A Life Well Lived
Mike was always good at making decisions and enjoying life. He lived with ease—not because things were always easy, but because he chose wisely. His thinking was grounded, his curiosity endless. He knew the right questions to ask—and he kept asking, not out of doubt, but from a deep desire to understand and grow. He taught us that wisdom isn't about having all the answers, but about knowing which questions matter.
And so, we go on—living life to the fullest, cherishing old friends, making new ones, and exploring this great country together. In every mile we travel, in every conversation shared around a campfire or across a kitchen table, we carry Mike’s spirit with us: his joy, his wisdom, his ease.
This journey isn't just about the places we visit—it's about the people we meet, the stories we gather, and the memories we create. Life, as Mike showed us, is not a destination but a series of meaningful moments strung together by love, laughter, and the courage to ask the next question.
I remember one particular day when Susan and I were traveling back to Arizona. I had been reading a post on the Alfa Forum about a fellow Alfa owner who was having trouble with his recently purchased 2002 Alfa See Ya. As fate would have it, we discovered where he, his wife, and their pet were camped.
As we’ve always done, we made it a point to stop and introduce ourselves to fellow Alfa owners we came across. So there we were, cruising down the highway—miles off our intended path—when we decided to take a 50-mile detour just to find this couple. Not because we had to, but because it felt right. Helping someone on the road, especially a fellow traveler, was simply part of who we were. And that, too, was something Mike lived by: people matter more than plans.
So, we knocked on their door. When they answered, we said, "Hi, we're Susan and Dale Prichard. We heard you were having issues with your Alfa, and we came to see if we could help get you back on the road." While I was working on the coach, Susan was busy in her own way—strong-arming the wife in her usual loving fashion: “Hi! We belong to the Alfa Roadrunners Chapter. Here’s an application. Please fill it out, add $10, and you, too, will be a member of the Alfa Roadrunners. We’re a Framily. You’ll always be a Roadrunner—even when you no longer own an Alfa.”
That’s how it has been, all these years. Stopping, introducing ourselves, meeting new people—and watching them become friends. A part of our Framily. Roadrunners.
Well, it’s time to continue our story—and our travels.
Where are we now? We decided to make a stop at the Elks Lodge in Dallas, Texas. And no, we weren’t visiting Dallas for the sights or the skyline. This stop had a purpose.
We came to see Sebastian Gefeke—the son (yes, the “anchor baby,” as we lovingly call him) of our dear friends Rudy and Beate.
For those who know Rudy and Beate, you already understand why we’d go out of our way. Their friendship has been one of those deep, steady connections that make this lifestyle so rich. And now, watching their son grow into his own life and path—it felt only right to swing through and say hello, share a meal, and hear what’s new.
Because that's what this journey has always been about: not just the roads we drive, but the people who become part of our ever-growing Framily. And sometimes that means taking the long way, just to share a laugh, a story, and a hug with someone who matters.
More miles ahead, more stories to come.
Oops, one more thing, I did forget to take photos. Sorry Rudy, Beate I did not take a photo of all 3 of us.
Oh, you were wondering who the new Alfa Owner was?
Safe Travels and Journeys
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
DaGirls Rv & Gus Da Bus
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