From the Co-Pilot’s seat

Random observations from the Co-Pilot’s seat:

• Many of our military vets live in non-traveling RV’s. Some are young with families crowded into the RV and many are elderly and live alone. Fireworks can be unsettling and triggering for many of our Vets but unless you are a Vet, no one seems to care.
• We should all buy stock in Dollar General. Everywhere we’ve traveled, and I do mean everywhere, there have been at least three or more Dollar Generals within a 10 mile radius. And they are always busy.
• Grocery Stores are in abundance in the Southeast. That’s not the case in many other places. Sometimes we’re left to buy grocery items from Walmart because there’s nothing else around. I don’t purchase their meat because having worked in the retail grocery industry I know too much. On the flip side, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by some of the local Mom n Pops grocery stores. Now if we could just find a store that sells locally grown produce. Farmer’s markets are even harder to find than grocery stores.
• I’m spoiled by buying wine in the grocery store. Each state is different and many grocery stores only sell beer. Wine and alcohol come from the liquor store. And in some states, you can get beer, wine and hard liquor in every grocery store and on every end cap. I always feel a little weird when I have to ask where it is.
• Some states have incredible parks and walking areas. And their population often reflects it. Other states could take a lesson, and their population also reflects that.
• Experiencing a power outage in an RV is not fun. Experiencing a power outage in a house is also not fun. At least now we can pack up and move if it continues.
• There are incredibly beautiful sights in the most unexpected places if you’re willing to travel off the grid. Thank goodness my pilot doesn’t much care for interstates.
• I expected to miss my “stuff.” I don’t. I continue to be amazed at how much of that stuff we didn’t need and never fully used. Wish we had saved our money.
• There’s an obvious difference in RV park managers who have business experience and those who don’t. Enough said.
• It would be tough to be a full time RV’er if you didn’t have problem-solving skills. Thank goodness I’m traveling with an ace problem-solver.
• Everyone has a story; the young, the old and the in-between. And this lifestyle seems to promote a more open and honest dialogue amongst people. Regardless of the cost or value of the rig, the majority of RV’ers are friendly and eager to talk and share. I don’t remember neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs ever being that open. Maybe it’s like talking to the stranger on the plane. You know you’re not going to see them again so you barely hesitate in sharing your darker secrets.