Baja

Sam bought a used 2005 Subaru Baja this past spring, invested some money into necessary repairs, and drove it out to California, his bicycle perched on top.  It is our current road trip vehicle, and so far, a perfect one.

Since I have no experience driving a stick shift, Sam is the designated driver for the entire journey.  I thought our adventure on my first day here, when he drove us up to Thompson Peak, was a challenging drive.  Yesterday's and today's drives made the drive to Thompson Peak seem like a walk in the park.

Driving the Lost Coast Highway yesterday was an exercise in navigating hairpin turns, but Sam did a great job.  I mistakenly thought that this was the end of the windy roads for awhile, but this morning's drive proved me wrong.  Route 1, before it reaches the Pacific, continues the hairpin theme.  Again, Sam managed it well.

The Baja is a great road trip vehicle.  It's comfortable, there's plenty of room for our gear, the sound system is good, and the shift is smooth.  And check this out -- on our drive on Saturday, Sam had forgotten to close the tailgate.  He realized it on one of our stops at a vista.  But nothing had fallen out!  (Whew!)

That same tailgate came in handy when we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the Lost Coast.

View from our tailgate lunch.

More Baja challenges lie ahead, as Yosemite and Tahoe are at the end of our itinerary.  I don't want to jinx anything by claiming confidence, but so far, the Baja has been berry, berry good to us, both the vehicle and the attitude.