Gladis
I bought a little RV and named it Gladis after my grandmother. My Gramie was a small, scrappy woman who left home at 14 and who made her way in the world with zeal and humor. She worked in lemon packing houses through the Great Depression, picking out rotten lemons from the bins because that job paid best.
Later, she – probably realizing my Grandfather wasn’t ever going to make a great living – started her own business – a small booth selling baby clothes – and gradually built it up to a nice ladies’ clothing store, back when small retailers could still make a go of it.
She always loved to camp in her trailer and fish for striped bass on a little boat she and my grandfather had in the Sacramento delta at a place called Frank’s Tract.
I was petrified by buying an RV but I did it anyway. It’s small as RVs go, but still 23 feet long. I had no idea if I was going to be able to drive the thing, or operate the systems, or figure it out without blowing myself up. But then I thought “If all these people I see on the road can make it work, so can I.”
I spent many sleepless nights trying to figure everything out. It was weird, though – I felt like something was guiding me along, step by step. Everything happened in perfect order, which is something we say a lot at church, but which never seemed like real life to me.
My friend Dot gave me a driving lesson. After just 3 or 4 miles, I let go of my death grip on the wheel and relaxed. We had a close brush with a tree limb in a parking lot, but after we went on the freeway, she pronounced me safe to drive and left me to my own devices.
Last week I headed out on the road. Please come along with me.
My first day out on the road.
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Suebob's Red Stapler 
❤️❤️❤️
You are brave and wonderful. Looking forward to what happens next! xoxo
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read about your adventures
I love this so much and wish I was doing the exact same thing right now.
Same.
Ah-maz-ing! Question… are you going to decorate Gladis with stickers?
I’m so excited for you Sue. I understand the fear but you are right, you can do it. And if you need help you will get it. I look forward to reading about your adventures. Happy Trails❤️❤️
Oh, amazing. I cannot wait to live my road trip/tiny home dreams vicariously….. I mean I did live on a boat with a broken engine which was basically an RV in a very wet parking lot 😀 so I can relate!
I love a good adventure just don’t expect me to go camping with you. It’s a well known fact in my family that I am the only one the openly hates camping. But, you go. Have a wonderful time. I sit her warm and comfy waiting to live vicariously through you. Have fun!
So looking forward to reading about your adventures! Let me know if you pass near the Sacramento area.
I am looking forward to this!
Go Sue Go!!
I am so excited for your adventures!
Wow! Here’s to your new adventures with Gladis!
Yay! This is so great! Thanks for bringing us along 🙂
So cool! I have thought about how fun that would be. Get in touch if you come to Utah!