June 10, 2005 - Day One: Hollister, CA to North Bend (Oregon Dunes), OR
Miles: 662
Miles-to-date: 662
States: 2
Gas Stops: 3
Rest Stops: 3
Coke Consumed: 3
Dr. Pepper Consumed: 4
Songs on iPod: 1552
Times Brubaker was injured: 1
Tech Editor Sean P. Holman:
Whew! It sure has been a long and exciting week in Hollister, CA where we hosted the 13th annual Four Wheeler Magazine Top Truck Challenge. 60 vehicles appeared in the magazine and you guys voted in the 10 best. The competition was fierce, the events even fiercer, and we think you'll agree it was well worth it when you see this year's video.
I arrived in Hollister last Sunday, June 5th and we finally ended competition this morning, June 10th. Immediately after the awards ceremony Ken and I took off in our packed-to-the-gills long term HUMMER H2 SUT and headed north. One note to Hummer - we need tie downs in the bed! Otherwise our H2 has been a great road warrior, soaking up the miles with a comfortable and smooth ride, which was no doubt improved with the addition of Hummer's Genuine Accessory Rod Hall/Edelbrock IAS reservoir shocks. We can't wait to get some wheeling under our belts and see how this upgrade performs in the dirt.
With TTC behind us, it was nice to relax on the open road and leave the stress of coordinating and shooting every aspect of the competition behind us. While the rest of the staff will be returning home today (and to the office Monday - Ha! Ha!), Ken and I will be crossing the Northwest U.S. for the next 8 days, both to bring the Hummer H2 SUT to the Midwest Bureau in Chicago and to get out of the office for some much needed adventure, which will include camping and wheeling everyday.
So far the trip has been relatively smooth, well for me anyway. Our only major miscue was when Ken proceeded to walk out with an unpaid Coke (why you would steal a Coke when there is a perfectly good Dr. Pepper right next to it is beyond me) from a Chevron station while I was filling up the Hummer. The alert clerk walked out to confront the now thieving Brubaker and reminded him that a free Coke is not offered with every full tank of gas purchased. I talked the cashier down and explained that Ken was most likely out of his mind from earlier in the day when he walked right in to the open door of the H2, putting a gash in his forehead, and hence causing the first official injury of the H2our de Force. Don't worry boss, we patched him up pretty good.
A special thanks goes out to Joel and Karen at the front desk of the Oregon Dunes KOA in North Bend, OR, who took special care of us, despite our reputations preceeding us.
And hey, if you are following our progress and happen to see us out on the road, shoot us a friendly wave, or hit us up when were taking a break and ask for some cool Four Wheeler stickers. With almost 10 hours of driving behind us, its time to hit the sack - tomorrow its off to Yakima, Washington. Until then, happy wheeling!
Senior Editor Ken Brubaker:
I have four observations so far:
1. Clunking one's head on the sharp edge of a rear Hummer H2 SUT door is not only an act of ignorance it's also painful. On the upside, it gives you a good excuse when you walk out of a Chevron station in northern California with a Coke you forgot to pay for. Thank goodness Holman was a Criminal Justice major.
2. It is possible to fit nine days worth of food and clothing as well as camping gear for two into a Hummer H2 SUT. Oh, and still leaves room for two trash bags full of scary poison oak-laden dirty clothes from Top Truck Challenge.
3. California is a long state. At 8 p.m. we were wondering if we were ever going to get to our campground near the Oregon Dunes ORV area. Fortunately, our new Coleman tents and air mattresses set up quickly- even in the dark.
4. Tech Editor Holman is infatuated with how bugs splatter on the flat windshield of the H2. It doesn't matter whether they're California bugs or Oregon bugs, he's like a kid in a candy store.
Click here for the VIDEO introduction.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9