CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(November 5, 2011) I was in New York City — NEW YORK CITY?— a couple of weeks ago. It's not my favorite place.

I know, I know, I should love it because it's the city that never sleeps, and there is soooo much to do there. The restaurants are wonderful, the pizza has no equal and the theater is the best in the world.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(October 30, 2011) I don't get to off road nearly as much as I'd like.

Most years I'm invited to a couple of manufacturer events involving taking some all-new or redesigned 4x4 off pavement. It's not enough.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(October 19, 2011) In normal traffic conditions, it's about two hours from my back door in Greenville, S.C., to Atlanta's I-285 outer loop. It's another 30 minutes to the airport, yesterday's destination.

Not a terrible drive, the time passes quickly enough. For the most part the scenery is pretty with sufficient hills and curves to keep things at least a little interesting.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(October 7, 2011) I am in Green Hell this week.

Well, not really, but I calculated that opening would grab your attention.

What I am in this week are two small economy cars whose makers tout them as eco friendly, or some equally annoying, "I heart the earth" characterization. Man, I am ever getting tired of the color green.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(September 19, 2011) Did a seven-hour slog from Tucson to Los Lunas, New Mexico, on Saturday. I did this as a passenger. It's not often that happens.

Sometimes I like to just kick back and relax on a trip. I even had the opportunity to doze. It was quite a treat. I also resisted the urge to comment on my buddy's driving. At times we were going so slow, I thought we would go back in time.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(September 11, 2011) I am currently sporting around in the 2012 Fiat 500.

It may be the only one currently roaming the streets of Greenville, S.C., where I reside. I sure haven't seen another one.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(August 9, 2011) I spent the bulk of Sunday driving south from Toledo to Greenville, SC. It's about 630 miles.

That's a distance maybe 50 miles shorter than my slogs from Greenville to Delray Beach, Fla. I think the Greenville to Delray Beach drive is easier; maybe because I have driven that round trip at least 10 or 12 times and the Toledo route just twice.

CLANGING BELL
By Russ Heaps

(June 25, 2011) Right up there with Roger Patterson's Sasquatch film and Bernie Madoff's $50 billion ponzi scheme, one of the greatest scams ever perpetrated against the American public is corn ethanol.