My Badass Road Trip to California.
Part One.
Victoria to San Luis Obispo.
 

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Back in 2013, while driving from Disneyland to San Francisco with my pals Eric and Emily, we stopped at a place to eat that Eric suggested. The place was called the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California.

As soon as we rolled up, I fell in love. It was magical.

Every detail of this hotel, from the restaurant to the gift shop, was incredible. They had pink rose carpet, vinyl pink upholstery, and pink cakes. Pink, pink, pink galore. 

I had no idea that this place even existed. I was amazed.

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I told myself, one day I’d be back.

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Fast forward to this past Fall.

In November, I was turning the big 4-0. I wanted to adventure somewhere warm to celebrate my forty years on this earth. I was thinking of Mexico, but I wasn’t completely sold on the idea.

Something kept holding me back. 

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Back in September, I went to the theatre to see the David Bowie documentary, Moonage Daydream (if you haven’t seen it, go watch it!). At some point in the movie, I was inspired — maybe it was something David Bowie had said. I decided then to take an adventure, to drive to California and stay at the Madonna Inn. I felt like this was a badass thing to do.

And why not drive down?

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I don’t like driving long distances, and I don't like driving alone, so that would have been a big challenge for me.

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I booked my room at the Madonna Inn and went with the flow.

Pieces came together.  

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After my 40th birthday celebration with my friends, I packed up my things in my Jeep and hit the road. 

 

The trip started by taking the Coho Ferry to Port Angeles. This ferry gives me Wes Anderson vibes; it’s pretty neat on this boat. After docking in Port Angeles, I drove straight to Portland to spend a night with my friends, Dree and Nathan.  The next day, I headed out early for San Francisco.

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My dearest and oldest friend, Andy, whom I’ve known for almost 20 years, lives in San Francisco. He flew to Portland just to keep me company on my drive to San Francisco, where I stayed for a couple of nights before adventuring off, solo, to the Madonna Inn. 

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I’m super grateful for Andy; we had the best time doing touristy things. Even though I’ve been to San Francisco numerous times, it’s still amazing to have had this experience again.

I do love that city.

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But after a couple of nights in San Francisco, it was time to venture off to my destination — the reason why I was doing this badass trip in the first place — the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.

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Let’s do this.  Rock and roll. 

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I took the scenic route. I wanted to embrace every moment of this journey.

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I finally made it to the Madonna Inn. It was EXACTLY the same as I had remembered it.

I couldn’t believe I was actually there.

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I cried with excitement.

 

More of this BADASS trip coming soon…

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Shot with Fujica ST801,

Nikon EM, Minolta AF-DL.

Kodak Gold 200, Fuji 400 35mm,

LomoChrome Purple 100–400 and Black & White expired film, 35mm.