Hello All from Sacramento,

1,606 kms. from Monday's departure and 'Pooh' is parked at the Summers' residence in Carmichael, California.

We logged 788 kilometres from Pitt Meadows to Rice Hill, Oregon on Monday...enduring a 90 minute border crossing wait, two roll-over accidents that clogged the I5 at Kent and near Vader/Ryderwood in Washington, and acrid forest fire smoke near Albany, Oregon.

Monday was cool and easy for a long drive. This helped with the stop/go at the Border Crossing and on the twice clogged I5. Pooh ran well but, in the evening, showed that surprising oil loss we saw on the transcontinental run in 2002.

That smoke was pervasive throughout the trip south in California today, Tuesday, which added 818 kilometres to the odometer. The day should have been 60 kms. shorter but I managed to take the scenic route out towards Reno...happened as a result of two routes sharing the I80 designation in Sacramento proper and the Mapquest download not showing the second label.

The day began with an overcast sky and a very fine, misty drizzle. This was a good thing with the several short steep ascents on the I5 in southern Oregon. Unlike the trip to Vallejo for MMW 1997, Pooh pulled strongly over the top at 100 kmh/60 mph, but once, without showing a temperature gain/oil pressure drop.

Near the Oregon/California border the smoke increased until the horizon disappeared into a thick haze. As the temperature rose, the smoke was irritating to the throat and eyes. Thank goodness for the ice filled chest and assorted ice teas and lemonades. Though less concentrated, it is everywhere one looks in the Sacramento area.

Pooh ran well throughout the afternoon, facing higher temperatures and flying traffic. The commercial traffic was increasingly good, as we headed south, at pacing the speed limit, staying to the right etc. (Calif. Hwy. Patrol). This means that the largest loads are predictable...and safe.

Cars, utes and pickups are quite another matter. Signaling is rarely used, lane changes are frequent, some tail gaiters think that's okay at 120 kmh/75 mph, as they cut right in front of a semi in search of the next rear bumper.

Had a delightful visit with the Summers over a light supper at home. Kent and I are being abandoned by Terryl tomorrow. Therefore, we'll tour in his new Mini Cooper (with wheel chair rack) or in Pooh without. Guess what, we'll take the new Cooper. Kent is meeting the challenges of paraplegia head on, with the wonderful support of Terryl, family and friends. He is also making a contribution to 'Wheels for Wheels' to help meet the need at Ridge Meadows hospital.

My tip for the day...pass a law in B.C. to require all vehicle combinations involving more than two axles to travel within the posted speed. If you had seen the big wrecked ute and travel trailer on I5, it would become apparent that some do not understand such vehicle combinations and the potential dangers. There were no deflated tires. Speed most likely led to the fishtailing and the trailer "steering" the combination. Don't know whether Dad or Mom was driving.

Will clean up Pooh tomorrow. When dropping down the Sacramento River to the area of intensive agriculture, the crop dusting plane suddenly transformed into a very large dragon fly just before impact with the windshield. There is much to scrub and peal off!

Looking ahead, we have five Minis for the 400 mile caravan south to Costa Mesa on Thursday. One Cooper S 1071 will be trailered, while the other three originals keep pace with Kent and Terryl in the air conditioned, new Mini Cooper.

Cheerio!

Rick Higgs (and Pooh, of course)

Pooh, E-mail:  mhabc@telus.net

Please come back to see how the trip is progressing