Get Out of the Rig and Enjoy

Over the years, Randy and I have stayed in many RV parks. Some are short stays and others are extended. Some parks offer numerous amenities, and some simply share a beautiful sunset. However, wherever we stay we enjoy the experience.

What I don’t understand is why travelers do not participate in the activities available. As Randy hooks up the power, water, and sewer, I scan the park brochure to get acquainted with the area. Before the electricity kicks on, I have already mapped out the dog park and determined if donuts and coffee are available in the morning at the reservations desk.

Yes, the donuts usually come in a Hostess box, and what I have in the cupboard is sometimes fresher, but this doesn’t matter. It’s the experience of walking across the park as the sunrises, saying good morning to a stranger, and cracking a joke to cause someone nearby to smile. It’s about the connections.

Last week we stayed in a park in Yuma, AZ, Fortuna De Oro. In the brochure, I noticed right away that a Mardi Gras party was planned for Friday. It was a farewell to the snowbirds who had spent the winter, but everyone was invited. I picked up our tickets before the office closed that night.

The park catered the event serving jambalaya, salad, bread rolls, and cake for dessert. Wine, beer, water, and soda flowed freely. Thirteen hundred people were in attendance. Following the theme, the area glittered with sequins and bright colors; revelers adorned masks, beads and feathers. As a live band played, many danced. Fortuna De Oro is a 55+ resort resulting in the youngest being of that age accompanied by partiers in their 80’s. The life of the party was 74-year-old man wearing tennis shoes with lights in the soles and a top hat who never sat out a single song.

Randy and I actually felt tired by the fifth day, not the bad kind of tired. We participated in so many events: golf, pinochle, swimming, live bands almost every night, dancing, and bike riding. Dagney visited each of the three dog parks more than once. Randy even got a haircut in the barbershop ran by a resident. On the weekend, we spent time reading in our lounge chairs under the awning.

I will never understand why travelers pull into their assigned spot, cover the front window with a sunshade and turn on the TV. They can do that at home. Get outside. Go for a walk. The opportunities encourage our travels. Currently, we are sitting at Moon River RV park in Bullhead City, Arizona beside our RV as a breeze cools our bodies after a day exploring a mining town.

Two weeks ago we were at Sky Valley Resort in Desert Hot Springs playing tennis and floating in the pool. We even drove into Palm Springs with friends and tried our luck at an escape room. We found our way out with less than 2 minutes to spare. The evening ended with dinner on an outside patio and great conversation.

The week before that we attended a PGA golf tournament in Newport Beach, CA. We spent the afternoon walking in the sand along the beach. The RV park, Newport Dunes RV park, nestled on the beach of a ocean inlet.

Sure, sometimes we leave thinking we may not return to this spot again but while we were there, we experienced what it offers. As long as a chair offers a place to sit and observe, stories can unfold without sitting in front of a screen. By observing nonverbal interactions between couples, a love story unfolds in my mind. When a family enters the pool, though I know I will get wet as the children splash the water, I become intrigued with how high the water goes and the sounds it makes — a moment to relive childhood pleasures.

When two or more are gathered communication begins. Sometimes the people I meet would not become my friends at home but for a day they provided human contact. Temporary relationships remind us that we are part of the human race as we listen to different opinions and witness new personalities. Traveling provides the opportunity to step outside the norm and make connections.

Traveling in an RV is an opportunity to explore and experience new events.

Carpe Diem!

Each of the links throughout this story link provide more information.

If you are traveling or wish to live vicariously, we would love to have you ride along by subscibing to our blog.

SUBSCRIBE