Welcome back to Buzzed & Baffled. Tonight, we’re pairing a glass of wine with a name synonymous with power, privilege, and prestige: Clark Rockefeller. But as the wine opens up, so does a story filled with secrets, control, and a reality far more unsettling than appearances suggest. Trust us—you’re going to want a full pour for this one.

Welcome back to Buzzed & Baffled. If you thought Part 1 was bleak, buckle up—because now we’re officially in the “from bad to historically horrific” portion of the Donner Party story.

In Part 2, we’re picking up in Truckee Lake, where winter has fully locked in, food is disappearing fast, and hope is being rationed even more carefully than supplies. From desperate decisions and impossible choices to survival that pushes every moral boundary, this is the stretch of the Donner story most people think they know… but somehow it’s still worse when you hear the details.

As always, we’ll be telling this story the Buzzed & Baffled way—respectful of the history, honest about the tragedy, and paired with wine, because sometimes you need a glass in your hand to process the absolute chaos humans are capable of. Listener discretion advised: this episode deals with extreme survival, starvation, and death… and yes, that part of the story.

Pour a glass, take a deep breath, and join us as we head from Truckee Lake straight into the darkest chapter of the Donner Party.

Today, we’re diving into the harrowing tale of the Donner Party as they ventured into the treacherous Sierra Nevada mountains and reached Truckee Lake, a pivotal moment in their tragic journey. We'll explore the challenges they faced, the decisions that led them to this crucial stop, and the lessons learned from their experiences.

But that's not all! We'll also uncork a fascinating discussion on how food and drink shaped the social interactions and morale of the group during these difficult times. We'll even touch on the role of wine in history, highlighting how it has been a source of comfort and community throughout the ages.

So grab your favorite beverage and settle in as we blend history with a touch of culinary exploration. Let’s get started!