When RV Life Tests You: Broken Leaf Spring, Big Hearts, and Lessons on the Road

We have officially been on the road for 3. 5 weeks at the time I am writing this. Number 1 question is: “Any regrets?”

Raw answer? No

BUT…

there have been times when I think we are at the ‘end’ of capacity to ‘learn’ new things. Learning while traveling is really a nice way to say we have had more than one or two problems that need to be solved asap.

When your home is on wheels, and the next stop awaits, solving issues demands a different level of flexibility and problem solving.

Where in a sticks and bricks home, you may have a network of locals to lean on, when on the road, everyone is a complete stranger. It is a whole new level of trust and connecting to new people to get recommendations. Sure there are google searches and reviews, but nothing beats talking to a local.

A great example of this is what we are dealing with right now.

We were on the road yesterday heading to our next destination and G said “there is smoke”. I thought he was referencing the BBQ joint we just passed in this small town. He was not. We had smoke coming from the drivers side near the wheels. People driving past started honking and pointing.

Upon pulling over, G quickly figured out our leaf spring had broken and that caused the tires to rub together creating the smoke and rubber burning smell. We were feeling VERY blessed that we were 4 miles or so away from our reserved campground! We had just finished at 2 hour drive on what was a very deserted stretch of highway. I can’t imagine if it broke then….

Once we limped our way slowly to the campground, we asked the owner if they knew of a RV repairs who deals with travel challenges like ours.

They didn’t but they did recommend to call someone who might know (and she said she would pray for us). We called/text that person but he was out elk hunting. Yet he still called us back and recommended we go to the local Farm supply store. Never ever would we have thought to go to a Farm supply shop for broken leaf springs!

We went as directed and spoke to the VERY kind and helpful people that worked there. Within an hour, they had sent a couple guys over to the campground and replaced the broken leaf spring! G and I were both so touched at their kindness and just plain ol’ decency, we shed a few tears. There is nothing lonelier than feeling stranded and overwhelmed in the middle of a strange place. It is only then that we truly see the true heart of people and experience firsthand kindness on the road.

We are very grateful to have more than a few stories like this from the past few weeks. Stories that will live in our hearts for a long time.

So therein lies the contradiction. We don’t want bad or difficult problems to happen. But it is when they do, we meet the most amazing kind hearted people. It is when we feel alone and the ‘end’ of our own capacity, the people come into our lives to remind us we are not alone. We are all connected.