My first day with my MINI was October 2, 2003.  That's the day I picked her up from Brian Harris MINI in Baton Rouge, Louisiana -- and started my 2400+ mile, 72-hour, drive back to Oakland.  On the first day, I drove from Baton Rouge to Katy, Texas, just west of Houston, a distance of about 300 miles   The drive back from Baton Rouge was a great way to become acquainted with my car.  Perhaps my favorite image from the trip is shown in the attached pic -- my MINI near the Texas border in front of a sign that says "Drive Friendly."
     -- Neal