Ok… I know I promised updates for all you out there on the entire trip… Basically I got tied up in the BrandonSmith-photo.com update (which is really timely by the way) which you can basically check all the trips happening so far on his site.
The day started out real early, about 5am it was storming real bad back at the home base and we boarded our United airlines flight at around 7am.
Here is a little photo story (photos taken from www.brandonsmith-photo.com)
We had ourselves a little race.
Team 1 (leaving from Oakland CA): Brandon Smith, Eric Garcia, Sean Keane.
Team 2 (leaving from San Jose CA): Ivan Narez, Peter Drozdowski, Justin Herel
Wildcard mystery hombre: Ross Kuhn
Destination layover for both flights: Denver Colorado.
6am: Morning stars out super stormy. Could mean trouble for both flights…
Too bad it only means that team 1’s air plane will end up being broken having them have to take a super budget flight all the way over to Washington D.C. Where it turns out that the ESG has a little trouble with airsickness again…This could have have had partly something to do with the twin infant children located on board; one which received an inflight row 22, seat D number 2 diaper change and the other happend to reject a cetain gerber meal shortly their after… Aren’t baby’s just too cute?

Meanwhile team 2 takes the lead as their flight bounces out without a hitch all the way to planned destination layover 1.

Team 1: Arrives in Denver Colorado with time to spare (so we thought) Mountain time is aparently a whole ‘nother time zone! Peter D. and Justin get stuck in SKybar 1. Ivan notices a someone we know! Fellow rollerblader Ross Kuhn fresh outta’ Oregon and just happens to be on our same flight. (How random is that?) Peter and Justin end up making their connection by mere seconds and are frowned on upon US airways flight attendants and patrons. While even more of a random deal, Ross is only sitting one seat away from us.


Team 2’s flight is then followed with a few drinks to ease the nerves

At around 5PM EST. we arrive and surprisingly team 2 makes it their first. Unfortunately Ross’s bag is lost, but both traveling teams meet up at the rent a car spot to share their exciting story’s of what went on through out the day.

With everything picked up from baggage (with exception of Ross’s luggage) we rent El Dodge Charger (in which team 2 was charged an additional $25 a day considering no one in this particular team was over 25) Dollar rent a car my A$$. How about like 600 dollar rent a car with no coverage…

We get the car and of course it’s dirty as all hell… Soda spilled all over the console, popcorn all over the floor… It looks as if Justin had gotten a hold of the car mere hours before and had his sweet way with it. Oh and by the way they aren’t kidding when they say it’s bitter cold. The outside temp is comfortable 27 degrees and we are in the middle of a snow storm.

The Journey now starts from Pittsburg, PA to Boardman, OH. Turnpikes and snowstorms don’t mix. Near tempertantrums and spin outs and many a tolls later we finally find ourselves arriving at the ol’ Vertigo skatepark. Where we meet up with Vinny Minton, Victor Arias, and Jon Morciglio.



A late night session then ensued while Ivan, Brandon and Eric went bowling. The only trick that seems to be captured so far is Vinny Minton’s half cab soul (even though a lot of incredibly sick tricks already went down tonight, Justin was behind the camera and probably didn’t take but 2 photo’s worth a damn. DAMN HIM! DAMN HIM TO HELL!)

That’s it for Thursday at the BCSD… more madness and tricks to ensure tomorrow!
For more photos and story’s go to www.brandonsmith-photo.com