*as published in North Canton Living Magazine
I stepped down from Wilbur the Campervan balancing on my two canes and carrying a plastic garbage bag. I was recovering from a broken leg and the distance to the garbage cans seemed insurmountable. As I stood there considering my dilemma – short drive or long walk – I heard a voice behind me. “May I help you, Ma’am?” I turned to see a young man with a military bearing standing just outside my campsite. He gestured to my bag and I handed it over. “I’m heading that way and toss it for you.” Problem solved. Three hours and two beers later we were fast friends Jake, Air Force Traffic Controller, was staying in the neighboring site on his day off. He was engaged and his fiancé lived three states away and currently planning their wedding for the next spring. After we parted for the night I reflected that I am never lonely while traveling yet I am alone.
This is the first question I am asked, “Don’t you get lonely?” Frankly, no. There are many days and evenings just like this one where I pass the time meeting the most interesting people.
Let me introduce you to Sally.
I was perched on the edge of a crumbling wall watching the sun rise over the Atlantic. Below the wild horses of Assateague were racing through the surf. I felt a movement next to me and I watched out of the corner of my eye as an older woman sat on the wall. In silence we watched the sunrise feeling the cool ocean wind toss our hair. After thirty minutes of quiet contemplation, she turned to me and stated, “Thank you for your quiet.” We introduced ourselves and that began a lifelong friendship. We met on and off through the next few days sharing a few dinners and drinks. She is a retired ESL teacher from Boston and camps in her minivan with her two cats. We are planning to meet next winter somewhere warm.
Let me introduce you to Nan.
I entered the small campground restroom and quickly spotted an elderly woman struggling to pull up her pants. The door to the stall was open and I quickly turned to leave only to hear her call “Help!” Concerned, I turned back and saw she was reaching for me. Confused I stepped forward and put out my arm for her to grab. She stood and balanced on one leg as she pulled up her tights. “There. These stupid tights are too hard for us older people to inch up our saggy bodies. I came in here to sit on the toilet and pull them up because there was no bench by the shower.” I laughed and we introduced ourselves. Nan is 86 and lives with her artist boyfriend in the Bronx. Twice a year she throws a dart at the US map and drives there to visit for four weeks. She was at the end of her stay and invited me for a glass of wine. Nan travels in her minivan with three corgis. As we said goodnight and goodbye I realized I want to be Nan when I grow up.
Let me introduce you to Bert.
The park bench overlooked a herd of grazing elk. The sun was setting slowly to my right as I faced the sloping field that flowed into the cliffs of the Pacific. The sun was warm on this October evening but the air had a bite to it. “May I sit with you?” asked an older gentleman. Together we sat until the sun set chatting about living on the northern California coast. Bert is a retired lawyer who moved up from San Francisco to live a quieter life. He shared pictures of his grandchildren and told me stories about immigrating from Italy. He still lives in northern California and while he doesn’t text, he frequently emails.
Let me introduce you to John and Mark.
The Sunday afternoon was lovely. The sky was blue and the atmosphere at the brewpub was one of friendly joviality. I was seated at a barrel table sipping the local brew and working on my laptop when I was asked to share the table. Looking up I could only smile in welcome to the older gentleman dressed looking like they just came off a long bike ride. Behind them, I spied two heavily packed bicycles. I gestured to the empty seats and promptly closed my laptop. For the next three hours, we sipped beer, ate noodles, and shared stories from the road. Mark and John are two retired college friends from England who are biking from DC to Seattle. We shared pictures of our children; travel stories and of course the cultural exchange of we do this and you do that. I also had a fascinating in-depth discussion of our lack of passenger trains compared to the UK. We exchanged information and I hope they reach Glacier NP before the snow flies.
What I Learned
A smile is as welcoming as a hello. So many lovely conversations started with only a smile.
You are truly as old as you feel and age is an illusion. Thank you Nan.
Genuine gut-busting laughter can come quickly if you are open to new people.
Before You Go
If you feel off about the new person, leave. Just excuse yourself and leave. Don’t look back. And that is OK. There have been times I left for the bathroom and never returned.
Use social media to follow and connect. Take a tip from our kids and learn to use it well
If you are camping like me, keep a few extra beers or a bottle of wine in storage for the unexpected visitor.
Only share what you are comfortable sharing.