Did you know that “Born to be Wild” starts out: “Get your motor running”? If so, I’m impressed. (Or you’re lying.)
That song came out 45 years ago. Until I looked up the lyrics a few minutes ago, I thought it began: “Pitchin’ for a runnin’.”
I never gave any thought to what pitchin’ for a runnin’ might mean. Ever since the sixties I don’t care if lyrics make sense as long as the music is loud.
Big truck, little trailer
I recently learned that someone I’ve known for nearly a decade is pitchin’ to do some runnin’.
Her name is Lynn. She sold her home, bought a large pickup truck, a 1989 trailer and will soon leave her campground at Dolphin Isle to head out on the highway.
She is 81 years old.
Lynn
The desire to travel has been with Lynn since before she retired. But soon after her salary ended, she found she had to take a part time job in order to make ends meet. Between that commitment and little discretionary income, she felt stuck.
She also felt tethered by her possessions. “Some people are limited in what they can do by children or grandchildren. I was limited by my stuff.”
Lynn gave a great deal of her stuff away, including family heirlooms, and narrowed the remainder down to what would fit into a small storage unit, her trailer, and the back of her pickup.
Sparkle
While she knows there are risks involved with an older single woman traveling alone, she’s willing to take those risks to have one last adventure in this life. Besides, she’s not truly alone—she’s got her dog Sparkle for company.
We all make choices on how to live. These are limited by circumstances of time, health, money and age. Lynn’s choices came down to (1) stay put and wait for the inevitable or (2) get moving and let the inevitable track her down.
Here’s to Lynn’s Born to be Wild rebirth at the age of 81. I wish her many happy miles and amazing adventures.
It Happened at Purity 
Prepare to be impressed–I knew those were the lyrics. Now prepare to laugh at me–I thought Michael Jackson’s song Billie Jean said, “but the chair is not my son.” I think I was in college when I realized he was saying “kid.”
So far you and obsessive reader fan Sharon win my undying admiration for knowing those lyrics. You make me laugh, though, about “the chair is not my son”!!! I thought he was saying chay-ald–a southern version of child. Hey, it was Michael Jackson–most anything could or not not be his son.
Well done, sounds like Lynn is putting Joseph Campbell’s theory, “Follow your bliss” into practice….Have great admiration for people who take to the “open road” as a it has been a fantasy of mine but lacking courage or commitment to others never pulled it off.
great human interest blog…………
Well, now you’ve done it. I want to sell and store all my stuff (or pawn it off to my kid) and Hit The Road, Jack. Lynn’s story is one of great courage: to risk it all to have a daunting adventure! She’s a swashbuckler, that gal. I’m impressed with her plan. And I might become obsessed with her plan, in a few years anyway. It sounds like a great idea!! Hats off to Lynn and thanks for telling her story, Kate!
PS—>I knew all the lyrics to Born To Be Wild AND Billie Jean. If you really want to rock your socks off, check out the lyrics Leader Of The Pack. It used to strike fear in my Father’s heart and I loved it for that reason.
Oh Angie, you are the original Born to Be Wild Chick!
We have met many people like Lynn since we started camping now that we are retired. There is an entire community of people like her who all support each other, are friendly & interesting folks! 🙂
That’s good to know Cindy. I think Lynn is going to make many new friends as she cavorts about the countryside.
Nice! Go for it Lynn. I haven’t got the guts.
I knew the right lyrics. I’m not sure what that says about me but I sure remember belting it out way back then. Felt like I could conquer the world!
I know! It’s the best song! Even if I never got the lyrics right.
Lynn is a trooper, I’ll tell you. I’m with you–I haven’t got the guts.
Pitchin’ for a runnin’ ?! Hahaha
I wish Lynn and Sparkle safe travels! Lynn sounds pretty amazing.
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the song lyrics I don’t know, yet am not embarrassed to sing!
I wish Lynn the very best! I am a new reader, but my wife and I love Fort Bragg and the Purity. We shop there every time we visit town.
Thank you so much Mike — for reading, loving Fort Bragg and shopping at The Purity!
Kate, do you have anything you can share about Lynn and her adventures as an update?
I heard from her around Christmastime. She was in Arizona and loving it.