Tag: friends

Finding Hope As We Travel Across America

January 2, 2024 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Where do you find hope in today’s world?

Rich and I find hope in the people we meet and the friends we make.

As we travel across America, our paths cross with countless individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with their own stories of struggles and triumphs.

It’s amazing to hear some of the stories that have led different people to move into an RV and travel. It is in these stories and these people that we find the most hope.

We met a man who wanted to join the strongman competition in the state of Washington. He succeeded this year to win second place.

We met a single lady who had just divorced her third husband and went on the road to find herself. She is the nicest person we have ever met.

We met a man from Cleveland, Ohio, who became sober and now lives in a camper on the road because he lost his house and it is easier for him to stay sober when he is not around his family, friends, and neighborhood. He is truly an inspiration for the human spirit.

We see the kindness of strangers offering help to fellow RVers in the campgrounds all across America. When a new RV or camper pulls in, three or more men head toward them to greet them and see if they need any help. These memories are constant reminders to us that even in our darkest times, there is always going to be a flicker of light nearby.

In the time we have been traveling, we have learned that this journey we are on is not always about the places we go or the sites we see but the people we meet and the stories we hear.

With each encounter, we are filled with hope for humanity and are inspired to believe in the future of the world.

It’s a new year. The best is yet to come.

 

 

RV Life Daily Blog – 1/1/24

Monday, January 1, 2024 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

I spent the morning reading and writing, drinking coffee, and watching some news. We haven’t watched any news for a couple of weeks, and I thought it might be wise to catch up on what’s going on in the world.

Elvis Presley movie on television. Photo by author.

Then, I watched the 1966 Elvis Presley movie “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” I love all of his musical movies.

Our new RV friend Alex asked if we could drive her to Gulf Breeze, Florida to look at a vehicle she wants to buy. It’s a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker.

We jumped at the chance to go for a drive and help her out.

Having Rich along was great for her as well so he could help her check everything out before she bought it. It was a good deal for the price she paid and now she will have a working vehicle to drive.

The house where the vehicle was had some beautiful blooming azaleas in the yard and of course I had to photograph them.

Alex bought the Tracker and then took us out for lunch to thank us for driving her there and helping her.

We ended up at Olive Garden which was not very busy on New Year’s Day and we were seated right away.

Rich got classic lasagna and I got chicken parmigiana. Oh my gosh, it was so good.

I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow.

After lunch, we drove under a graffiti bridge and I got some quick photos of it.

Making new friends and helping each other out is what the RV traveling community and lifestyle is all about.

For example, another neighbor named Walt is an enjoyable character who is parked across the street and he needed some tools to work on his truck. He said his tension pulley was squeaking.

Rich was the first one to offer his set of tools. Walt didn’t have the right-sized ratchet to reach where he needed to reach, but Rich did. Having a decent socket set and ratchet is a must in the RV.

We drove past a Veterans Memorial Park and I snapped a quick photo of the helicopter on display. I wouldn’t mind stopping there sometime.

By the time we got home, it was completely dark. We sat down and watched another Elvis Presley movie. This one was titled, “Girl! Girls! Girls!”

Elvis Presley movie. Photo by author.

I could barely keep my eyes open during it and went to bed shortly thereafter.

See you tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

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RV Life Daily Blog – New Year’s Eve 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

We started the day with breakfast and mimosas. Afterward, Rich helped a neighbor lady fix her television that wasn’t working, and I spent the entire morning reading and writing.

A good Mimosa is just pulp-free orange juice and good brut champagne. Half and half, or two-thirds orange juice and one-third champagne. Depends on your personal preference as to how strong you make it.

We video-called family and watched them open the Christmas presents we sent.

The toys, games, and books were a hit with the grandsons.

After the youngest grandson decided he was done and turned us off, we headed to The Wharf in Orange Beach for supper and New Year’s Eve music and fireworks. A couple we met at the campground followed us there.

We parked the car and walked toward the main street and noticed confetti on the ground everywhere we looked. Earlier in the day there was a confetti drop for the kids. How fun it would have been to be there for that.

We headed to Yo Ho Rum and Tacos for supper. We found this place a while back and loved it. The ambiance makes us feel like we are in a high-quality place while eating reasonably priced-food. Tacos are only $4 each here at regular price and are amazing.

We visited and talked and laughed while watching the sunset in the west.

After supper, we headed to the Boat Bar and sat in some of these blue chairs near the band. The four of us had a blast drinking and laughing and people-watching. I found out that the lady we were with has the same birthday as me. How often does that happen?

I was glad we showed up early, ate some food, and found perfect seats before the huge crowds showed up. It was quite chilly once the sun went down and we were cold. We all had on long pants, long sleeves, and coats and we were still cold.

Some of the people, especially young girls, walked by wearing shiny miniskirts, four-inch high heels, and skimpy tops. They looked beautiful, but I bet they were freezing in the 40-degree temperatures.

I never did find out the name of the band, but they were quite good. They played a mixture of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. I heard a lot of Elton John songs, Fleetwood Mac, and even some country songs by Alabama.

It was a great New Year’s Eve. It ended up getting too cold for us four old people to stay clear until midnight. We left at 10:30 as it was also getting too crowded and too loud. We wimped out on the fireworks.

Crawling in bed at 11:30, we were able to hear the huge fireworks at midnight only two miles away. I have seen so many fireworks in my lifetime that I was able to close my eyes and see them as I listened to them.

It was a great way to end the year of 2023. We had a nice evening out with new friends, good food, and good music.

I hope you had a nice New Year’s Eve too.

Thanks for reading.

The Accidental Friends We Make Along Way

September 19, 2023 – Traveling With Rich & Julie

The best part of RVing is the people you meet along the way.

One of the things Rich and I love most about traveling around to different campgrounds is meeting new people and making new friends.

Rich is always walking around the campgrounds and talking to everyone. He finds out where they are from, what they do for a living, and where they are going.

I am usually the quiet one, just listening.

But there was one time when I made a friend. We were in the state of Washington at a state park campground. Neighbors pulled into the site right beside us. The dogs didn’t seem to like each other and were barking the entire time these people were trying to set up.

Eventually, when the dogs calmed down, the man came over and introduced himself and it was as if we had always known him. Soon his wife came over and she and I hit it off immediately. We talked for hours.

We spent a couple of days getting to know each other and spending time together. I believe when you feel an instant connection with someone you need to listen to that feeling and embrace the connection.

Rich and I still stay in touch with this couple we met in Washington and hope to get back out there to see them.

Before we left the state, they invited us to their home and fed us steak and crab legs. We had a wonderful visit with them, and they will always be important to us.

I can’t wait to head south in a couple of weeks and see what new friends we will meet this year.