Tay doesn’t see the outdoors as a departure from everyday life, but an extension of it. Based in Southern California, her days already move between the beach, the skatepark, and long drives up and down the coast. So, heading into the desert to camp feels less like an escape and more like a normal weekend plan.
With her best friend and a Dometic equipped vehicle packed for the road, she heads out of the city without any sort of structure in mind. Just a general direction, plus the time and space for whatever happens in between.
“Escaping the city and daily life isn’t just about seeing new places, but more about slowing down and being present. It’s where I feel the most creative and grounded.”
The in-between moments
One of the joys of a proper road trip is having the time to stop wherever, and whenever you want. On the way out towards Joshua Tree National Park, the girls make some impromptu stops. Not forgetting The Ginger Rabbit, a small local spot near the park. And Joshua Tree Coffee Co. for premium organically roasted coffee. Both were welcome pauses in the day before drifting into the vast openness of the desert.
“Most of our time was spent just exploring! We climbed a lot of rocks, wandered through the desert (even saw a rattler), and pretty much just drove until we found places where we felt like stopping.”
As the afternoon sun dropped lower in the sky, the dust kicked up by their tyres hung effortlessly in the air. Now attention was turned towards finding a nice place to park up, and set up camp.
Camp as a base for freedom
With music on, the Dometic 2 Cook 3 Pro Cooker was fired up. Between Tay’s calm base and the setting sun was absolutely nothing but open desert. This is the sort of place she likes to find herself. The food which had been kept cool and fresh inside the Dometic CFX5 portable fridge, elevated the experience to its peak with easy, but delicious meals.
“All of our meals were pre-prepped, which made everything so easy but so so good. Honestly, it was some of the best food I’ve had in a while.”
After dark and with stars shining overhead, the volume dips to almost nothing. Perks offered with a car camping setup like this Dometic fitout grants you the freedom of movement. Taking your essential belongings down the most wild of paths, and the ability to park up and set up camp where you please. Essential gear such as something to cook on, something to sit on and somewhere to sleep in offers spontaneity. All that is asked for is that you create the time needed to get yourself out there to enjoy it.
To end the day, Tay pops open the Dometic roof top tent to create their sleeping space. As quick as it was to make their beds, they also fell asleep. Just the call of coyotes way out in the distance breaks the silence of this night.
“We slept in a rooftop tent on our vehicle, set up on open desert land outside the park. Off-grid and with an amazing view of the starry sky because there’s no light pollution out there!”
Simplicity + return to self
Who needs a grand plan or a far-off destination when what really matters is the moments between? For Tay, it’s simply about following the road and letting that time in-between shape the experience.
It isn’t just the landscape, but also the pace of the day and weight on the mind that feels more open and light. Shifting from spontaneous stops to quiet stretches of desert road, to time spent just being present. Nothing feels rushed, and nothing needs to be overthought.
“There may not be cell service but I usually come home with my notes app full of new ideas. Being in nature reminds me how little you actually need to feel good, usually just some sunshine and good company!”
Whether road trips are second nature or something you’re still figuring out, it’s less about where you go and more about how you move through the time in between. Making space to step outside, slow down, and notice what’s close by.
