Breakfast Club

Back in the days when we actually lived here, Thursday mornings started early. For one of us, anyway. Just about every Thursday, Paul would leave the house before dawn to attend his weekly breakfast club meeting.

That's the thing about breakfast clubs. They meet early!

I attended my first breakfast club meeting a month or so before we hit the road. It's a great group of civic-minded professionals who tend to be really cheerful early in the morning. I think it's safe to say that this is one of the things Paul really enjoyed about living in the Bay Area. If he's missed something since we left, this is it. So, when the group asked if Paul would do a presentation at a meeting while we were back in town, he jumped at the chance.

The group was curious to know all there is to know about fulltiming in 20 minutes or less. With dusty Powerpoint skills at the ready, we put together a presentation designed to inform and entertain early in the morning. At precisely 6:15 this morning, we hit the road and headed off to the meeting.

6:15 is REALLY early!

The club meeting was fun. We received warm greetings from friends we hadn't seen in nearly a year. After breakfast, one of our friends introduced Paul and I took my position at the laptop to run the Powerpoint. For the requisite 20 minutes, Paul informed and entertained. He answered lots of questions, and received a big round of applause.

Between the compliments we received after, a common theme emerged. People were inspired. They may not have the desire to live fulltime in an RV, but many of them rekindled their ideas of that big life dream they've yet to realize. It was amazing to witness, and made getting up early more than worth the effort.

With the presentation behind us, we paid a visit to our old neighborhood for coffee with a favorite neighbor. Looking at our old sticks and bricks was trippy. It didn't seem like ours, at all. That was some reaction to a place where we spent nearly 10 years. As we caught up with the neighbor, we soaked in the views of the bay and remembered this wonderful place we used to call home. But, that view never really changes. And, we couldn't put wheels under that house. What we're up to now is so much better. But, it was great to check in and catch up.

By the time we got home at noon, the early day was catching up with us. I did more work for our upcoming Winnie outing, Paul made a grocery run, then we prepared to welcome a couple of friends for happy hour. A few minutes before their scheduled arrival, we sat outside for a moment and were greeted by three smiling children. In a distinctively Dutch accent, the eldest asked most politely if they could come inside and see our motorhome.

First, Germans. Now, the Dutch. Bullwinkle is quite the tourist magnet!

We asked where their parents were, and they pointed across the way. A cute couple sitting on the grass gave us a nod and a wave. With their approval, we welcomed the kids in. The two brothers and their sister thought our moose was just the coolest thing. They told us about their 2 1/2 week RV journey around the Southwest. They've had a blast, and can't wait to come back. Reluctantly, they'll board a plane tomorrow for their return to the Netherlands.

With the tour complete, we escorted our young guests outside. They returned to their campsite and we strolled around the park. We made a pass by the Dutch family and spoke with the parents.

"He's been so wanting to see what these big motorhomes are like inside," said mom. "So, we told him 'The only way you're going to see one is to ask.' When he said he was going to ask you, all we asked was that he be polite."

We assured the parents that the children were most polite. And, mom and dad said they got quite the report from all three kids when they returned. It seems the oldest was quite enamored.

"It has a fireplace?" asked Dad.

"And, you're living in it?" inquired Mom.

You just never know what will impress a kid!

We wished each other safe travels. We have a feeling the Netherlands is going to welcome home a new young RV enthusiast tomorrow.