Random Acts of Kindness

One thing RVers are well known for is their kindness toward fellow travelers. I'm sure anyone who has ever toured our great country in a recreational vehicle has, at one time or another, received assistance from another RVer. Whether touring down the highway or nestled snugly in their favorite campground or resort, RVers just love to offer their opinions and expertise about any possible snafu you may encounter. It seems to be part of our gregarious nature.

Our family was fortunate enough to experience this RVing phenomenon on our very first camping trip. We had just purchased our first motorhome, a 27-foot class C model. As is often the case, our dealer provided us with a coupon for a free weekend of camping at a local campground. Such offers frequently accompany RV purchases as a way to help newbies break in and get a feel for the many components and features of their new rig.

Needless to say, we approached our maiden voyage with great fear and apprehension. With so many working parts, would something go wrong with our motorhome? And if it did, would we even know it? If we recognized a problem, would we be able to do anything about it? Setting up in a campground was certainly different than the walk-through with the service technician at the dealer's lot. Would we really be cut out for this RV lifestyle? One way or another, we knew we were about to find out.

To our good fortune, our first-ever campsite was located next to a guardian angel. His name was Frank, and he had been RVing for over two decades. Even though it was not the latest model, his 34-foot Fleetwood Bounder motorhome looked like a palace next to our class C unit. From the moment we arrived, it seemed Frank was looking out for us. He appeared from nowhere to guide us safely into our site. (Only later did we learn it is common behavior for RVers to help each other pull into campsites.) He patiently assisted as we made the necessary electric, water, and sewer connections. When we discovered our sewer hose was too short to reach the inlet, he even loaned us an extra hose and connector he carried in his RV for just such occasions.

As the weekend unfolded, Frank continued to nurture us through our new adventure. He explained the ins and outs of each component, sharing personal experiences he had garnered over his many years on the road in his RV. Every step of the way, he was very careful to avoid becoming intrusive, knowing just when to offer his help and when to give us our space.

In time we learned that Frank was traveling alone because his wife was confined, due to a recent illness, to their park model trailer in the Florida RV resort they called home. A World War II veteran, Frank was in our part of Pennsylvania to receive some needed medical treatment at a nearby veteran's hospital. His love of RVing was so great, he chose to travel in his motorhome even when circumstances required that he travel solo. With so much on his mind and being so far from home, no one would have faulted him if he had chosen to ignore his neophyte neighbors. His kindness only served to heighten our grateful admiration of his many good deeds.

Twelve years have passed since that magic weekend. We've never had the good fortune to cross paths with Frank again, but his kindness set the tone for all of our RV travels since. He taught us that RVing is about slowing down, meeting others, and sharing experience. He showed us that RVing is not about equipment or destinations, but about people. Most of all, Frank showed us that random acts of kindness have an impact that lasts forever. Here's to you, Frank!