Camping, Cooking, and Community: A Visit from Ang and Parerna
In the fall of 2023, we received an order from a customer in Southern California who chose to pick up their R1S Kitchen and Bed Platform in person rather than have them shipped. When Ang and Parerna arrived to collect their order, it was the first time we met. Two years later, we feel like friends. Even our dogs have met each other (even if they don’t exactly like each other).
Ang and Parerna love to camp—a lot. Both are nurses with flexible schedules that allow them to get out frequently. And Parerna, an avid cook, is particular about her kitchen setup. About a year ago, they reached out with a question about their R1S Kitchen. After many bumpy trail adventures, a few screws had worked loose. Matthew talked them through the fix, but when we realized they’d be driving right past our workshop on their way home from the Humboldt Redwoods, we invited them to stop by instead. Matthew made the adjustments, Ang, Parerna, and their dog Appa got to stretch their legs, and we got the bonus of a quick visit.
Fast forward to May: Ang let us know they were selling their R1S to a friend—kitchen included—and switching to an R1T. Parerna made it clear: no camping until they had a new Thunderbolt Kitchen for the truck. Within a week of taking delivery of their R1T, they were back at our workshop to pick up their Thunderbolt Overland Camp Kitchen.
Of course, they didn’t stop there. After researching the myriad options, they decided to add a SuperPacific X1 camper top to their build. While they could have had it installed in Southern California, Ang and Parerna are always up for a road trip, so they drove all the way to Portland, OR for the install. On their return trip to LA, Parerna texted to ask if we could make a minor adjustment to the Gear Sled. Naturally, we said yes—we were excited to see their new camper top in person.
She also asked for camping recommendations near the Bay Area. Knowing how much they loved the redwoods in Humboldt County, our first suggestion was Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Campsites there can be tough to get, but with school back in session, a mid-week reservation was thankfully available.
After waking up under the redwoods and enjoying the coastal cool air, they rolled up to our warehouse and let us check out their updated rig. Matthew made the Gear Sled adjustment (and showed Ang how to do it himself next time). The dogs had their reunion, we swapped notes about dispersed camping near Mount Shasta (they had fewer mosquitoes), and then Ang and Parerna were on their way.
We’re hoping to plan a group camping trip together sometime soon!
