Camp Pendleton is close to my work and the opposite direction from my home, so I decided to bring my bus to work with me on Thursday. Wednesday I went to the Kmart next to my work and asked them if I could park the bus in the parking lot the following day. They didn't mind, so I was set.
Prior to this trip, I built and installed an dining table in my bus. By prior I mean, I finished installing it a couple days before I left. Remember that the important thing is the word prior.
Wednesday night I went shopping. I didn't need much, because my mother always does the cook. Aren't mothers wonderful. I picked up some snacks, and drinks.
Thursday morning before work, I fired up the bus and tossed the few things I needed into it. On the way to work I stopped and picked up some ice. I left a litle early. I arrived in the Kmart parking lot, much earlier that I usually arrive at work. I parked it out of the way and walked up the hill to work.
Quitting time couldn't have come early enough for me. I walked down the hill, and fired up the bus. Before I hit the highway, I stopped at a grocery store for some dinner. I bought some California Rolls and a baked potato with cheese and brocholi, from the deli. I was hungry and really wanted to try out my new microwave and dining table.
It only took about 15 minutes to get to the Camp Pendleton Marine Base. I was a guest of a retired Marine. I was surprised how the guard just waved me onto the base. I was given instructions down to the camping spots on the beach, and it couldn't have been easier to find.
My mother's husband Don, met me on the road. I usually park next to them. Someone was already parked next to them, but they were leaving the next morning. I just parked in any spot, with the plans to move the next morning.
I should have know that my mother and her husband were waiting for me to have dinner. Oh well, who can say 'no' to lamb chops? Obviously not me.
Late Friday morning I moved my bus. The camp sites were on bluff over the beach. I pulled in head first, and had the most incredible view of the beach out my windshshield.
The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful. Saturday morning, the host alwasy fixes breakfast for the other campers. Ray and Barbara prepared a wonderful breakfast of egg salad, slice ham on toasted english muffins. They also had fresh fruit and beverages. It was all I could to not to eat more than two of the sandwiches.
Saturday night was Don's special fried chicken. His daughter Jean and his granddaughter Brittney came out for dinner. Don set up his portable propane fire pit, and we watched him fry the chick. I'm telling you, I was in heaven.
Sunday morning came much to quickly. After breakfast, I packed everything and stowed it for the trip home. When it came time to leave, I fired up the bus and pulled it out. I parked it and left it running, so I could say my good byes. I stood around talking longer than I had planned. When I looked over at the bus, it was making a funny knocking sound an smoking pretty bad. I jumped in it, and stepped on the accelerator a little. You should have seen the cloud that poured out the back. It quit smoking, so I decided to hit the road.
The trip home want too bad. There was a stalled vehicle on the freeway. Once I got past that, the traffic moved quite nicely. In all it only too about an hour to get home.