I drove down to Monterey, CA from Almaden, in San Jose, on Wednesday, May 25th after an evening chat with my grandma and cousin Cameo. We spoke about Reggae music. My grandma shared wise words that I pulled up to the festival just in time to park my camper van in one of the last parking spots on the street – Casa Vera Way outside the El Castell motel just outside the Monterey Fairgrounds festival entrance at gate 5. It felt right – no planning whatsoever. My first time attending Cali Roots music festival was off to a great start! I popped out of the van after a few attempts of getting my park spot just right and met a nice guy named David with long curly hair, he had his van parked in the spot next to mine. He was planning to move it so he could park nearer his friends. I set up shop and walk across the street to the street, there’s a gas station called Alliance Mart, I wanted to grab a beer. Turns out the Alliance Mart folks have some of the best craft beer in the area. The friendly guy stocking just got in Rebelution’s collab with The Hop Concept, a West Coast style IPA. I grab a four pack thank the guy and head back to the van to crack one open. First beer in my new camper van! It was such a great experience sitting outside the festival in my cozy full size memory foam mattress nice a warm drinking an ice cold beer with the anticipation of a 4-day Cali Roots festival experience!