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Campfire Stories - Our RV Years

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By Juanita Spicer

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Hello there; Bring your drink and lawn chair on over to the campfire and let me tell you a story.

Back in '91' at the lower end of Lake Michigan lived a steel worker and his wife. 'Spike' and J.J. were their monikers. Having raised 5 youngins' and seeing the joy of grands and greats being born, they were looking forward to RETIREMENT! So----each year they took their vacations and dreamed of how it would be when Spike got the next ten years done. Then they could really TRAVEL!

Along came fate! Spike suffered two open heart surgeries and found that life in the steel mills had also contributed to COPD in his lungs. WHOA--! End of retirement dream life! Depression, finiancial and emotional upheavel, health questions,family issues, what next? Do we just take early disability retirement and sit and rock till we fade away? Well folks---not these two!

J.J. says "all things work for the good for them that love god". So---she starts doing some RESEARCH. Soon things start falling in place. They find there are ways to have the 'goodlife' on the road after all. They joined a group somewhat like the Vagabonds that enabled them to choose not only where they wanted to travel but let them live and camp free.

J.J. became an office clerk, activity & tour coordinator, gift shop manager, and registered bingo caller. Spike was able to assist with the activities and found himself talanted in the Human Relations department. His background in mechancial, millwright, and steel production, provided easy conversation starters. He also worked the security detail. Both Spike and J.J. had a genuine love of people and enjoyed seeing guests enjoy events planned for their entertainment.

Their first motorhome was a 27 ft. class C, used gently and towing a not so used gently VW. After a thourgh cleaning and waxing the VW perked up tho and tagged along behind for many miles over plains, mountains, valleys, and deserts. Are you waiting for the big finale? OK---don't let your dreams die because life throws you a curve ball! Toss it back, or join a game of basketball and just 'dribble'.

We had twelve years of treasured memories, hilarious good times, made fabulous friends from coast to coast and border to border. The 27 ft. became a 34 ft. and the VW became a windstar, but the love of the lifestyle never wavered. I have more stories of the Vagabond life, it's rewards (have you ever watched the full moon rise during a soft snow at seven falls), and the extraordinary folks we met along the way who are still friends today. Come around again, sit a spell and we'll share a tale. Maybe you'll have one to share with me! How about the beach at Honeymoon Island or the 360% turn of the Space Needle? As spike liked to sing--"I've been everywhere"! Well---not quite-but- if God wills, we"ve got a few miles and sites to see left! Hope to see you at a campfire soon. J.J.

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