Earlier this week, we celebrated Columbus’ discovery of the New World in 1492. We’ve come a long way since Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but we’re still as hungry as ever for adventure.

In honor of Columbus’ discovery, we want to ask what kind of adventures and discoveries have you made with your trusty vehicle? Here are some we’d like to try!

•    Picacho, Ariz., is home to the most exotic roadside petting zoo in the U.S.  The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is the largest privately owned ostrich ranch outside of South Africa and is home to more than 1,600 ostriches! For the serious adventurers, there is a 40-minute monster truck tour that rips you through the hills and valleys of the Arizona desert.

•    The Darien Gap is an 87km crossing between North and South America, and it boasts some of the most dangerous roads (or lack thereof) in the world. This adventure is not for the faint of heart, as very few people have actually successfully traversed this path. Choose your vehicle wisely as you will be facing a nasty jungle with dangerous animals, swamps, no marked trails, and possible drug traffickers.

•    Looking for an adventure without the stress? Check out Carhenge in Alliance, Neb. No need to travel all the way to England to see the Stonehenge formation when you can see Carhenge. Carhenge features 38 vintage American cars planted in the ground, stacked on top of each other, and positioned in a circle, created in direct relation to Stonehenge.

•    Head north (way north), and you’ll find the James W. Dalton Highway in Alaska. This highway is just north of the city of Fairbanks, near the Prudhoe Bay oil fields and the Arctic Ocean.  This road was built in 1974 and, at the time, was a supply route for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline system. If this sounds like an adventure that’s your speed, be prepared to share the road with as many as 250 trucks. Also be aware that  gas stations are available in only 3 places along the entire 414 miles, and make sure your headlights are on at all times! You’re looking at steep gradients, gravel roads, almost no visibility, massive potholes, and extreme Arctic weather… hold on!

Got you thinking about seeking out an adventure of your own? We’d love to hear about it!

With summer fully underway, many of us are hitting the road for some well deserved fun in the sun. While we may assume most of those trips will take place on major highways, you can never be so sure where your journey will lead you. The 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has you covered should you decide to take the road less traveled. The 2013 Raptor is packed with enough features to make your head spin. Everything from its front grille-mounted camera to voice navigation is sure to turn your ordinary road trip into a full-blown adventure.

The Raptor comes exclusively with a 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. Aggressive all-terrain tires paired with an exclusive beadlock wheel system allow for easy travel on even the most complicated terrain while maintaining safe maneuverability on the road. That’s because the beadlock wheels secure the edges of the tire to the wheel so the tire is less likely to roll off the rim if it's aired down to very low pressure, providing extra grip on the trail. Internal-bypass FOX Racking Shox dampers also contribute to the Raptor’s impressive off-road capabilities.

While the Raptor may be rugged on the outside, the inside is anything but. Leather- and cloth-trimmed seats and steering wheel both come standard as well as a power, six-way adjustable driver’s seat. The Raptor is also equipped with Ford’s MyFord Touch infotainment system, offering hands-free voice-activated control of both the driver’s cell phone and the truck’s audio system. Additionally, both front and rear mounted cameras allow for improved visibility wherever you may end up. The front grille-mounted camera even has the ability to clean itself of mud and debris. The Raptor is available in Race Red, Blue Flame Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, Oxford White and a new Raptor-exclusive color for 2013, desert camouflage-inspired Terrain. The 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor sets the standard for luxurious off-road performers. Whatever you decide for your next road trip, the Raptor will get you there safely and comfortably.

Check out the 2012 Raptor in action!