Alone But Not Alone

Being on the move as I am I spend most of my time doing fairly solitary things, whether it is driving, sitting in a restaurant, puttering around my camper and the campsites, grocery shopping, laundry, writing this blog, reading and catching up on news, etc. But every few days I have an opportunity to engage with someone for a time. The encounters are fun and memorable, and even though fleeting, they carry meaning and connection when you are otherwise traveling solo. For a brief bit of time you rejoin the human community, and can have a more interesting conversation than the one-sided ones you have with your dog all day long (or with yourself). I’ve written about several of these special people already, but here are some of the interesting folks I’ve come across in the last couple of weeks (who graciously permitted me to take a photo knowing it might end up here):

This is Toni - Felton, California

Toni and I were the only ones in the laundromat at 7:30 one morning in the cute little town of Felton, California, at the bottom of the hill from the Hallcrest Vineyards where I had spent the night. She guided me on which machines were the best ones to use, which ones were finicky, and when my credit card didn’t seem to work, she tried to help me trouble-shoot (I ended up cashing a $20 bill and using quarters as the path of least resistance). We bonded as we chatted while waiting for our laundry, and when I told her about my road-tripping adventure, she told me stories of how her family would take off and road-trip around the country every summer when she was growing up. No summer camps, just amazing family road trips. When she was in middle school and had to write the standard “what-I-did-over-the-summer” essay her teacher was so blown away by her unique experience (that was totally normal for her) that she had Toni read the story to the entire class. Such fun getting acquainted and sharing family histories!

This is Nancy - Sunol, California

Nancy and I are members of the same FaceBook women van camping group and when she knew I was headed to the San Francisco area, she suggested a meet-up. She lives in Berkeley but drove to Elliston Vineyards where I was staying and we bonded over wine, charcuterie, dumplings and tea. She introduced me to the art of gongfu tea-making practices, which I was completely unfamiliar with. It was great fun getting to know her, and I learned a lot about both tea and wine while we sat and chatted! Will definitely be in touch on my next trip to San Francisco!

This is Tana - Mendota, California

Tana has been a full time van camper for quite a number of years. We had a wonderful time getting acquainted when we inadvertently crossed paths the afternoon we both pulled into Cardella Winery where we were spending the night. She has criss-crossed the country several times, and pulls a car behind her rig so that she can park for longer periods in one place and still get around. Her van is bigger than mine so as a full-timer it’s nice she has more room to move about. She often parks for weeks at a time but then gets up and goes whenever the mood hits, and is often on the move for several months at a time. She has a number of other van lifer friends that she meets on the road and takes trips with. What an inspiration! When morning came we went our separate ways. She was headed to Las Vegas, Nevada and I was headed to Barstow, California. (she’s holding the bookmark I gave her in the photo and so we have a way to stay in touch)

This is The Barn, just off the freeway in Newberry Springs near Barstow, California.

There were three campers staying in the parking lot of The Barn the night I was there. This is the only business still alive in Newberry Springs on old Route 66, and the nearby abandoned motels and gas stations and restaurants are just shells, beaten into faded ghosts of the former vitality that this little town once represented. However, Jazzy, the barkeep who greeted me when I wandered inside, couldn’t have been more welcoming (I didn’t get her picture, which is why you get my van instead). And I learned that this solitary, forlorn-looking little bar is actually a favorite haunt for the locals in the area, and they hold various events, including live music, karaoke and vintage swap meets at this popular location in order to keep interest and business alive. I was happy to have one of their delicious pizzas and support their cause, and they were gracious enough to let me stay overnight on their property.

This is Deb and … darn it! I forget her little dog’s name - Cool Springs, Arizona

Deb is the proprietor of the only business standing in Cool Springs, Arizona, which was at the end of the “Sidewinder” 8 mile stretch of the Route 66 between Oatman and Kingman that I wrote about in my last article. Deb’s store was a delightful hodgepodge of everything you can imagine you might need or want, whether it is toothpaste, candy, a postcard or a tacky Route 66 souvenir. She had it all. Of course I had to buy something, so the rusty coyote sitting on her counter is now sitting in the back of my van, as is the rusty “welcome” sign sitting beside it. What you see in this picture is basically what her entire store looks like, inside and out.

This is Sunny and Timber - Flagstaff, Arizona

You never know who you might meet while having breakfast on a dog-friendly patio. Those of us camper travelers like to take our furry friends with us when we eat out when possible, so Sunny and I found ourselves having coffee with our dogs just a few tables from each other at the Toasted Owl Cafe in Flagstaff one morning. We started talking and lo and behold! she’s in the middle of a cross-country trip as well, and has been out camping in her truck since the end of September. She’s now headed west to her home base in Big Sur, California and I’m headed east to my home base in Michigan. We just happened to cross paths at the Toasted Owl, and had a fun time getting acquainted (I had pretty much finished my meal when she arrived, but I’m not sure she ate much of hers because we were talking so much). When we were finally ready to leave we took pictures, shared a hug and then went off in different directions. She has a job that lets her travel all over the country for months at a time, and she pretty much knows all the places one might ever want to explore.

This is Marley on the left, artisan

extraordinaire standing in front of some of her wares, and Deni on the right, proprietor of this unique shop that features only work from area artists. Deni is also one of the artists - Winslow, Arizona

With so many different types of art represented, it was difficult to keep myself from overspending, but I had fun chatting with both ladies as I perused the items, finally settling on a pair of silver earrings. I’m always happy to support local artists in the places I visit and this little shop in Winslow was a bit off the main drag so I was glad to find it. Thankfully, it did not have one single kitschy, silly, mass-produced souvenir in the entire store. They also welcomed Sadie in the store, always a bonus when I’m roaming the streets.

When I told them what I was doing and gave them each a bookmark, Marley handed me a piece of turquoise and said that in her culture the turquoise has protective power and is something given to a traveler to keep them safe. She wanted me to have it. So touching and so meaningful! Thank you Marley!

This is a set of stalls selling Navajo art at the Little Colorado River Gorge Scenic Overlook near Cameron, Arizona

Here I met Lucille and Betty, selling some beautiful jewelry and pottery and of course I had to buy a sample from each. I enjoyed chatting with them as I looked over their items and learned about how they were made. The jewelry I bought is made with cedar seeds, and the piece of pottery is white clay infused with horse hair, feathers and sugar. Somehow it didn’t feel appropriate in this setting to ask for their pictures so I didn’t.

This is Ryan Whyld - Grants, New Mexico

Ryan greeted me warmly when I arrived to spend the night in the parking lot of The Junkyard Brewery, an interesting business model of junk-dealing and beer-making. It is a wonderfully quirky place, and Ryan couldn’t have been more welcoming, making on-the-money recommendations for both beer and food. Turns out that Ryan has quite a story of his own, having gone to culinary school in Chicago and hobnobbed with folks at the Food Network (I just happen to be a Food Network junkie so this caught my attention when I looked him up online). He has owned several successful vegan restaurants in Texas and Arizona and loves what he does. It’s clear, and it was a pleasure getting acquainted.

This is Lisa and Tim - Grants, New Mexico

The Junkyard Brewery on Route 66 is a very popular overnight stop for Harvest Host guests. The night I was there I believe I counted at least 10 other RVs in the parking lot by the time I went to bed. Having arrived mid-afternoon I met Lisa and Tim, who had arrived before me, at the bar. They sold their bricks and mortar home almost two years ago and have been traveling the country ever since with their two cats and their van. We traded stories about van life and how to find places to stay in a pinch. They gave me some helpful tips on apps I should have and we shared our experiences at the different Harvest Host sites and other campsites. What a delightful conversation while sipping our beers at the bar, as Ryan greeted the other overnight guests as they arrived!

I may never see any of these people ever again, but they have enriched my life just the same (and they all have one of my bookmarks so there is in fact a way to stay in touch through this website). Human connection and finding meaning in life doesn’t have to be based on much. Openness to new experience. Curiosity about other lives and experiences. Willingness to listen and learn. And the joy and calm that comes from idle conversation with no agenda and no purpose other than sharing a bit of time together. The amazing beauty of our planet is made more significant when we are fortunate to cross paths with others who also enjoy getting up close and personal with such incredible magnificence.

Thank you to all you wonderful people for enriching my life and offering connection during those precious moments we spent together.