Feedback and Connecting

Today we are in:  Virginia Beach

I love interacting with our readers and friends!  Thank you for the comments and hundreds of  pageviews!  Its fun to know someone is out there and I especially appreciate the time and effort you took to respond:

• Karen @ two4road  
• Nan @ Trippin With the Talleys
• Steve and Karen  @ GonebyRV
• Don @ WhereDidWeParktheHouse
• Sandra and Randy
• Mary and Tom @ Palm Creek Sewers and Quilters
• Nancy and Bill @ BillandNancyBlog
• John and Sharon @ OntheRoadtoRetirement

Hearing from you has caused me to reflect a bit and think about the RV community and how we connect with each other.  It can be as simple as responding to a blog post or engaging as spending time face to face.  And often something in between.

We love the community and sense of camaraderie that RV lifestyle brings.  It is a subculture all its own.  Even within the RV community there are numerous groups subgroups.  Some people get into a group and travel some and stay at a location during the winter as snowbirds or winter visitors.  Others like us, hit the road a while back and are living in their RV full time.

Full time RVing is how we meet a lot of people.  I can think of two couples off hand that we met at a campground.  We had never seen them before we parked next to them.  We became good friends with both couples.

One we met the Fairgrounds at Rodeo de Santa Fe when we were there for a Habitat for Humanity Build.  The other couple we met when we were parked next to them overlooking the Gulf in Key West.  One of those couples we spent 4th of July with a few years ago in Bar Harbor Maine.  The other we have seen again in Seal Beach California and another time made sure our paths crossed in Walla Walla Washington for a few days.

Other people get a sense of community by going to Rallie's like FMCA or the Allegro Club or Escapees.  Rallies are a great way to meet some folks, get to know them a little bit at happy hours or campfires.  Next thing you know, you keep up with them and find ways to meet up again.

As you can see RVing is a mixed bag.  There are a myriad of reasons why people chose this lifestyle. And it doesn't have to be a 'forever' choice.  We know of a lot of people who did it for two or three or five years and decided it was time to get off the road and live in a community they enjoy.

We've been doing this eight years now and I always get a charge out of hearing from folks.  Sometimes it is comments on the blog.  Sometimes it is a private email, or a comment on Facebook.  Its always great and sometimes we get to meet new people face to face for the first time.

We have been to a few rallies, seminars and bootcamps.  At our very first seminar, we met Steve and Karen (GoneByRV) back in 2008 and still find ways to meet up around the country.  I think we've seen them most in Red Bay AL back at the factory.  And that is another way to meet and connect with people.

Connecting with 'friends we haven't met' and some we have through this blog has been literally quite surprising.  It is a real wonder to me when people are kind enough to send an email, or make a comment or ask a questions -- its always fun to hear from them.  Some we have never met face-to-face.  But if its possible, we often try to say 'hi' to people if we are nearby.

Such was the case a month ago or so. I got an email from Don who has been reading the Chronicles for about three years.  We were able to meet them on the weekend.  We didn't have a lot of time but  we did have a great time just getting to know a little bit about them and their story.  Looks like we are going to get together again later in the week for dinner down on the Oceanfront here in Virginia Beach.

So we connect with other RVers a number of ways.  Many times its by meeting people at campgrounds or rallies or volunteering projects.  Once we seem to 'hit it off with' them, we find a way to keep in touch and the next thing you know a new friendship is born.

Thanks again for connecting with us by reading the Roadrunner Chronicles and especially for responding to the questions!