It may seem a bit early to be talking about 2007 vehicles, but I just got back from two days in La Quinta, California, right near Palm Springs, where Toyota was introducing the new for 2007 Camry lineup and the all-new 2007 FJ Cruiser. I can't talk about the cars yet -- there's a press embargo until early 2006 -- but I can tell you that it's great to go on junkets!

Toyota put me up at La Quinta Resort & Club, a fabulous famous old Hollywood hangout. Sandwiched in between fantastic meals and shmoozing with other journalists and Toyota-types, I drove the redesigned Camry on city streets and highways, and took the FJ Cruiser off-road with an eco-tourism guide from Desert Adventures. We bumped along the San Andreas fault, a truly fascinating trip. I plan to return for a full tour.

Oh, and if you're on Interstate 10, returning from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, don't forget to stop at Hadley Fruit Orchards in Cabazon for a date shake. You won't regret it.