MAY 26, 2015
You’d be happy to do our laundry for us? Are you kidding me?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? “Hey Julie,” I said to our server at the restaurant after we finished lunch today. “We’re exploring America in our motorhome. We don’t have a washer and dryer aboard and we really need to do laundry before we leave town in the morning. Do you know if there’s a laundromat in town? You’ll never guess what she said! “I don’t think so. But I’m getting ready to leave work for the day and I’m going straight home. I live nearby and I’d be happy to do your laundry. It’s such a nice afternoon…you guys could sit on my front porch and drink ice tea while I wash the clothes. “
YOU’RE PULLING MY LEG, RIGHT? Of course she’s kidding, I thought to myself. I wish I could think of a quick retort that would be as funny as her ‘offer.’ So I said something like, “OK, and I’ll wash your car and get the oil changed while we wait for you finish the laundry. “No, no,” Julie said. “I’m serious.”
This is a picture of Julie…undoubtedly the sweetest person in the entire state of Ohio!
AND SHE WAS SERIOUS. She meant what she said. She related to us and our Great American Adventure because she had a crazy travel adventure herself a few years ago. She rode a bicycle across the country! Amazing! Maybe on her adventure she met folks who made her offers like the one she made us today. I don’t know. But what I do know is that her offer to help us today was by far the most amazing one we’ve had in the last two years while we’ve been traveling. And as a matter of fact, I don’t think any other near-stranger has made such an offer to me in my entire life!
WE FOUND A LAUNDROMAT. Of course we didn’t accept her offer to do the laundry. We eventually found a laundromat and got all of the laundry done ourselves. So we’re pretty will “ready” to take off in the morning, headed to Lake Erie for a short stop.
MEETING INTERESTING PEOPLE. Those of you who have been following my blog know that one of the main reasons we’re exploring the country has little to do with seeing the sights. It’s to meet the people who live in this great country of ours. To learn about them and their lives. To hear about their beliefs and the reasons for them. To understand “what they’re all about.” Today was an example of the kinds of encounters that are making our Journey absolutely fascinating!
STAY IN TOUCH, JULIE. Julie told us she’s going on vacation soon. She’ll be flying to San Francisco, renting a car and then spending a couple of weeks exploring the California coastline. “I know that stretch of road like the back of my hand,” I said. “When you get to San Francisco, give me a call and let me offer some suggestions so you can make the most of your time while you’re on vacation.” Please do call, Julie, if you have any questions. And I’d love to reciprocate…to be able to make an offer to you like the one you made to me. The logistics seem prohibitive, however, so I’ll just “pay it forward.” Happy trails to you!
HERE’S WHAT’S NEXT. We’ll leave Ohio in the morning, headed to the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in New York. Our drive will take a few days. After spending 4 or 5 days exploring the Adirondacks, we’ll be on our way to Bar Harbor, Maine. That’s the starting point for our leisurely trek down the Eastern Seaboard before arriving at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where we will spend the winter. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
JOIN US AGAIN SOON. OUR GREAT AMERICAN ADVENTURE CONTINUES.
