5 Attachment(s)
Dawson Creek, BC to Watson Lake, YT
The Other One that had taken me out of Abbotsford aka the Trans-Canada, became the Cariboo (that’s right) Highway, then finally the 97 aka John Hart Hwy --- before t-boning the Alaska-Canada Highway at Dawson Creek. Spent the night there, about 15 miles West of the BC + Alberta border --- arriving 00:15, 11:30, mi = 707 mi/1138 km.
Next day, rolled North at 06:45 . . . . cool, clear, dry. From the mile-markers, I was already a few miles along, so . . . I mosied back South, to the Village of Pouce Coupe . . . . low hills + trees, a few homes . . . and Mile Zero --- the very beginning of the Al-Can. Just because.
Didn’t feel like August . . . more like Spring. And --- A Perfect day . . .
This was when I really appreciated the vehicle. I love e30s . . . owned 5, all 4-cyls --- including two M3s. Not exactly the most powerful or stylish car --- kind of a truck, actually . . . which is probably why I love ‘em. Dead conventional construction, thoroughly serviceable mechanicals, connect-the-dots simple systems, with everything carefully + thoughtfully + tightly packaged inside a compact-airy-glassy fuselage/box. Seats for 4 (room for 5), 4 x 6 x 1.5 trunk, radio, OBC, AC, radio, cruise, elec windows + SR, 2700 lbs.
Turn the key? --- it starts. Take it on The Road? --- it runs. Change out fluids + filters, do the services (I & II), rotate tires, don’t hit anything? --- then add one million miles . . . . . My Plan, anyway. Any/every e30 has a roach-like purchase on any road surface, so . . . take the most-capable version --- the M3 --- with it’s celebrated S-14 (motor/weapon), then upgrade the tires + brakes + suspension, and . . . presto ---- intercontinentally ballistic ///Motoring. And did I mention the fuel economy? (27 MpG overall, this trip.) Whatever an M3 can’t out-run, or out-corner . . . it’ll just plain out-range. Easily/comfortably . . . . . . . as in radio playing, AC running, week’s-worth of junk in the trunk.
. . . Which is why I chose/drove this vehicle. I do not race, do track days, enter concours, or spend a lot of time on/under/hovering over/worrying about my cars . . . .
I do drive them. Get 'em dirty. Scratch 'em. Put some really stupid miles on 'em.
Yeah-yeah-yeah --- I get pretty wrapped-up in car stuff. But I also like to take The Big Drive --- enjoy myself, get comfortable, look out the windows . . . see the sights. I’m a total tourist. Cars just happen to be the way I like to get there.
(Really. If there wasn’t some place to go? . . . . I’m not sure I’d have a car. No destination = no point.)
Anyway, e30s make great touring cars. Comfy. Recaro builds the seats, so it and all the arm-rests + consoles + touch-points fit/hit me just right. Nice tall cabin, too --- don’t have to slouch to fit. Instruments are all where I can see ‘em, steering wheel right at my chest. Has air, but I barely use it . . . for ‘re-sale,’ mostly. Radio, same.
Best part? Lots and lots ---- of glass . . . all around. Just look at the photos --- car’s practically ‘see-through.’ I’ve been in these cars for almost 20 years and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to see all four corners of the vehicle from inside. Next best thing to a convertible.
So now? . . . 5 days out, rolling North . . . I’ve got Big Screens playing --- on all four sides of me. All the way to Fairbanks.
Show time.
Day started sunny + clear, but . . . . weather was constantly changing. 20 miles down the road --- fog. Then overcast for a while, then clear again. I had a weather-band on the car radio, but I never used it. If I wanted to know what the weather was . . . I looked out the window. (I mean . . . what am I gonna do? Go back? No. Full speed ahead.) Weather was as much a part of the scenery as all the mountains and trees and rivers and bridges, and everything else. Good thing the car was tight and dry. And, like all German cars --- a killer heater.
High summer --- remember.
Rick