Episode 9: Two for the Road

I’ve remarked from time to time, “He’s a nice guy, but I wouldn’t want to go a on a cross-country road trip with him.” That’s not a damning criticism; it’s more a recognition that the bar is really high for that kind of commitment. 

You’ve probably been on a road trip where by the end you wanted to throttle the person next to you. It’s the nature of an extended amount of time spent in close quarters with someone. They may ride the brake unnecessarily. They may take too long at gas stations. They may talk too much. They may be too quiet. 

In a real way, it’s not even about them. The construct of the road trip is so exacting that very few people can clear that bar. And the road trip, like hosting the Oscars or trying to follow up a best-selling debut with an offering that doesn’t completely suck, tends to expose the vulnerabilities and proclivities of mere mortals.

The trick to finding the right road trip companion is to be in sync with how they move through life. In short, they care about what you care about and are conscientious enough to give you space—even when space is at a premium. How many people in your life would meet those criteria? You can count ‘em one hand.

This episode is about Brad and George and a dual quest that required 35 days and nearly 9,000 miles to achieve. And it’s about the healing, bonding power of the road trip—even for lifelong friends. 

Go here for a full rundown of their itinerary and adventures.