Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you all had a great week and are doing well! We had a wonderful time in the wilderness, and in such a beautiful area, I became so inspired that ideas for poems and stories flooded in. I couldn’t write them down in my journal fast enough. This is why I thought it would be fun to create a series of posts about our trip. I’ll share my writing and add some photos. I’m not sure how many ‘parts’ will comprise this series. I’ll let it happen organically. So, below is a short story I wrote to kick off this string of posts, and I hope you enjoy!

Three Nights in a Van

She told my husband and I that it was a queen mattress, but it sure looked like a queen wannabe. We didn’t think it would result in a restful night’s sleep for either of us, but we were pleasantly surprised to snuggle into each other and fit more comfortably than sardines in a can! What an illusion!

For over three decades, we’ve pitched tents, used pit toilets (reluctantly), carried packs on our backs, and dug holes for when mother nature called. Now in our seventh decade, we’ve seen many camper vans on the road, instantly intriguing us.  

What if we could pull into our campsite in the great outdoors, knowing that our wilderness home was already set up?

The concept of not having to loop or hook tent poles, hoping the tent would pop up like magic, admittedly, entertained the wheels turning in our minds.

So, after numerous conversations and the right time presenting itself, we finally did it! Just last week, our new adventure in the Sierra Mountains began in a rented Mercedes Benz Sprinter van named Clay. That’s right, the owner names his rental vans, and we chose Clay for the best layout. The name not only fit because of its light tan color, but its earthy tone blended in perfectly with the organic earth, granite, lake, and pine trees – the landscape that called us.

For our first experience, we agreed that three nights and four days would be long enough to become initiated into this somewhat nomad lifestyle. As we began packing, storage was not a problem in Clay. In fact, it was like entering into a huge walk-in closet! Ample space for all of the gear we wanted to bring with room to spare!

The driver and passenger seats swiveled for a living room effect, and a table could be set up in between. These features were appreciated when on one day, Mother Nature became irritable tossing around 40-50 mph winds. Besides hiking around camp and the surrounding forested area, we planned to spend time sitting at the picnic table or in our camp chairs on the shore of the stunning lake. Reading books and magazines, writing in my journal, and playing card games were on our agenda. Well, the gusts wouldn’t allow us to partake in any of these relaxing activities. Pages in books would flip faster than we could read, and cards would take flight with the birds!

Despite the unexpected (always expect the unexpected in the mountains), a great option was to utilize the van. So, we were in and out of Clay for the entire day with occasional hikes to stretch our legs and move our bodies. Being sequestered in the van, though, was more comfortable than being stuck in the tent sitting on the bed. When happy hour arrived, we enjoyed the shelter from the gusts while sipping Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. And the high point was when my husband looked at me and said, “Honey, just being with you is a pleasure.” Even after thirty-five years, he’s still got it!

Let’s backpedal a bit…the day we toured the van was the day we decided to rent it. Spontaneity at its finest! We went home and completed the online application and paid the fees. A few hours later, we returned to pick up Clay. The woman who gave us the tour, provided a crash course on the technology inside the van and placed the key fob in my husband’s hand. Did I mention ‘crash course?’ A variety of buttons for this and that! But her instructions were logical, and our memories kicked in with success.

Clay came with an inside shower and sink for running water. Both great features, especially the shower, even when we’re able to swim in fresh water. Oh, the comforts of home while camping!

Decades ago, when we began camping together, cell phones didn’t exist. Of course, nowadays cell phones may as well be another limb! And yet, when we embark into the wilderness, whether with a tent or a camper van, we look forward to unplugging. The only music we enjoy listening to are the melodies of nature: birdsong, and caws and hoots from high in the pines! We set foot on the trail, soaking in the scenery, submerging ourselves in the refreshing lake water, letting our minds engage into compelling paperbacks, while simply enjoying the quietude and each other’s company. However, cell phones come in handy for taking photos, keeping family updated, and in the event of an emergency. Luckily, an emergency didn’t occur, and we brought our Spot satellite as a backup. Smart to be prepared!

A side note about soaking up the scenery…while reveling in that first cup of coffee one morning, my husband looked up at the nearest pine and saw something big! Was it a bear? After our eyes zeroed in, the white face of a bald eagle came into focus! We were amazed! We had never been so close to a bird of this majesty! I managed to get a few photos, but you’ll have to look closely. Seconds later, it took off in flight with a wingspan of around seven feet. I tried to capture the moment, but my fingers couldn’t move fast enough. So, we watched as it faded in the distance. What a memorable sighting!

When the last day arrived and our gear was packed in the van, our bodies and souls thanked us, feeling rested and revitalized. Clay, the camper van, had done a fantastic job of delivering an adventure and experience full of beauty, ruggedness, comfort, and good company.

Spending time in the mountains offers a sense of freedom from the debris in our minds, allowing tranquil moments to fill up the days and evenings. The stunning sunrises and sunsets made perfect bookends from the moment we sipped our good morning coffee to when our heads touched our soft pillows.

We look forward to getting on the road again, waking to the beautiful sun rising over the mountains, hiking the trails, dipping more than our toes in the magic of the lake, and witnessing the spectacular moon in the darkened sky as she bids us a peaceful ‘Good night.’ 

© Lauren Scott – Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed the Sierra Mountains
through my words and photos. Stay tuned for Part 2!
I look forward to reading your posts again, too!
~ Lauren ❤️