Norman - the (now) bike-riding dog

So now we've seen it on youtube.  We spotted him in a National Geographic Kids magazine while we were in Solvang (I need to find that pic).  He was in the Rose Parade.  He's had numerous television appearances, even anchoring a newscast (I've seen the video, just can't find the link).  Jill even wrote a post about Norman when we stayed in Carson City last fall.  Clearly, the dog is a hit, with a facebook page, and now a viral sensation as I've now spotted posts about him on a blog I follow and had three facebook friends post the video.  Well done Norman, and Karen, and Chris.  Well done indeed.

In our post, Norman was just getting started on the bike and was mostly a curiosity in the campground.  Our kids played with their kids, and it was actually one of the more memorable interactions with fellow campers that we've run into.  They are now off the trail and living in South Carolina, I think, but kudos to them for taking a year to let Chris (Dad) wind-down from stress, explore the country, homeschool as needed, and live the lifestyle of full-timers.  Their blog was fun to follow.

I love seeing these types of posts on other blogs.  It makes me wonder - who have we influenced (if anyone)?  When I respond to "Where are you from?" with "Well, we started in Lexington, KY, but we full-time now, so this week we're from (here).  Next week we'll be from (there), and for the next month we'll call (whereever) home."  People pretty much have only two reactions - "That's really cool.", or... "oh." (meaning they think we are insane).   Chris and Karen thought we were cool, and insane.  They wanted to do what we do, but did it on a limited timeframe, and so they never fully embraced the lifestyle this is.  Plus, they were blessed with Norman, and his talents, only weeks into their journey.  They had a lot going on with their travels, and a novelty like Norman can change the focus of your trip.

Honestly, I hope to meet up with that family again.  Clear-as-day I remember how odd, and fortunate, the pairing was in Carson City - them not understanding why we would stay at a campground, even with so much area to discover, for more than 4 days, and us, not understanding why a family, on the road like us, would want to push so hard - especially when they had no real schedule.

It all comes down to different lifestyles.  Different goals.  AND... different timetables.  I respect what Chris, Karen, Norman, and the kids set-out to do, accomplished, and have now.  They were great people to meet and will always be a part of our journey - and I, WE, love to see their dreams come true with NormantheBriard(.com).  We wish them the greatest of successes.