Sunday, October 13, 2013

On the road again

Amber, Cory, Dexter

You really never know what you are going to see at Wal-Mart. Nothing really surprises me anymore. But this sight pleasantly surprised me at 9:00 a.m. I had to find out more. First of all, we used to be avid campers, so the camper-style van piqued my interest when I spied it from a block away. It is not unusual to see large campers parked overnight on the Wal-Mart parking lot, but this was much more interesting. As we drove by, I noticed a young couple brushing their teeth outside the van. I begged my hubby to drive over to them, but he parked a dozen spaces away and said, "I am going into the store. You can go disturb their peace." He's proud of my writing, but he prefers the periphery.

With camera in hand, I apologized for my intrusion, explained that I am a writer/blogger, and asked if I might take a photo of their vehicle, write about them and post on my blog. With verbal permission...here you go Amber and Cor(e)y.

They are seasonal workers, and I don't mean crop pickers. They are from Montana, and just finished a stint working this summer in Glacier National Park. At a job fair there, they learned of a position open in the FLORIDA KEYS...be still my heart! They will be travelling North for a bit, and then they will eventually wend their way South to earn a
living as a bartender/cocktail waitress in a tropical climate in Siesta Key. Unencumbered, except for a cute lab puppy named Dexter, these free-spirited "kids" took me back to my youth, when I travelled vicariously across country in a VW bus decorated with peace signs, and danced in fields of daisies with my dog named Blue and other hippie peaceniks.

I said VICARIOUSLY. I never had the guts to do anything when I was in my youth, and not long afterwards, I married. A few years later I became a mom. My travel back then, 1969-70 was by plane to Alaska where I lived in a rural town at the end of the Alaska Highway. Now that was an adventure!

This congenial couple had a confidence about them that I never had at their age. You never know about individuals, but I did discover one thing about Cory. He's a serial killer. Oh wait, enlarge this picture  by clicking on the photo) to read the fine print on his T-shirt. Then you too, will know the truth about Cory. Get a close up look at that cute Dexter while you're at it.

Oh to be young, adventurous and free to travel. These young people were personable, educated, free spirits. I wish them success as they make memories and a few bucks along the way. Stay safe, and have fun. If you want, you can email me at billin7@yahoo.com, especially if I spelled your names wrong.

14 comments:

Val said...

Who knew your alleged fork-stealer was so faint of heart? And how did you get that angle, shimmy up a light pole like Newman up a tree after a man fur?

BECKY said...

What a neat story! Hey, what's stopping you and Bill from imitating these "kids"? You two could do it! :)

Kim Lehnhoff said...

I've had a hankerin' to pull up stakes and travel in a tiny house (they're so cute!).

I blame this need on the fact that I've lived here five years - the longest I've stayed in any one place since 1986.

Unfortunately, I have not discussed my desire to the hubby- I just don't see him as a 'pull up your stakes and go' kinda guy.

River said...

Aha! So Cory is the reason Snap, Crackle and Pop have been silenced! And all those cornflakes that have been drowned in the milk too.
I used to think traveling around like a gypsy would be a fine idea. As long as the van had room for my books. Then I had children. And television sets and video players, dvd players, computers....there's no way I could fit all that in a van. I had to stay home.

Unknown said...

Ah youth! I admire their free spirit, and wish them well. Great work Linda!

Connie said...

I would never be brave enough to just uproot and go travelling about like that, but more power to them. I admire their free spirits. Neat story, Linda.

Susan Sundwall said...

Wow,Linda. Thanks for putting your brave on and giving us this neato story!

Tammy said...

I too have always thought that would be the ultimate life. But these days comfort pretty much rules. My medications and preparations would require a van of their own.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to be a traveling Peacenik hippie too

Cathy C. Hall said...

Yeah, I wondered how you got that picture, too...?

I hope someone is as nice to my free spirit as you are (I have a young 'un who's gonna trek around New Zealand soon. Oy.)

Lynn said...

Like you, I never had the guts to do something like that - good for them!

Beth M. Wood said...

I love this post Lynn! You are too cool to have approached them - you are more of a free spirit than you give yourself credit for being! As Lynn said, I never had the guts then. And I probably wouldn't have approached them now! Good for you. LOVE his shirt. And the picture : )

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

So envious of people who are brave enough to do this! And Siesta Key! *squee!* My favorite beachy place to go. I'll be heading that way myself in a few weeks. :)

Pat Wahler said...

Sounds like an enormous adventure. Bet they'll have some grand stories to tell someday!

Pat
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