Malia's Miles
My first RV rally experience
By Malia Lane

I felt like a little kid in a great big colorful candy store at the Great North American RV Rally in Redmond this past week. I'd never been to one before and was amazed at how massive an event it is -- RVs and RVers everywhere! My feet were sore just from walking through all the vendor booths. I got a kick out of all the gizmos and gadgets aimed at making our traveling lifestyle even easier and more enjoyable.

I enjoyed meeting writers whom I have long admired at the RV Author Co-op booth. It was great meeting one of my all-time favorite RV writers, Chuck Woodbury. As a pioneer of the genre, his Out West Newspaper was instrumental in getting me all psyched up about RVing in the first place.

I drooled over some of the newer RVs, but basically came away happy with my own homey home and not anxious to trade for any of the shinier glass and chrome versions.

I was only able to attend one day of the event, taking a break from my camp hosting duties in Prospect. I drove the car up and during the three-hour drive, I saw a bunch of other RVs on the road. I felt an even stronger camaraderie with them than usual -- like I was on my way to a secret meeting of an exclusive club or something. I have my Escapees decal on my car so even when I'm not driving the motor home, others can tell I'm a member, not only of that particular club, but of the larger RV community. When I'd see an RV coming toward me on the two-lane roads, I'd wave big as if saying, "Hey, I have an RV, too -- isn't it just too much fun???" Even though I hardly ever see the friendly wave back if there is one, it still feels good to make that connection.

It's like I just can't get enough of this lifestyle, even after four years on the road. I'm not content just to visit with others in the campgrounds and swap travel tales. I also wonder about those passing me on the roads -- wondering where they're going, what they'd tell me about it -- everybody has a story and I'd love to hear every one. And RVers will talk about anything to do with the lifestyle, including whether or not we do or should wave to each other on the road. Some say it's a lapse in safe driving to take your hands off the wheel for even a second -- some say the big motor home guys don't wave to the little trailer guys because they're too stuck up -- others say it's just a matter of not seeing the wave until it's too late to return it. Whatever -- I like giving and receiving friendly waves and I'm not gonna quit the practice. See ya down the road!

Malia says "Howdy!"

Malia Lane shares her journal about being a solo woman fulltime RVer at "Inspiration's Journey". At Malia’s Miles she shares observations and other info relevant to the RVing lifestyle.




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