Oakland to Fallbrook
February 25th, 2013 Mileage: 470
After leaving the East Bay around a month and a half after
we had made the decision to travel, I sold the bulk of my posessions, packed my clothes, and we loaded my parents’ SUV I had been
borrowing and Rob’s Ford Focus like Tetris champions and headed south on the 5
freeway towards Fallbrook, where our vague ideals would manifest into some sort
of tentative reality.
Originally thinking we would spend a few weeks in Fallbrook
doing odd jobs and selling Rob’s car to put towards a sedan wagon of sorts, we
ended up staying for nearly two months and in possession of a much larger
vehicle than we had foreseen.
Our initial vehicle/housing thoughts… Save on gas and get a
compact car just big enough to accommodate ourselves, our ninety-pound dog and
the, surely, minimal amount of things we would need to live for a year or more…
That makes perfect sense, right?
With one side trip before departure down to Big Sur, a
test-run of sorts, in the oversized SUV I had been borrowing from my parents,
with little provisions and a big ambition towards the box-house lifestyle we
were planning on getting ourselves into, we quickly realized the impossibility
of surviving.
Two grown adults, a large beast, and a foolishly underestimated
amount of necessities later… We could NOT co-exist with any amount of comfort
at the disposal of no running water, no space for alone-time, no room for our
dog to do anything but curl into a ball surrounded by towering possessions, no
refrigeration… No space!
Wafting in like a sour stink to your face, the reality of
the literal roadblock we were facing smacked us upside the head. “How is this
going to be possible?, was all we could think about.” And then I remembered…
The camper…
Not that this idea hadn’t crossed my mind before in wishful thinking, but this thing had been sitting on all four retractable legs for nearly three years in the rock parking space of my parents house, basically wasting away with no hope of further use. My father had sworn its decrepitude, and my mother had stated its extreme lack of shocks impossible for her back. Dad had been voicing donating both the camper and pickup truck it sat on for years.
But this camper, oh this camper.
This little lady was the essence of my childhood. When I
think back on it; the lifestyle my parents raised me with, to be ever-wandering
travelers, always curious with what was around the next corner, has carried
into my adult psyche. From traveling for all of my pre-schooling childhood to
being chased out of our hometown by hurricanes, we were always moving. It was
natural for me to pack up shop and move on to the next experience. I have
recognized these patters forming in my life, and have yet to find comfort in
settling anywhere, no matter the place. Not right now.
We waited until our arrival to even bring up the idea of
refurbishing this spacious load to cart us in our travels to my parents. My
father is the kindest and most loveable man you will ever meet, but has a comedic
repetition in saying “no” before considering the alternatives. After promptly
saying no, followed by an entire list of practical and probable reasons for
failure, we put up a damn good diplomatic and heartfelt argument. It was so
real and true in our minds, and all of our friends had given us nothing but
support and admiration, they had to believe in this idea too. With my mother
and I naturally teaming up against dad in our skillful craft of manipulation
and consciously honed persaverance, and Rob’s practical male influence, it
didn’t take long. He was on board with the idea, and offered his gracious and
knowledgeable support.
On our way up north, we ended up being parked by a Subaru Forester (one of our preliminary car choices)... Quite a difference in size and comfort level if I do say so myself...
Our original time estimation extended into two months. With
truck and camper repairs, we awaited the green light on our checkouts, keeping
busy with art shows, fantastic meals that made my family’s heart swoon, and odd
jobs around the house.
Rob made gnocci and the three generations; my grandmother, mother, and I carefully rolled the little potato dumplings. He made us lasagna with homemade noodles, buffalo mozzarella, marcono tomatoes, and fresh basil from the garden.
We painted the garden fence...
… And the storage barn…
I prepared for the San Marcos Art Walk
...And had a mighty nice show
Then the time came...
Time to go.
Our two months in Fallbrook were just wonderful. My parents and extended family fell head over heals for Rob, and we sure did enjoy our time together. Thank you for all the love and support you have given us. We got crafty and down to business, enjoyed the abundant nature and the beauty of Fallbrook, and spent priceless quality time with the Cosners. We loved our time there and were so delighted to be among family. Thanks again you guys, without you this would have never been possible.
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