Cleveland to Houston coming weekend. Start on Friday the 19th

[Lifemagician]

As a solo roadtripper, I would not want to have a stranger in my vehicle...... ever. I like the (selfish) luxury of being able to stop, turn, spend time or just continue without having to consider the needs/wishes of another.

However, solo does not mean always being alone. It affords a great opportunity to interact with fellow travellers and the locals wherever one is. Sometimes asking a question could get one in a conversation with a total stranger - even if one already knew the answer to the question.

When having a break, don't always sit down at an empty table... ask another lone guest if you may share their table. This is getting harder and harder to do, as folks are generally engrossed in their electronics, and may not even notice others around them.

Showing an interest in something unique about the travelling party parked next to you, even at a rest area, can be a great way to meet people. Only a week ago I was at a truck stop and parked near another vehicle identical to mine (a year older). Got to chat with the owner who came from Tennessee and spoke with a broad Scottish accent.

We shared improvement plans to our vehicles and inspected what had already been done. Before departing, here were two strangers who 60 minutes earlier had not met, saying goodbye with a big hug in the middle of the parking lot.... in the rain. Of course we exchanged contact details. Who knows, we may meet again... one day.

Keep a daily journal.... you'll be surprised how many people you meet, how many
places of interest you visit. But you will forget if you do not write it down.

Lifey

[longtripride]

"Sometimes asking a question could get one in a conversation with a total stranger - even if one already knew the answer to the question." Point Noted.

But as you mentioned about cell phones, I have habit of searching for anything on my cell phone rather than asking somebody. Its hard for me to start conversation Just like that with anybody.

It was interesting to read your part. Hopefully lets see How things will work out for me.

[DonnaR57]

Interact with the front desk people at the motel, talk with the waitress or the greeter at a restaurant, get brave! We had a lovely conversation with some people from Pennsylvania when we went out to eat one night in Custer City, SD -- they had noticed my T-shirt (Albuquerque Balloon Festival) and wanted to know if we'd ever gone. (My husband's answer was that he'd driven through ABQ when he was driving commercially, during the Festival, but that led to other conversation.)

If you want to know where a good place to eat is, ask a clerk at the hotel where they'd go for dinner if they had the chance. Or go to the grocery store to pick up snacks and ask the cashier or the person behind you in line. (We always asked, "Are you a local?" with that one, because we've run into other tourists who buy their snacks and drinks at a grocery store rather than the truck stop or convenience market.) They'll also tell you where they love to take visitors from other places to see.

Donna

[Lifemagician]

- they had noticed my T-shirt (Albuquerque Balloon Festival) and wanted to know if we'd ever gone
Donna

That is a really good one, especially if you want another to start the conversation. Two of my T shirts have a statement on the front which constantly attracts comments from all ages and both genders. I always assure them that it is not copyright, and does not have a trade mark associated with it, so if they want to use it, feel free to do so. One lady whom I met at Jenny Lake embroiders Ts and is going to use that statement to sell Thinks it will sell well, on all sizes.

But yes, so long as it is not controversial, T shirt statements and slogans as well as advertisements and events are a great help..

Lifey