Community of Strangers
We have been full-time RVing on the road for six weeks now. Can you believe it? We embrace this new lifestyle because of the “community of strangers” we meet on the road. I read about this in RV blogs, but it is different to actually experience it firsthand literally every day! Here’s why I think this happens in this lifestyle:
Everyone is happy!
I believe happiness comes from the freedom we experience by having a new backyard every time we move the RV. As I write this post, I am looking at the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, AZ. The view is spectacular and I can’t wait to do some hiking on the trails! RVers don’t even have to be retired to be happy. We meet families on the road that are roadschooling their children while they live and travel full time. Many jobs can now be location independent. This means you can work anywhere, usually with a good internet connection. When Corporate America figures out there is a hard-working workforce out here, they will be get some great creative energy! Check out these two full-time RVer blogs to get an idea of this creative energy: RV Miles and More than a Wheelin’.
Everyone is helpful!
RVers are happy to help wherever they can. Just this past January, The RV Geeks shared a great boondocking site in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge they had just been to instead of hoarding the location for themselves. Dan and Lisa of Always on Liberty shared their knowledge on solar and lithium batteries with us so we could fine tune our system. Then, last Thursday, we checked into Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, AZ and the staff invited us to Friday night’s Bingo in the activity center. Mark won one of the games and they weren’t upset he won because he was an “overnighter”. They were truly happy for him! We extended our stay at this RV Park for 3 more days because of their generosity!
Sharing is caring!
When someone shares something with you and it helps you move forward, it is then easier to share something you know with others. Just yesterday, Tom, a fellow boondocker, was doing the same thing we do at an RV park, i.e., dump tanks, fill water and wash clothes. Mark chatted with him about solar and lithium batteries. It is fun to see Mark share his knowledge with others. Sometimes I wonder if he just might have a little bit of extrovert in him too! Quilting is my hobby and it’s been fun to run into quilters on the road! I have been wanting an accountability partner in getting quilting projects completed. Marianne is my new accountability partner I met in Quartzsite, AZ in January. We hope to meet up in March so we can see what we are each working on!
Being a “community of strangers”
This can be done wherever you live, whether you live in an RV or in a “sticks and bricks” home. Could you share happiness with someone that can’t leave their home or apartment? Could you be helpful to someone that is having problems with their car and they might need a ride to work or to church? Maybe you have knowledge you can share with others. What is something you could share? What are you passionate about? Don’t take too long to let opportunities pass you by. Just pay attention and see who needs what you can share. And, if you need help, reach out to someone you know. They just might be waiting for the opportunity to be community to you.
Finding Joy in the Journey,
Heidi of Loving the RV Life
Wonderful you guys! So happy you are having fun! That’s what it’s all about! I tagged you on Facebook! You are really close to where our friends Joe and Laura are. They are some wonderful people and I know you would enjoy their company! Take care🌞 Love and safe travels
Thanks, Janna! Glad we are RV Sisters now! Glad you enjoyed boondocking with us as well!
HI Heidi!!
It’s fun to read your posts and feel connected. You are having many great adventures and meeting nice people and I bet those people love meeting you and Mark too! You two are missing a February to remember in Minnesota!! We moved into 4th place for snowiest February ever at 20.4″ and there is still half a month to go!
A lot of what you say you enjoy about your RV life is a lot of what some of us “part-timers” love about our RV travels! It’s fun to meet people doing the same thing! There’s always a new adventure or site to see around the next curve in the road and the next place you park your RV! We LOVE doing this and have done it for years, since we sold our boat in ’11.
Now that we’re retired we get to do what you do, only for a certain length of time as we still love our home base near family where we have our creative spaces.. Phil’s wood shop and my studio. Two years ago we went for 51 days, 7,521 miles, 14 states, 15 national parks/monuments. We LOVED IT!! Our next adventure will start March 1st when we leave for 6 weeks going south. We have a rough idea of a route but we like deciding on the fly… making a reservation maybe a day or two ahead, or showing up at a place and finding a spot available. We don’t have the totally sustainable rig like you so we appreciate a campground with laundry every week or so. We love an electric hook-up and if there’s a water hook-up that’s luxury item. Often we use the campground or state/national park showers. SO… we can’t wait to hit the road. I always bring paintings along to work on when we’re around camp so I totally understand why you want some quilting projects going!
I’m glad you’re doing well and having fun! After you retire there are the “go-go years,” then the “slow-go years,” then the “no-go years.” Glad you’re making the most of stage 1!! I’m also glad we’re connected somewhat on Facebook.
If you come back to MN to visit the twin cities, you’re welcome to park at our place. We actually have a pedestal if you need it… but then you have your own power don’t you! We’d love to have you visit.
Stay healthy and keep having fun!
Love, Rollie
It is so fun to stay connected with you Rollie! You will have a great time on your 6-week trip in your camper. I will follow you on Facebook! You also make a good point that some of the same things that I talk about also apply to RV PT-Timers! Thanks for pointing that out!!