Visited potential rental in Ben Lomond, decided to take Highway 9 to get to it. NOT FUN. My Lexus UX doesn't have sporty handling (seems quite the opposite — leisurely?) and I got tailgated a few different cars, even honked by a particularly aggressive VW Golf. Had to pull off to the shoulder like 3 or 4 times to catch my breath and keep the highway clear. Speed limit ranges from 25 to 45 MPH, and the feeling of driven is worsened by the narrow build of the street. Coming down into the actual populated neighborhoods and towns was better, but still stressful.
Arrived in town around 1:35, got a coffee from Ben Lomond's Coffee Nine, and then stopped by the actual rental. I've got mixed feelings on the place — the rate is a bit high for my taste ($1200), the location is far from campus (and mentally challenging to get to/from, I imagine), utilities are variable depending on your use (ok, that actually makes sense) and the house itself feels like it's come out of the 80s. Definitely much more spacious than the motor home, but also much emptier, with little furniture and "lived-in" accoutrements, which can be explained by the homeowner's (Danny's) busy work schedule — car repair on weekdays, and extra work on the weekends, just sleeping in the house after a long day. Talking to Danny occasionally reminded me of Alex, though he's definitely more reserved and focused on his work. (He also surfs when he can. Cool!) Explored the house a bit, got all my questions and concerns answered, and then headed back out. I didn't have the heart to go back up Highway 9 so I swung through Felton and Scotts Valley to get back on Highway 17 which, by comparison, actually felt easy.