8 Travelers, 3 Plastic Cars and $300,000 to Raise

Anything crazy or notable happen so far?

Perez: We had a small run-in with the Armenian military at the Azeri border and have had our fair share of car problems. Busted oil pans, flat tires, broken metal from the steering column and cars that refuse to start for a small period of time.

You'll be traversing the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site in Kazakhstan and then the Gobi Desert. Thoughts?

Lovejoy: This portion clearly has us worried. By every account I have read -- and I did quite a bit of research -- there are massive amounts of lingering radiation. . . . I was assured by two physicians that the brief amount of time we plan to spend there will not be detrimental to our health. . . . We are attempting to arrange a visit with an NGO there that works with radiation victims to highlight the atrocity of nuclear testing and the havoc it wreaks on innocent generations of locals around Semey.

Drury: I haven't really thought about the Gobi Desert. We've left plenty of time to get through it; the only question is if we will remember to bring enough water.

What happens after the trek?

Lovejoy: The three of us have been talking about opening a bar in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, to cater to the growing backpacker crowd. It will double as a fundraiser and awareness spot for backpackers. Unfortunately, the schedule of most backpackers doesn't permit them to stay long enough to make volunteering worthwhile. Hopefully this will encourage them to do so.

There is also talk of beginning work on a second Trabant Trek, but all of that rests on the success of this one.