People: Nicer than you think

Life is one beautiful trip. 

Human beings get a lot of bad press. The news and social media feeds are full of crime reports, ground wars, twitter wars, abuse, and injustice. The bad stuff gets the most coverage because it is sensational and shocking. Yet the world is filled with good people, peaceful moments, and enchanting experiences. When we focus on kindness, more of it flows our way. When we start to believe in the goodness of people, we realize there are more loving souls than harmful ones around us.

After we breakfast with the seagull (who was happy to fly away with our toast) we head back to the campground at Morro Bay State Park, stopping in the quaint shops that line the streets. I’m beginning to think that gypsy souls recognize each other in some sort of subconscious way. We encounter a couple on the sidewalk, exchange Good Mornings, and begin to swap stories. Joelle shares how our friendship thrives even with a 1,000 mile distance between our homes in Charleston and Dallas. The couple from Virginia gives us tips on driving through Alaska. (Make reservations since motels can be 500 miles apart.) We wave goodbye to our fellow travelers, richer for having spent a few minutes sharing our stories.

The temperature is dropping and we quicken our pace. A whimsical name draws our attention. Smoobage calls to us from across the street and we wander in. Heather, the owner, welcomes us and we talk about long feather earrings, our children, and the store’s amazing collection of handmade items from around the world . There, we pick up another set of prayer flags (I can’t seem to find the ones packed in the tent bag.) a funky hot pink Buddha to add to the dashboard shrine, and an awesome Nepalese head wrap to tame my windswept tresses.

We need to hustle double-time to make it back to Steady Betty for check out time.

Entering the park at a brisk pace we see the camp hosts checking our campsite and we hurry to greet them and assure them we are packing up and heading out. Joel and Rosie introduce themselves and new friends are made.

Rosie shares a lot of information about the camping life, which is still very new to Joelle and me. For instance: camp hosts. I never heard of them before. At this particular camp, it is a volunteer position. Joel and Rosie make a three-month commitment to live at the camp, drive a little Gator around to check for registration tickets on the windshield, and sell firewood. They work 4 days on and 3 days off. Joelle and I feel like we are being introduced into a subculture. Joel explains that there is a van rental company which will let people drive the van for free when it needs to be transported to another location. Hmmmm. Ideas for new trips are swirling in my head.