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It was a cool autumn evening. The sun was lazily ambling down the western sky and the smell of wood-fires and home-cooking infused the air with familiarity and reflection. On my evening walk, I passed two children playing in a huge natural yard. I noticed how different it was from the perfectly manicured, postage-stamp size yards, I’m used to seeing and how surprised I was to see the kids out in plain sight. In the San Francisco suburbs, children don’t just play out in the open like that.
I marveled at their carefree innocence from the other side of the street. They laughed and played and hung on a good natured and patient Golden Retriever. Not a care in the world; they didn’t even notice me. I felt like I’d been transported back to simpler times.
I’d parked my RV at the little league fields, a few blocks away, earlier in the day and spent the afternoon working and writing and enjoying peace and solitude. I was amazed that not a single kid came to the field to play nor nearby residents to walk their dogs. And I realized, it’s because here, in tiny-town USA (Enterprise, Oregon) everyone has a yard. Their little league field is for actual Little League, not a community yard where people who live in giant houses with tiny yards and neighbors within arms’ reach must drive to get some exercise and fresh air.
Spending the day in the tiny northern Oregon town took me back to my own Upstate New York roots – the ones I fled when I moved to San Francisco at twenty-one, and never looked back. Roots that I’ve spent my whole adult life running away from and denying. In my race to run from my past, I ran from myself. I ran from my predisposition toward a simpler way of life: where the streets aren’t always paved and the clerks in the grocery store know their customers by name.
As I hobbled over the cracked and crooked sidewalks, through old neighborhoods with normal-sized single-story houses (not super-sized McMansions), and inhaled the crisp home-town air, I realized how much living in a metropolitan area for nearly three decades had changed me. I’d forgotten how the rest of the country lives; how pure and simple life can be.
I was surprised at how comfortable it felt. Like I’d walked into a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special and a world where kids are innocent and free and old-fashioned kindness and community rules the day. I wanted to wrap the town around me like grandma’s handmade quilt and fall asleep in its warmth.
As the afternoon turned to night, I meandered through the tiny town wanting to see and experience it all. I saw, through the lighted windows of cozy homes, quaint shops and tiny wooden churches with stained glass windows, what had been missing in my city life. Family. Community. Simplicity.
It dawned on me that my big city experiences and values had isolated me from the reality of what most Americans experience daily. I pondered the contentious election, and for the first time, I understood. I understood the fear. I understood the challenges that small-town America faces and how they feel like their way of life is on the verge of falling off the cliff. I understood how they view a sensationalized version of the events in our country – and the world – through their TV screens and it terrifies them. I understood how their serene and quiet lives seem threatened. And like the crackle of a fresh log put on a dying fire, my brain awakened to a new concept of reality. And a new awareness of how relative “reality” can be.
What a gift I was given that day. My new life as a full time RVer put me in a place I’d never have experienced in my old life. My new, slower, RV Life allowed me to get out from behind the windshield and immerse myself into new places – and not just fly past at 70 miles per hour. A new town isn’t just another double almond-milk cappuccino served up by the local Starbucks barista at an anonymous interstate town, but a real, live breathing place with history and community.
I spent three days in and around Enterprise, Oregon. I talked to chatty coffee drinkers in cafes, friendly grocery store clerks and helpful mechanics. I got to meet real people, with real wants, needs and concerns. Real people, with families, friends and happy Golden Retrievers. Not nameless, faceless political ideologues or Facebook trolls. But real people.
What a wonderful life I have: one that allowed me to step away from my version of reality. Life on the road allows me to forge my own path and a new reality. My RV Life opened my eyes – and my heart – to a community, which, on the surface seemed so different from my old Bay Area community, but at the core, was very much the same.
Thank you, Enterprise, Oregon, for letting me temporarily live in your town and experience your reality.
DISCLAIMER: Carolyn’s RV Life and Carolyn Higgins share her experiences, thoughts, opinions and ideas in this blog post and on this website for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, instruction or guidance. Viewers/Readers should consult with professionals before pursing any actions or behaviors exhibited in this video. Carolyn’s RV Life or Carolyn Higgins cannot be held liable in the event of any accident or injury that may occur as a result of application of procedures and information provided in this video.
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19 Responses
I experience that small town feeling when I return to Illinois every Spring! Little towns, 5000 residents or less, that have city band concerts on the courthouse square every Friday night in the summer…..the local Lions club serves up fresh popcorn from an old “popcorn wagon”…..churches having cake walks and ice cream socials. Not far away in another small town, they have an annual honey bee festival, and the whole downtown turns their storefronts into decorated beehives. A little to the west, all the 4-H kids that had livestock and poultry in the local county fairs have their animals auctioned off….the kids get the money and the community has a big 4-H barbecue!! You can’t beat small town USA!
John, Yes, small town USA is pretty cool. thank you for reading and sharing your story! – c
Hi Carolyn! I got my converted cargo van in Arizona a few days ago. I’m in heaven! I also sent a much over due letter of resignation. I’m going back to Cali to take care of loose ends. Then off I’m going with my 3 dogs to begin my life as a traveling van dweller. You inspire me and already amazing miracles are happening. I want to write about my journey. I’m grateful I stumbled upon your blog and videos! I live your honesty and writing!!!! Encore! Lisa
Lisa and dogs!! congrats on your new van-home!! yay!!!
oh my gosh and a letter of resignation too??? how exciting!
I can’t wait to read about your van/dog/traveling adventures.
congratulations to you all!!! – Carolyn
I love Enterprise, it is one of my favorite places of all time. It is so gorgeous up there and some of my good friends live there. And it is very close to the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, it is calling me back.
Thank you for portraying it so beautifully and helping me reminisce.
Cindy, it was such a special place.. I really enjoyed my summer in Oregon, a lot of wonderful communities! You are very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the story! – Carolyn
Of all the lessons from my past 4 years on the road, the overriding ones are those from Main Street – a forgotten land. There is much to be learned by experiencing the real America.
Kim, I agree… It was eye opening! ty for reading!
I am enjoying reading about your life and adventures. Thank you!
Thank you very much Kay! That’s great to read!
Great story! After traveling via bicycle for many years,purposely avoiding interstates, I cycled across this wonderful country for many years going through small towns which are always the most welcoming. Met a wonderful elderly woman in Eastern Oregon who knew her home was on a well worn bike route and she sat on her porch waiting to flag cyclists down to give us cookies and lemonade. If it was late in the day she would offer her yard as a campsite, which many took her up on. Another couple in Idaho built several Indian Teepees which we could see in the distance and naturally we would stop to ask questions. Eventually the conversation turned to him insisting we all stay for a BBQ and sleep in the teepees. I could go on and on, but I have found people who have chosen to live life on a closer and slower pace are the most generous of people. My best childhood experiences were camping at the Salton Sea in the 50s, summers on my grandparents acreage in the Sonoma Valley, and eventually growing up in the Coachella Valley. I left my small town life in order to grow as a person and expand my horizons cause that’s what parents wanted for their children. I returned to my childhood home to care for my mom before her passing and rather than go back to the “city” I stayed to view my lovely Desert purple mountains, open expanse of views, and while the population has exploded I can get away with my RV to connect with peace and solitude. Would love to abandon the sticks and bricks, but I have doubts this would work for a single, 60ish woman and with no supporting family. In following Carolyn I hope to get a new perspective until I’m convinced the road would be a viable option for me. I am in search of small town simple life, so should you read my comment would love to read others perspective. Thanks
I love all your videos simply great! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Sandra, you are very kind to write and share your encouraging words. Thank you! – Carolyn
Great articles. Your travels and courage keep me going. At the present time in my life – husband very ill and facing the kinds of challenges and changes we, like so many others go through, I will hopefully be on the road with all of you. God Bless. Pat
Pat, I’m so glad to read that you enjoy being on this journey with me! thank you!
Love all you videos. You taught me a few things about keeping safe as a solo female. Thx
You are an inspiration. I love all your videos and your writing about “what you see”, in your rv life, was awesome. I’m a 53 year old mom who has worked since she was 13. I look at what I have for all that work, and other than 2 awesome son’s I have nothing, and have seen nothing, have done nothing. You have inspired me, I have been studying and researching, about RV’s , national parks , rules, etc. I have estimated how big an rv fuel tank is, how many mpg I would likely get, and looked at parks to see how many tanks of gas it would take me to get there . I’m trying to soak up all the info you put out there for your “friendlies” and building the courage and mapping out a plan in my head. Thank you for sharing your experience, what you get from it, you advice, your thoughts and feelings about it all. I check daily for new videos with you and Capone ! Much love from Arkansas, Deborah
Addicted to your videos!! Learn so much and gives me much encouragement. My husband died a few months ago so looking at life differently. Think it’s going to be van living and with you out there sharing your wisdom and setting an example for us I know it can be done.
Your “friendly” from CT.
Hey there carolyn, have been following you for quite some time. I thoroughly enjoyed the video from Tennessee as that’s where I live and I realized you litterally had to drive right past my house at one point,but you didn’t stop! Lol! If you stopped at everyone’s house you get close to you would never get anywhere! Any way I got a kick out of how you didn’t want to leave, I GET IT! When I moved to Tennessee I was just driving secondary highways because I was tired of driving on interstate, you know everyone flying down the road in such a hurry, but why? Any bow as I was passing through the little town I live in I thought, “this looks like a nice place to live” I stopped and got a paper, talked to some locals to get a feel for the place, found a place to live got a job,(otr driver) and never left. That was in ’92… There is really something about Tennessee and the people that makes you feel right at home…
Oh something else, I don’t know if you could do this but when you are in a hat’s Forrest or bmp and looking for that perfect site how about popping up your drone to do an aerial search to find a perfect spot to lite? Just a thought…
Keep living the adventure and sharing with those of us that live vicariously through you, when my obligations here are over I’ll be out there as well. Have a great life,and know your sharing makes a difference.