A disclaimer & A dedication

Okay. Admittedly I’ve already started to feel weird about keeping this web log alive. It just seems egocentric sometimes. Like, what is it providing to the greater good? But here’s the thing: it’s a really great reason to write. I have to keep writing all the time if I want to keep writing, you know? Plus I’ve received positive feedback and I really appreciate that. Thanks for joining me.

Lava Tube outside Flagstaff. It goes about a mile in & is about 34ºF. I'm overcoming mild claustrophobia!

Anyway. The van & I survived the Mojave Desert… just barely. Not impressively, it would have been all my fault if we didn't. {For those interested, scroll down for condensed version of the story.}

[LONG VERSION]:

The van ran dangerously low on oil to due a miscommunication I had with the engine. After seemingly rebounding from the shortage, the journey away from the desert proved exhausting, for the van & myself. She began sputtering, idly loudly, and showing overall weaker performance. I was feeling exceptionally nervous about what could be happening (certainly the greatest level of stress I've had since hitting the road). I just wanted to make it to my next stop, Bakersfield, CA. However, the increasingly threatening behavior demanded I stop in the very next town I entered. Tehachapi, California. Not much here it seemed, but I scrambled to find something. Anything..! AUTO SHOP, a big sign announced, five parking lots away. I moseyed inside and asked for assistance with my van. After a brief description of the symptoms (plus an interruption from the clerk’s dad & owner of the shop about birthday cookies), Cliff walked outside with me and immediately sprung to action. Lubricating aplenty. And another, older gentleman even walked over to lend a word. [I was thinking a small town would be a better place to stop – less competition at the auto shop. Or in this case, none at all.] “Just be glad it’s not a Ford,” the second man quipped. He chuckled lightly, though I couldn’t quite relate to his mechanic’s sense of humor. After a number of starts and restarts, the snarly noise had subsided, and the engine was sounding just like old times. I nearly hugged Cliff! But instead, he suggested we pull the whole doghouse cover off and get a better look. Although I already knew the cause of the oil leak, I allowed his generous assistance. A little peace of mind never hurts. Meanwhile, I asked the other guy, “How do you pronounce the name of this town?” “Ta-HATCH-upee,” he grinned. I paid for the motor oil, tipped the two gentlemen, and thanked them sincerely. I was rolling again, and super duper happy about it! For a minute there, I was pretty sure I had scorched my engine and would need to find alternative transportation options. But, every experience provides for a learning opportunity. I was just glad I garnered both knowledge & success. I talked to the van more times on that day than any other.

[SHORT VERSION:]

The van nearly died, but has persevered confidently. The experience has strengthened our relationship.

Sometimes in yoga practice, the instructor suggests you choose someone to which you will dedicate that day’s practice. This web log entry is comparably dedicated to nirVANa. I’ve grown to love her.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Mojave National Preserve is really cool! Plenty of diversity (mountainous, flat, dry, cold, woodsy, barren, & lots in between), a bit of history (the Kelso Depot and accompanying rail line served of big importance in WWII & the Union Pacific railway), and not many people around (surprisingly, considering it's free to enter & free to camp roadside). I recommend it.

Fringe-toed Lizard

Kelso Sand Dunes (forefront) - up to 600+ feet tall and quite majestic.

I hiked to the top, and it was very windy. But made it just in time for sunset.

It was great watching the colors of the dunes change as the sun faded out. Also, it was cool watching the composition of the dunes changed as I walked over them. Always in a constant state of change.

Joshua Trees are pretty cool. Dr Seussical.

Largest expanse of Joshua Trees in the world As far as the eye can see. The conditions for optimal growth are found on the Cima Dome in Mojave. I look silly, I know.

Anyway, made our way into the Bay Area and have been enjoying a number of attractions, friends, cool spots, new terrain, and plenty of considerations along the way. There's a lot to say about this area, but better to just experience it I think. However, I will give a shout out to Rainbow Food Coop, a worker-owned grocery store in San Francisco. You can buy almost anything in bulk, from the obvious nuts & grains, to seaweed, to tortilla chips, to sauerkraut, to cookies, to the largest collection of bulk herbs I've ever seen. I love co-ops! Plus, while I was shopping, there was a page for "Marisa, line 3." Hah. It'd been a while.

View from my parking spot. It was nice & quiet up here.

I rode all around San Francisco yesterday, including the perimeter of Lake Merced. It is a hilly & windy city for biking! I need more training I think.

And starting next weekend, I’ll be in the Black Rock Desert. Just a couple good stops along the way. I’ve managed to stay in almost every place I’ve stopped longer than anticipated. I’m glad I have the freedom to actively change my plans, as it happens frequently.

desert tortoise

Onward.




{As a postscript & for future reference, note that all words in color are links to further information... I respect people who are less tech-saavy like myself}