Sharon Waters was 69 years of age and could no longer afford the upkeep of the house she had been living in with her partner of 15 years. Their relationship had ended and so Sharon went looking for an apartment but most apartments would not take her two dogs Crickett and Magic and her cat Milo. Sharon's children were busy with their own lives and she didn't want to be a burden.
And so Sharon sold her home, bought an RV and took off with her pets, traveling south, sometimes staying a few days with friends but mostly exploring the small towns and spending her nights in the RV with Cricket, Magic and Milo in Walmart Super Center parking lots. It was a life changing experience. Proof that even when we get older there are still adventures out there if we can find the courage.
A good deal of Three Years In A Walmart Parking Lot (2019) is taken up with the maintenance of Sharon's RV which is not easy. But Sharon deserves so much credit for teaching herself what she needed to know. The part of the book that spoke to me the most was what Sharon learned about herself. Here are a few passages I noted:
"I liked the sense of isolation and invisibility, hiding in plain sight, removed from anything threatening. There were no stern looks of disapproval, no mail with bad news or phone calls I didn’t want to take. I was inconspicuous, unseen, untraceable. I had my cell phone but rarely answered it".
"I enjoyed starting the day with hot coffee"
"Anything I’m not looking forward to gets done first—I just do it, with my mind on the completion, not the drudgery of the task"
Sharon Waters after three years moved into an apartment that would take her pets. She makes a good case that RV living is not sustainable long term because as the years go by the RV breaks down, needs repairs, gas is expensive and places that will let you park for the night are dwindling. But Sharon does not regret her three years on the road and I too am glad she took the journey and chose to share what she learned.
Another one for my list! I enjoy these kinds of memoirs. This one reminds me a little of Nomadland. I look forward to checking it out. :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoy these travel memoirs too where people take to the road hoping for answers. The book is a bit like Nomadland although Snaron was better off financially and so didn't have to work although the work she had to do to keep her RV running was a daily event.
DeleteThis does sound like a good read , Kathy. I don't think I would have the nerve to do that (and I don't drive), but it would be interesting to hear about her adventures and challenges.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy. I did like the book and it's not very long. I wouldn't have the nerve either and I also don't drive. But I wonder if for those of us who won't be getting into RV's there are other journeys and challenges we could take.
DeleteI think this does sound interesting, although I imagine it would be tough at times. I have a friend who is sort of doing this and is on his second year. It's tough when the choices are so limited.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound brave to me at 69 and by herself. I don't know too much about RVs but Lesley does. It seems like she learned lots along the way ... and reminds me a bit of the book & movie Nomadland. Some people don't have options but to live in vehicles. In the end I'm glad she found an apartment that took pets.
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