I believe...............

Soooooooooooo still hanging out in the Golden State. I've been really lucky to get to travel around and see quite a bit of northern California. My travels began Sunday when I picked up a little red Dodge Caliber. Coming from a guy who grew up driving nothing smaller than a half ton pickup, holding the keys to this micro machine was a blow to my mid-western ego. After fighting with the seat for 15 minutes so I could fit in the thing, I was off down the road to Salinas, Calif. I spent a few days in the Monterrey Bay area and got to check out Santa Cruz and the like. In fact, the latest edition of the World of Outlaws podcast, "Outlaws Unleashed," was recorded on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz (a picture of nicer weather is posted below.) Check it out here...



After tooling for a few days, I made a stop just outside of Fresno to meet up with the Elite Racing team and driver Jason Meyers. We were able to shoot a lot of great video that everyone will be seeing soon. Now we're in Tulare, hoping and praying that the rains stay away for the next two nights. As we have a little time before we get ready for the races, I was listening to Blue Collar Radio on my way down here and heard the bit from one of the end of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour movies, entitled, "I believe." I got to thinking and here is my list (California Edition.)

I believe:

• That compact cars can be a great deal of fun despite only having four cylinders
  
• California is way larger in person than on a road atlas
• That if you label something as a "hot tub" the water inside it should at least be lukewarm
• If you see a nine year old smoking in a motel laundry room, switch motels
• Green beer is excellent
  
• Contrary to what Luke Bryan sings......Rain is a BAD thing
• Eating red vines and watching re-runs of 'Married with Children' is awesome

Just a few things from the trip so far. I've also decided to launch a search for the best taco salad in the country. I don't know why but I love a good taco salad so if anyone has idea's or suggestions........let me know. It's been a great week of sight seeing but there's only one thing I really want to see now.............exciting sprint car racing action.

-Gump