Event Coverage Into the Woods: A Hot Rod Camping Story

You guys are my heroes.

 

Awesome trip. I have to check out hyw 1

 

You are, indeed, LIVING your life. Thank you for taking us along on the ride(s).

 

Legends

 

Photo VNak 1967
Hello,

Great story and one of your best. It felt as if we were still young with an urge to see the world before it got a crazy as it did during our fun 20 something days of the mid to late 60s. It is still a beautiful experience, even in our latest (as of 2019) road trips and a nice coastal stop for a great view lunch respite.

On our early photographic road trips up to the San Francisco Bay Area, we always saw something different, despite driving up the same coastline, but, staying in a different hotel/cabins during our trips. We could explore the whole coast many times over, still find something interesting to see and photograph, besides cars/motorcycles.

Every time I see this photo in our photo archives, I get a huge chill. Not only was it an excellent sunset day, but after crossing the bridge in our El Camino to have dinner in Sausalito, the fog rolled in and made everything a dull grey. If you have seen San Francisco fog, then you know that I mean.

Near the Golden Gate behind a museum

But, the next day was bright and clear. We went early to the “best view” of the Golden Gate and the city coastlines. We had already been awed at Fort Point in the city bayside coastline. Now, it was from across the inlet to the bay from the powerful Pacific Ocean. For us, it was a great time, as no one was there. It was too early for most to wander around in the beautiful areas.

Within an hour, the fast current flowing out to the ocean was awesome. How do those sailboat guys manage that without motor power, we will never know. Although it does blow like stink coming from the ocean to the bay.


Jnaki

For those that have never been in this great city or surrounding coastal forests and shorelines, it should be earmarked as a road trip to take, hot rod or not. The forests are super green, dense and fun to walk around for several hours. The coast is a coastline not like So Cal, but a rugged coastal cliff and mostly rocky beaches. If there is sand, then the ocean pulls it downstream with the rough currents from the West and North.

The beaches are very raw and rough compared to So Cal sunny beaches you always see in the news or magazines. But, the ruggedness is what attracts those to explore these areas. After walking around the Golden Gate Peninsula area in forests and open spaces, on different road trips, we explored all of the rugged coastline for the sandy/rocky coastal experiences. Our favorite, Stinson Beach community was almost a place called home.

A rugged road trip to the Point Reyes Peninsula was eye opening. A long area of sandy beach with some of the most powerful winds we experienced on the coastal frontage. On one other road trip the following year, 1968, we made it to the Sea Ranch (80+ miles North)area to look at a future home.

Bundle up, even in the Summer as the winds pop up, the cold air is there and soon brings in the thick fog. Is it fun? You bet… it is just a different way to enjoy nature. All of the beaches up the coast are enjoyable, but enjoyable in a different way. We almost purchased a house and land two hours north of the Golden Gate Peninsula area. That would have been a completely different lifestyle versus our laid back So Cal beach era…YRMV

 

Thanks for bumping it to the top. I missed it the first time around. What an awesome time, and an excellent attitude. The best part about having a hot rod that is rough around the edges is that you can take them out and truly have fun with them, without worrying about possibly getting them a little dirty or a scratch or two on them.

 

You call it a camping story but it's also a Brother story. When we were kids Grandpa parked his 37 Ford by the barn and never drove it again. My brother and I sat in it and pretended to drive. 30 years ago I built the Ford truck from the bare frame and drove it to the spot it used to sit. My brother and I sat there and talked about our memories and drove it out of that spot, carefully steering to right to avoid the fence that is no longer there