Not a great night on Mike’s Road Trip

Well, last night was not one of the best days on Mike’s Road Trip.  It was one of those days where I did not have lodging set up and didn’t know where I would be laying my head for the evening. I have a press pass to tour the Hearst Castle today, so I wanted to stay in the area.  When I was planning this leg of my journey, I figured I’d rough-it and camp out since I’d be in the area for just the one night.

As the day neared, I checked the weather and it was not looking favorable, so I tried to obtain a hotel room through the “You Name Your Price” section of Priceline…I’ve often found this service to be quite lucrative in obtaining decent hotels at a fraction of the price when booking last minute.  For some strange reason though, the area I wanted to stay was “greyed out” or not available.  There was no way I was going to, nor afford to pay rack-room rate.  So, I decided I would just rough it in the rain.  I found a great, secluded part of the Hearst Castle State Park, albeit it was on the other side of a barricade that I ignored.

Anyhow, I decided I would just park and wait until well after dark before I figured out how I would arrange things so that I could sleep under my tonneau cover in relative comfort…while staying dry.  It seemed like the coast was clear, so I went to all the effort to move things to the top of my tonneau and then covered them with a tarp.  It was only 7pm or so, so I was talking with friends on the phone while passing the time…when all of a sudden I saw headlights!  “Oh…no,” I thought!  Then the floodlights came on…I was now forced to talk with the authoritative figure.

After a background check to make sure I wasn’t a felon, I was told to leave and was threatened with an exorbitant fine.  I attempted to explain that I was just passing through—that I had no money for a fine or a hotel room—and, nowhere to go that wasn’t more than an eight hour drive.

It was dark and raining and I was tired…did they want me to endanger my life and that of others on the road by forcing me to drive in inclement weather?  All I wanted to do was sleep through the night and be on my way.  Why is it a crime to sleep in your own car in a safe and respectful manner I ask?  I really can’t help but think there is a war going on between the Government and her people.  I mean, in what world is there a law that says you can’t park on public property (taxpayer land) and sleep through the night so not to endanger yourself or others?  What on earth is the problem with this…can anyone answer me that?

Since it was dark and raining, there was no hope in finding another place to pull off and sleep, so I went to a nearby town and found a fleabag motel for the night.  I had to part with a precious $65 dollars, which translates into a full tank of gas or food for several days.

No worries, it all works itself out.  In the meantime…it’s all part of the Mike’s Road Trip adventure.  🙂