Oceano Dunes, California

I am going to miss my dogs. Gave them some extra pets on my way out. Oh, and my family too. But mostly the dogs, right?

It’s weird to see traffic and not know when you’re going to be in it again. Going through LA was, as usual, terrible. I should have left earlier, but I forgot to pack my everything until this morning. So, I threw everything together in a blind panic, sent a prayer to Zeus that I hadn’t forgotten anything too important, and ran out the door.

Zeus is the god of travelers and hospitality, you know. Very sacred. King of the Gods.

I get to Pismo just at sunset – the booths for paying are closed. So I drive through, south to the dunes where you can park, and start setting up camp.

Two thoughts about this place: First off, it’s a beautiful place to camp and sleep, on WEEKDAYS. It’s quiet, you have tons of room to yourself, you fall asleep to the sound of the waves and fresh clean ocean air. The best sleep I have ever had was the first time I was here. But on the WEEKENDS (Friday / Saturday nights), everything changes.

People come here, get drunk, set of fireworks, run their ATVs around at 2AM. Ever ride an ATV? It’s loud. It doesn’t have mufflers. Emissions standards, kind of lax. So you’re surrounded by people who like to offroad, get drunk, shoot off fireworks, and drive – at the same time.

It’s redneck Tortuga. But not tonight! It’s Thursday, that stuff is tomorrow.

Anyway, the second thing I wanted to say: oh crap, I’m going to have sand EVERYWHERE and it’s just the first day. Oopsies.

I had a little trouble using my small gas stove in the wind, but I found out how to shield it and it worked fine! See mom? I don’t need that stupid camp stove. I’ve got this set! EDITOR’S NOTE: LATER DID BUY THAT STUPID CAMP STOVE, THANKS MOM