However, I have nearly finished the Tech Priest for my Imperial Fists (photos will follow as soon as he's done), I've visited some new places, and I have a new rental car!
On Saturday I climbed Mount Diablo in Contra Costa county and despite warnings of rattlesnakes, tarantulas and black widows, managed to reach the summit without being poisoned. I walked a fair bit of the way, but this being America, there was a car park at the top. The view was remarkable, being able to see the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge on the west and the snow on the Sierras to the east. The Sacramento valley is behind me in the photo below.
Given my previous blog posts, you could be forgiven for wondering why I hadn't mentioned my hire car yet. Well, here's why, in all of it it's flat white glory, the '08 Mitubishi Gallant:
Boo! Although it did make cool tyre screching noises on the way down the foothills around Diablo. Or at least it did until I had to hurredly brake rather than hit a disgruntled looking family in an SUV.
However, today I drove back to Avis and demanded a more interesting vehicle. What I got was this, the Pontiac Solstice, a two seat sports convertable. Damn sight more fun that the Gallant, but could do with a little more power (but couldn't we all?). All the pedals are quite heavy, which I normally consider to be a good thing and visibility's nowhere near as bad as you might expect. It's a little small though, certainly compared to the Dodge Rams and Ford Excursions you see on American roads. Also , the roof mechanism is a little primitive. But then, as you may have heard, GM are a little strapped for cash at the moment.
Finally, I had such a good response to last week's war porn, I decided to photograph the following for all of you. This is a US army Nike missile battery, stationed on the US west coast to protect it from communists. Mmm... phallic. Enjoy!
P.S. A pint (or drink of your choice) for the first person to guess the geek reference (and source)in this blog post.
3 comments:
That Pontiac is hideous. Looks like a 350z that's been smashed with hammers.
Not keen on the Galant either; although I've always liked the previous model (mark eight, the one with the shark nose...)
The Gallant was sooooo dull... it was like driving a boring version on the Vectra...
The Pontiac, I'll admit is something of an acquired taste, but I'm not getting the urge to key it.
Dude, rocking the 'tache... love it... grow more of it... and get a cap... and a big truck....oh yeah!
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