Stubborn Gear Lever

Something a little strange has been happening over the last couple of days. The central gear lever started getting a little sticky, a tad tougher to shift. Most of the driving is done with the paddle shifters but at the end of the day, shifting into park takes a forceful shove with both hands. Finally this morning, after I pulled into work, I couldn't budge the lever at all. Turned the engine off but of course couldn't pull the key out because the car wasn't in park. So I left it there and called the dealership. 

Apparently it's a common problem with Smart cars at this stage - a little past the 5000 mile mark - and could be repaired quite easily. Something about loosening the gear lever surround and rotating the base a quarter turn. I decided to let the dealer handle it - I coaxed the Smart into reverse gear by rocking the whole car a little and then drove off to the Steven's Creek Smart Center - they had it done while we grabbed some lunch nearby. Now it's back to shifting as slick as ever.

Lost in Oregon

DRAFT IN PROGRESS
I decided to take a little detour when driving back to California on the Redwood Highway — 199. From the town of Cave Junction I thought it would be fun to strike out on my own and take a more scenic route to the Oregon Caves that were due East a few miles. It was a I didn't think anything of it when the the road turned to gravel and - National Forest Development Road 4703
Signs shot out
oblique-angled slip roads that I hadn't noticed before.
Two more wrong turns and I was begining to think I would never get out of this maze of raodways,
turned around for the third time. Hear tbeating think about the the ill fated CNET's James Kim who had gotten lost in these mousntinas driving with his family the year before . Of couse that was in the middle of the night in a snowstorm and heaqr I was at high noon in 790 degree weather.
Remebered I had fueled up at the only gas styation in town that morning and called information, Luckily they had a town truck and were able to come within 20 mins. Had to get a new tire but very thankful I got out of there without too much trouble.

Not a Go-Kart!

In spite of what the picture above may say, the Smart is far from being a basic go-kart, as some detractors have have unkindly claimed. Americans are generally unfamiliar with small, efficient cars of any sort - they are so rare in this land of trucks. Many assume that because of its diminutive size, it must pretty basic in its accommodation. Quite the opposite - especially in my top-spec "Passion Cabriolet" model (can we get any girlier with the naming guys?!). Electronic multipoint fuel injection, front and side airbags, power-assisted steering and antilock brakes, computerized electronic stability control, six-CD multi-speaker stereo, along with the now ubiquitous electric windows, remote locking and forged aluminium wheels. And a top speed of 90 mph to boot!

The picture above was taken on Montgomery Street in San Francisco in front of the Kartell showroom - ultra modern furniture from Italy. Love that oversized Helvetica.