Up the Road

9.12.23

Taking off again. First I hand- and machine-finished my cowbox to carry clothes in the van while I was getting an idiot check at the mechanic–that was a bargain, it turns out. Just a loose battery cable, but in my blind spot up the road it could have been a disaster. I got some gorgeous eggs I didn’t have time to eat before I left, so I decided to take them along for the ride.

Dawdled up the coast to the campout at the Hog Farm where I was the Hermit at the Edge of the Wood. In the heat, I didn’t want to pull in too early. There were utility trucks parked in front of the entrance signs, so I drove back and forth and got stuck on a side road before they drove away and I found it.

So much good food, imbibement, excellent dj’s, bits of chat here and there, friendly folks; the accommodations over all were pleasant. The first day my activity tracker logged five miles. There were friendly lizards someone brought over from the woodpile that hung out chilling on the bar.

I put in three strenuous hours on the dance floor. Many calories expended, and alcohol (mostly mead) burned off–some of it while lugging an unnecessary tent, sleeping bags, chair, water, back to the van. At nights from my perch at the end of the meadow I could see the Milky Way.

Sunday morning I got a somewhat early start. I made coffee, gave thanks to the enormous Oak that shaded me, and continued on to Honeyman State Park, mostly empty post-holiday. A glorious dark night, a bit of rain around dawn, so I hurried to shift the tents and sleeping bags and other nonsense I thought I might need . . . to put the top down so it wouldn’t get wet. Over packed, over prepared, continuing North. Hope to shed some excess as I go. Probably pick up more as I go, as well.