Week 856 - Full Time Motorhome Travel - Part IV-C - The People - 01-08-2023
Full Time Motorhome Travel - Part IV-C - The People
Entering the new year, we continue with more people, the best part of travel.
To learn their story use your mouse to hover over their names. On a touch screen, touch once to read, touch outside the story to close.
Lauren and Jeanette
We usually never travel after dark. But this day we had motorhome service in Frederick, Colorado. That night we pulled into the Westminster Elks to stay the night. The Elks RV host jumped out to help park us. In the morning we met Lauren and Jeanette. They weren't the hosts, they just wanted to help us; nice! We chatted in the morning and left.Eight days later we met them at the Colorado Springs Elks lodge. Then at Pueblo where they invited us to their home in Yuma, Arizona. We stayed two nights on their guest RV pad. Three years later they see our route on our weekly travelogue and let us know they are just 100 miles away in Kentucky.
We met again and again. Mostly when they contacted us and once when we just parked near them in Kelso-Longview, Washington. In all we have shared RV space with them 10 times. They are outgoing Christians who spent their time helping people and spreading the Gospel.
They reached out to lend a hand and we have seen them ten times across the nation.
John and Rosie
We joined SOWERS in 2008. It is a Christian ministry where you trade 72 hours of labor for a free month-long stay. Our first project was Indian Hills Camp in Jamul, California. SOWERS only work at locations that are dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Spending 30 minutes each morning in Biblical devotions brings you quickly to be life long friends, as they are.While they do perhaps 10 projects a year, we have served only 7 times in total. Four of those projects were with John and Rosie and they are the best. We are honored to call them friends and will see them again: here, there or in the air (rapture).
They bless the Lord with their SOWERS ministry and blessed us too!
Tom and Patty
Avila Beach was a favorite camping spot for us. Dry camping right on the San Luis Bay of the Pacific Ocean. We met Tom and Patty there January 2009. We gathered around the fire pit to share with each other. Quickly Patty left, went to store to bring back desserts for the group. We didn't ask, she is just a servant.We only met that one day but there was an immediate bond. Tom was in tire distribution business and saved us hundreds of dollars once when we were confronted with a tire dealer scam. Pete and Tom have remained in contact by email and phone as they had moved from California to Indiana. Still the bond is there and we hope to meet again.
Only met them once, but we stay in touch and hope to meet again.
Tim and Bobbie
Our first pickleball tournament was the Huntsman Senior Games in St. George, Utah in October 2010. We met hundreds of players, but none clicked as much as Bobbie and Tim.Bobbie took us under her wing and taught us the ins and outs of tournaments. While that first attempt was a bust, Ellen and Bobbie competed as a team several times. We thank them both for the mentorship and friendship and visit whenever we are in St. George.
Bobbie and Ellen bonded instantly and played together in pickleball tournaments.
Clint and Jackie
Clint contacted Pete in 2011 with an online search for pickleball team partners. Clint was a motorhome traveler in the past, now with a beautiful home in Rancho Mirage, California. We parked in front of their house and practiced before the First Mission Hills pickleball tournament. Pete and Clint beat Steve (see below) to win the Gold Medal in the 3.5 skill category. Since that day we have stayed at their house every year until 2018 when they sold.One week we stayed to take care of Jackie while Clint was in Washington. As it turned out Jackie took care of us! They are so generous with their hospitality. We miss staying with them each year but have visited their new home (by car, yuck!).
Clint and Pete, strangers, won their first pickleball Gold medal and no longer strangers but good friends.
Steve and Candy
Steve won all their matches until Clint/Pete beat him in the Finals. It was hot and we ran him until he was exhausted. The next day, rather than being upset by our punishment, Steve was good natured and congratulated us.Two months later Steve invited us to his Northern California vineyard to stay for a week. We spent many hours of social time but also created a website for their vineyard. We have not seen them since then, but have fond memories of their home and time with them.
Pete and Clint beat Steve in the Gold medal match. Steve and Candy still invited us to their house.
Gordon and Karen
When we met Gordon and Karen at the First Mission Hills tournament Gordon was rated 3.0. We met again at other tournaments and soon started playing together. Gordon moved up to 3.5 rating where Pete was. Pete/Gordon won Gold at the Second Mission Hills tournament. They both moved up the 4.0 level and played more tournaments.In October 2011 Pete/Ellen caravaned with Gordon/Karen to the Grand Canyon North Rim. Then on to Flagstaff and Surprise AZ and Yuma AZ. They introduced us to Algodones, Mexico for dental work.
It was a sad day for us when they sold their motorhome to move to a house in Santa Rosa. Still we visited there and played a little pickleball. We consider them life friends, never to be far away from our hearts.
Met them briefly at the Pete/Clint tournament and since become life friends.
More people in the next travelogue.
With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy
Photos from 2008 to 2011
The Full Time Motorhome Living Guide
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