Don't Back Down

Not long ago, a group of 13 students from Middlebury College in Vermont purchased an old school bus and the equipment to convert it to use biofuel - to run the engine on some alternative to gasoline. In this case, they built it to run off of old cooking grease. That's right, used vegetable oil. The theory being that because most restaurant owners pay to have their used grease hauled away, they would happily allow a group of students such as this the chance to pump all they need. What do you know - the bus made the trip of 4500 miles from Vermont to Washington, powered mostly by used vegetable oil and the kindness of strangers' kitchens.

Not to be outdone, a group of Carolina Panthers fans in Charlotte created their own bus project. Naturally theirs wasn't out of concern for the environment. It was for tailgating. While not as ecologically friendly as the Biobus, this bus is sure to turn heads - wooden floors, leather benches, and - you guessed it - a patio, complete with artificial turf. Sorry, no pictures as of yet.

I'd feel I was remiss in my duties if I didn't mention that Steven Tyler's tour bus is apparently available for rental. St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and family took the bus out for their summer vacation - complete with their own driver to get them from place to place while they slept. Where's the fun in that family vacation if you actually have to do the driving, much less aren't awake for the incessant are we there yet questions?

If a bus isn't your style, then how about a limo? Some of the latest enhancements include WiFi, DVD and, of course, satellite navigation systems. Don't forget that some of these models are available in bulletproof editions.

While it probably won't be able to transport you, and may not actually have much relevance on anything whatsoever, an enterprising engineer in Silver Spring, MD has finally fulfilled a lifelong dream. In a true testament to the human spirit, he has flown a model plane across the Atlantic Ocean. I hope he didn't fly it through a thunderstorm.

Last, but certainly not least, you may remember the story of the guy who decided to skydive across the English Channel. If that interests you in any way (and why wouldn't it?), you may want to check out the Skyray, seemingly a personal glider-thing made for the masses. Now everyone can do it! Well, everyone can do it soon, anyway.

Until next time...