Actually, gas prices here are starting to rise again, this time
in anticipation of Hurricane Rita's effects on the oil refineries
in Texas. Gas this morning was averaging about US$2.50/gallon
around here.
Driving in winter can be... exciting. But it doesn't have to give
you high blood pressure as long as you exercise a bit of common
sense. Like not following the vehicle in front too closely, and
making sure your speed matches road conditions. A lot of drivers
here seem to forget these very basic winter driving skills, as
evidenced by the large number of vehicles lying in roadside ditches
right after the first snowfall of
the season.
'Up north' for me means flying up to Duluth and then hugging the
rugged shoreline of Lake Superior's famous North Shore up to around
Grand Marais. The heavily wooded landscape there lends itself to
some spectacular fall colours than can really only be appreciated
from the air. If we burn up too much fuel dawdling around up there,
we'll usually land at the airstrip at Two Harbors (located on the
North Shore) and refuel.
Wow, you're getting your Mazda from a Singaporean-owned dealership?
Make sure he doesn't force you to get a COE for the car! 
I really like the looks of the Mazda 3, especially
the hatchback version. Which version are you getting?
MG
