It's always been a dream of mine to head out on the road in a VW van, bumping the finest tunes with the windows down and the breeze just right. Well, all of my hippie dreams came true recently when we rented the most magical '78 Riviera van from Vintage Surfari Wagons and went on a desert adventure. Below is my film diary of our Desert Tour '78 in a van named Rell Sun after a famous Hawaiian (female!) surfer.
So where are we headed you may be asking? Red Rock Canyon State Park in Kern County, CA. After doing a little research on the routes to take, we found that the Angeles Crest Highway would not only be a quicker route, but also more scenic and the van could cruise along 'in it's element'. So here Isabella and I are, capturing the photo to start the adventure, off of the Angeles Crest Highway! The weather and the views are superb, and I don't think it is possible for us to feel more badass than we do in the photo above.
Darren and I are all smiles the whole way leading to our arrival at Red Rock Canyon, because this is unlike anything we've experienced before. And we love it.
Finally! We've made it to our first destination, and the sunset fills our eyes with vibrant colors and contentment.
In the morning, Isabella brews the crew some coffee while looking like a lil' 70s bohemian angel!
Meanwhile, I find myself shooting photos of the van non-stop because I'm all too obsessed with capturing this thing!
Here's Darren smiling ear to ear because he just had a hot cup of coffee and is taking in the alluring views of Red Rock Canyon.
I mean, just look at how enchanting it is! These column-like rock formations are all over the park in different shades of red, orange, and brown.
TJ is feeling those nice coffee-filled, desert vibes as well as he soaks up some vitamin D.
Now that we're all filled up on coffee, Isabella spoils us with her delicious migas.
Causing TJ to feel like a rockstar (and look like one too).
Darren's over here feeling like spiderman, climbing the walls of Red Rock Canyon.
Now that our day has officially begun (after coffee + breakfast), we're saying bye to our '78 beauty (aka home base) as we head out on a day trip to Fossil Falls.
So here we are, on the road again.
We pass by Isabella's sign (the perfect photo op).
We've now made it to Fossil Falls after stopping by Indian Wells Brewing Co for a nice brew! Darren is enjoying himself as he captures moments left and right.
Fossil Falls surely is magical!
The desert looks amazing on these two, too.
There's Little Lake and the Fossil Falls volcano in the distance.
Isabella and TJ sitting on the volcanic rocks was too good not to capture.
We're back to home base, our quaint little van, where we enjoyed another beautiful sunset and a fire. It's starting to feel a bit like home in this thing!
I accidentally, but thankfully, woke up for sunrise and had to capture the sky - because, look!
It's time to take this adventure over to Palm Springs, CA and enjoy being poolside near some mid-century modern architecture. We stayed at The Saguaro, a technicolor hotel with an amazing pool and stunning views of the mountainous desert. The gradient colors of the hotel were inspired by indigenous desert wildflowers. Some more hue heaven for you!
The van looked amazing with the vibrant colors, fitting right into the palette. So, naturally, I added in some cobalt blue!
The color game was also strong inside the rooms! We ended up with the orange room, with purple floors and orange curtains. The natural light coming in through the curtains was dreamy.
And so were the beds.
OK, enough drooling over our room and the hotel's architecture, it's time to relax in the pool. Darren is all for that idea.
Life. Is. Good.
Especially when we spend it hanging out on the balcony with a cold brew.
To end the adventure the right way we had to stop by Ace hotel for breakfast. And also to capture the van posing nicely against the matching Ace art installation.
Well, the trip has come to a close, but we wish we could have this '78 Riviera from Vintage Surfari Wagons forever!
All photos shot on my Canon AE-1.
