Everybody drives in LA...

And they shouldn't-
If ever I needed confirmation that our society is going to hell in a hand basket because of the automobile, I got it. Driving in So Cal is unreal- a mass of people suffering from road rage and other assorted frustrations. Driving from my parents home in Lake Elsinore to see a play in Los Angeles (Wicked, at the Pantages Theater. It was fabulous!) we were almost killed by some jerk in a new truck who swerved into our lane at 90+ mph, and almost rolled right in front of us. He then proceeded to weave in and out of traffic, cutting people off and causing several near-misses. We called the cops on him.
We parked at Union Station in LA and took the Red Line Metro to the entertainment district. I am happy to say that LA is doing something right! The trains were easy to get tickets for (kiosks at every station) reasonably priced ($5 for an all-day pass, $1.80 for seniors) clean, on time, comfortable and they allow bikes on board. I was particularly impressed that instead of having to rack your bike (if a rack was even available) cyclists could simply walk their bikes on board and go to the open area at they back of each car. No fuss, no muss. Not fancy, but it works and lends itself to people getting on/off quickly.
I am more determined than ever that we have got to support public transit in a big way in this country. I am presently at logger-heads with my mother about my 79 year old step-dad driving. He appears to be in the early stages of Alzheimer's and is generally unaware of what is going on around him- when he is not in some sort of rage, and driving hyper-aggressively. Initially, Mom agreed with me that I (being the one who lives far away, and less concerned with his fury) should report him to the state DMV and get him called in for a road test. But his older daughter has now convinced her that she shoud just refuse to get in the car with him, and always be the one to run to the drivers seat when they are out together. Hello...do you know my mother? So, it seems that I am without allies. What to do when your mother calmly states that she is sure that she will be killed in a crash with him driving?
It shouldn't have to be like this. But the options for suburbanites are pretty limited, especially in California. Of course, now I am worried like crazy about my folks and had almost convinced myself not to go car-free. So I will sell my car, but instead of using all of the proceeds to pay down my debts, I will bank 3-4k just in case I need to buy a car. This "need" being family emergencies or ill-health only. Inconvenience does not count!
Well, hard to believe that this is my last road-trip for awhile! I am getting my little Subaru, Lotta, ready for sale. I hope she gets a good home.