Making Lifelong Friends on the Road

Isn’t it lonely?

It can be. But doesn’t have to be. A big question people ask is having a social life when you take to the road full-time. You can have a social life while living on the road. It just looks different.

People who travel have a different mindset. They are not stressed out, and cranky like your average neighbor. I say, average neighbor, because I lived next door to someone for almost 20 years and never spoke one word to them. Not by my choice. It was their decision. There was not a huge distance between our homes and yards. If they happened to be outside at the same time as me, they would simply turn their head and did not EVER acknowledge me. Ever. That’s dumb.

In RV life, it’s a whole different type of person. Always a “Good Morning”, “How ya doing?”, “Where’s home for you?”, “How do you like your rig?” The conversation starters are endless.

You can be the keep-to-yourself type of person, but you’ll still get a wave and smile when you’re out. People who live on the road are not judgmental. Of course, some are, don’t get me wrong, or think all who wander are friendly. You get their vibe right away. And that’s okay, you don’t have to be a social butterfly to live on the road. You have a choice to socialize or not. But I can guarantee that if you need help, one or more will be there to lend a hand.

Social events in RV Life

Most people look upon retirement as old folks doing crafts, playing bingo, and sitting around talking about the old days. I haven’t come across any craft sessions. I would love it though. The old days, yes. Some couples have been together 40 to 50 years. We ask how did you meet? What type of work did you do? It’s getting to know one another.  Yes, there is bingo. The campground plays twice a week. I don’t go, I can’t stay awake past 7:00 PM. 🤣. 

I have been roped into going to a bingo session at the local casino. The reason this is happening, the snowbird season is winding down. Everyone is getting ready to head back home. So it’s bingo and lunch afterwards. But ya know what? I have embraced the journey and it’s a blast! If people want to joke about or say they’ll never be like that in retirement. If you live that long to retire, it’s a gift. Don’t judge. You don’t have the right to do so.

We also experience sadness with our friends.

After Wolf passed away and I came back to my winter spot, I received hugs, and we shed tears. Genuine kindness and concern for my well-being.

This season we’ve had 2 recent widows and 3 pets cross the rainbow bridge. Cocoa, a 14 1/2 year old Golden Retriever belonging to a couple from Canada just a few days ago. Cocoa was a regular feature for over 10 years at the campground. She couldn’t get up or function and they had to make that dreaded decision. Now they will return home without their beloved family member who had been with them since she was 3 months old. Heartbreaking. We are all feeling their loss.

It’s not about what you’re doing. It’s socializing, staying active, bonding, and building friendships that will be with you always.

It’s not just about Bingo

Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did you see the Budweiser Ad? That eagle launching off the horse makes me cry every flipping time. I read it took 42 takes for the eagle to spread his wings and fly at just the right moment. The topper of the moment for me was to the tune of Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynrd, love that song. Brilliant work from the Budweiser marketing team.

Speaking of the Super Bowl –

In the Snowbird RV life here at the campground, we have a Super Bowl party at the clubhouse. I decided this year to attend. In the past, Wolf wasn’t interested and didn’t really like American Football. Being a former Rugby player, he thought the pads as required uniform, were well, not how men play football. Anywho, I had a great time visiting with friends and ate lots of food. The campground supplies pizzas, and everyone brings a dish. The one camper who made her homemade egg rolls! YUM!! So good.

My neighbor Sibyl is an artist, and she gave us all painted Seahawks rocks. (Pictured below) Isn’t it adorable? I love it. The turtle is a gift from my friend Pat. The lantern is mine. A dollar store find from many years ago. I love solar lights.

Yard ornaments. I only display them during my winter spot. They get boxed up and stored during the summer travel season.

The next social event of the season

The annual Valentine’s Day ice cream social. No agenda or matchmaking, just a gathering of friends enjoying a bite (or more) of ice cream.

Seasonal friendships

This is what I mean by different types of friendships. We are from all over the US and Canada, and every winter we all gather in the same place for 5 or 6 months. We have cook-outs and attend campground social events. There might be a game of corn hole with a lot of smack talk. But most of all, laughter and community. We have the social circle most afternoons. One camper usually hosts the gathering. We all bring a chair and a drink, form a circle, and chat about family, travels, food, exchange ideas, what works, what doesn’t, what’s next, just whatever comes up. Thankfully, one rule in any circle I have sat at – NO Politics. It’s not a place for it. It’s a time to put aside world issues and get back to humanity. What really matters is good for the soul. Compassion for your well-being. Staying positive. A place to stop complaining and griping about everything that is happening.

Always a helping hand

During one of our chats, I was having a conversation about my annual driver window falling on BOTH my motorhome and my van. Seriously, like every year at the same time. It’s weird. Wolf always took care of it. But now on my own, I have to fix it myself or hire someone to do it. My friend Dave overheard this and said, “You need a window fixed?” It was the motorhome driver’s window. It would go down but not up. At the time when this happened in the summer of 2024, Wolf was sick, so he couldn’t tackle it. I left it. I did buy the part, and I have been hauling it around for a year now. One reason I haven’t ventured to national parks is that I couldn’t roll the window down. Some might say, open the door. Those entrance lanes are tight. Sometimes there is no room to do this. And added issue – I have Sasha. My over-involved, FOMO GSD. It could get messy. I avoid that.

Dave said he would fix the window for me. We set a date, and the window is now done. I had the part. Which turns out I didn’t need, I’m keeping it anyway. You know for future use.🙄. I guess it was getting caught on something and was very dry. Dave fixed it, and now, I can travel as planned to a couple of National Parks and actually roll my window down. Woohooo!

Takes me back about 20 years ago when my oldest son and I were at a BMX event. We had an old tent trailer back then. A dust devil (desert tornado) came through at about 60 miles an hour and shifted the top section of the trailer and it came apart from the frame. My sixteen-year-old son was trying to put it back together and neither of us having a clue what to do. Our neighbor came out and saw what happened. The shifting broke the screw and we didn’t have any extras. The man said, “I have an idea.” he came back with a Shish kabob skewer. He secured it so we could roll it back down when we left and get it fixed when we got home. By the way, I always carry a pack of skewers- many uses.

So don’t fret about no one there to help. RV people are different. They help if they can.

You never know who you might meet

During one of my summer trips, I met a couple during one of my dog walks. They commented on my rig. A Lazy Daze class C. I do get a lot of compliments on this old gal.

We started chatting daily during their stay. In our conversations, they asked about where I go during the year. I mentioned my winter spot. Well, they happen to be from this very area. Ha! We exchanged information, and plans were made for a meet-up at some point while I’m here.

In Closing

The road life doesn’t mean you have to give up having friends. It allows you to make new friends while still keeping ties to current friendships. Like the Budweiser Super Bowl ad – Spread your wings and fly.