesn't tell too many people we have him ! :-) I don't think he would go along with a guy from Texas wanting to move him over. ( Oh yes, buy the way he snoors. It's not too bad now that we sound proofed the room. ) Bruce Bing '03 LS > No, not much room at my place. Only 2 bedrooms and our pet Mountain Lion > sleeps in one of them. "Jasper" is a good boy and he walks on a leash. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Bruce Bing '03 LS Jeez! First a gun-toting husband and now Jasper the Mountain Lion. A guy can't catch a break on here. Pat Pat, in the past we let him out at night, but the next door neighbor complained about the big paw tracks on the top of his cars. We don't let him out off the leash now. I kept telling him that it was his other cars that were doing it , but he said he didn't think so! (He has 3 "Jag's, a XKE, a 140 and a '87 4 door. ) I still think it was his Jag's, my Jasper wouldn't jump on a "Jag U ware" ! :-) Bruce Bing '03 LS > Pat, in the past we let him out at night, but the next door neighbor > complained about the big paw tracks on the top of his cars. We don't let [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Bruce Bing '03 LS Hmmmm, does your neighbor have an extra room? I am desperate here. Also, does he have any large and dangerous animals? Speaking of animals, I must find a home for my tortoise. It just wouldn't be right to take her to that environment. Pat > Speaking of animals, I must find a home for my tortoise. It just wouldn't > be right to take her to that environment. Oh I don't know - I had a tortoise in London (the original one, in England) for years and she was fine. Outdoors in summer, indoors in winter plus a couple of months in the garage for hibernation. She's still going strong by all accounts though the ex kept her, though I retain visitation rights :-) Eric > Oh I don't know - I had a tortoise in London (the original one, in England) > for years and she was fine. Outdoors in summer, indoors in winter plus a > couple of months in the garage for hibernation. She's still going strong by > all accounts though the ex kept her, though I retain visitation rights :-) > > Eric This one does not hibernate and they come from an arid climate. This is a Sulcata. (African Spurred Tortoise). Transporting her is also a problem, she is 7 pounds and growing rapidly. Also, I will be here another 57 years or so, assuming that I am lucky and that there are no major medical advances advancing our lifespan to further overpopulate the planet. With proper care, she could still be here in the year 2150. That creates a potential problem, though not my problem. She would also weigh at least 150 pounds at that point, the males can hit 45 pounds in just 15 years and can grow as large as 240 pounds. :-) Pat > This one does not hibernate and they come from an arid climate. This is a > Sulcata. (African Spurred Tortoise). Ours is a Spur-Thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca graeca), and she too will live longer than us. She's in my ex's will as a result. The Graecas don't, however, get as large as yours - 240 pounds, wow! So what are you going to do with yours - sell it? Eric > Ours is a Spur-Thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca graeca), and she too will > live longer than us. She's in my ex's will as a result. Heh, that is necessary. A lot of people think that a zoo will take them, that is not the case. The two breeds look very similar overall. > The Graecas don't, however, get as large as yours - 240 pounds, wow! They are the 3rd largest tortoise behind the Galapagos and an African one that I can't remember the name of. Once they reach a certain size, an enclosure must be built for them as they will easily knock down any normal wood or chain link fence. > So what are you going to do with yours - sell it? > > Eric No, but I will charge an "adoption fee" to make sure she isn't going into the cook pot, maybe $50.00 or so. They sell for more than double that as babies. I also want the person to know how to care for her. The first owners did not feed her properly and she suffered some shell pyramiding as a result. That has improved greatly in the last couple of years, and she has gone from 2.5 pounds to 7.5 pounds in that time. Here is a video of her munching down when she was little, (before I knew her proper diet), if you feel like checking it out, it's only about 30 seconds long and not that exciting. http://youtube.com/watch?v=P1aAG66Iv6g And if you are not completely bored by now, here is a picture that I took a few days ago. You can see that the cones on the shell are still prominent, but much less so. http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/pat/stinkyhome.jpg Pat > They are the 3rd largest tortoise behind the Galapagos and an > African one that I can't remember the name of. Aldabra. They live in the Seychelles, not the African mainland. The Glapagos can weigh up to 785 lbs, the Aldabra only hits maybe 670 lbs or so. The African Spurred is the 3rd largest but is much smaller, weighing only 200 lbs at maximum. > Aldabra. They live in the Seychelles, not the African mainland. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > The African Spurred is the 3rd largest but is much smaller, weighing > only 200 lbs at maximum. Ahhh yes, that was it. I forgot that you have experience at the zoo. The African Spurred is the largest mainland tortoise. Those island tortoises get really big. I have heard weights of 180 to 240 pounds for the African Spurred males, 200 sounds right. Maybe 140 to 150 pounds max. for the females? Pat >> Aldabra. They live in the Seychelles, not the African mainland. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Maybe 140 to 150 pounds max. for the females? I don't know, but that sounds about right? "ANOUNCEMENT* We may have more turtle (oops, tortoise) knowledge here than Miata knowledge! Just kidding, just kidding! It is funny though, to see so much interest about such an obscure subject in this relatively small group. Good luck with finding the adoptive parents Pat! Chris 99BBB > It is funny though, to see so much interest about such an obscure > subject in this relatively small group. "Obscure" may not be the right word for a 200 lb pet? > "ANOUNCEMENT* > We may have more turtle (oops, tortoise) knowledge here than Miata > knowledge! Slightly off-topic. There is a very important difference. Drop a tortoise in the water and it drowns. Leave a turtle out of water long enough and it dies. A lot of people assume that I caught her wild in the lake. I have to explain that she is a land animal and not from North America. > Just kidding, just kidding! It is funny though, to see so much interest > about such an obscure subject in this relatively small group. I think that it is mainly me and XS11E, but over 20 people looked at the video yesterday, so it can't be bothering them to badly. > Good luck with finding the adoptive parents Pat! > > Chris > 99BBB I was thinking about you. You need a reptile that will outlive and possibly outgrow you. She also eats a LOT, and that will only increase with time. :-) Pat >> We may have more turtle (oops, tortoise) knowledge here than Miata >> knowledge! > > Slightly off-topic. There is a very important difference. Drop a tortoise > in the water and it drowns. Absolutely, but I thought that difference in terminology only existed in British English and that American English used the word "turtle" for both the land and water-borne varieties? Or is it just that people falsely use "turtle" for everything? There was a big stink here a while ago when someone phoned the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a society that basically does lots of different things for animals) to say they found a "turtle" in their back garden. They came, collected the "turtle", put it in a bucket of water, and it drowned. The person involved got sacked for not being able to tell the difference between a turtle and a tortoise which is, it has to be said, a very difficult mistake to make - they tend to look distinctly different. >> Good luck with finding the adoptive parents Pat! Too right - can't bear the thought of someone buying it to put in a pot... Eric > Absolutely, but I thought that difference in terminology only existed in > British English and that American English used the word "turtle" for both > the land and water-borne varieties? Or is it just that people falsely use > "turtle" for everything? It's strange, we will call a Galapagos a tortoise, never a turtle, but a Terrapene is called a box turtle, despite the fact that it is a tortoise, not a turtle. So it is really both. Any turtle or tortoise besides the Galapagos tortoise is referred to a turtle by most people that I have known. I have never heard anyone refer to a turtle as a tortoise. Most of the people that have seen this one have never heard of the African Spurred. They call her a turtle every time. The African Spurred Tortoise is endangered in Africa but they are far from rare in captivity. > There was a big stink here a while ago when someone phoned the RSPCA (Royal > Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a society that basically [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > said, a very difficult mistake to make - they tend to look distinctly > different. Yikes! The feet having webbing or not is a big giveaway. I guess growing up owning box (turtles?), red ears, and even snapping turtles makes the difference seem obvious where it would not be to some, but come on, this person should have known better or asked someone else if they work with an organization that deals with a variety of animals. There was a local African Spurred that escaped the owner's yard, this one was almost 40 pounds. His main concern was that someone would find it and take it to the water and throw it in, thinking that is where it had come from. (They found it, BTW). That would suck, but my main concern would have been that my 40 pound rock was walking around, potentially onto the roadways. Hitting that thing at speed in your miata could be, interesting, to say the least....Trying to avoid it might cause similar problems. > Too right - can't bear the thought of someone buying it to put in a pot... > > Eric Thanks! It looks like a friend may keep her. He keeps telling me that I will be back soon anyway. Pat >> Slightly off-topic. There is a very important difference. Drop a >> tortoise in the water and it drowns. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > be said, a very difficult mistake to make - they tend to look > distinctly different. So, as someone with no particular interest in turtles and a victim* of American English, I had to look up the difference between the two.. Here's a reasonable description: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html#difference -Scott *victim: someone who blames their own ignorance on the most convenient scape goat > So, as someone with no particular interest in turtles and a > victim* of American English, I had to look up the difference > between the two.. Here's a reasonable description: > http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html#difference The gospel according to St. Encyclopedia Britannica: turtle Any of more than 250 species (order Chelonia) of reptiles having a bony shell overlaid with horny shields; found in most parts of the world. tortoise Any of some 40 species (family Testudinidae) of slow-moving, terrestrial, herbivorous turtles, found in the Old and New Worlds but chiefly in Africa and Madagascar. So tortoises are turtles but turtles aren't always tortoises. I learned something, I didn't know tortoises are included in the term "turtle". > The gospel according to St. Encyclopedia Britannica: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I learned something, I didn't know tortoises are included in the term > "turtle". You taught me something too. Now I have to confuse my friends even further by explaining that yes she is a turtle and a tortoise, but still keep her out of any water above her head..... Man! Pat > So, as someone with no particular interest in turtles and a victim* of > American English, I had to look up the difference between the two.. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > *victim: someone who blames their own ignorance on the most convenient > scape goat Another victim, ha! r.a.m.m. - the newsgroup about fast-moving cars and slow-moving animals.... :-) Pat > Absolutely, but I thought that difference in terminology only existed in > British English and that American English used the word "turtle" for both > the land and water-borne varieties? Or is it just that people falsely use > "turtle" for everything? I actually had no idea! I have to plead ignorance on that one. Thanks for the info. Chris 99BBB > I actually had no idea! I have to plead ignorance on that one. Thanks for > the info. > > Chris > 99BBB Yet you are the only person here to have seen her except on video. Of course, we were talking about miatas instead of animals, something that should probably be done here as well. Nah! Check out this video of a tortoise defending his territory against cats. He hauls a.s. I normally would not condone a making film like this, but neither creature could really hurt the other. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0gfCyeiyM pat > Yet you are the only person here to have seen her except on video. Of > course, we were talking about miatas instead of animals, something that [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > pat ROFL!!! That's one mean tortoise, I wouldn't want to get in a tangle with that one...... > Jeez! First a gun-toting husband and now Jasper the Mountain Lion. A guy > can't catch a break on here. > > Pat You're killin' me Pat! Carol dumped you? Chris 99BBB >>Jeez! First a gun-toting husband and now Jasper the Mountain Lion. A guy >>can't catch a break on here. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Chris > 99BBB She broke my heart. You know those Houston women..... Pat Houston! Oh man, I thought she was an Austinite! My bad. You just never know about those Miata flatlander women ;-) And hey, don't EVER call Austin flatland again, what would that make Houston? Chris 99BBB >>>Jeez! First a gun-toting husband and now Jasper the Mountain Lion. A guy >>>can't catch a break on here. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Pat > especially after being so coldly rejected by Carol. I told you to start using deodorant! ;-) |
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