Day 30: Outfitting Ashley with Gear at REI

The final days of chasing down gear for Ashley had arrived. After weeks of tracking REI orders from store to store, I was finally in Eugene where everything had come together. Waiting for me: the Yakima EXO SwingBase Hitch and its trusty companion, the EXO GearLocker. Both had landed since I placed the order five days ago. Of course, a day later I caved and added more accessories to the mix—the EXO TopShelf and EXO BackDeck—because when they go on sale, why not?

I told myself it was smart to save money while in Oregon, where there’s no sales tax. But as I sat tallying the cost of extra hotel nights just to wait around for these deliveries, I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. The “savings” likely vanished into room charges. Still, it’s all part of the journey, and this road trip wouldn’t be my story without these twists.

Before heading to REI, I called ahead about parking. The staffer suggested my best shot was nabbing one of the two street spots directly out front. With the summer heat creeping in, I aimed to arrive before noon. My goal was modest: get the SwingBase installed today and save the GearLocker for tomorrow. Since the Airbnb lot was a bit tight, I didn’t want Ashley sticking out awkwardly with a full rig attached.

I prepped carefully—removing the hitch step, lock, and stabilizer I’d installed last month—so things could go as smoothly and “without a hitch” (pun fully intended) as possible.

And the universe delivered. When I pulled up, one of the two spots out front was open—and shaded. Perfect.

Inside, the line was daunting, at least 15 people deep, far busier than what I’d seen in Beaverton or Hillsboro. Not wanting to leave Max waiting in the car for long (though he was shaded with a fan and cracked window), I asked if there was a separate line for online pickup. Pat at customer service told me no, this was it. To my relief, the line moved fast. When it was finally my turn, Pat not only helped me retrieve my order but also arranged for someone to help with the 80-pound SwingBase.

I’d studied the installation videos and knew it wasn’t complicated, just heavy. A male staff member carried the box out, but soon excused himself when a young woman arrived to assist. She was proactive, kneeling right down on the blanket I had laid out on the sidewalk and helping me unpack and prep the parts. For the next 20 minutes, the two of us worked side by side, puzzling through bolts and alignment.

People passing by slowed to watch—some amused, some impressed. One woman smiled and said, “This should be in the ad.” Two women on the sidewalk, assembling a hitch swing with determination—it wasn’t the usual REI parking lot scene.

The design itself drew comments, too. The swing-out feature is ingenious, and it’s the reason I chose it. Practical, sturdy, and a bit of a marvel once it’s in place.

And the best part? My unexpected helper’s name was Ashley.

How fitting that Ashley, the woman, helped me equip Ashley, the car.

Afterward, I drove back to the Airbnb and found a parking spot I could back into, hiding the new hitch from view. I had no desire to go back out again, so I settled in for the evening—binging more Netflix and had leftovers from my Uber Eats delivery. It was the perfect low-key ending to a day that had been equal parts practical and serendipitous.