Day 6: We start our road trip!

One last time getting up in the mixed 6-bed dormitory at the Amsterdam Hostel in SFO.

After a long and final shower, we started packing and tidying up, which is always a challenge because the suitcases seem to shrink :). But in the end, we managed to pack everything and stored it in the luggage room so we could head out for one last breakfast.  

The location had already been inspected and approved by us the day before. Strengthened and hungry, our next stop was the car rental to pick up our Nissan Versa. After some classic break-in stories and warnings, we finally got our key and could start the adventure of the road trip.

The first journey, from the car rental to the hostel, immediately had us sweating, as we had to navigate through American city traffic for the first time. With the luggage stored in the trunk, we headed straight to the famous Highway 1 along the West Coast of America. After 30 minutes, we made our first stop, as we were very impressed by the beach and the surfers in the ocean. 

Throughout the day, we made several stops like this and let nature take its course.
Slowly but surely, dusk approached and we filled our stomachs at a diner along the way. Having already bought supplies for breakfast, we found a parking space at the beach and prepared for the first night in the car.

One more short walk on the beach and then off to bed, uh... the car :).

Finally asleep and already dreaming, we were suddenly awakened by a young lady with a sheriff's badge on her chest, who said: 'Camping is not allowed at state parking slots' and directed us to a Walmart parking lot. In the middle of the night, slightly drowsy, we drove our silver car to the Walmart parking lot and tried to make the most of the remaining night, illuminated by the parking lot lights.