Tuesday, October 6, 2015

A Frenzy of Friends - Both New and Old

Carson Valley in Nevada is one of those places I've been to once and thought I could live there. That first visit was 20+ years ago and boy has it grown! It still has that "protected valley" feeling, with the majestic Sierras to the west and lesser mountain ranges around the other three "sides". The high desert cottonwoods, junipers and scrub brush provide a rugged landscape that is both wild and serene.

High desert landscape
Cold and cloudy skies
Room to run outside the park
But the town of Carson City is big now! The downtown casinos and small state capitol are surrounded for miles by car dealers, large retail chains, big box stores, RV dealers, lots of eateries, and major medical facilities.

We originally made sure Carson City was a stop because we have friends from high school who live here. We were also going to Elko, NV, to visit more friends, and then learned they would be in Carson City this week as well. Perfect!

And on top of those old friends to see, we had the chance to meet up with a couple fellow bloggers - who are now wonderful new friends as well.

John and Pam (Oh, the Places They Go) were already at the Silver City RV Park in Minden, with Dave and Sue (Beluga's excellent adventure) on their way. There was a spot next to them so we booked it for the weekend.

"Following" people on their blogs for a couple years when they're already living the life and having grand adventures, and we're preparing and waiting to just get on the road, gives them a slight hero status in my eyes. So "getting to meet" them is a pretty big deal for me.

The reality is no less wonderful, but from the first handshakes and hugs, these are just real, fun and delightful people. Although I can totally picture each of them in tights and capes.......

We also meet the famous Lewis and Sasha - Dave and Sue's silly black dogs - who are normal canines and perfectly happy to hang out in their spacious motorhome while humans visit outside and go to dinner. Unlike a certain other dog who shall remain nameless.

That dog's new most favorite people - Sue and Pam (we like 'em too)

Getting together for happy hour each evening and enjoying two scrumptious dinners in town, we had a great time sharing our love of the full-timing life, and laughing more than we have in forever.

When I updated our location on RVillage I noticed a very familiar name - Russ and Linda Ranger were here as well. We have communicated on the RV Dreams forum, he reads this blog, and we've been following, but never catching, each other all summer. Returning to the park on Saturday I noticed there was a La Palma parked behind us, and sure enough there was Russ walking over to meet! A big hug and a quick visit and looking forward to seeing them the next day. Oops...

I was bummed to see their rig was gone in the morning, but a note later in the day confirmed they are on a tight schedule to Arizona, and then back to Mexico for the winter. We'll catch up with them next year for sure!

When we first arrived, Bill called Karla and invited us over to her house for Monday Night Football. Our Elko friends happen to be her brother Kevin and his wife, and they were arriving on Monday. So really, it was a perfect plan :-)

Bill and Kevin - friends for over 40 years
The company and the game were great, and we made plans to get together this afternoon. Unfortunately Kevin's doctor's appointment resulted in an overnight stay in Reno so we'll see what happens the next couple days.



14 comments:

  1. Being able to meet others along the way is part of the fun we enjoy too. You just never know who you might run into.

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    1. Having this life in common really makes for great gatherings.

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  2. I completely understand their 'hero' status :-) Ron and I are planning our get-away, just wish it would happen NOW!! But in due time, we'll be right next to you and the others :-)

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  3. It was so nice to finally meet you, Bill, and Tessa after all the reading and corresponding we have done through blogs:) We enjoyed our HH's and dinners together getting to know the two of you. We so look forward to seeing you again real soon:) Enjoy your time with your friends!

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    1. We had a great time! Definitely look forward to catching up this winter as well.

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  4. Now this is what it's all about! There really is a community on the road, and we just happen to cross paths here and there!

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    1. It was so much fun to meet after "knowing" them for so long :-)

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  5. Amazing that in this one place you had friends you've known since high school and friends in your brand new life as well. High school wasn't one of my favorite times in life and I'm in touch with only one person from that period. Guess I should have gone to school with you and Bill. Plus, most of the folks I follow are always out west where I don't seem to be able to get to given the medical situation happening around me. So I'm really enjoying all the fun you are having. Keep it up!

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    1. It was pretty cool the way it all worked out in this one place. College was the same for me, I don't know a single person from those four years! I was thinking about where everyone is right now, and you and Amanda are the only ones not in the west. Sure hope you two can head west someday soon, but we will definitely be coming that way.......eventually :-)

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  6. How fun that you're getting to connect with so many friends, both old and new! It's definitely one of the great gifts of this traveling lifestyle. ;-)

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    1. We love that we can take our house to go see friends at theirs :-)))

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  7. Seems towns/cities all over America are growing beyond their needs. Nice to catch up with friends old and new.

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    1. There are two Home Depots and two Walmarts in Carson City now.......crazy.

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