I spent 18 days in Airstream Bambi. The 18 days was actually 12 too many. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy my stay. In fact, Bambi is well equipped, beautiful and better than some tiny NYC hotel rooms I’ve been in. 

12 days is a long time to be stranded without a tow vehicle. But in that time, I found ways to make the most of an unfortunate situation. I learned about friendship, conservation, flexibility. I also learned to put faith into a stranger who would put the Touareg back together.

Now I am at a Wal-Mart parking lot…some stores allow campers to park overnight if you ask in advance. I’ve locked myself up in the self-contained unit so I can sleep for the night. I have everything I need: the lights are on, I have a bed, Butters is next to me. I know it’s not the most glamorous of spots but it doesn’t matter. Tomorrow, I will grip the wheel, step on the gas and tow my 4000 pound trailer back home. After a few days of rest, I’ll make my way to the ghost town of Bodie and Mono Lake where I will see broken wheel barrels, tumbleweed, the moon rising above the salty lake.