In Their Shoes
August 12, 2009
Filed under Julie's Posts, On the Road: Our Personal Blog
We take our shoes off before entering the Escaper. Not while we go in and out during the day, but when we’re in for the night.
It’s become a ritual: John stands in the doorway, scraping the heel of one foot with the toe of the other until his running shoes land outside. He pushes them underneath the camper a bit, but ever since we started experiencing sudden rainstorms, I’ve been pushing them under a little further along with mine so they don’t get wet.
The ritual is more of a courtesy. After months of wearing the same shoes pretty much every day, well, you can imagine that Lysol doesn’t work as well as it used to. Probably too much information, but that’s life on the road!
And so it went again, our shoes tucked in under the camper while we parked for another night at the Wal-Mart in Butte, Montana. We had spent the day with our parking lot neighbors and new friends, Mike and Jane, whom you will meet in one of our next videos.
It was their 25 year-old Toyota camper that caught John’s eye. There aren’t many of them around and we’re always on the lookout for the Escaper’s long lost twin. They have the New Horizon model. Not quite our twin, but close enough.
Mike and Jane recently moved out of their apartment and into their camper full-time because things are tough these days.
We enjoyed their company as they introduced us to the wonder of grilling out in a Wal-Mart parking lot. People would honk and wave at us as we sat around the mini-grill in folding chairs, eating our hamburgers and hot dogs. Mike and Jane have become regulars around the Wal-Mart.
When the sun set for the evening and the night air chilled, Mike and Jane helped us bring our chairs back to the Escaper. We said goodnight and agreed to see them in the morning before setting off for our next destination.
The parking lot was the fullest we’ve ever seen during one of our Wal-Mart stays. RVs and campers of all shapes, sizes and price ranges with license plates from Iowa, Washington, Louisiana, Texas and beyond. Ours fell somewhere in the middle. I thought we blended in pretty well.
Which was why I was caught completely off guard when I woke up this morning and quietly stepped outside. I reached down to get my sneakers and noticed that our shoes, normally tucked away in our separate pairs were alternated in a row. In one of John’s was a ripped piece of blue-lined loose-leaf paper with “God Bless Safe Travels” written in blue marker. In one of mine was a dollar bill.
I didn’t know what to make of it. Had we unwittingly stumbled upon some traveler’s code? Were we asking for help by leaving our shoes out for the night? Who was this mysterious donor and had they done this for everyone? When I told John, he wondered if maybe someone had mistaken our camper for Mike and Jane’s.
I felt guilty. There are more deserving people who should have received this thoughtful gift, not me.
Mike and Jane aren’t proud about it, but Jane sometimes stands on the side of the road holding a sign asking passers-by for a little help. They only ask when they really need it; they use the money to buy food and gas. We often assume the worst about those people standing there, avoiding eye contact at any cost. Jane doesn’t care if you don’t want to give her money, but she sure appreciates a friendly nod.
I wanted them to have the dollar, but there was no way of slipping it to our new friends without being insulting. I hoped the mysterious donor had left one for them, too. Every little bit helps. Mike and Jane want people to know that – even if all you can afford is a smile and a hello.
Which is why I took the dollar out of my pocket and tucked it in the glove compartment. I’m waiting to see someone standing on the side of the road “flying a sign.” I plan on rolling down the window, looking them in the eye and handing it over along with the handwritten note.
“God Bless Safe Travels.”
Hi Julie and John
I have been reading your blog and watching the videos. The video stories are getting better and better. I especially enjoyed the woman walking her horse across the country. Are you going to catch up with her? I’m wondering where she might be at this point. And I must have watched “Signs of Change” at least three times perhaps more. You did a great job taking a story a lot of people would not even look at and made it fun and compelling to watch. AND my latest favorite is “Maisie’s Pool” the compelling humanity of this story shows through your shooting, writing and editing. It would be nice to put all of these stories in a long form documentary.
Stay in touch, continue to have fun.
All the best,
Pierina
Hi Guys,
I have been following you from the start and am inspired by you stories,but this one about Jane and Mike sent shivers from my toes to my heart. I always say what comes around goes around, and i love how you are going to play it forward. If more of us do this what a wonderful world it would be. I am looking forward to the story of Jane and Mike. May the wind be at your back and the heavens keep you safe.
I love this little story. We may be “neighbors” some day in a Wal-mart parking lot. We’ve found it’s one of our favorite places to sleep. It’s much quieter than the “Flying J’s” we often frequent.
We often struggle with our response to those standing on the corners with signs. There’s so much need and it’s heartbreaking to know that it’s only going to get worse in the coming days. Some days we hand out money, other days we pray and other days I just cry in frustration to have nothing practical at hand to help with.
Good luck with the “sneaker smells”. Our biggest bugaboo is trying to keep the “bathroom” from smelling like an outhouse. It doesn’t seem to matter what chems I use or how often I clean it. It still has some very STINKY days!
I loved that story. Someone wanted to help without causing the recipient to be embarrassed. And it reminds me of the story” A Little Princess” by Frances Burnett.
My sister came to visit over Christmas with her young children. My dog was a novelty for them so I let them take her out to play on a leash. One afternoon, a man came to the door and wanted to thank the kids who saved him from the dog. It seems when none of the adults were paying attention, the dog escaped the children and ran up to him as he rode by on his bike. He didn’t know the dog is friendly, not territorial or aggressive. He was charmed by the children- I agree: they are unspoiled, sweet, polite. He asked if the children needed anything- new shoes, warm coats. My sister and I were struck silent. He went on to say he had been praying as usual and then thinking about generosity. And there he was on my cottage porch. I thanked him and told him the children were fine with two employed parents and a lovely home.
I was a bit embarrassed but had to admit to my sister that my house, decades older than others in the neighborhood, has a coat of primer on it and has hundred-year-old windows and doors. I have to do all the repairs myself when possible. I got as far as sanding and primer before winter set in. The roof still leaks despite my efforts. It doesn’t look great but the bills are getting paid so far. It’s been a “halfway house” for more than one friend or family member between jobs.
My sister was embarrassed because someone thought the kids weren’t cared for. “Play clothes! They were in play clothes! They wouldn’t wear their hats and gloves!”
There are so many caring people out there.
A tip for the nomads–
I found 2 helpful websites
freecampgrounds dot com
and
boondocking dot org
Best wishes for this new year, everyone!