My only complaint is that they tend to be overly cautious, otherwise thay
have always been pleasant and helpfull

I had a good one like that the other night. I was running befroe the storm that is
presently dropping snow on Portland. Now this was bad planning, I know, but
I didn't consider the amazing norward winds while coming down to Redding. Those
things were moving so fast that the last part of the Redding leg was done in the 60-70kt
range (a 172 !). As a result I was making the last leg to San Jose in the dark with
the controller calling IFR fields all over the Sacremento valley. I was not IFR, and didn't
want to go IFR that night, my skills were just too rusty. Anyways, asked the controller
for information about if I was going to encounter IFR along that route, with the option
to return to Redding.. They said ground fog. But you know the feeling. You are flying
along, its pitch black moonless and the ground disappears. Suddenly you are left
only with stars, and those not all that clear either due to poor visibility.
Listening to Travis on one radio, got FSS on the other. What are the conditions at
destination ? Guy gave me the report, then went into the weather along my route, which
I politely let him finish, even though the controller had given me that (hey double check
is good). Anyways, he finished with the obligitory "VFR flight not recommended".
Then followed a pregnant pause where you could just hear the man think "and what
the hell do you think you are doing out there ?". I suppose if he had asked, I would have
told him I was 4,000 above the crud with several other clear areas in sight.