This One's for Polly.....

The idea of "six degrees of separation" happens over and over as we travel. It's so interesting and strange....meeting someone for the first time and introducing yourself. The conversation includes questions like: "Where are you from?" "How long have you lived here?" "Are your retired and if not, what do you do in the real world of work?" "Do you have children or grandchildren?" "What's your dog's name?" Those kinds of get-to-know-you questions.

Often it's just an exchange of basic information, over in just a few minutes at a campground with no further connection.  But once in awhile (and I"m beginning to think more often than not) you connect with this stranger in very unexpected ways.

We were visiting best friends in Alaska and after dinner went for a stroll down their long driveway, hoping to spot one of the moose that frequent the area. (No luck!) As we moved down the lane a neighbor walked by on their gravel road. We all waved. She continued down the road at a very good clip, using two walking sticks as she went. We meandered along in the same direction, Janie looking for blueberries while I pointed out wildflowers. We had to be content with "smaller" excitements since no moose appeared.

We noticed their neighbor turned around and was coming back toward us....she approached with a smile and the five of us chatted for a few minutes in the middle of the road. (There is zero traffic so it's as good a place as any for conversation.)

We learned Polly had been living in Alaska for something like 30 years, had endured seven hip replacements and now the walking was part of her phyiscal therapy to recover from knee surgery! I was even more impressed at her quick pace after she shared that information.

When she asked where we were from I said we lived in a small town north of Milwaukee along the edge of  Lake Michigan....Port Washington. Her mouth literally dropped open as she exclaimed "I was born there and lived in Port for seven years!"

I mean really.....from Alaska to Port Washington, Wisconsin.....six degrees of separation. You thinnk we live in a sort of "anonymous" world, but just ask enough questions and you'll find that the connection!

Common denominators.......