Point Mugu

Ah, yes, Point Mugu—a landscape that few will visit and even fewer will contemplate visiting. It's a small stretch of coastline along the central coast of California; unbothered and unique in its own right. Isaac is driving up from Los Angeles and Cayson down from Lompoc, a small town northeast of Santa Barbara. It would be the first time all three of us got together since early September. I was the first one to arrive at Point Mugu, parking my van next to the obvious 20-foot rock that boasted a few climbing routes. There is no surprise why we met here. I hopped out of my van and to my unpleasant surprise, I stepped on a bloody condom, thinking to myself what a genius and friendly place for someone to toss their bloody rubber. A better man than me would have picked it up and tossed it away, but today I was not that man. Eventually, Cayson and Isaac trickled in one by one; hugs were given and smiles were loud. A beautiful reunion, I’d say. We climbed Point Mugu Rock and I can say it was eventful. Yeah, the rock might not be 500 feet with beautiful cracks, but it was a rock, and when you're climbing a rock with friends, things can’t be so bad. Afterwards, we sat on the beach and talked—about this summer, this winter, jobs, and lots of nonsense. We were all going to be spending some time with each other over the next few days, and in my head, I thought it was a great way to start my journey.