One RVer’s travel memorabilia represents more than just his journeys.
By Tony Trimarco and sidekick “Maple,” F408182
What started as a collection of vanity license plates has become a traveling patchwork of memories. If I were to describe my RV lifestyle, I would say I am more of a roamer. Since purchasing my Winnebago View motorhome in 2008, my favorite pastime has been to travel the United States and marvel at the splendor each state has to offer. Fortunately, both my military and professional careers afforded me many opportunities to do so. As time went on, I enjoyed collecting plates from completed “bucket list” trips and attaching them to the back of the RV. They quickly became conversation starters with other campers after a long day on the road, and even gave four-wheelers and truckers something to read when we were stuck in traffic.
The latest instance happened as I drove through the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks on my way to Whiteface Mountain. I had pulled over at a scenic overlook when I was approached by a vacationing couple who were taking pictures. She was fascinated by how many places I had traveled — so much so that she asked if I would pose in front of them for a picture. As a result, I ended up giving them several suggestions for their future vacations.
More importantly, my travel memorabilia do more than represent my life’s journey; they remind me how thankful I am for the blessings I have received and the wonders I have seen. These thoughts became more apparent during the lockdown caused by the pandemic. While sitting on the deck at home one evening, I reflected on my RV in the driveway and wondered when and if I would get on the road again. But then I took comfort knowing that regardless of what the future holds, I have so many awesome memories to look back on.
My plates help me recall the stories of those trips: exploring Devils Tower National Monument, where scenes from Close Encounters Of The Third Kind were filmed; having lunch at the top of Beartooth Highway; eating lobster rolls in Maine and conch fritters in Key West; exploring the wonders of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; and more. But then, if you are a fellow FMCA member, you understand where I am coming from. As I write this today, I am fortunate to live in New York’s Hudson Valley region. If all goes well, I plan to continue wandering the many scenic drives throughout upstate New York, northern New Hampshire and Vermont, and getting back over to Maine when I can. Hopefully, wherever the road leads, new adventures will abound. Thanks for letting me share my story.
See you on the road.