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| "My" Spot |
This past week I took another trip down to see my friends in Tennessee. They used to live quite close to me in upstate New York, but found a beautiful place to retire to, in the Blue Ridge mountains. They have almost two hundred acres with amazing views and rolling fields. They have spent the last few years adding buildings and animals to their homestead. It's been amazing to watch the process. Two folks from the city becoming country farmers. They love it!
When I first visited them, I traveled up a long dirt road to their gravel driveway and stayed next to a rough hewn building running on solar power and stored water. Essentially a boondocking scenario. This time was very different. In a bid to get me to come more often (well, at least I hope that's the reason!) they installed a separate 30 Amp RV power circuit right next to where I have been parking. Now those are good friends!
Don't Forget the fact that it's such a beautiful location and they are amazing people as well. The fact is the camping is perfect. It has all the best traits of boondocking in a remote location with all the benefits of having power (and soon, water and sewer!) hookups. Plus, you get to spend quality time with your friends who actually WANT you to be there! What could be better? They have made it so incredibly easy to stay, I could be there indefinitely! I've always said, "RV'ers make the best house-guests....they bring their own house!"
Both of them have been avid outdoor folks for decades, camping, RV'ing and traveling. I enjoy being on the road, but I definitely see the draw of their new lifestyle. They've even turned their 33 foot Class A RV into a guest house! If the end of the world as we know it ever happens, this would be a great place to be. They raise chickens, goats, llamas and sheep. They grow lots of vegetables and have the most amazing pear tree in their front yard. You do have to be careful since the pears drop without warning and a pear falling from 80 feet can do a lot of damage to your head. They kindly provide construction hard-hats to their guests to prevent trauma. I'm bringing 50 pounds of pears back to New York! I'll be learning a whole bunch of new recipes that use pears! Pear tarts, Pear cake, Pear pie, pears in salad, fried pears, pear jam, pears in fruit salad...there HAS to be lots more than those!
What's the only problem? Having to leave! I type this on the morning I am scheduled to go back to New York. I'd love to stay. They'd love for me to stay longer (at least I hope they do.) Alas, this is not to be. Perhaps when I retire. If that ever happens.
Be Seeing You...Down The Road,
Rich "The Wanderman"
It's nice to have friends in high places.
ReplyDeleteim new from sun city center fl.
i enjoy your stories.
Copper,
DeleteThank you for your kind words. He's at 2200 feet!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Our out-of-the-way friend lives near Eden VT, and it is somewhat of a challenge to park the MH in her yard, but very worth while. In addition to spending time with our friend, we can invite her over to our place for a meal or two. I have to be careful of the electric supply but its wonderful to visit as well as sleep in your own bed at night.
ReplyDeleteSpeaker,
DeleteSince my RV only has a 30 amp service, I don't have an issue with a 30 amp circuit. Heck I can use 15 Amp circuit without popping anything.
I will always cook a full breakfast for everyone there using their eggs (from their chickens!) and my "imported" ingredients. It's always a popular few mornings. Do a search for breakfast in my articles for some recipes.
Thanks!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Have you had any issues with friends/family actually being offended by you "bringing your own house"?
ReplyDeleteI have in-laws who already house 6-8 adults in a 2 bedroom 900sf house, so my family of 4 visiting is...ABSURDLY crowded? Having the RV, using it seems logical to me, but we get a chilly reception for the suggestion (done it anyway once when travelling through to other relatives that holiday season). Any suggestion for politically suggesting "Thanks for your sleeping bag on the floor, but we prefer our beds?"
Wolfe,
DeleteWhile I've never had an experience like yours, sometimes I get the feeling that some friends feel slighted because I don't want to accept their hospitality and stay in their home. Nothing could be further from the truth. I feel like I am being a less intrusive and therefore "better" guest.
To each his/her own...ya know?
Rich "The Wanderman"
Precisely... That "slighting" effect is exactly what I'm referring to. Trying to make things easier, we doth offend!
ReplyDeleteOr maybe there's a difference of psychology for those of us who prefer to drag our own "house" instead of renting a hotel room when traveling as well? As you say, it's easier for them and more "hobbit hole" comfort-familiarity for us. Non-RV folks don't get why we do what we do, so they make up reasons for our "odd" behavior. Despite our best intentions and my used RVs 10K price, I suspect pulling up a 500sf RV that sleeps 8 in (foldout) beds is still taken as flashy, something that isn't in my mental lexicon. Their college-age kids preferring to bunk with us instead of couch surfing at their own home taken even worse...
*Shrug*