What We Learned During Our Ninth Month On The Road

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Today marks nine months since we locked the door to our house in Florida and set off for a year-long adventure in an RV. Here’s what we learned during the past month:

Now that we’re in the depths of winter and have survived a bone-chilling Arctic blast, with so much of the country getting hammered with snow, our respect for and appreciation of truckers and farmers is immense. We’ll remember that when the trip is over, and never take the growing and moving of our food for granted again.

You really can wear three pairs of pants at the same time, when you’re cold enough.

Some of the best food comes from places you wouldn’t go into if you didn’t have a recommendation from a person you trust. The dives, where all the attention is on the food and none of it is on the ambiance. We love our five-star dining with wine pairings, but damn, son…authentic BBQ or Mexican food from those grubby joints with lines out the door are heaven on a plate.

Appreciation. When you experience something completely new, that’s WAY out of your comfort zone, or you meet people who are not at all like-minded, taking time to slow your thought process and find a place of appreciation broadens your mind. We all grow up with preconceptions, and putting those preconceptions on hold allows you to fully experience the gifts this lifestyle can give. We don’t have to agree on everything to be able to agree on some things.

Hello, humidity! We forgot what humidity feels like. The dry heat of the deserts was challenging, and we went through a lot of water and moisturizer and Chapstick trying not to dehydrate completely, but now our jeans and our pillowcases are ever so slightly damp, and we’re not sure we like it.

Doggie diapers and tinkle pads are our new reality, as are 3 a.m. potty runs for our Ruthie. Campsites with grass around the rig are a blessing. Having to hike to the dog walk area makes Simon swear under his breath so as not to wake the neighbors.  Ruthie sniffing around the dog walk area as if she doesn’t have to go, then pooping in the road, makes him swear out loud. Lovingly, of course.

In our blog, What We Learned During Our Fifth Month On The Road, we wrote the following words about Jacques De Paep, a kind, generous, funny man we met at a campground in Sheridan, Wyoming, who, with his wife and their dog, was at the start of a grand retirement adventure: “We had no idea how much you’ll care about these new friends when they’re facing a sudden challenge. There is something very special about this community. How wonderful it is to have your heart expand this way.” Now, in our ninth month, our hearts are broken. We’ve kept up with Jacques’ health through his loving wife, Louise, and are devastated that his Earthly journey came to an end on February 10. Connections sometimes happen quickly, and our own RV adventure will continue with Jacques – the wild-haired man who was the first one out there to help another camper in need, getting rained on, but with a laugh in his voice and a genuine attitude of caring – firmly in our hearts. We are honored to call him our friend.