Jaded by the road!

This week I took a ride over the hill from Reno to Sacramento( along the I-80 over Donner pass), and as I drove the route I had driven hundreds of times before, I realized that I was just going through the motions. I hate the idea of passing by history swept up in my own little world without thinking what might have happened along this road to those who passed before my time.

I thought about the Pioneers, the Donner party who ate each other, the gold miners and the Mormon Battalion, and all the Chinese immigrants who worked almost as slaves to build the railroad over the sierras into the Nevada desert. So many people who paved the way before me so that I can now cruise 75 over the hill and be in Sac town in 2 hours.

I noticed the trees and views that I had seen many times before, but realized that to a person from kansas or ohio, these views would be breath taking, but how I find them normal...... My complacency is killing me inside and I have to do something about it.

So tonight I am dedicating this post to everyone who paved the road I drive, I want to thank them for what they did, I want Mother Nature to know she is incredible, and I want my mind to get over itself and to be amazed over and over. After a few minutes of web searching here are some images of those who came before me.

I hope you open your eyes this week and consider who paved your roads.

Japanese and Chinese Immigrants carved the mountain to make the railways over the pass - Thier children and grand children were later intered in WWII concentration camps by the US GOVT.

BUILDING THE RAILWAYS

THE DONNER PARTY MADE THEIR CAMP ON THIS ICE COVERED LAKE AND RESORTED TO CANABALISM

This bridge stands today and is one of the most majestic views from the Interstate 80 or the old route 40

Melissa Coray - This woman walked nearly 7000 miles with the Mormon Battalion and was at Sutters mill when gold was discovered sparking a gold rush to California. She is an awe inspiring figure whose journey shatters any glass ceiling that could be perceived.

Jim Beck-worth - Most notorious African American mountain man of all time, discovered a little known low altitude pass through the sierras  near Quincy California, this pass has no snow during the winter and follows the majestic Feather River into the California valleys. He is one of the most interesting figures of American west history, I highly recommend study on his history.

Road to the covered train tracks atop the Donner pass Circa 1915, At the time the road over the hill to california was treacherous and must have been an extreme adventure.

DUNE FEST ROAD TRIP REPORT

This weekend I took a road trip up to Coos Bay Oregon to the Oregon Dunes for Dune Fest 2013.

Our main goal for riding up was to be there for the release of an amazing new OFF ROAD MACHINE. The Polaris RZR 1000, which is essentially a BAJA worthy race truck scaled down to fit on a trailer.

We were invited to take a ride along with some of Polaris's Pro drivers, who with all their experience were able to put these machines through their paces and give us the thrill ride of the century. Watch the video below to see the ride from my perspective and see what these machines can do. I have never had such a cool experience in an OFF ROAD ADVENTURE MACHINE! They even let me drive it for a while and I found that the new RZR was a life changing experience, this gives new meaning to taking the road less traveled, you can just make your own new road in these things. For any adventure seeker needing a way to make it through the thickest jungles or the dustiest desert this is one expedition vehicle that is up to the task. The suspension had so much travel that even when our machine got air going over jumps, the machine simply floated back to the earth like a feather. The stability in whoops and turns was phenomenal! I feel lucky to have had this experience. A big thanks to my friends at Polaris who made this possible.

My buddy and I finished up our road trip with a visit to the Coos Bay Fisherman's Wharf for some Clam Chowder and Crab melt sandwiches. I will definitely be headed back that way again, I really enjoyed the ambient at the Wharf and the food was fantastic.

GULLIBLE'S TOP TEN ROAD TRIP SONGS

So its road trip time again – Lets go down the checklist

GPS – CHECK

RADAR DETECTOR – CHECK

COLD DRINKS – CHECK

BOBBLE HEAD ON THE DASH- CHECK

MIX TAPE TUNES - ???????????

What successful road trip is complete without some road music?

The road trip mix tape is the quintessential American tradition that makes cruising on the highway a meaningful and fun experience. As a general rule I would tell anyone trying to plan a trip that the best thing they could do to prepare is Study, Study, Study. But when it comes to planning a ROAD TRIP, the Mix Tape might be the key to making your trip great. 

Fortunately today I am headed out on a road trip with a friend who like me, travels for a living.  We are headed up to Oregon to ride some dune buggies at Dune Fest on the Oregon Coast.

It’s been an 8-hour drive and while we have been in the car our goal was to decide on a top ten-road trip worthy song list.

Two dudes in a truck compiled this list over the course of 8 hours, so inherently it’s a personal list of songs.  My recommendation to all of you take some time to make your own list and take it with you on your own trip, and find out for yourself how much more you enjoy your trip.

GULLIBLE'S Top Ten Road Trip Songs

10. The Gambler

9.  Modest Mouse – Interstate 8

8. Open Road Song – Eve 6

7. Steve Miller band’s – Fly like and eagle

6. Bruce Springsteen – Born to run

5. CCR – Put a candle in the window

4. Beatles – Here comes the sun

3. Rascal flats - Life is a highway

2. Magic Carpet Ride

1. Why Georgia – John Mayer

"The Guide to Gullible Adventure"

Hi There, This week I had a chance to make a new video highlighting some of the purposes of this blog. Please take a chance to watch the video. This video is a good look at why I write this blog and where I have recently been. I plan on posting a longer interview with the BIGFOOT expert Peggy McWilliams latter this week. Tomorrow I'm headed out on another trip to the Oregon Dunes to Jump a dune buggy and have some adventures on a road trip. Happy Trails!