Years ago I was asked to research and write an article on recreational vehicles, motor homes or, more specifically, Airstream Trailers.
I was amazed to learn that Airstreams enjoy an almost cult-like following.
It seems that many new retirees buy an RV (Airstreams are in a class of their own) and travel the country for two or three years before settling into a normal retirement. One in every 12 American households owns a recreational vehicle.
I don't get it!
And then a year or so ago my good friends, people I admire and respect, bought a motor home. They're a pretty sophisticated couple. Well traveled. She's one of my Power Rangers, a Creative - with a big C.
He's an engineer. Not two people I would ordinarily put in the same room together for very long but they've made it work and have had a long happy marriage. They also have two lovely homes.
So I was more than surprised when they bought this thing - and then astounded when they announced they were going on a long, cross country trip.
They were gone for weeks, and weeks. No word except for an occasional e-mail when she dashed into a library if they happened to be in a state that had them.
I wondered if they would still be married when they came home. Or if maybe just one of them would come home.
Oh, I forgot to mention they have a little short, fat dog that weighs about 80 pounds.
But, to my surprise they all three loved the experience. Came home and bought a larger RV for the next big adventures.
One practical thing they announced that I could relate to: She said that if the recession got much worse they could plant their RV in the Wal-Mart parking lot and live in it.
Now that makes sense to me.
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