day 3

Newberry Springs to Yucca

Woke up, had some yogurt, went for a desert walk, and jumped in the pool before heading out


Drove out of California and into Arizona. Listened to Bruce Springsteen, Nilüfer Yanya, more book, more TAL

Took a longer route so that I could drive on as much of Route 66 as possible. Stopped at Ludlow Cafe for a bite, played tag with some trains, pulled over at a giant crater, paid $8.50 a gallon for gas (yooooo) and generally got cooked by the sun.


Drove about 24 miles of dirt roads with insane views to my hipcamp in Yucca. It was out there, lemme tell ya. It was well over 100 degrees when I arrived, so I set up my camp chair in the shade of my car and read for an hour or so. Once it cooled off a bit I went for a walk around the property, then made myself a little dinner and enjoyed the sunset before heading to bed.

I was pretty nervous to sleep out there! The owners were on the property but not super near, I was the only guest, and it was so hot I needed to keep the front of the tent open. I kept waking up and having trouble falling asleep until I woke up a little after midnight and saw that the stars had come out. I took a stab at photographing them with my camera, realized that it was completely silent outside because there was nothing to be afraid of and slept like a heckin’ baby till the sun came up.

day 2

Morro Bay to Newberry Springs

Woke up early, made myself some yogurt and fruit and realized I forgot coffee filters. Packed up the car and headed back down to the waterfront for a jog. Glad I didn’t make coffee because I got to stop at Scout Coffee for a perfect iced latte and goat cheese scallion scone.


Drove about 5 hours to Newberry Springs, where it was a cool 103 degrees.
Listened to more of my audiobook, a good episode of This American Life [835 : Children of Dave] and a bunch of music

Officially made it into the desert!

Stopped at Roadhouse Restaurant at Kramer Junction and had straight up the BEST grilled cheese with avo since the Missouri Lounge closed. It cost $13 with an iced tea and tax. The server was so sweet and thought my lunch looked so good she ordered the same thing.

THE grilled cheese with avo


Arrived at my airbnb - a guesthouse at a property owned by a very cool artist, and jumped in the heckin’ pool.