“There are patches and people of the Earth that lend themselves to an almost-absolute state of restoration. Venerate them.” – Old Sean
To Shining Sea
Following our time in Sequoia National Forest, Ari and I continued our road trip west, driving towards the west coast of the United States.
Our energy west painfully low. Rapid altitude changes, desert camping, intense heat and long hours driving had robbed us of surplus energy.
Finally, we reached the coast. Curving around a final mountain crest, the sky broke open with lose, flat clouds and that eternal ocean. We skated south on cliff edges until coasting into Grover Beach, where my old friend and kitchen-companion Roy lived.
Roy and I had met in Colorado a few years earlier working in Hotel Bouldarado, where he was a professional cook and I was a cranky, young, mid-energy dish washer. I was a grim worker, cynical wanker and high on my own worldliness. In short, a typical young man taking a poorly beaten road into a shaky future.
It was a different time, where my hands were wrinkled by water and callused by scalding heat. It was a time when Roy had snuck me fifty-to-one-hundred dollar meals for my efforts whenever a particularly whiney patron sent fine cuisine back to the kitchen.
I never knew what the patron complained about. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten better in my life.
Roy, however, isn’t currently working since the wave of COVID is striking nearby shores. As such, we just hung around his house and stocked up on relaxation. Originally, we were supposed to stay only one night, but my friend was generous enough to let us rest for a second as well.
Recuperation
We ended up having a quiet time in Grover Beach, though we never made it down to the shoreline due to exhaustion. But we met Roy’s new dog, named Buddy, and clambered over the coast’s golden hills, dry grass whisking, rasping softly on our legs.
Back at Roy’s home, we took turns playing obscure music, drinking in front of a fire and performing little impromptu music sessions with harmonicas, violins and guitars. Downtime was spend snoozing out of the heat and tossing Frisbees back and forth.
Roy introduced us to his favorite sandwich shop Frutiland La Casa Del Sabor where I ordered something called the Pastor, a sandwich that was larger than my head. It was gone, of course, by the following morning.
The rest of our time was spent with the chickens or tending the greenhouse, cleaning our gear and preparing food. We met a tiny, remarkably calm lizard Ari named Alejandro, who perched without judgement or concern on our fingers and occasionally our hair.
We also did some swift pickups for artisanal cupcakes at SeaBreeze Cupcakes and Sweet Treats, and Insomnia Cookies in San Luis Obispo.
Back to It
And then our minor but restorative break was done. It was time, once more to pack up and hit the road.
I don’t think we’re entirely recovered. Though Ari and I should certainly collect a bit more rest, Roy has already let us stay one day overdue and it’s time for us to go.
We’re heading up the famous Route 1 next. We hope to see thunder-tide caves, and cliffside views, elephant seals and lighthouses as we head toward Big Sur.
Until the next portion of this trek,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written July 28th, 2020
Read more about visiting Grover Beach and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Destination Info.
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I bought this Horizon Hound Trek Blanket for a late-autumn trek in the United States. Since then, it’s gone everywhere with me. The blanket is lightweight, stuff-able, warm and durable. But my favorite features are the buttons. The blanket can be buttoned up the sides, turning it into a long thermal poncho when I don’t want to leave the warmth of my bed.
