Got a long way to go and a short time to get there.

You can't go wrong when you mix a Trans-Am, a semi truck, and a Basset Hound. Toss in Jerry Reed and it's instant cinematic history. (We all know Burt Reynolds and Sally Field were really just fillers.)




We decided to take our new car on a weekend trip out to the Manitou Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula. It's a nice little secluded spot about 4 hours drive from here. I was looking at it as sort of a test drive of our new car. We were bringing both of the dogs (so we'd see how much space they really had), the road there is mostly 2-lane blacktop (so we'd find out if the Nitro had the power to pass), and it was in the mountains (so we'd see if it could handle the sloppy stuff).

I'm sure my wife thought of it as some sort of weekend getaway or romantic trip or some other foolishness.

Here's what we found out:
1. It gets better mileage than expected. We averaged 21.4 mpg on the trip. That's higher than the 15/20 rating the EPA gives the 2008 model.
2. It's not a smooth ride but it's acceptable on a long trip.
3. The 4WD system is screwy. It doesn't engage automatically. You have to manually shift from "2WD" to "4WD Lock" with a switch on the dash. In 4WD the transfer case is locked so it shouldn't be used on dry pavement. In the muck it's pretty sure-footed.
4. Satellite radio is cool (you're never out of range) but the reception stinks (even trees will block the signal).
5. The dogs have plenty of space in the back to lay down. But Peanut prefers to sit up and look around. Spike prefers to snore.
6. It needs mud-flaps. It kicks up a huge amount of spray and muck and a lot of it ends up on the rear window. The cars behind us probably hate it. ... But it's hard to be sure since I can't see them.
7. It has plenty of passing power. Just ask the Washington State Patrol.

We both want to change a few things about the Nitro. She wants new door handles and she thinks it needs some running boards (it's a bit tall for her to get in and out of). Of course we'll need the mud-flaps. And, since we're already shopping, we might as well get some spiffy valve caps, a nice new grille, and of course some bling.