D&T Kin: Gypsy Summer ’20

We’ve got a classic coastal California road-trip planned for you and your family this summer, and we’re doing it caravan-style!

We’ll spend a week driving and camping along the beaches and redwoods of coastal California, with a plan to be back in our home communities just in time to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice.

Think about that. Traveling up and down the coast with our brothers and sisters in faith, honoring our daily prayers all the way- it will be like our own little pilgrimage for those of us not making the Hajj this year.

And what an incredible itinerary!

We’ll start out camping along the beach just north of Malibu at Point Mugu before driving inland for two nights in one of our nation’s newest national parks: Pinnacles.

Pinnacles is a geological wonder with volcanic rock formations and caves to explore. I expect the days will be hot, but we’ve got a swimming pool in camp to keep us cool, God willing.

From there we make our way back to the coast, to the seaside villages of Carmel and Monterey where we can grab coffee, pastries, and maybe take an early dinner along Cannery Row, made famous by that greatest of American authors, John Steinbeck.

From there, we continue up north to California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains. We’ll spend a night there before moving on to Humboldt Redwoods State Park for a night along the Eel River and more of those glorious, ancient trees.

That’s our turn-around point. Driving south now, we’ll swing through the artist-colony of Mendocino for some trinkets and refreshment before making camp along the beach at Salt Point.

In the morning, we’ll make a beeline for Point Reyes Station for a required stop at the legendary Cowgirl Creamery for their organic artisan cheeses.

Next, we’ve got a long and winding drive through Big Sur, where we’ll take in some of the most dramatic coastal vistas in all of California before settling in for our final night together at Hearst San Simeon State Park, famous for its proximity to elephant seal rookeries and a media mogul’s quirky castle.

It’s an ambitious itinerary replete with sunrise hikes and campfire conversations, with open skies, fresh air, and excellent company. All but one of our campsites have showers. Most have flush toilets, and all have running water.

And if you can’t make the whole trip, feel free to break off or join in whenever and wherever you like!

Bring your family. Bring your friends. With nights spent in five state parks and one national park, this is going to be a week on the road that none of us will ever forget, may God protect us and keep us close for His sake.

Due to current public health recommendations to help limit the spread of COVID-19, this trip has been cancelled.

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