Michael and I  loaded Dirigo into the trailer on Sunday afternoon for the non-stop run back to the East Coast. We arranged a small bunk in the back of his truck and we swihched off driving every three hours for the next fifty two hours, arriving in eastern Pennsylvania late Tuesday night to a motel and some good honest sleep. We both had hopes for an early departure, but didn't see the light of day until after eight.

Then, like a soldier limping home from battle, Dirigo finally began to show a bit of wear and tear on the final 500 mile leg home to Maine. The front brakes began to act up, the exhaust pipe cracked completely open, and we were down to only one headlight. The driver's door lost a hinge pin which I replaced with a birch twig. It was raining most of the day, and the closer we got to Maine the stronger the Northeast wind became. Oh me of little faith kept looking for safe spots to break down and wait for help but Dirigo just kept on going and we arrived home just as darkness fell. The single headlight certainly was better than nothing.

Overall mileage for the 3000 miles was 62.3mpg. Not great, but a good mark to try to beat next time.

Jack McCornack finally showed up in Marin, but not with MAX, who was out with serious overheating. Jack was with us the whole way in spirit, and in constant cell phone contact, so we really felt he was a part of the event. He had a good look at Dirigo and had this to say:

I found, both riding and driving, Dirigo reminds me a lot of a Citroen 2CV, except Dirigo has more pep and has a lot more room for the driver and passenger. I think my biggest surprise was how spacious Dirigo is. It's sedan-size in the front and has huge storaage space behind the seats, it has a bunch more elbow- (and luggage-) room than a Miata, for example. Most high efficiency cars are pretty dang snug (MAX is a prime example) but Dirigo is like cruising around in a living room. Great visibility, minimal wind through the cockpit, cushy seats and a comfortable ride, who could ask for anything more? Congratulations on a job well done. Now write up some plans so other folks can build their own Dirigos.

Thanks to both Jay and Jack for their tremendous efforts on behalf of Rally Green. Also to Michael and Steven for driving the support vehicle and helping Jay get the good miles he did. Jay would have been lost without his team of his incredibly supportive wife and son Vicki and Jesse. At last report Jesse was about to attempt crossing the Mojave Desert in the Stealth. Check out www.trihybridstealth.com for details. Keep track of Jack's progress with MAX on his blog at MotherEarthNews.com