Omega Camp

Rita got her fancy new tires put on in Fort Bragg and we were off. The first hour or so was the super sketchy  winding part where I had to pull over a million times to let people pass. Surprisingly, I’m actually not annoyed at being the slow one. Once we got past that part it was much smoother sailing. Rita was clearly excited about her new tires. I could feel her soul come alive as she bounded along the open road with new and beautiful scenery. This is what her heart needed and she had a permanent smile on her face. Oh wait. Maybe that was me. I loved that it was hot- even clearly TOO hot… (I really hope we’re able to get Rita’s AC working next week. ) The air was so hot blowing in my window I had to roll it up. It was like being cooked in a convection oven. But I noticed I still had the smile.

I got as far as Grass Valley and needed to stop to check the directions as I knew I was close, and would lose cell service soon. I saw a Safeway and thought going in the AC might help me think clearly for a minute. I missed the turn in and thought the next parking lot went through so I turned in. There was a construction fence at the end and it was just a very narrow little lot. I panicked a little bit…how to get out?! I started to try to back around and someone else was trying to get out, so I ended up wedging myself into a parking space between 2 trucks to get out of her way. Now I was even more in a pickle and I realized I was definitely overheating (it was, afterall, 120 degrees in the bus)  and I should not attempt this now. I knew I shouldn’t be parked there...but I said honestly felt it wasn't a choice any more.  I got out and ran over to Safeway. When I got inside I realized how hot I really was. Everyone was giving me looks, too and I started to think people in Grass Valley are super weird. Then I realized my tank top was soaked in sweat, so it was in fact ME looking like the weirdo. I stared at the orange juice case for far too long, unable to think. I just wanted that orange juice. NOW. After staggering around the store a bit I ended up back at the orange juice and I just grabbed a big, organic bottle and started chugging it, right then and there, in Safeway. I finally went and paid for it.

Outside in the entryway shade and I chugged some more. A woman came out with her groceries and said “oh wow! you are making that orange juice look really good. I may have to go back and get some!” I said “it may be saving my life!” I was a little refreshed and needed to tackle getting extracted from that parking lot. As I began to back out, a little man came out of the nail salon and started yelling at me that I couldn’t park there. I said I knew, I was sorry and I was trying to leave! But he just kept yelling at me and put the “parking only for customers” sign in my way, hindering my exit. I managed to do a little back and forth and just squeak out of there without hitting anything. Did I mention it was over 120 degrees in the bus at that moment?!

I escaped Grass Valley and was climbing up into the Tahoe forest. 3,000 feet…4,000 feet. Rita was slow, but unphased. We stopped at an overlook and I realized cell service was done. We were on our own, the old fashioned way with the written directions Quentin gave me. I found the Forest Service road turn off, and I knew it was just 4 more miles and I was there! Oh that 4 miles. Took me almost an hour. The single lane, dirt road was super rutted in spots and very narrow. My speedometer was only registering zero mph the whole way. I was beyond thankful I got the new tires!! At one point I said aloud “holy hell Q! WTF have you gotten me into this time!?!?” Although he wasn’t with me, if you’re pissed off, scared and laughing at the same time, it’s definitely a Q adventure. I finally found the simple gate with a small K on it at exactly 4 miles in. I turned down an even steeper, narrower dirt drive. I wasn’t sure if I should keep going. I could see campers and small trailers down the way and thought well, if they can do it, I can do it…so down I went, hoping to hell there was space at the bottom to turn around.

Someone came and said hi to me- it was Frank not Kelly, but Kelly wasn’t far behind. I was welcome and immediately helped to find a level-ish spot to park. Kelly and Frank giving me specific instructions and feedback (plenty of room! Right now. Turn hard left now!) and got me nestled into a spot - pointing out thankfully. And only a slight uphill walk from the back to front inside ! I chugged more OJ, settled in. I figured out how to reconnect my propane tank, which I had gotten filled before leaving and couldn’t figure out. Rita was a horrific dust covered mess. I eventually made myself a salad with cooked chicken breast I had so cleverly bought from the Harvest Market deli - I am glad I anticipated not wanting to fire up the stove!

I wandered out to the ring of strangers sitting around and was offered a chair. I talked a long time with Steve who I eventually found out was Kelly’s brother and these 2 brothers were the space holders of this land. It was gold mining land they inherited from their grandparents. We were very near old diggings and a mining ghost town. I wanted to see it all! They’ve been coming here since the 70s around 3 times annually. Some of the kids/teens here now have been coming since they were babies. Everyone was super chill and friendly and I knew I would forget everyone’s names. I hoped I'd start remembering a few.

Kelly was telling me that there are wood scorpions out here (non deadly) and they glow green under a black light.  He had a black light flashlight and after dark, he led me around chasing the purple light.  We did not encounter any of these magically glowing scorpions and I started to suspect we were on some kind of Snipe hunt.  He let me take the light for a bit (I really had no idea where I was at this point...it was dark and about an hour before someone gave me a small, delicious brownie).  But then all of a sudden, I saw one!!! It was wild.  I was determine to get out again and get a picture next time.

It was a beautiful, relaxing, amazing next few days.  I met Tricia, an Omega newbee/friend of a friend - like myself.  We hit it off right away! She is a sailor and adventurer (who just left her husband of 7 years because she is ready to travel/move to Portugal and he wanted to stay at his job) and she quite possibly has a worse sense of direction than me.  We set off on a hike and I was given explicit, detailed instructions (mistake #1).  We saw some very cool stuff (a collapsed bus in the middle of the woods, the mining ghost town, etc.) but we were definitely lost in the woods for a couple hours. We had a great time! Not many people you could say are fun to get lost in the woods with.

Even though it was only a few days, it was great to be completely unplugged.  There was no cell service at all there, I couldn't work even if I wanted to.  Being able to work from anywhere means that I work everywhere. I don't usually get time of, no matter where I am! Luckily, I remembered very quickly how to just let go and BE.  It was the best!  Chasing the shade in camp chairs, sitting around the fire at night, sharing foods, getting to know kind and interesting people.  I didn't want it to end.  At random points, someone would yell " OMEGA OMEGA OMEGA" and everyone else would respond "Uhhh Uhhh Uhhh".  It was a scene to behold. It was not like some silly sporting event chant, it felt like there was so much more depth to it. Something simple that united a group of people who share the richness of layers and layers of memories in this place over the decades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tricia and I convinced Quentin to show us where the spring was.  The water was pumped up to the camp, and the outdoor kitchen dispensed the most delicious spring water ever.   If there was a path down to the spring, it had grown over...we had to bushwhack our way down.  But we finally got to a patch we could take a dip. The water freezing cold.  Not the coldest I've EVER felt, but definitely a bit shocking.