Traveling in an RV for seven weeks affords one with the opportunity to contemplate a lot of big ideas. I often experience moments of quiet and silence either while we are driving these lonely, horribly paved roadways, or when we are parked in a spot for a few days and we’re just hanging out.
If we aren’t hiking or biking on a trail, exploring a town and its museums or shops, or cooling off in a pool or lake, then we are usually in the RV, relishing the fact that we have constant AC and space to spread out.
One of the big ideas that has been on my mind lately is the opportunity we have had to meet so many different folks from all walks of life and that we get to experience their life, if even for just a few short days. We walk along their Main Street, eat their local food, explore their claim to fame, like a mountain or lake or tourist attraction. We have conversations with strangers and make connections, even if ever so briefly.
In these conversations, I’ve realized that regardless of where we all come from, East Coast or West or especially in the middle, everyone is generally the same. Especially the RV people. We’ve all taken the time to meet at this mountain, to seek out an adventure, or to lend a helping hand to each other. We pause our regular lives back home and set out on the open road in search of something, a break from our life or a chance to see more of this amazing country.
I have found that we have more in common with each other than what folks on TV or podcasts try to make us believe. And our conversations have no political agenda, no need to convert someone to another way of thinking about an issue. No, this summer has been a respite from all the noise we are otherwise bombarded with on the news stations or media sources.
The old cowboy in Tombstone, the lovely mother of four we met on the North Rim, the sad bartender or the preppy, chilled-out teenager working the boat dock on Lake Powell – they all spoke in positive, hopeful tones, of happy summertime stories, of welcoming vibes and shared experiences.
This opportunity has reinforced to me that we are all Americans and are so privileged to live in such a beautiful, friendly, caring country and that we share a responsibility to continue this American experiment our founding fathers envisioned and fought for 250 years ago.
