Nevada High Desert Run (Part 1)

There’s something promising about waking up on a morning and knowing you’re going on a trip. There’s a certain freedom about it, a lot of possibilities waiting on the horizon. Right now the main possibility I’m wondering about is how much Hertz can make my wallet Hurt because I haven’t figured out how to turn off the parking brake on their 2013 Mercedes E350 and might very well damage it--never mind the COMAND satnav they have in this car, utterly breaking my stride.

Save for it's frankly ponderous bulk, there is nothing particularly ostentatious about this car. It appears neither especially expensive nor particularly aggressive, and rather just blends in with other cars in the parking lot. This, I imagine, is perfect when you're someone who is stacking pretty serious paper, but doesn't want to alienate your lower paid staff by showing up in a car more consummerate with your income level.

Well, anyways, before I head off I made a checklist to make sure I hit the ground running, and that I have everything I need.

1. Partake in the Road Warrior's Breakfast, a long standing tradition on these trips

2. Buy new charger ‘cause old one got broken. The old one that I bought in Baker, CA for nearly $25, because the gas station attendants bloody well knew I need a charger and they were the only game in town.

3. Laugh at Hertz brand satnav in a mid-range Mercedes.

4. Look up spots to rest up along the way, because I didn’t have a full night of sleep behind this trip.

My checklist complete, I pulled up into the nearby Shell gas station and took a few shots of the Merc, at the first of no doubt it’s many watering holes along this quick run.

That sorted out, I paired my phone with the soundtrack from Test Drive Unlimited 2 and was soon on the way to leave the valley at manic haste.