Taking a glance at the map from Vegas to Argentina, it was clear that heading up to San Francisco made about as much sense as wearing hiking boots for a swim. But if you know me, you know that practicality has never been my strong suit when friendship is on the line, especially when a friend like Kenny Lee is involved. Kenny and I have built a friendship on relentless heckling and have been trading barbs and jabs since our university days. While I was off idealistically attempting to save the world one person at a time, Kenny went full throttle into marketing, ensuring the world is psychologically branded for consumerism, one keystroke at a time. I have lovingly dubbed him “Capitalist Kenny,” and I carry the equally affectionate title of “Socialist Sheilagh.” Our differences make for endless jokes, yet we remain thick as thieves.
So, naturally, when I was within 800 kilometers of Sausalito and could make it for Kenny’s birthday, there was no question. Shevanigans and I rolled up to his impossibly steep driveway — an incline that required every ounce of her willpower— just as he and his nephew sailed up on electric bikes, sweat-free and smug. Shevanigans was huffing like a Victorian steam engine as Kenny greeted me with a taunt about my “tin can on wheels,” followed by a hug, because that’s who he is—equal parts sass and sentiment.
He and his fiancée, Elizabeth (a saint, let’s be clear), welcomed Finn and me into their gorgeous home. That night, we feasted on a spread that was peak Kenny: enough food to feed all of Korea, while Elizabeth diligently ensured everything was not just edible but exquisite. It certainly helped having a professional chef for a nephew (who, try as I may, could not be convinced to work in a van for free lodging). Over champagne, cocktails and Aperol Spritzes, we toasted to mutual friends and laughed ourselves silly, usually at a musical chairs of someone’s expense. Chatting late into the night with a few drinks under our belts afforded me the opportunity to get to know Elizabeth and Kenny’s nephew, way better. It was the perfect mix of bonding and quietly filing away potential blackmail material for future use—because isn’t that what friendship’s all about?”
Kenny, commenting that I had obviously been on the road for five months and smelled like a combination of campfire and wet dog, graciously ushered me and Finn toward the shed out back, declaring it our quarters for the stay…. OK, l admit: it’s actually his office, complete with a deck overlooking the bay and breezes that made San Francisco’s heatwave bearable. Oh, and he did offer the spare bedroom, but the outdoor setup was perfect for Finn and me. Yes, Kenny, you win this round of generosity. He also takes the joke-of-the-trip award. One afternoon, while Shevanigans was in for a much-deserved spa day at Valley Wagonworks (highly recommend these guys if you’re in town with a vanagon), Kenny sent me a Nomadland poster with my face as the star. Subtle, Kenny. Better yet, he sent a photo that had me fully convinced he’d slapped a Trump 2024 bumper sticker on Shevanigans while I wasn’t looking. At the time, I was hiking and lounging on the beach with Mathilda and Jonas, so I had to wait an entire day to confirm the van wasn’t avessel for political propaganda. Nicely done, Kenny. Those who know me and my love for April first, know I really do appreciate a well-executed prank.
The days flew by in a blur of Sausalito charm. We kayaked in the bay, sipped matcha lattes at a cozy café, and dined at the yacht club. Kenny arranged it all with his signature flair, though not without a commentary about how his yacht club wasn’t as fancy as Elizabeth’s. The sarcasm flowed as smoothly as the sake at our final dinner, where we indulged in incredible Japanese food and toasted with perhaps one too many cocktails. Let’s just say the conversation spiraled delightfully downward from there.
As if the Sausalito chapter wasn’t already bursting with joy, two of my dear friends from Afghanistan days, Julia and Ethan, joined me for a reunion. Julia picked Finn and me up in her much more maneuverable car, and we gabbed, laughed, and cried over drinks by the water before heading to the yacht club. Ethan, ever resourceful, was already at there by the time we arrived, using some magical reciprocal membership line to gain entry. Turns out, Ethan’s childhood was spent on this very bay, cruising the water with his dad. Watching them meet Kenny and Elizabeth was pure joy—like a sitcom crossover episode that somehow worked beautifully.
But wait, there’s more! Serendipity struck again across the street at a old time bar where I reconnected with Mathilda and Jonas, a German couple I’d first met at Busfusion in Ontario. What are the odds? It’s like VW vans have a secret tracking system to find their own. New friendships formed and more beer was to be had. Kenny, in a move that was equal parts generosity and thinly veiled yacht club pride, offered Mathilda and Jonas the use of the club’s showers. Mathilda and Jonas, now squeaky clean, were as grateful as Kenny was satisfied with his one-up on Elizabeth’s club. Win-win! Mathilda then crafted a beautiful card and necklace for Elizabeth, solidifying her place in my heart forever.
I even found time to catch up with my dear friend Henry. Lucky me, I’ve managed to see him three times now in California, and each time is better than the last. Really, who can complain about drinks overlooking a gorgeous golf club with great company where Sevanigans could soak up the solar. As always, we made grand plans for future meetups – here’s hoping Henry got the hints I dropped to comes to see me next time—maybe somewhere in South America? (Yes, that’s the formal invitation, again!)
The pièce de résistance? Ethan invited me aboard his dad’s boat for a cruise around the bay. We swam with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Finn happily paddling alongside us, and I couldn’t stop pinching myself – come on! How idyllic can one day be!? It was the kind of experience that fills your soul and leaves you unwilling to let the day end.
Before leaving Sausalito, Kenny, ever practical in his Capitalist Kenny way, helped me tackle van-life errands—laundry, van cleaning, and even an Amazon order delivered through his connections. He may roll his eyes at my “tin can,” but he still made sure she was in top shape. On my final day, I joined Mathilda and Jonas for a free music festival in the city, culminating in a performance by none other than Patti Smith. Go big or go home, right?
Feeling clean, rested, and mildly hungover, Finn and I bid farewell to Sausalito, Kenny, Elizabeth, Julia and Ethan. I left Sausalito knowing one thing for certain: my worlds may be scattered across the globe, but when they collide like this, it’s pure magic. I took the scenic 17-Mile Drive, snapping photos all the way, and eventually joined Mathilda and Jonas for a mini two-Vanagon convoy.
Let the VW fun begin!