So Doug and I were in the front seat. Mike, his son and Eric were in the middle seats. Olivia was all by herself in the rear seat with lots of camping gear. There was so much gear that we had to put a carrier on top with overflow sleeping bags, tents, mattresses, etc. We were heading south on the San Diego Fwy at 70 mph towards Borrego Springs campground. We were about an hour behind Jon and Dan because of last minute shopping, but we would easily catch up since they really didn't know where they were going. It was going to be a wonderful desert camping trip with the kids. Some rain was predicted, but we're from Oregon. Then there came a snap from the roof. It wasn't particularly loud, but it was distinct. Doug and I both heard it. Then I looked in the side rearview mirror and just caught a glimpse of our overflow equipment bouncing behind us down the middle of the freeway. Doug quickly worked his way to the right hand lane where we are able to pull off on the next exit, inspect the roof carrier and realize several pieces were missing, but most of the equipment was still there. It appeared that my new sleeping bag was gone, a mattress and a tent of Mike's. Maybe more. We re-secured the carrier and turned around and got on the freeway going north and noticed that the south traffic had slowed way down, almost to a stop. It appeared that there were items bouncing around on the road! We got off on the next exit, headed south again. The traffic had speeded up by this time, but still there was some delay and then we spied the equipment. A tent was in multiple pieces laying along the median, there were pieces of equipment torn to shreds along the right hand shoulder and then we spotted my sleeping bag laying on the line between the third and fourth lanes. Mike quickly opened the window, leaned way out as Doug brought the car to a fairly sudden halt, grabbed the bag and brought it in as I tried to get square in my seat awaiting the impact of the car behind us that I was sure was going to happen. It didn't and Doug stepped on the gas and we proceeded to the nearest REI store for Mike to buy more equipment. The bag was intact inside its stuff sack without any tear or scuff mark- it was truly a miracle!! La Santa Bolsa (The Holy Sleeping Bag) is now enshrined in Doug's equipment closet and we expect it to continue to provide comfort and warmth for generations to come.
Except for a little rain, the rest of the trip was wonderful and enjoyable. We took a long hike the first day, arriving back in camp in the dark, had some good dutch oven food (chicken cacciatore for dinner and a hunter's breakfast), enjoyed the desert flora and fauna and played with the kids. It was a great time and with my special Santa Bolsa for protection, I'm ready to try something even more challenging for our next trip.
The ride down.
The hikers taking a rest on the trail to the oasis.
A common scene as we were getting close.
Evan and Jon crossing the stream just before arriving at the oasis.
The oasis and now it's time to be heading back.
To late, we all arrive after dark, but dinner is nearly ready.
Breakfast in the rain.
Cholla was all over the place. We were a bit early for the full array of the spring cactus flowers, but we did enjoy some color. 
No comments:
Post a Comment