Exhale
The typical demands of daily life, on both body and mind, benefit from a reset from time to time. Emi Matsushima leads a busy and creative life out of Los Angeles but knows when it’s time to step away for a short trip. And the air is certainly different where she is heading.
For Emi, escaping ordinary life is less about running away, and more about pausing a routine which can often feel like life is on auto pilot.
“For me, escaping the city means coming back to myself. City life can be inspiring in its own way, but it also fills your mind with so much noise, stimulation, urgency, and distraction. When I leave, I can feel my body exhale. I start noticing the little things like the light changing, wind, and that time slows down.”
The way to explore
After arriving at Indian Cove Campground inside Joshua Tree National Park, Emi had no fixed plan. The joy in this experience was to do what feels good, tuning into the simplicity of a weekend in nature. Far from the dense urban environment she is used to, her Dometic equipped vehicle slotted neatly between incredible dramatic rock formations.
“Daytimes were spent driving around and taking in the grandeur that is the landscape of Joshua Tree. Outside I enjoyed a lot of walking, taking photos, scrambling on rocks and even some bouldering.”
Emi’s priority was to tune into curiosity rather than a checklist. Being in nature is her excuse to spend that bit more time in the camp chair, or out on the trail. The only limiting factory being the intense daytime heat of the desert.
“For me it’s less about checking off famous landmarks and more about how a place feels and it draws me in. I love following curiosity that way. Just turning down a dirt road, finding a beautiful pullout, climbing up somewhere for a better view and shoot some photos.”
Camp site comfort
A day spent moving through the desert heat naturally slows the pace. While navigating dirt tracks between dry shrubs, Emi begins to feel lighter on her feet and the weight of the city gradually lifts. As the day winds down, her thoughts turn back to camp and its comforts. The Dometic-equipped vehicle is carrying everything she needs, transforming time in the desert from something that feels less of a survival mission and into something far more enjoyable.
The experience turns from exploration to something far more effortless. With a delicious menu thoughtfully stocked in the Dometic CFX5 portable fridge, cooking becomes an enjoyable part of the day rather than a typical task.
“The food was incredibly well-prepped and stocked in the car. Everything felt thoughtfully planned with the easiest instructions, which made cooking feel effortless even in a remote setting. It allowed me to spend more time enjoying where I was, rather than thinking about logistics, which I really appreciated.”
That same sense of ease is found across the entire camping car setup. Arriving at sundown, the Dometic inflatable roof tent removes the usual friction of pitching a regular tent, inflating quickly into a sleep space that feels both stable and inviting.
“The roof top tent inflates quickly and creates a solid, protective space without the usual hassle of complicated poles or long assembly time. That ease makes such a difference when you’re arriving somewhere and just want to settle in and enjoy the environment.”
Across the setup, each piece of Dometic gear plays a key part. From the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet with running water to keep Emi properly hydrated, to cooking healthy and nutritious food on the Dometic 2 Cook 3 Pro Cooker.
“Washing your face, brushing your teeth, filling water bottles, rinsing gear. It sounds simple, but having running water in a place like this is incredible.”
Recalibration
Time in nature asks for nothing in return. The only requirement is to meet it with a sense of curiosity.
“It recalibrates something. I spend so much of my life creating, producing, being available, and nature is the only place that asks nothing of me in return. The desert especially. It's ancient and indifferent and completely honest. I always come back from trips like this feeling more like myself.”
Follow Emi: @emimatsushima (opens in new tab)
