David, when I lived in Mission Viejo, I did a lot of work in El Centro. The Ortega in the early 80s wasn't bad, and I'd usually hit it as soon as the sun was above eyeball piercing level.
Took the road around Palomar and then up to Julian. Up and over towards Borrego, except that I'd take the road through the Rutherford high ranch through the park and on to Octillo Wells...then 8 into town. the road followed the Butterfield stage route below Mt. Laguna...dips and curves and roadrunners and coyotes.
5-6 times a month. Damn I miss that.
Then again, you do have those beautiful new (to me) toll roads after midnight.
