Before leaving San Francisco, I decided to take a spin and tackle some of those hills in my car. I made my way to the corner of Lombard and Hyde. Heading east from this corner on Lombard, one encounters the most crooked city block in the world. It contains six or seven hairpin turns as it heads down a very steep hill. The speed limit is 5 mph, and that's plenty fast. Then it was over to a little tiny alley known as Burritt Street. This is the spot where Bridget O'Shaunessy offed Sam Spade's partner, Miles Archer, setting into motion the quite twisted plot of The Maltese Falcon. There's a plaque at the site, reminding passersby of its significance.

Burritt Street is just across from Dashiell Hammett Blvd., so they make a nice little package for Hammett fans. Next, I headed west to cross the Golden Gate Bridge on my way north. I planned on pushing it pretty hard the next day or two. I wanted to get to Seattle by Monday evening. I had someone there I really wanted to see but she was leaving town to spend six weeks in Japan early Wednesday morning, so I had to make some time. I zipped through northern California, stopping to buy some locally grown grapes (delicious!) and marvelling at the scenery in the region surrounding Mt. Shasta. Then, on into Oregon.

Unfortunately, Oregon was to get the same short shrift that Kentucky received some weeks ago. Luckily for me, though, Oregon made for a lovely drive even as I rushed through the state. I did have one memorable experience, unfortunately: the worst Mexican food I ever paid for in Roseburg. I don't remember the name of the place but this grub was so bad that I suggest you avoid all Mexican food in Roseburg, if not the entire town itself. I was settled into my motel room in Roseburg before I realized that by flying up Interstate 5 in such a rush, I had completely forgotten to veer off into the California redwoods. I was pretty miffed with myself but what was I gonna do? It's really the first major sight I've missed along the way.

I zipped through Portland and on into Washington, making a beeline for the Emerald City. I made it by my deadline, too, though I had to wait awhile to hook up with the aforementioned woman. Punctuality has never been her strong point.

Continue on the American Odyssey.
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