A “tail” of the California coast.

by Karin Harrison (Canada)

A leap into the unknown USA

A leap into the unknown… A “tail” of the California coast. All around us the maps lay strewn about, highlighted, dog eared and full of dreams. An epic road trip planned sleeping in the back of our new black Toyota Tacoma truck better known as “Black Betty”. We spent months getting a topper and a custom fit mattress along with making our own custom-made dollar store window shades, cut to fit just right. A bit like building a fort, we had the whole bedroom designed and were very excited to get this adventure started. This trip was going to be a planned-out route with NO plans on where to sleep for the night as our bed on wheels was all we needed. Or so we thought. A late 40 something couple, kids all grown and living on their own, we were up for adventure. Planners to the extreme, we decided this trip was going to be different…we would not plan every detail and WING IT. As all great tales do, ours included, inspiration, determination, bravery, wonder. If you are very lucky you come to the end of an adventure with people you met you will not forget, stories that helped you grow as a person and experiences that leave you wanting more. Our days were long on winding coastal highways with some of the most beautiful vista’s we have seen. The rest stops were like postcard photos and the break to feel the breeze, smell the salt air and enjoy the sun on our faces were unforgettable. The late afternoons however were always an anticipation of where to park for the night. Relying on our GPS to find camp spots to sleep for the night became a game, both of us a bit nervous about the challenge, as the time came around to set camp. Always happy to finally climb into that fort at the end of the long driving day, ready to bunk in for the night, we met more than a few “friends” in those dark and unknown to us camp spots. Never brave enough to head to the camp bathroom alone, away we would go, flash light in hand together, navigating landscape not explored in daylight. In more than a few places ahead on the path, a black and white tail would pop up near us, stopping us in our tracks. In a wide berth we would take the long way around and jump in safe from an encounter. One evening after a particularly long driving day we typed into the GPS, hoping for a quiet and serene place to make a bit of dinner and relax out of the truck. What came up was a movie set horror scene place that no set designer could have made up, a place called the overnighters and as our GPS guide said the overknitters. Rusted out trailers, and junk yard dogs, with people watching us as we drove through that made me imagine late night murders that would ensue. Maybe too many horror movies watched. On the road again with no GPS this time to guide the way. As it happens in life sometimes, the best stuff feels scary and not planned. Watching signs on the highway later in the evening, a camp ground ahead. Hoping they had a spot…they turned us down, “we don’t allow people to sleep in their vehicles”. I guess it must have been our haggard been on the road, mature faces that made the young girl take another look and make a decision to get her boss in the back to come chat with us. As it turned out the boss was a lady our age and looking at us and the truck said,” I feel good about you two”, and gave us a lovely spot at the back of the camp ground which turned out to be the best night, star gazing with a glass of wine after a lovely visit getting to know our host. As per the trip, a crashing in the bushes the next morning had us running for the truck when a white tail headed into the trees leaving us laughing. We plan a little less now on trips.