The assembled cars guillotine doors snapped down, one by one as the drivers prepared to take their raging bulls for a run up the coast. This was quite a scene.  A herd of shimmering extreme machines rolled out in a line, two-by two, as if they were headed up the ramp to the Ark. Instead it was down the California Incline that takes you from Santa Monica’s Palisades Park to the Coast Highway. 

We were racing to catch up from the moment we started. This was not a docile crowd that cared one little bit about our need to capture compelling video. They wanted to drive. Our strategy was to try to get ahead of a group, get out and get a few shots and meet up with the rest at lunch. This routine would be repeated all the way up the coast. 

Not exactly bad duty. And we did organize a little time in the cockpit. Of course, this was only to make sure we captured the moment for our readers/viewers and not because we wanted to ride or drive a brand new Lamborghini Murcielago convertible. We took turns ditching the Sebring and made the sacrifice of some seat time in the Lambos. 

Ok, this was definitely not a dainty fuel-sipping hybrid. I probably melted a couple of glaciers just running through the gears. We took this trip before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked the two-seater, Lamborghini Murcielago as the lowest overall fuel economy car on its list for 2007.  Not that this would have made any difference but it’s our only defense. Driving in this land rocket by Hearst Castle and hugging the road as we headed up into Big Sur was an unforgettable experience. Sorry ‘bout the glaciers. 

At home I drive a Prius but in my dreams I’m once again on the coast highway, sun shining brightly, the roar of a twelve cylinder engine filling the air and watching the road unfold as the Lamborghini slips into sixth gear and all cares and concerns melt away in an intoxicating haze of motoring bliss. Kerouac never knew what he missed. Bongos be damned give me twelve cylinders and a squealing tire or two.

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