Sept 2012 Great Northern Road Trip with a Toddler

[macmcintire]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

Every time I see one I want to flag them down and chat it up

Me too, but I've found many SMB owners are not very friendly. The ones who are not friendly are probably not on the Forum. And, apparently, there are a bunch of folks who are not on the Forum. I once was camping at Zion National Park and there were four other SMBs in the campground. I stopped to say hello to each of the four. They acted as if I was greatly intruding on their privacy. Now I'm a little more hesitant about going up to people just because they're driving an SMB, even though I feel an instant kinship to them.

[Ford_6L_E350]

I always try to stop and talk to every SMB I see. Even made my 'SMB business cards' to hand out. I've met some interesting people. Last trip I ran into Chris (of UJOINT fame) and Alan and Liz Feld (of SMB fame) and 6 other vans. Rarely do I run into people who don't want to talk. Seems like everyone wants to talk about their van. Even the 'snooty' types need to show off the things they spent money on.

Mike

[macmcintire]

Hmmmm! Maybe it's me. Time for some introspection.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Mac,

Come and find me at Zion and/or the North Rim and see if I will talk to you!

Mike

[macmcintire]

Mike,

If you don't talk to me I've really got some introspection to do. See you next month!

Mac

[Ford_6L_E350]

For comparison, look at some pictures of Salmon Glacier and Bear Glacier near the bottom of this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3611&p=30709

Salmon Glacier from July 2009, Bear Glacier from 2003, 2008 and 2009. Big changes from seasons and time.

Mike

[Ocsmb]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

Me too, but I've found many SMB owners are not very friendly. The ones who are not friendly are probably not on the Forum. And, apparently, there are a bunch of folks who are not on the Forum. I once was camping at Zion National Park and there were four other SMBs in the campground. I stopped to say hello to each of the four. They acted as if I was greatly intruding on their privacy. Now I'm a little more hesitant about going up to people just because they're driving an SMB, even though I feel an instant kinship to them.

I can see that happening. I think you're right about the less sociable owners not being on the forums. You would think there'd be some brotherhood. Maybe my excitement will wear off one day and I'll be less friendly too. Until then I'm going to approach every SmB owner.

[macmcintire]

I still approach every SMB owner I see. I just don't expect them all to be so enthusiastic about talking to me as I used to expect. Since I have people want to look at my SMB all of the time, I thought everyone else would be eager to show off like me. Just last night I had about six people from my Community Emergency Response Team training want a "tour" of my van. It happens all the time! And when I pull up for a Search and Rescue operation a lot of people think I must be in charge since I have the big rig.

Now I guess I've highjacked this thread long enough and we ought to get back to Oooohhhing and Ahhhhhhing about Alaska!

[daveb]

Great pictures. I hope by the time I retire, fuel won't be a factor on seeing what you did.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by daveb

Great pictures. I hope by the time I retire, fuel won't be a factor on seeing what you did.

Agreed.