My favorite Car photo of 2008.

While not as dramatic as some of my past work, this image is my favorite one from the past year. Once again, as in 2007 the chance to make it was afforded to me by Dr. Philippe Reyns. This photo was snapped from the passenger seat of his pre-war SS100 Jaguar as we ambled toward Libby, Montana on the 2008 Going To The Sun Rally.

Merci Philippe!

As I’m considering my plans for 2009 I think I’ll have to skip the GTTSR this year. All of my potential co-drivers have not been able to commit. Perhaps this year instead I’ll grab one (or both) of my boys and just go for a father/son road trip… follow our noses somewhere. I’ve done this before and I think it is time to do it again.

OK, enough already!

This is what awaited me outside as I left for work. MORE snow. As you can see the 3+ feet that had fallen before christmas has melted away to a few inches, but still remains everywhere around our home. Last night brought another half inch or so. (Oddly I left the Valentine1 on, and it kept the area above it clear of snow.)

This is 17 straight days with snow covered ground, which I’m fairly certain is the longest we’ve ever endured that condition here in my 20-some years in the Pacific Northwest. Mind you the lowlands have been snow-free for a while, but I think I’ve had enough. Can we have our rain back please?

Next week I’ll be in California though so there’s hope. (who knows, maybe I’ll bring the snow with me!)

The answer to America’s fuel economy needs: Diesel.


Top gear – Basel To Blackpool

Worth the wait to watch it all. Remember that a UK Gallon is 1.2 US Gallons, so the VW’s 70 MPG is really more like 60 MPG US. Still, name any car available in the USA that gets 60 MPG on average?

No gasoline powered stock vehicle available in the USA could have made this trip… but even the hulking Jaguar, driven with a lead foot pulled it off…. on Diesel.