Itâs December 30, 2024, and Iâm wedged into the sofa at home in Taghazout, Morocco, wondering whether to stay here or set off on a surf trip through the Sahara for New Yearâs. I messaged a friend who was already in Dakhla, a far-flung town, to ask about the waves and the drive.
His reply came, âDakhla and the waves have been fantastic. The road is indeed long, but itâs such a cool experience.â
Decision made, weâthatâs me and Lola, my beach-loving Moroccan street dogâwere going.
Having studied the terrifyingly long 745-mile (1,200 kilometers) new section between Taghazout and Dakhla on Google Maps, all I could see were long stretches of nothingness through the Sahara and random towns that I believed had nothing to offer other than boredom. But perhaps thatâs what I needed.
I messaged a fellow surf and up-for-any-adventure friend, Kaja, to see if she and her two Moroccan dogs were up for traveling in a convoy. Me in a Dacia Duster, she in her motorhome. We both work online; digital nomads chasing waves and wifi, free spirits that love the freedom that comes from spontaneity. She said yes, and we set off the next day.