#28: Truckin' Up the California Coast (& Pinnacles National Park)

Leaving Ventura, the only plan I had was to camp at Pinnacles National Park that very night. I had made a reservation for two nights at the Pinnacles campground, but one night was forfeited since I extended my time in Ventura by a day when I found out Channel Islands National Park was open (see previous post #27). Unfortunately, this happens sometimes, and I do a quick cost-benefit analysis in my mind to decide what to do. In this case, I was more than willing to sacrifice a night at Pinnacles to visit Channel Islands.

It was going to be a long day of driving up the coast - not only was it nearly a four-hour drive to my next destination but also there were a lot of little places I wanted to check out along the way. You may be thinking, “Why did she only give herself a day to go from Ventura to Pinnacles?” (see map below), but I had a tough time finding camping spots along the coast.

I want to note: from here on out on my journey, there are a few things to keep in mind to understand some of the decisions I make:

1) It’s summer, so it’s busy everywhere. You need to take what you can get if you don’t want to plan too far in advance.

2) COVID thing #1. More people are embracing this “nomad” lifestyle and/or choosing to vacation via RV (no one wants to stay in a hotel) to do “outdoor” stuff (outdoor activity is the only option).

3) COVID thing #2: Fewer places/campgrounds are open. I’ve seen parks that have closed every other site to practice social distancing. Some parks have closed entire campgrounds and/or don’t offer camping at all.

4) COVID thing #3: Tours, buses, and organized activities are either not running or not running at full capacity.

More people are out there, and fewer things are open/running. So, if this adventure wasn’t challenging enough, it’s even way more challenging now. But, I keep my head up and put things in perspective: I’m out here doing this, and I’m healthy.

My first stop on this route was Pismo Beach. And by stop, I mean merely a halt. A couple I had met a few weeks earlier had mentioned a cinnamon roll place that I couldn’t resist.

It. Was. Delicious. The next two photos were taken about 2 minutes apart. The gooey deliciousness did not last long.

After a gluttonous five minutes, I hit the road for San Luis Obispo (“SLO” as Californians call it). I couldn’t tell you what, exactly, there was to see in this little town, but since I had heard about it and was going to be close to it, I wanted to check it out.

I was able to park the car and Airstream easily, and Addie and I walked around. I don’t have anything crazy to report on this town. It was quaint, the people were friendly, and the weather was fantastic. There is an array of different types of shops and lots of touristy things to buy. Maybe it’s the retail ingrained in me, but I love exploring different kinds of shops and seeing all of the creativity people put into their small businesses.

The next place I wanted to see was Big Sur. But first, some roadside stops along the way. Around every corner, I wanted to stop as the views were so breathtaking. I think my favorite part was the elephant seals, though. Hehe.

When I got to Big Sur, I admit I was somewhat confused. I noticed how the forest butted right up to the coastal cliffs, but I didn’t know what, specifically, to look for. According to the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, “Big Sur refers to that 90-mile stretch of rugged and awesomely beautiful coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to the south.” Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a beautiful park in this area, but I couldn’t camp there due to limited availability. So, technically I went to Big Sur, but I didn’t explore Big Sur. Next time.

And speaking of Hearst Castle, it was closed due to COVID. Once again, next time.

I arrived to Pinnacles National Park around sundown. There is one campground at this park, and it’s accessible only from the east side of the park. There is no through road in this park, meaning you can’t get through the park by driving. Given that I had never heard of this park, and my long day, I neglected to do any research on this park beforehand. If I did, I would have known to enter from the east side of the park. However, I pulled up to the west entrance. I had no service and couldn’t figure out where to go. So, I drove back out where I had service (about 25 minutes), googled the park map, and came to the realization that the campground is on the other side.  

I drove about an hour around the park to the east entrance, and by the time I arrived at the campground, it was dark. Backing into my spot in the pitch black was, well, interesting, but I got it done.

I was disappointed when I went to explore Pinnacles the following morning. The road in the park next to the campground was closed off to vehicles. Many people biked to trailheads, but A) I don’t have a bike with me, and B) I have Addie. We decided to walk on the road, and we “hiked” for about five miles. Addie wasn’t allowed on any of the hiking trails, so we turned around and went back to the campground. Although I spoke to a ranger that morning, I’m still not entirely sure what the park is known for. Alas, we went.

We packed up and headed north to visit friends in Silicon Valley. On the way, I couldn’t resist stopping in Gilroy - known as the Garlic Capital of the World - at “The Garlic Shoppe.” I love garlic and spent way too much money in there to admit. With garlic breath, we got back in the car for the last stretch to Sunnyvale.

#23: COVID-19: Setback or Setup?

It's no doubt that the last few months have been tumultuous (and remain to be). For everyone. Even though I'm not currently working full time, it's been difficult for me, so I can only imagine how it is for others.

Of course, the year I choose to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to explore our country is the year our nation falls victim to a worldwide pandemic. So frustrating. And sad. And stressful. And mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. WTF.

BUT. The minute I start feeling sorry for myself, I think about those whose problems and stresses go way beyond mine. The way I have been mastering this trying time is simply by putting things in perspective.

Although this is not an ideal situation for anyone right now, I keep reminding myself that I'm safe and healthy. There are people out there who are not. There are people out there living paycheck to paycheck and not able to work. They are stuck in an apartment with abusive loved ones. They are sharing 800 square feet of living space. They are confined with limited access outside. They are risking their lives, caring for those infected. They are serving us at grocery stores and other essential businesses. There are so many more people in different situations that I probably cannot even fathom. I think about them, and then I start to feel grateful. It's a mindset shift.

Does this suck? Absolutely. I can choose to get mad and sad and frustrated, or I can choose to accept it and find anything positive I can pull from it. Here are some ways I've been deviating from the negative:

• Focus on relationships: With friends, family, and even romantic partners. In strengthening these types of connections, I continue to learn more about myself and realize what I value in others, and how others value me. I've had some eye-opening moments that have enabled me to think differently about who I am and how I interact with others.

• Well-being: Since I’ve had access to regular running water (therefore frequent showers), I’ve been getting my running game back on. I’ve started meditating. And I’ve been doing daily strength exercises. Just having had a recent birthday and being one year older, I understand that one day I won’t be able to move around as easily. I need to take advantage of what my body can do NOW. Additionally, I am writing more than I had been. 

• Learning: I’ve been learning how to sew(!). I borrowed a sewing machine and taught myself how to use it. It’s become something that I enjoy and something that I want to continue on the road (sans sewing machine; I’ve found some techniques that are creative and useful and do not require a machine). I splurged on a membership to Skillshare, so I have access to videos covering an array of topics to broaden my marketing expertise. I also signed up for a digital marketing class.

• Networking: This is something I do all the time, but I've been doing a lot of research on companies and people with whom I'd like to connect. I've been thinking about what I can do now to position myself well for a job after my journey.

• Stopping: This may not be as straightforward, but I’ve been mindful of taking time to stop, enjoy, and just be. I know that one day I will have looked back at this time and realized the beauty of having it. It’s a gift. 

What are the positives of this time for you?

Now, I’m getting back to what I set out to do (safely, of course). I left West Texas for Southern California. I’m visiting some friends now and will continue my journey in whatever way is possible. If parks open up, great. If they don’t, that’s okay too. I’ll figure something else out and make my way just the way I’m destined to (apparently with ample face masks and hand sanitizer and dodging people when I’m running on the sidewalk!).

This is not a setback. It’s a timeframe that has set me up for what’s next. I’m a better person for having this time. We all are, and just need to keep reminding ourselves of that. 

A few photos from my current time in Southern California…

#17: The adventure continues...differently

In the last post I published, I was sitting in a Target parking lot waiting on my Airstream to get fixed. I wanted to provide an update since then…

The dealership called me that the afternoon to let me know the Airstream had been fixed. Relief! I picked it up, got a download on what they did to fix it, and headed back to the same RV park where I had stayed the night before. I remained local in Albuquerque for two reasons: 1) The sealant that they used on the roof to fix the leak needed to settle completely, so I was advised not to drive far, and 2) I wasn’t sure where or what my next move was going to be, given all the threat with COVID-19. Not a problem to stay in the area for another night. The challenge (problem) was that the forecast was calling for low temperatures and a rain/snow mix that night.

After settling into the campground, it started to rain. Low and behold, water began to drip into the trailer from the same spot it had been dripping previously. Although the amount of water leaking was much less, there was still a leak. Given that, I had no other choice but to head back to the dealership first thing in the morning. I had to get this Airstream fixed.

In the meantime, amid the Airstream drama, things were continuously getting worse with COVID-19. I had started stressing about what my next move was going to be. As we all experienced (and still are experiencing), there was just no telling what was going to happen next. Updates were taking place every day with park closures, restrictions, and limited availability. Cities and states were going into lockdown. I had an unsettled feeling about it all, and I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable being on the move as I was.

Logistically, I didn’t want to end up in a situation where I was stranded somewhere alone, or God forbid - sick. Morally, I didn’t feel right potentially contributing to the problem by moving around and using public facilities (gas stations, toilets, campgrounds, etc.). In addition to my gut feeling, I was seeing more and more members of the RV community feeling similar to me, with plans to head home or to friends or family’s houses for the time being (and urging others to do the same).

My friend in Orange County offered up his house to hunker down, but then California went into lockdown. My dad asked me to go back to Virginia, but that just seemed so far away (and like I would have been really backtracking). I decided to head south to desolate West Texas to a friend’s house, where I’d still be west, but also safe from exposure to crowds of people.

I made the right decision. Since I left New Mexico, things have gotten progressively worse with the virus. Am I bummed to have had to halt the travel for a while? Yes. But I’m safe and secluded and cannot complain. In the meantime, this adventure continues for me…just in a different way.

This adventure I set myself out on in November was never only about the physical places I would travel. It would also be about the internal stuff: the mental and emotional realizations, the reflections, and the perspective gained. I’m currently spending my days trying to make the most of this time - improving my mental and physical health, meditating, writing, reading, catching up with friends (via video chat, of course), and just BEING. I have outdoor space to get fresh air, and you can bet that outdoor activities are still in swing. Here are a few photos from a recent hike to the highest waterfall in Texas.

This situation is not what any of us planned. BUT, I remain loyal to my tried and true saying, “10% is what happens to us, and 90% is how we react to it.”

Stay safe, positive, and strong. Look out for my next posts on Marfa, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks, and New Mexico. I will finally catch up!

#16: March 18

Greetings from a Target parking lot in New Mexico.

First, I realize I’m a little behind on my blog posts. I have a few entries in the works including more on West Texas, Guadalupe National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New Mexico. However, I wanted to insert a quick post regarding my thoughts and reflections on the recent Coronavirus situation and my current status.

I have been laying low in New Mexico since last week when things started getting more serious on a national level with this virus. Simultaneously, I’ve had a few mishaps with the Airstream: 1) Leak in the roof, and 2) Thermostat will not turn on (yes, the same thermostat I successfully replaced last month). These are two things that I don’t want to continue traveling with while not fully functioning.

With the help of Airstream head office, I was able to get a service appointment at Airstream of New Mexico today (typically these Airstream dealerships book out months in advance for service appointments). They are taking a look at it and I’m waiting on a call to understand whether or not they need to keep it overnight. If they need to order a part, it may take a few days to arrive from the head office. I just don’t know.

This all brings me to my current status. I am in the Target parking lot because, well, I really don’t know where else to go. I don’t want to walk around stores, and all restaurants and coffee shops are only doing take-out (plus, I have Addie with me). And my “home” is in the shop. Tonight could go a few different ways:

Pending the Airstream needs to stay overnight:

1) I could stay in a hotel (not ideal given COVID-19).

2) I could ask the Airstream dealer if I could have the trailer back until the part arrives so I can sleep in it.

Pending all is fixed today:

1) I will find a campsite for tonight and figure out tomorrow’s destination.

Regardless of when, the Airstream will get fixed. Then, I need to figure out what I’m doing, exactly. New Mexico state parks have been closed to overnight campers. However, I’ve done all I want to do in New Mexico, so that’s neither here nor there. The next stop will be Arizona.

National Parks remain open however, many visitor centers have been closed, or they are limiting the number of people allowed inside at a time. Specific restrictions vary park by park. I am fully aware that the parks - state or national - could close any day. Like everything else, we just don’t know.

Despite feeling a little unsettled about it, I will continue to camp and explore nature. I am, by default, practicing social distancing, as well as keeping my hands washed, limiting outings to only places necessary and planning to not move around as much. Hopefully, I’ll find a beautiful spot to camp in Arizona and hunker down there for a longer duration of time. If things progressively get worse and I don’t feel safe for any reason, I’ll reevaluate.

At times I feel I’ve chosen the perfect timing to embark on this adventure, but at other times, I feel it’s the worst timing. I will take it day by day, just like everyone else is doing. That’s really all we can do. Please stay safe!

By the way, if anyone has any questions/advice, please let me know!