Just wondering -- in the rest of the US, do folks spend as much time as we Californians do in planning around freeway congestion? I'm guessing they don't. Maybe in Seattle?
Every time we leave our neighborhood, we have to check traffic and plan alternates in case of a last-minute problem. The passenger calls up the traffic apps on her phone, advising of late-breaking situations. Failure to optimize the route can lead to an extra half hour or more of travel time. It's not the worst problem in the world (compared to living in a war zone, for example), but it is a constant hassle.
The weather sure is nice, though.