Since the end of August, we’ve been caravanning with our dear friends Nina & Paul.
Never would we have imagined how comfortable and amazing 4 months spent traveling with anyone else could be. Especially two couples who are highly independent and like to do their own thing.
Perhaps it’s precisely because each of us has been part of enough casual RVing caravans to have created guides to doing just this? (Links: Nina’s Caravanning Post, Our Caravanning Video Chat.)
While we talked up front and made it clear that any of us could leave at any time, that we didn’t have to do all of the same stops, that there was no expectation of being ‘bumper to bumper’ at any point – amazingly, we were pretty much in sync the entire time.
We’d let them know we were feeling the itch to move on and would met them down the road, and they’d be on the same page.
And we were exactly on the same page when it felt right to part ways for a bit too.
Not because we were tired of each other.
But simply that we each craved solitude and being on our own.
The past few weeks at Anza-Borrego have been socially intensive, and us nomads simply understand the independence that has lead us onto the road in the first place.
Nina & Paul hitched up and headed down the road first. Of course, we did compare notes as to our next possible stops, as we didn’t want to unintentionally end up being neighbors. Knowing how in sync we’ve been, that was a definite possibility.
We stayed behind a couple more days, as we had dinner dates with Leigh & Brian of Aluminarium one evening, and Todd & Russ of Wandertopia the next. We were thrilled to get some time getting to know both of these awesome like minded nomadic couples. We’ll be seeing them again, for sure.
The delightful Hector and Brenda of Island Girl Walkabout had also pulled in, so the bonus time gave an opportunity to connect over sharing island drink recipes with them.
Yesterday morning however, we reluctantly pulled on out of Clark Drylake Bed area of the Anza-Borrego desert and said ‘until next time’ to all of the new friends we’ve made recently.
We have intentions to visit Quartzite soon, and we just know if we’re going to have any chance of surviving the many social opportunities there – we need to get some solitude of our own to recharge first.
So here we are.. for the first time in months, on the road moving entirely at our own pace. We pulled out with no firm plan as to where our next stop will be – which is just how we like it.
The open road is ours again. And it feels great.
It was so great to meet you both! I really appreciate the shout out in the blog, but more importantly I’m grateful to have met two really inspiring people. We look forward to crossing paths with you again very soon and sharing a few adventures along the way.
Ditto our friends, ditto, indeed!
In solotude is found serenity. Most people could use a little of each at times. The rest of us “need” a healthy dose of both at our own regular intervals.
This was a great post with more of your gorgeous photos, and I hope you enjoy your solo recharging time. (clothes and all!) 😉
I can almost hear the big “sigh” in your writing. Togetherness is enhanced by solitude! Your time at the springs looks like it was amazing and what fun you had networking. I understand the need to get back to ‘by yourselves’ though – heck I have that and I’m not even on the road (helps to live on a dead end 20 miles out of town). Safe travels!
Alone time is so important.. it helps us have more energy for those social times and be more present. We were getting to a point where we just had to shut ourselves inside, and that’s no fun either.
When I saw the title of your post, “On the Road Again: Naturally”, I just know you two were now traveling au natural, as “naturally” is a common term for being in that state. Oh well, I guess my mind hasn’t recovered from all the research I did for my novel, “Barely Retired”. Travel safe and have fun.
Hehe… notice we didn’t make any mention of the state of our clothing 🙂 One of the things we love about being on our own and not in site of others, is not worrying about being in ‘proper’ dress for those that might stop by unannounced.
What a great example you all have been, in respects to caravanning. Thank you for all of your posts! What a fun experience!
It really is wonderful when you find folks who approach a caravan with similar intents and keep a similar pace.
Hey guys. We made the lime / coconut concoction again after you left, thanks for the amazing recipe … yummy.
So good to meet you in person finally. See you down the road soon. Hector and Brenda
I’m still in disbelief that you guys make a killer painkiller.. but hadn’t heard of a Lime in the De Coconut 🙂 Glad to share, and so fun to meet up. Until next time!
Great photos!
Safe travels! xoxo
Thanks!
So totally agree with your sentiments about caravanning together. Our caravan has been the best ever (in history? in the world?). Looking forward to seeing your next stops, especially now that it’s all a mystery to me 🙂
Nina
I know I can’t be alone in saying that it was a PLEASURE following both your blogs these past 4+ months! (And Clark and Elaine’s too….it was amazing that three of the blogs I faithfully follow all got together!) Thank you, and safe travels to you all. –Dave (GoingRvWay.com)
It is so good to hear that, thanks Dave! I have to admit, it was an extra (and fun) challenge to try to keep a different perspective in our posts from Nina’s as we were sharing so many adventures together.
Still adjusting to not having the Beast out our window, or a Polly to smooch on. Or not being able to just lean out the door to see if it’s happy hour time with you guys yet 🙂 Enjoy the solitude, and we too look forward to seeing what adventures you get into. And whee… finally, we’ll have different blog posts.
Must be something in the air causing those itchy feet, or tires in this case, to roll down the road. Although I haven’t been as social as some I’m feeling it, and Monday will move southeastward. May see you Quartzsite. Enjoy the peace.
Hope to see you down the road Gaelyn! Glad you enjoyed Borrego as well, what a place!
Your photos of the desert sky are really drawing me there! Just three weeks ’til our maiden voyage out by Desert Center for a quick weekend shakedown :-)))) Having the opportunity for both expanded socializing and absolute solitude it the perfectly balanced life. Your ability to find and enjoy both while maintaining your work life is pretty incredible. Enjoy your pre-Q hiatus!!
It really is incredible that this lifestyle allows you to choose what you’re feeling at the moment – nature, social, solitude, urban, rural, boondocking, hook-ups.. or whatever. It fits us well. Hope your shakedown weekend is a success!
Love me some alone time! Enjoy!
Word! 🙂