Lake Mead National Recreation Area - Nevada / Arizona

As I was approaching the exit of my next home for the coming nights, I saw signs for the Hoover Dam and realized that Lake Mead was the reservoir from the Hoover Dam... I thought I was decent at. U.S. History, but apparently I don't like to remember much of the locations of history. Regardless! It was pretty cool to drive over and toward camp. After a nice 45 minute slow ride on washboard roads,  we found a perfect spot with a view of the lake. 

Despite living in the trailer for about 9 months, it is proving to be extremely different living on the road in the trailer. I am still learning everything that my rig and truck can really do and what their limits are. We met our match in the sand and rocks at Lake Mead. Initially the ground was pretty hard, but quickly turned soft when pulling off to our spot. I was able to maneuver The Tank (my rig finally told me their name) so I could have my largest window facing the lake. As I began to move The Tank into a more leveled area, I heard the metal on the bottom of Tommy (my truck wanted a name too) scrape and stop on a large boulder that exposed itself from the sand. There have been issues with The Tank, but Tommy has been reliable and a good truck so this moment of panic shot through my entire body. After hopping out and assessing the situation, it sounded much worse than it was and I was able to get off the rock with a little punch in 4WD. PHEW!  

Camp was set up and it was time to enjoy the sunshine. Dobby and I stayed at Lake Mead for about 4 nights. We were able to wake up to some donkeys each morning as they strolled by for their morning sips water. I decided to extend our stay a couple of nights because the weather was heating up to the mid and high 80's, and I wanted to stay near water to keep cool. I packed up a backpack each day and hiked to a more secluded area on the lake to read and swim while puffing on a joint. It was beautiful. Unfortunately what was NOT very beautiful in the Lake Mead area, and southern Nevada in general, is people seem to really not give a single fuck about TRASH. It's extremely disappointing to be looking at the blue water and see a giant empty buzz ball riding some waves. Especially with the state of this country, I would've hoped to see our community of humans try a little harder to keep Mother Nature clean from our toxic behaviors. That being said, wherever you are, throw away your trash. It is not hard. 

After our stay it was time to pack up and continue south! Between each place I visit, I try to find a city to have a "reset" day. These are days that I can get a shower, a workout in, some groceries, gas, and dump and fill the trailer. For the reset, I stopped in Flagstaff from Lake Mead and was able to find a place to wash Dobby to get his dusty self nice and fresh. After his bath it was time for mine and some laundry. We posted up for the night in a parking lot between a strip mall and a movie theater that was right next to the train tracks. Some would say that it was very noisy, but I found some comfort in hearing the train on the tracks. 

In the morning it was time to hit the road again and head east! Petrified Forest here I come! 

Some pictures from my time in Lake Mead are in the DropBox Link 😎

Lake Mead Pictures

Death Valley National Park - California

I wanted to do the drive quickly in one day, and it was a success! I found a camping spot that was about 10 minutes from the fee area of Death Valley, which was located at an old abandoned RV park. It had concrete slabs laid out across the desert rocks, making level parking a piece of cake. There were plenty of other campers around too which made me feel a lot safer. The one drawback some could have with this spot is that there was zero cell service, but honestly there wasn’t much in the park itself either. These are the days that I try to embrace “off the grid” life as much as possible. I am becoming more conscious of how much security I feel having a phone with service. Sometimes my own anxiety starts to creep in when I notice I have no way of communicating with others. During this time, I tried as best as I could to sit in the discomfort and acknowledge that my phone can be hindering some of my experiences to an extent. 

Unfortunately, majority of the trails to hike in Death Valley NP are not dog friendly, so Dobby was left cuddled up in bed while I explored. On the first day of hiking, I explored Mosaic Canyon Trail, which was breathtaking. The best part of this hike was the smoothness of the rocks surrounding me. I would run my hands across the walls throughout it. It was also a pretty fun hike with some scrambling up rock formations. The next day I spent hiking Golden Canyon Trail and Badlands Loop to Zabriskie Point. This was a much longer hike (about 7.6 miles compared to 4.3 miles) but very worth it! Throughout the trails I felt like I was walking on another planet in another universe, until I saw a fellow human pass by. I came to find out the trails I was exploring were used in Star Wars episodes 4 and 6, so yeah, definitely otherworldly. After the long hike I checked out the Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in the North America. After seeing it during daylight, I returned that night for some stargazing. As I was walking on the salt layered floor, I was staring at the sky trying my best to not let my fear override, but damn was it spooky. It felt surreal being in such a low and open land in the dark of night. It was the first time on this trip where I was looking at the sky and had a feeling I may be being watched by some other beings or forces. Unfortunately the clouds started to roll in, so it was a fast but exhilarating experience. I did in fact run back to the car. 

I woke up the next morning ready to continue moving. I got the trailer ready and hooked up, then it was time to conclude our time in California. 

This California boy is saying farewell to the coast and continuing east, next stop... Nevada maybe? 

*As a side note, with blogging I am constantly learning. This platform aims to make posting pictures and videos as difficult as possible. I decided that from now on I will be uploading my pictures to Dropbox where you can view them with the link I will have attached to my posts. You do not need a Dropbox account to view them! This will also allow me to upload more photos! It was becoming difficult for me to narrow down the photos I wanted to share. I hope you enjoy my Death Valley folder of photos!*

Dropbox Picture Link

Santa Ana / Oceanside - California

It is time for another GTL day! After departing Joshua Tree, I stopped in Corona to do some laundry and get my workout and shower in at the gym. I found a good spot on the road near a car dealership, but it was pretty noisy being right next to the highway. Thankfully I can sleep like a ROCK (there was one time that my fire alarm was going off and I slept through that tune... oops). After my errands and a solid sleep Dobby and I headed to Santa Ana! 

Pulling into Santa Ana, my friend Lauren had the perfect spot for me to park in front of her apartment on the road. My little rig and truck take up about as much space as two cars, which makes parking on the street and in parking lots slightly easier. After getting set up for the next few nights I was able to have a wonderful reunion with my former living buddy. The days were spent chatting, exploring around Laguna Beach, and seeing one of my favorite bands live. Thank you Lauren for opening your home to Dobby and I, and jammin' out with me! Now heading a little more south to Oceanside... 

Dobby and I made one last stop in California to see my sister, Ariel, and nieces. I loved getting to spend time with them and catch up on their lives. One of my nieces was attempting to teach me the lingo of her generation, but decided I was a difficult student and told me "just Youtube brain rot for uncles". We spent time sitting in the sunshine, getting dinner and ice cream, and then having a sibling toke on the front porch. I truly believe that passing the pipe back and forth under the stars is an ultimate form of bonding. Thank you Ariel for the much needed time together. I love you. 

Next stop, Death Valley! 

Just casually hangin with the homie and lead singer of Evening Elephants

Joshua Tree National Park - California

I was able to drive from Santa Barbara to Joshua Tree in good time and found a camping spot that was 30 minutes closer to the entrance than I originally intended! I flipped the truck into low gear 4WD and we rode through some sand and rocks to find a perfect spot on BLM land. The sunset and sunrise here were breathtaking and a great reminder of why I love this life. 

The first day in JT made me feel like a true desert dweller with the sand sticking to my sweaty skin. It was time to take the insulation off the trailer windows and let in some sunshine! This was short-lived as rain greeted me the next day for my hike. Someone needs to tell Mother I've seen enough clouds for the year. 

My first hike was the Lost Horse Mine Loop, which took me on a trail to one of the gold mines in the desert mountains. It is said that this location where gold was discovered, was first found when a cowboy went looking for his lost horse (but we all know there were plenty of others who came before this white man). I got to experience wind, rain, snow, and sunshine while being mesmerized by the beauty that is this desert. After the trail, I ventured to Skull Rock and climbed around until I found a place for lunch before heading back to camp. 

Luckily, my hike the following day gave me a lot more sun with still the desert wind whipping around. I completed the Maze Trail, which did turn me around slightly and led to me missing about a half mile of the hike. This was the beginning of me considering paying for a subscription to AllTrails to use the trail map while offline. 

I don't know what it was about this park, but I just did not want to leave. 

While on this trek across the country, I have a slight mission in the back of my mind to see if I find a place that I would want to settle at for a while. The idea of buying a house and being stagnant is daunting, but I feel like it may be because I have not found a place that makes me feel like I want to. I just feel like I want to see everything and be able to experience new places, but maybe this drive for constant change will dim after my solo adventures. 

Joshua Tree was one of the places I truly considered having land, purely due to this internal draw and calmness I have when I'm there. Realistically though, I am not a desert guy. I don't like the idea of having land and being far away from my neighbors, yet still being able to see them along the flat, scarce land. Trees, man, they give life and apparently my much-needed privacy.

After three nights spent at JT, it was time to head to Santa Ana to see my old roommate, Lauren, whom I miss dearly, and see one of my favorite bands, Evening Elephants!

Camp for the next few nights in BLM land outside JT

First sunset from the camper

Sideways baby Joshua Tree 

Jumping for joy because I made it through the snow

Skull Rock 

Top of one of the peaks during the Maze Trail 

Sprinted from my car so I could have someone take this picture

The viewer 

The view

Santa Barbara - California

Leaving Yosemite I needed to make a few stops for the essentials of gas, food, laundry, and get a shower at the gym (in that planet fitness gang now #purplepride). I was able to find a convenient shopping center that had everything I needed to do in one parking lot, so I took Dobby on a walk around the park nearby and then settled him in the trailer while I ran my errands. Everything took much longer than I anticipated (the story of my life for this trip), so instead of making it all the way to Santa Barbara, we stopped at a travel center for the night since we were well into the dark of night. In my opinion, this is one of the best spots I’ve slept in a one-night pinch. It was clean, felt safe, and had plenty of grass area for Dobby to walk around. This will definitely be a go to for him and me when they are near. We continued our journey to Santa Barbara, and when we could smell the ocean we started screaming at people, asking them where the beach was. We found the beach! And I don’t know if I saw Dobby happier running in the snow or running in the sand. He LOVES IT!

While in Santa Barbara, my goal was to see my dear friend Kahyla, who I hadn’t seen for way too many years. I was able to perfectly park right on her street and spent a couple of nights hanging out and picking up exactly where we left off. I spent some time biking to the beach, searching for a new book, and getting to see the amazing Orchid Show. Thank you Kahyla for the laughs, sourdough, showing me poppin’ off spots, and letting me use the shower!

After some time soaking up the sun and salt-filled air, Dobby and I are heading to Joshua Tree! 

Hell yeah!

Dobby and I soaking up the Sun

Some lip smackin blood orange cider 

Orchid Show 

Orchid Show Pt. 2

Orchid Show Pt. 3

Yosemite National Park - California

I arrived near Yosemite after a long day of driving through the mountains at the campsite I would call home for the next three nights. I chose McCabe Flat to camp because it was a designated campground but on BLM land, making it more affordable than the campsites in Yosemite NP. It was a smaller campsite than I had been used to, but after a few different ways of parking, I finally settled on the place to unhitch the trailer. Before leaving the Bay Area, I was able to hook up a WeBoost cell booster on the trailer to give me a little more access while I’m off-grid (FUCK ELON AND STARLINK so I tried to park where my antenna would not be covered by trees.  After setting up camp and starting a fire, it was time to plan the itinerary for the park.

With most of the National Parks, I am limited to when I am able to have Dobby join me in the beauty and adventure. I decided I would spend one day doing a shorter hike that I could bring Dobby on and spend a little time in Yosemite Village. We were able to follow the Mist Trail to Mirror Lake and sat next to the lake to have some lunch. It was truly breathtaking to see the North Dome so clearly and closely throughout the hike. After hiking, I spent some time in Yosemite Village visiting the museum, the art gallery, the cemetery, and the visitor center (I needed that stamp, dawg).

The next day, I was planning to hike Upper Yosemite Falls, but the forecast was bringing lots of rain and a little bit of snow. I don’t know why this is in anyway surprising to me since I chose to begin my journey during winter. I prepared for the hike and decided that I would be okay with only making it as far on the trail as I could, rather than forcing myself to do the entire trail regardless of how I am feeling. It was so beautiful to see all the water rolling down the granite mountain. I made it about ¾ of the way up the trail but stopped once I passed some fellow hikers who said I had reached the best view. I could hear Yosemite Falls right next to me but could barely make it out behind the fog and mist of the fall. Regardless of my ability to see, she was beautiful and fucking powerful. I made a pitstop in a little alcove on the trail to have some lunch and hide from the rain, then continued back down the slippery rocks.

Dobby and I had conquered Yosemite, and we were to set out toward Santa Barbara in the morning!

 

Our campsite at McCabe Flat outside Yosemite

Hike to Mirror Lake with a beautiful view of North Dome

Mist Trail to Mirror Lake and lower portion of Mirror Lake 

Yosemite Cemetery, an extremely beautiful leaf, and Yosemite Falls behind the museum 

     

Bridevail Falls and a very intimidating little guy

 

Preparing for rain/snow filled hike to Upper Yosemite Falls

View of Upper Yosemite Falls in the dense fog

The Bay - California

Rolling into my hometown, I was feeling frustrated with my short-lived Redwoods trip. I think my mind is still trying to adjust to being constantly on the move rather than being in one place. I want to just drive and keep seeing everything possible, but I am also drawn to the comfort of just staying put at one place for a couple of weeks. I am hoping to find balance in that to put my mind at ease….

I was able to see my favorite little human in the world, my brother Carter, as well as the rest of my family while I made my way south. The trip consisted of comfort and time to do some much-needed laundry (thank you gram and mom for being my laundromat). While in town, my goal was to take Carter snowboarding (but he skis, ew) once more before we part ways for a while.

One thing I have noticed on this adventure is that I am going to have a lot of instances of driving back through places where I have just been. I really wanted to take Carter to Yosemite with me to ride some slopes and experience the beauty of the park. It was a big bummer when I saw that the ski area near Yosemite was closed for the season due to lack of snow. This meant I had to head back up North and make a day trip out of it instead. Carter and I geared up and headed to Tahoe for the day! It was a blast, and the ski park was perfect for kids. The only moment of panic was when I convinced Carter to go on the lift to the top of the mountain and as we were riding up, he kept saying to himself “It’s okay, you’re not scared of heights, just don’t look down!”. But I do still get the best big brother award because he conquered his fear by doing his longest run, with no falls, and he was HYPED!

I stayed in town long enough to celebrate my mom’s birthday and see my best friend Sam, but now it is time to hit the road again… next stop, Yosemite!

Carter when we were walking to the Warriors game 

                                                     

Dobby and Carter's new little guy Shadow cuddlin' up 

                                                       

Carter and I chowin down at the slopes

Such a legend he has his own run

Happy Birthday to my mom! 

I was stopped at the bar entrance by the bouncer telling me it's a lesbian bar, so maybe it wasn't my scene... (iykyk) 

Redwood National Forest - California

Dobby and I successfully made it to the Redwood National Forest! On our way to our campsite for the next few nights, I stopped at the Trees of Mystery along the highway. It was gloomy and had been windy and raining, but that is when the trees are singing to me. I was the only one walking the trails at the attraction which made it that much more awe-inspiring. I saw beautiful giant Sequoias, some cute fungi, and wood carvings of Yoda and Paul Bunyan. 

I decided on a campground called Panther Flat near Smith River. Dobby and I scored on a spot right next to a trail leading to the river. It was raining and I don’t have a cover for my generator, so we figured it out with a tarp for the few nights we would be there. 

I was able to relax, read in the hammock in a sick spot, and cook up some good dinners over the fire surrounded by the trees. This is my happiness. 

I was preparing for a different camping spot further south so I could continue making my way on the road but still see a few more trails in the Redwoods. The trek to the campsite was definitely the most difficult yet. After extremely steep uphill and downgrades with pouring rain and no more daylight, I pulled the truck up to not one, but three campsites closed in a row. This meant another night on the side of the road, and a bit of frustration leading to me ending my Redwoods tour early.

I woke up to have some coffee, and on the road we go again! Time for one last pitstop in the Bay Area. 

                                       

                                                    Showing off my best tourist smile 

                                            Tom Bunyan looking over the trees at Trees of Mystery

                                         

                                     Campsite at Panther Flat near Redwood National Forest 

   
     .                                                    

                                                           Best hammock/reading spot so far! 

                             

                                           Hike at French Hill Trailhead in Redwood National Forest

                         

Fried rice for dinner after a long day of driving           Spot for the night outside of closed campground