The downside to camping is not having an available shower. It turns out that the campsite we were staying at had no running water whatsoever – there were spigots and water fountains, none of which worked. And on top of all that, the bathrooms were locked the entire time we were there. Our first time sleeping in the bus was comfortable with the exception of the sweltering heat. It was no better the next morning, because as soon as the sun peeked over the hills, it was a suffocating 90+ degrees, with no breeze.
But we managed. After a quick freshen up at the Visitor Center at the bottom of the moutain, we had an amazing lunch in wine country. We headed west towards the coast for relief from the heat, stopping at whatever looked interesting – which turned out to be an antique store on the side of the road, and the top of a cliff at Bodega Bay, where we took a quick nap. We decided to stay at an RV park at Bodega Bay that night which had running water and a shower (thank god!).
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Roadtrip: Day One »
Roadtrip: Day Three »
Morning
The best part about car camping is waking up to a view like this. For zero dollars.
Mike, enjoying the view.
The seats fold out flat into a bed (roughly a full size mattress, which was very spacious). We realized there was a hole in the fabric on the pop-top, so Mike fixed it with duct tape – that way mosquitoes wouldn’t find their way in during the night. He’s planning to get it replaced with a new one eventually.
The seats are in progress – they are halfway reupholstered.
Daniel, Mike, and Dominik.
Taking down the tent.
It was hot, but we were still having a good time.
Heading Towards The Coast
Mooing at all the cows. Driving through Sebastopol.
- Twitter status #3631570593 posted on 12:31 PM, Aug 29th.
Lunch in Wine Country
We were driving along vineyards, and while we were passing through the “town” of Geyserville (which had nothing), I noticed a victorian-style restaurant on the side of the road called Hoffman House. We decided to stop there and eat, which I’m glad we did, because the food was absolutely amazing.
I ordered the Sampler Plate which had “sliced sienna proscuitto wrapped melon, dry aged salami, bruleed goat cheese, cambozola cheese, fig compote and toasted crustini”. What I’m holding is a piece of toasted crostini, smeared with the goat cheese, and topped with fig compote, which tasted like it had been cooked in wine or baslamic vinegar. I nearly died.
Mike had the biggest taco salad I’ve ever seen, with yummy cream soda (it tasted like honey!)
Paula had an amazing lunch in wine country, now heading towards the coast somewhere.
- Twitter status #3630306695 posted on 11:14 AM, Aug 29th.
The restaurant is right next to a beautiful vineyard. I stole a grape while I was there. It tasted different from the grapes you would buy at the grocery store. A little sweeter, and more concentrated in flavor.
I was puzzled at how the grapes were still on the vine. They were ready to fall off the branches.
Wooden Duck Antique Shop
We passed by an antique store on the way to the coast, so we stopped by to take a look.
It was the coolest antique store I’ve ever been to. It was a cross between a museum and a store, and setup like a grandma’s house.
A peek behind the front counter. There was stuff everywhere – the place had a lot of charm.
I was fascinated by the glass display there. Old glass has intricate designs, and the color reflects light differently than modern glass.
Evening
We decided to stay at an RV park at Bodega Bay for the night, since it wasn’t as hot there. After parking and taking a shower, we grabbed some dinner at a place called Cioppino. We had one of my favorite pizzas, the Pizza Marghareita (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil on a thin crust). Their version was delicious.
Charging my phone at every restaurant I go to. We have running water today! Staying at an RV park. Waiting for dinner now.
- Twitter status #3638635531 posted on 7:40 PM, Aug 29th.
I pigged out later that night.
We don’t have curtains made yet, so Mike made some out of newspapers that we picked up from the restaurant lobby. It was a little bum-like, but it did the job.
The wooden duck antique shop was across the street from the school house in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”
“I pigged out later that night.” … OMG…You look so hot!! Bet you made that ice cream melt :P