What We Miss

On our way from Billings to Devils Tower, we scheduled a short meetup with friends from Kansas City who are on their first-ever RV trip. They rented a Class A gasser and are putting a zillion miles on it in 10 days, traveling from Kansas City to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone and back. Ah, the life of vacationers!

We compared itineraries with these RVing rookies and discovered we would be on one stretch of I-90 in Wyoming at the same time. They would be heading west to Cody as we were heading east to Devils Tower. We found a perfect rest stop along our shared route and set an approximate time to meet. Paul and I arrived early, which gave us enough time to exercise the generator and enjoy some lunch. Just as we had everything cleaned up, our road-weary friends pulled in.

They shared stories of their misadventures. But, they did so with a smile. We gave them some essential advice about black tank management, and a recommendation for an alternate route to Cody. They appreciated both. These good folks don't need any more surprises! They showed us their nifty rental and we gave them a quick tour of the moose. They said it was like comparing a room at the Motel 6 with a room at the Ritz. I think they were ready to leave that rental at the rest stop and join us!

While we were showing them around, one of them asked a question we haven't heard in awhile: "What do you miss about life in a house?" I had to pause and think about that one, because there really isn't much!

"A dishwasher" was my quick reply.

Later, after we'd said our so longs and made our way safely to Devils Tower, I reflected on the question and my speedy answer. You see, a dishwasher is nice. But, we don't really miss it. There's something very satisfying about washing and drying dishes and putting them away. Besides, we rarely have all that many.

So, what do we really miss?

Always-on, dependable, smoking hot wifi, perhaps? No. Not really.

What about a garage for our squirrel? Rocky might miss that, but we don't.

Maybe a garbage disposal? I miss that more than a dishwasher. But, then again, I don't really miss it.

What is it, then? What do we really miss?

Eureka! We've got it!

The one thing we really miss, after living on the road for a year, is....

(insert drumroll here)

...Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet Paper!!!

Yes, after a year on the road, we are loving life as fulltimers. But, the cold, hard truth is it's a single-ply life.

That's a sacrifice we're willing to make!