Maybe it’s because I’ve worked in education for most of my life. Or perhaps it’s because I am getting older and more introspective as time goes on. Whatever the reason, I’ve been thinking lately about all that I’ve learned while RVing. I’m not talking about RV organization, daily RV life, or RV maintenance. I have indeed learned all those things. But I’m talking about what RVing has taught me about myself.
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Courage
I used to think I was destined to die an introvert. Then we began RVing, where we’ve had opportunities to meet people from all over our country and beyond. Our travels have taken us to different climates and revealed to us a variety of ways people make a living. We’ve also been able to observe many, many different folks and (shocker!) most of them are really nice. RVing has helped rev up my natural curiosity and given me courage so that now I’m more eager to ask people about their “life stories,” even as I tell them about my own.
Patience
I’d like to think I’ve always been a fairly patient person. But if you’ve RVed for a while you may have learned, as I have, that RVing takes patience. Lots of patience. We’ve waited hours in line to enter a popular National Park, driven what seemed like hundreds of miles waiting for a chance to pass a slow-moving farm tractor, and waited weeks for our RV to be fixed at a repair shop. We’ve also experienced flat tires and the interminable wait for “roadside assistance.” All of these experiences tested my patience, but at the same time, helped me to more calmly accept the things that are out of my control, and better “go with the flow.”
Be more adventurous
Before we discovered RVing, I was probably the least adventurous person on the planet. I was head-down, schedule-driven, routine-loving, and adventure-adverse. RVing cured me! From most of those, at least. There’s just something about venturing to “parts unknown” in our RV that now excites rather than intimidates me. Now I really do try new things, and am finding that I like most of them. Like ziplining, for example. (But forget golf. I don’t envision ever liking it. But I did try it.) The point being, that RVing in itself is adventurous. And it’s helped me become more adventurous, too.
It’s taught me more, too
I’m sure as I continue thinking about it, I’ll see even more things that RVing has taught me. One of the biggest is gratitude. I am so very thankful that we’ve experienced RVing. It really has enriched my life. How about you? What has RVing taught you? Share your musings in the comments below.
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Very good article, Gail. Short and to the point.
I agree, gratitude and patience learned from experience. Thanks for sharing this article Gail
Echo what both Scott and Tommy had to say. Thank you Gail!
A couple of ‘important’ people in my life sent the message that I ‘couldn’t make it in the real world’. With that hanging over my head, I took on RVing full-time alone with my dog at age 67. Did it for 12 years…succeeded in the ‘real’ world and ENJOYED it tremendously.
Thank you, Gail. Only 6 years into RV, and have not done such a self-assessment. I’m afraid that I may be getting less patient.
Of course I don’t remember any of it before age 5 but numerous reliable sources confirmed that I started RVIng at year 1. That puts me at 70 years of RVIng. I took a 8 year break when I got married in ‘73, but a few years later we bought a 12 1/2’ pickup camper and a 24’ fully self contained cabin cruiser for weekends at the lake. Water parties were a weekend favorite for strangers, neighbors, and friends who migrated to the lake for hot weather.
Meeting new folks has always been a way of life and has provided the benefit of never having had stage fright. Public speaking has always been natural and I’m grateful for campfire sharing.
I’m with you on golf, in my 14th and 15th years I caddied on the local golf course. It was very eye opening to see what the game of golf did to supposedly professional men and women, Drs, Lawyers, executives etc. I have never seen a game that could turn adults into fit throwing rages like golf does. I had one golfer “duff” 3 shots into the lake which was a normal 8 iron shot then throw his club in the lake and 3 minutes later told me to get his club, I told him I didn’t toss it into the lake. The Pro agreed with me and told him the divers would be in the lake next weekend and he could get it back for $25. Lol
I’ve been a “McGiver kind of guy all my life. It’s an asset when RV’ing. In a group I’ve belonged to for over 40 years, I’ve also learned the meaning of the Serenity Prayer and how it applies to life on the road (and off).
Flexibility
It would be impossible to RV without being able to adjust to changing conditions from weather to construction and traffic and the dreaded “something always breaks”. Big or little, it will happen.
We traveled over the hot Arizona summers in our Airstream Travel Trailer for over 18 years. We went to all 48 states and several provinces in Canada. We met interesting people and enjoyed new adventures. We would choose a route and then stay for a week to a month in places that sounded interesting. We would google things to do in each area and also go to the local visitor centers. We always looked for local food, music events and trails. I agree with you Gail, rv’ing has enhanced our lives. We sold our Airstream and moved to a small mountain town in Arizona but we also enjoy our 26 foot travel trailer. We just came home from a month long trip to Oregon, Washington, Hope British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Utah and back to Arizona.
Great article, very enlightening!
We spent about 4 years RVing full time from 2016 to 2020, and our RV now sits in our front yard waiting for travelling conditions to improve. The best thing we learned on the road is that there are interesting things to do wherever you may go. We generally drove no more than 250 miles per driving day, and we’d stay 4 days to 2 weeks between most driving days. If we had to stop mid-way to one of our chosen destinations, we’d just google “Things to do in ______” (for example, Phillipsburg Montana–who ever heard of that?) Usually Trip Advisor would pop up with various categories. Without fail, we would always find something fun to do or explore and have a wonderful time and meet new people! We found a lake to kayak in, a restaurant with a dynamite Native American dobro player, an interesting railroad museum and got to attend the opening party for an historic restaurant with tin ceiling and a bowling alley upstairs! We put on 100,000 miles during our 4 years and had a blast!
I’ve learned I can fix almost anything myself! 🙂
I say that in a humorous way, but seriously, I’m not the “mechanic” kind of guy, but since I’m also thrifty….OK, CHEAP…I have had to learn to do all kinds of maintenance and fix-it projects on my motorhomes. That brings with it a deep understanding of how all the chassis and house systems work.
I agree with everything you’ve said, Gail. I’ve learned the same. Especially the patience! Knowing and accepting the things out of our control makes life more peaceful and enjoyable.