In early February I received an email from Susin from Dallas, a full-timer since last year with her husband, Clinton. She wrote to say thanks for the blog, which had been useful to them as they plotted the course of their life change. She shared a link to my site on hers, writing:
“The Lady is a Tramp – A single woman, former attorney with Crohn’s disease that makes no apologies for living the life she wants to live.”
I was so touched. I thought of all the RV blogs I obsessively absorbed in the year leading up to my metamorphosis, pleased that my own blather was helpful to someone, somewhere. I returned a quick note of thanks, suggesting that down the road, our paths would surely cross.
Susin’s email spurred a fond memory from the beginning of my RV journey in 2015. I was days away from finally hitting the road. Nellie was parked in a shithole of an RV park south of Seattle, in Kent, Washington. At au revoir drinks and dinner with friends in the city, we discussed my aspirations and inspirations for the blog. Jason and Nikki Wynn at Gone With the Wynns were role models; if The Lady Is A Tramp could possess even one-tenth the quality of their site, I would be content.
I returned to the crappy RV park in Kent to find the Wynns parked across from me! (They were en route to L.A. following their Alaska adventure.) I left a note of thanks on their door. They came over for cocktails and later mentioned it on their site. That’s how Susin, and a whole bunch of other people, learned about me.
Two days after the exchange with Susin, as I drove into New Orleans for Mardis Gras, I received the following email from her:
Ok – this is sooo freaky! First of all I don’t believe in coincidence but WHAT! I was helping Clinton back the RV this afternoon and imagine my surprise when I looked two spots over and noticed a decal on the back of an RV that looked familiar – It’s you! We are in spot 49 and will be here until at least the 19th. This is so …what are the odds?!
Before 2015, I would’ve said the odds were pretty low. Now? Not surprising in the least.
For the next few days Susin and Clinton and I had such fun at the park and in New Orleans, from bowling at the Rock and Bowl
to fresh red snapper dinner in their rig, and jamming on the ukulele while Clinton played guitar.
Thanks, universe. To paraphrase Donna Fargo, “I’m the Luckiest Girl in the Whole USA.”
You can check out Susin’s blog at Wanderlust on Wheels.
This Post Has 9 Comments
Happy to see you are still having fun out there. Some day we will be out there, too.
Every day is a winding road, Elizabeth. You get a little bit closer, as Sheryl Crow says. I recently saw an RV with the following above the windshield:
“Someday Came.”
I hope your Someday comes too, and soon.
Hi my name is Lisa. I live in Bangor Maine. This last summer you came to Maine and went to the oldest bar in Bangor called the Waverly. I know this because my neighbor Arlene went with you to Paddy Murphy’s restaurant here in town. I have been keeping Arlene up to date on where you have been going. We really enjoy your newsletter.
Lisa, I’m so glad you said hello! Please give my best to Arlene. We had such fun that day.
I’ll say it again. If you are ever in Greenville, SC (we have a lovely state park, Paris Moutain State Park), I would like to invite YOU over for a cocktail. Pups are welcome! I have enjoyed following you and will continue to do so.
I haven’t forgotten your generous offer, Elaine! I’m not sure when I’ll be back in South Carolina, but when I am, I’m definitely taking you up on it!
Thank you for allowing me to feel like I am on the road too!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Malinda!
It was great meeting you Tammy. Look forward to following your adventures and hoping one day I will be able to follow in your footsteps and say “I’m on the road traveling and living the life same as you”.