More lessons from the road...

Sometimes you just have to be a tourist. If you aren't stopping to enjoy the places you visit and taking pictures and listening to the birds or having a picnic lunch at a beautiful overlook or snacking by a waterfall, even if it means you have to buy an overpriced ice cream cone to do it, then you might as well have just stayed home. Being a tourist isn't a bad thing, wearing a fanny pack and slinging a decent camera over your shoulder are often worth the while, so don't be afraid to do it. A backpack is another great thing to carry. Add snacks, a water bottle, a headlamp or flashlight and a few articles of clothing to any adventure so you can be ready for anything. Also, it helps to have something to carry your towel in. (Remember to always know where your towel is).

Use the Google- I often wonder what life was like before Google. I mean, I know I lived in that time, but traveling with infinite knowledge and information at your fingertips (if you have cell service) is an absolute dream. Being able to think of a song and then "requesting" to hear it on YouTube, or researching places you are about to visit and getting pertinent facts and information in a moment's notice is absolutely priceless. When we were headed to Mount Rainier my co-pilot was reading through several web pages and shared some really cool facts about the still active, decade volcano we were headed towards. If you don't know what it means for something to be a decade volcano, well, Google it. We learned that the most dangerous part of an eruption from Mount Rainier is actually not lava or pyroclastic flow, but something called lahars which are hot mud flows that will impact a very large area, likely destroying and killing a large amount of property and people. Anyway, when we stared up at all of the potential energy in the glacier-covered monster, it gave us a little more respect for it. That night we camped inside one of the channels where one of these massive mudflows is going to happen. With an active volcano, its not a matter of if, it's when. So, when Rainier goes off, the news will be tragic. We are glad to know that they have people, I assume they are called Vulcanologists, who study and monitor the potential for imminent threats. (From Volcanos not Vulcans- live long and prosper)
 
Knowing what makes a Vanagoonie adventure an adventure in the first place is key. What I mean to say here is that It is important to seek treasures and use maps, but sometimes a wrong turn can also turn out right. We spend a bit of time talking to folks we meet. Oftentimes they about things to see and places to go. Having a list is a good idea. You might not get to all of the places or do all of the things on it, but you might just end up in the right place at the right time. One day we decided to add Mount Rainier National Park to the list and we were near enough to go see it. After a few wrong turns and a couple of pit stops, we found ourselves entering the park late in the day without any plans and knowing very little about what to see or do inside the actual park. (Cell service quit on us as we approached) After passing through the gate, we were greeted by two outstretched thumbs that were connected to two bodies with smiling faces sitting by a couple of backpacks. We inquired of their desired destination and since we had no plans, we were able to bring them most of the way there. We had good conversations and we were relatively good tour guides offering up whatever information we were able to share from our googling session earlier that day. When we dropped them off, they thanked us for our time, and for sharing our knowledge, gas and the experience. One of them then insisted he pay for our campground for the night. Blessed! Thank you universe!

A second incidence of getting to a park late and having it work out for the best is when we entered into Yosemite through Tioga pass late in the afternoon on the weekend of July 4th. We zigged and zagged on our way to the park and climbed up and over mountain passes like a boss, but doing so in a Vanagon did not help us arrive in a timely fashion. So, when we did finally make it, we again had no plans and no camping spot. It was quite disheartening to learn that all the campgrounds were full. I ignored the signs and pulled in thinking I'd just drive around and find another Vanagon owner to share space with. There was a man at the gate booth so I politely inquired, "I know the sign says that the campgrounds are full but we just drove across the country and had no way of knowing when we would arrive, is there anywhere you know of that is either in the park or near it that we could park our van?" The attendant responded with "I might have a spot for you, but are you really Deadheads? I see you have a Steelie on your van. What's your favorite show?" We talked about favorite songs and shows for a bit and he hooked us up with a nice quiet spot for the night. Blessed! Thank you Jerry!

Don't let the Fratellis empty out your marble bag. Through the ages I have come to understand the value of leave no trace and there is something to be said of the addage "take only pictures and leave only footprints" but I must say that there are a billion shells and rocks and sticks that will continue to wash up on the shores for years to come. Collecting shells and a few small rocks as keepsakes is OK in our book. Just be mindful of the "Fratellis" out there trying to steal your marbles.