You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you just might find...

Poppesicle bought a Vanagon. A Cabernet colored rubber tramp road trip machine built for adventure, codename: Cab. It was down in San Diego so a road trip was needed to pick up the road trip machine. Valiant and daring I, as usual, offer my assistance. dolt.

Here's the plan, Poppesicle, her little sister Bob, and Chowdown rent a car and drive it to San Diego, pick up Cab, drop off the rental, get some tacos and return to Los Angeles in fine fashion. Go Team! Simple right?

Riva's Fish Tacos

Set back #1. The owner of the lot where Cabby resides isn't there when we arrive. No big deal simply skip to the Taco part of the plan. Some quick Internet research provides us with a place 15 minutes away called Las Cuatro Milpas. supposedly bomb. Simple Right?

Las Cuatro Milpas is closed, but a neighbor claims there is a place of decency down the block. Riva's Fish Tacos it is. The Taco's are passable, but everyone burns the roof of their mouth on refried beans to start off so flavor becomes an unimportant factor. Fresh Squeezed juice is also available and partaken. Bob spills Strawberry Banana Smoothie on herself. I laugh, its funny. I spill OJ on myself. Everyone laughs, its not funny.

Back to the Lot. Let's get Cab and get back to LA asap. . . . . . .

uhhhhhhh. so there's a a delay here and a delay there. no Biggie, I mean you're buying a car...no, not even a car...it's a Vanagon, a dream machine. How many of us have had that romantic idea of taking that all American drive around the land? Stash the map and choose some long stretch of highway. Drive into the vanishing point and let it take you to wherever it is you are going and to whoever it is you're going to become. It's harder and harder with all the little fake connections we have. Cells phones, facespaces....Blogs. Don't misunderstand, I'm not talking about a simple road trip. I have taken, do take and will take many a road trip in my time, but to go out alone with every intention of becoming lost is something altogether different. Lose yourself and all the unimportant attachments, so that you can find something truly new.

What strange epic feasts would be discovered and never forgotten?

Now many of us never do such a thing, we might have every intention of doing it, but time passes swiftly by and the tangible plans of our youth become the impractical dreams of our adulthood. And there is fear there as well and I dare say loathing. (Yes I went there)

What if I don't like what I find?

What if I don't wish to return?

Back to the purchase. So you're buying the dream machine. It can take time. Sunset is approaching when we finally get on the road towards the Airport. I behind the wheel of Cab. Poppesicle and Bob tailing me in the rental Rogue. It feels good. I can sense the building of imagination and future nights under nothing but wine soaked stars as I raise my fist triumphantly out the window. In my Mind's eye I imagine its an iconic sight to behold, the dream machine silhouetted by a setting California sun, the maiden mile of hundreds of thousands. What I don't see in mind's eye is the black smoke emitting from the rear of the Van. I do however begin to feel the PUTPUTputpuhuhhhh...and the dwindling power of the motor.

Pull over. Engine conks. crap.

The lot is not picking up the phone. double poop.

Drive back to the lot in the rental. Everyone is gone. triple shit.

Do not distress. remain calm. look at your options....fuckfuckFUCK!

We find a nearby mechanic, one who will accompany us back to the stall and help us revive her. Too much fuel this, not enough air that, and we're all driving back to the shop where the real problem can get a good "how's your father". On the way back however Cab looks good and the mechanic claims the problem has been fixed, enough so at least so that we can take her back up to Los Angeles tonight.

Heavens be praised!!!! Poppesicle asks God to hug her.

All sorts of grateful blasphemy ensues.

Sorrow to elation in an instant.

And we're back on the road and Cab feels better than the first time. stronger and more motivated until...it happens again.

All sorts of angry blasphemy ensues.

Still no answers from the phone number at the Lot. We ditch Cab and drop the key off with a tow-truck driver the mechanic introduced us to who happened to work for the guys who owned the lot(don't ask). Sorrow ride into the darkness. A phone call finally comes from the Lot owner, he left his phone at home to charge. He at least is willing to do his part and fix the problem. Stand up guy considering.

Tired, Dirty, Hungry. But we must get out of Dodge. We cannot stop for food or gas lest we wish become a fixture in the San Diego urban countryside. But Bob is starving and wants white rice and teriyaki Chicken, Poppesicle will stop for sushi. This sounds about right and we intraweb a spot about an hour into our journey homeward.

Taka-O Sushi-San Clemente

taka-OOOOOh. I have stated my issues with Sushi since Katsu is gone, but I felt that with present company now was not the time to bring it up. And all said an done it's was some of the more satisfying sushi I have had in recent days. Not Close to Katsu, but perfect for what was needed. A gem in a day of weary travels.

So long as the company is good and there is a willingness move through the dangers and setbacks together with if not a smile then at least steadfast resilience then all is well. These are the kinds of meals to be had with a companion like Cab in your life. I realize on the road, in her journeys, Poppesicle will have days of happiness and days frustration(perhaps even days where both combine). Where you're so hungry you can't think, but so tired you can't lift a fork to your mouth. These are the days that make for great story. These are the days where the mundane will taste better than grandmother's apple pie.

These are the strange epic feasts you will discover and never forget.


ciao