80 in 40: The Modern American Road Trip
I'm writing this from the passenger seat of Alex Roy's 2000 BMW M5 after my four-hour stint behind the wheel. Despite the 5er's luxurious confines, I'm contorted into the front seat, shoehorned between four sat-navs, two night-vision screens and one streaming video camera beaming it to you live. When Roy called last Thursday to offer up one of two co-pilot slots on a cross-country jaunt from New York to Monterey, he didn't have to lay it on thick to get me on a plane to NYC. There are very few people I'd consider joining on such a journey, and Alex is on the top of that list -- his M5 seals the deal.
The plan was to leave Monday evening, but weather and technological issues forced us to delay our departure until around 11 AM EST this morning. With every conceivable cranny filled with equipment, cables, drinks and snacks, we headed out of NYC and made our way onto I-80.
You'd figure with a half dozen navigation systems guiding us along a single road that spans the entire country, the chances of us getting turned around would be next to impossible. Not quite. Two wrong turns lead to an hour detour through eastern Pennsylvania. It was beautiful, but an unnecessary setback at the beginning of a 40-hour journey.
So far, we've run into two fans and eight cops, gone through two and half tanks of 93 octane and consumed more fast food than I've eaten in over a year. We're currently south of Chicago traveling at legal speeds, listening to the musical stylings of Beatallica and laughing at inside jokes that would make anyone outside the car cringe uncomfortably. Davey G. and I are trying to keep both live video feeds streaming away -- with varying levels of success -- and Alex is his typical self: a bald ball of condensed guarana.
Check back tomorrow for a rundown on all the tech aiding us on our way west (hint: sell Garmin, invest in Dash), and be sure to check out the live stream of our journey -- when it's actually working.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
User 12:45AM (8/13/2008)
Let us know when the feed is working! Have fun!
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zamafir 12:50AM (8/13/2008)
lucky lucky bastard!
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SilverAero 1:25AM (8/13/2008)
Sounds like a tough day at the office Damon. Hope to see you guys in Monterey.
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TheRedMonkey 1:34AM (8/13/2008)
When you get here, Monterey, eat at Rosine's on Alvarado. Its cheap and great food. Unfortunately I will be out of town for the festivities so I am looking forward to some great coverage online.
Have a save trip, I did a drive with a friend from Sacramento to Louisville, KY in two days. First day to Laramie Wyoming and then all the way into Lousville. It was rough. Good luck guys.
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SilverAero 11:38AM (8/14/2008)
Rosine's is awesome, save room for desert. Best cakes ever.
tony 1:35AM (8/13/2008)
Awesome trip! Where is the second stream?
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Damon Lavrinc 1:43AM (8/13/2008)
Thanks for the well wishes. Just passed underneath Chi-town and about to re-take the helm.
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arturo 1:50AM (8/13/2008)
hate to go and see something when there is nothing there.
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JCWhitless 1:58AM (8/13/2008)
xactly. I was willing to meet you guys at Loves of Utica - $3.77 per gal, btw, and even offer to fill the tank, but since I can't see the feed to meet ya, good luck.
Oh and state police headquarters is just after the 39 interchange, so keep it under 80 for that five miles or so
Damon Lavrinc 1:59AM (8/13/2008)
The streams are still down. Ceero seems to be having issues.
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Avinash machado 4:36AM (8/13/2008)
All the best Damon. Have a nice journey. Also add a photo gallery of your trip in the featured galleries section if possible once you return. Would love to see a few pics.
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RxMadness 4:59AM (8/13/2008)
I'm half-way through The Driver and incredibly jealous of everyone in that M5 right now :o. Safe motoring, guys.
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ocnblu 5:55AM (8/13/2008)
Whoa, who's the two hotties? ;-)
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Steve_S 8:49AM (8/13/2008)
Sounds like fun.
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MikeMidd 9:40AM (8/13/2008)
Get the live feed workin' again!
I'm a little confused by the need for four sat nav systems, unless you are using them for things like gas stations. I mean, it's pretty much cross the GW Bridge, get on I-80 and... drive to San Francisco...
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garlinski 9:53AM (8/13/2008)
Just as a heads up, the Feed's not working still.
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