11/1/2010 - The mini rigs of Catalina

Catalina is not a very large island. Something like 18 miles long by an average of 3 miles wide. So, you don't need a Ford F-150 to get around. And, I noticed that dyed diesel, like we get to use in boats and other off-road vehicles, costs over $5.00/gallon, I can only assume that gas is equally expensive. And, come to think of it, I haven't seen a single gas station except the marine fuel dock. So, like other things on a small island, the cars have adapted. Mostly it seems like everyone gets around in golf carts.

But there are a lot of way more interesting vehicles:

And, of course, the old (emphasis on old) reliables like the original Mini Cooper:

As well as the first Hondas to grace our shores back in the 70s:

There was also the occasional Smart Car which seemed right at home. Some of the little vans and trucks had familiar names like Subaru, but others sported monikers like Tiger Truck. Some had right hand steering indicating, possibly, that few were made for the American market.

If there must be cars, let them be like these little guys instead of like these: