Great article, the first picture reminds me of the road out of Joshua Tree before it got all professional.  As young Marines we'd head up to the park gate late at night and run our cars out at wide open throttle over the two mile and thousand foot drop of perfectly maintained road.  Thanks for the great memory hit!!

Also... (wait for Johnny's verse)

Damn good essay, that. Here's a good, related book.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co … 02809.html