For those that follow my blog closely you probably remember my epic roadtrip from Irvine, CA to Baltimore, MD. On my roadtrip I saw a lot of really cool places, people, and things. One of the highlights of the roadtrip was my visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. A truly beautiful place!
Even though I took a lot of pictures at the Rocky Mountain National Park, some of which you can see here, I finally uploaded videos I took during my visit last summer!
All the videos were taken driving up Trail Ridge Road and as I took in all the sights, sounds, and views of the stunning park. Getting higher gave you a better view and experience of the nature and surroundings. Of course driving up the narrow roads with 300 foot drops off the side can be a little nerve-racking. It was fun as well though! I highly recommend you go visit if you ever get a chance.
Took me long enough and hopefully I will get around to uploading more pictures and videos I that have languished on my laptop for a long time. Watch the videos below at least and let me know what you think!
I thought I would share an important milestone with all the fans and readers of my humble blog, Adam's Auto Advice. This blog is now 2 years-old as of today. Happy Birthday… to myself I guess! 🙂
It's amazing to think that my blog is 2 years old! Honestly it feels like I have been blogging and writing about cars forever, but it really has not been that long.
Probably the best thing I have written about on this blog was my road trip from Irvine, CA to back to Baltimore. It was an amazing trip and I hope to do many more road trips and a cross-country road trip again soon.
You know, I started this blog and didn't have set high hopes for my writing but look at me now! I am a full time auto journalist and blogger. I was able to go from writing as a hobby to writing about cars professionally.
Looking back at my first post, and some of my early writing such as this Top Gear editorial my writing has come a long way and fast. I am fortunate to be able to be doing something creative and love what I am doing.
I feel proud of everything I have been accomplished with this blog and other writing I have done.
As well sharing my experience when I appeared on Anderson with Anderson Cooper for the TV show's New Year's Special. I performed “Auld Lange Syne” with my singing dogs, Cody and Sierra, which was an amazing experience which I shared on this blog. (Of course it had nothing to do with cars, but I did drive up to New York-City with my dogs.)
I am glad to have had all these interesting and varied experiences. I hope to share more auto news, advice, tips & tricks, product reviews, with everyone via Adam's Auto Advice. I know I will continue to grow and experience more amazing automotive experiences in the future.
I also appreciate all the people with a shared passion for cars I have meet along my journey. We have exchanged web advice, writing tips, and personal stories of “Auto Awesomeness!”
Someone who deserves credit for my blog is my brother Jason. He helped me get this blog up and running and switch from Blogger to WordPress. He's also helped keep this blog going and updated. Thanks Jason!
I certainly have not crossed everything off on my automotive bucket list. I know I have a lot more great experiences ahead of me.
This is actually my 200th post! I didn't plan that, but it is a happy coincidence. There will be hundreds of more great articles and posts along the way. I am going to make an effort to post more and most likely shorter articles in the future.
I hope all of you continue to follow my writing and work. Please Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest to keep updated.
I look forwarding to writing about cars and on this blog for many more years.
Yesterday I go started off later than I wanted to around 11:30 am. It's hard saying goodbye to your family and making yourself actually leave. I went to the supermarket got some ice, bananas, sandwich bread, and turkey meat. I put ice in the cooler with Gatorade bottles I had gotten from before and put meat in there. Having the cooler came in handy later in the day when I stopped for lunch around 2. Most people would have gone to a fast-food place, but I did not. Well… I did get some fries at In-N-Out for $1.51 when I stopped in to use the bathroom. My lunch expenses though were minimal compared to buying a meal. Having the cooler was also great for keeping myself hydrated. I drank several of the Gatorade bottles from the cooler. If you are taking a roadtrip, buy a cooler! It's a great investment.
I was able to drive just over 400 miles today up I-15. I was quite pleased with myself and my progress. I made only 3 short stops. I saw some beautiful mountains and scenery driving. Especially the sunset coming into Utah. I drove up Las Vegas Blvd. Better known as the “The Strip” in… Las Vegas. It's quite an interesting and strange town. Everything is over the top and gaudy. I would have liked to stop, look around, and try my hand at poker. I did not want to get tempted though and make a stupid decision. For a young single guy in Vegas with no support team, it could happen. That would have been baaaad!
I passed through Vegas and kept driving. Driving on I-15 with barren dessert, makes you think it would have been a good idea to stop in Vegas for some fun. Funny thing is you get really tired and then all of a sudden you perk up. Might have been from my blaring radio. Don't know how anyone could drive so far and long without one. The best music to keep you up is pop, classic rock, and rap. If you want to fall asleep listen to C-SPAN, NPR, or Classical Music. Not to say those don't have there place and value, but to keep you alert while driving it is not the best. Tomorrow I will most likely hookup my iPod and listen to Podcasts.
I stopped in St. George, Utah. I used this great website called Couchsurfing.org. It's a website where people who need a place to stay can find peoples couches who offer them. I sent out a few couch requests for people in Utah, but came up empty. Then a great guy named Lex who works for a regional was nice enough to offer his place to a traveling writer. He was really cool and told me all about the differences in airline industry, which I found very interesting.
Denver is almost 10 hours away from St. George. I don't think I can do that in 1 day. I think tomorrow I will stop in at a motel. I will stop at a Zion National Park since it's close and right off I-15. Check back for some great pictures of that.
Some people are aware I am getting a Honda Accord from my Grandma. The car however is in California and I am in Maryland. What's the best thing to do? Roadtrip! That's right I am taking a Cross-Country Roadtrip.
I am driving the car from Irvine, CA to Baltimore, MD. Unfortunately I cannot find an interested friend or family member to accompany me. That leaves the co-driver position open to any interested people. Ideal candidates should photography skills, and a clean driving record. A plus would be if you are interesting, fun, and adventurous. I am planning on leaving at the beginning of August. If you need to get from West to East coast and want to have a great time seeing the country, send me an email!
I have great news, I am getting a new car. Well… a “new” car to me at least. I will be buying a 1996 Honda Accord from my Grandma in Irvine, California. It has 120,000 miles on it, was kept in superb condition, runs and drives great. Lucky for this car it has been in CA its whole life. So no harsh winters, therefore no rust. Originally it was my aunt's car and now I'm buying it. Accords are such good cars, we want to keep this one in the family. I know I will be able to get another 120,000 miles out of it easily. Maybe even get 300,000+ miles out of this car. Hey, it's a Honda! It can make it.
The only problem is… well… I'm in Baltimore, MD and the car is in Irvine, CA. That's on the other side of the county. My two options are to ship it through an auto transport company, or drive it on a fantastic road trip across the country. I would love to drive it, but my family feel it's better to ship it and not put extra miles on the car. My thoughts are “It will be an adventure. Besides it's a Honda, another 3,000 miles is nothing. It should make it back to Baltimore no problem!” The car does need a few maintenance items before it could make a cross country trip. The back tires should be replaced, it could use a new battery, a brake flush, and probably an oil change. Just that, then it should be set. I'm having trouble deciding. Shipping would be about $800-1000. Driving might work out to be about the same, but it would be an unforgettable journey.
I would love to hear suggestions, comments, or advice from people. What are your thoughts? Ship or drive?
