If someone asked me twenty-five years ago about parking in the driveway at my house, while using a travel trailer, I’d said, “And the reason would be why?” Well, it’s now twenty-five years later, if someone in the ACI/WBCCI/VAC asks me, “Can we curiosity park at your house?” the response, “How long you plan on staying and is there anything the Waddell’s can do to help”. Over the years, my family has received calls from people asking to park, which we always enjoy. Years ago, the perfect storm happened with the best courtesy parking our family has had to date. That week, our house became the “Waddell Campground and Trailer Park”. It just so happened we had two guys staying in our 1966 Overlander for a week who were restoring our fireplace/chimney. At the same time, a friend from TN called and asked to stay for a couple of days in her Bambi? Answer: “No problem”. A few hours later, friends from Ontario called and asked to park for a few days and could they bring the in-laws that had a 5th-wheel on their way to Florida? Answer: “No problem”. Next thing you know, another friend calls up who transporting a 1959 Sovereign, needing to get the trailer ready for the trip out west? Answer: “No problem”. Before it was over with, we had four vintage Airstreams and a 5th-wheel camping at our house for better part of the week. Right next to the county road that’s about 20’ from our house!!
I’m sure we’ve all seen the list in the back of the “ACI/WBCCI Membership Guide” of people across the USA and Canada offering their house/driveway as a place to stay. It took me a couple of years to get up the courage to make the first call and ask someone to park. What our family found is something you will never find staying in a Wal-Mart, campground or any other place. As you stay with people and they stay with you, your family grows and grows. The wonderful thing about this new type of family is that they’re concerned for you/you for them. The best thing about it though, they don’t call up asking to borrow $100.00, they call to make sure you got home from the last rally. One of the best trips my family ever took was when we stayed at a courtesy-parking house for a couple of days. While there, we had a great time at the beach, taking in sites, etc… What made the time so special, we did it all with our friends. You will find some (maybe not all) of the folks that offer curiosity-parking, love to show you around the area where they live. What better tour guide to have than someone that lives right there where you are staying. And you’ll find they are proud of where they live and want to make sure you have a good time.
Not long ago, we had someone come and stay at our house. At first, it was “We’ll only be there for a night” I told them, “Let me put you down next to the creek, you’ll be here a couple of days” Before it was over (and four days later), we had great dinners, campfires by the stream, long talks, hot air balloon rides and trips around the countryside. I think my family enjoyed them staying here more than they did being here.
At rallies we make new friends that hopefully we’ll have for a lifetime. But, if you ever really want to get to know your new ACI/VAC/WBCCI friends, have them park in your driveway for a night, two or more. Friendships will deepen more than you could ever imagine and your family will grow, without the worry of your new family costing you a $100.00 loan that you’ll never get back!
Until Next Time,
Paul Waddell
Region-2 VAC Guy