A lot happened in the four years since we last drove the second-generation Subaru Tribeca. Two new countries declared sovereignty, more than 40,000 species were discovered, and an exuberant Antoine Dodson rose to YouTube fame in mere days.

The ever-shrinking list of SUV-free automakers has shrunk again. With the introduction of the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca, the list is down to eight: Audi, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mini, Scion and Chrysler if you don't count the Pacifica. We admire their resolve, although Audi will cave next month and introduce its SUV, the Q7, at the Frankfurt auto show.

We're still peeling open our eyelids as we head out of Los Angeles and into the sunrise. We've got enough sugar on board to keep us awake for a month.