Finding Family on the Road: Anthony and Carrie Welsh’s Journey with the Cruisers

Marc, Bridget and the Welshes

Before Anthony and Carrie Welsh trade in their wheels for a villa in sunny Spain, I sat down and had a conversation with them about their decision to take their RV on one last "Great American Lap." It wasn’t just a nine-month trip; it was a rolling classroom, a hug-filled festival, and a masterclass in how to find family in the middle of a parking lot.

Their life changed one evening near a swimming pool in Palm Desert when they met Del Spiva, who, by the way, is moving to Portugal (becoming the 5th ex-pat from our club this year!), and Cynthia Freeman.  They didn’t just offer a wave; they offered an invitation into The Cruisers, an African American RV club. Suddenly, Anthony and Carrie weren’t just two travelers in a metal box—they were part of a caravan of kindness.

The Cruisers partying in Vegas

“Every time we go somewhere with The Cruisers, it’s like being with family,” Anthony beamed. Carrie was instantly enchanted by the club’s "superpower": their unabashed affection. “You guys are way more demonstrative in your love than the world we come from!” she laughed. In a world of polite nods, she found a group that preferred big laughs and genuine heart.

Of course, every great quest has its moments of "Wait, I didn't know that!" As they rolled through small towns, the Welshes realized their history books back in school might have skipped a few chapters. They learned about the Green Book and the hidden maps Black travelers once needed just to find a safe sandwich or a soft pillow.

"Our schooling was a bit white-washed," Anthony realized, wide-eyed. They spent hours in museums from New York to Memphis, soaking up stories of resilience like sponges. It wasn't just "history"—it was the story of their new friends, and it made every mile they shared feel more precious.

The road wasn't always paved with sunshine. Sometimes they saw flags that made them sigh, or encountered folks at festivals who gave their plain navy sweatshirts a suspicious squint. "We stood out like sore thumbs!" Carrie joked.

But for every "rotten" encounter, there were a hundred "genuine" ones. They realized that while they couldn't fix every "jerk" on the highway, they could certainly choose who they parked next to. They chose the people who valued humanity over "hues."

Anthony thought back to his quiet upbringing in Iowa, where diversity was as rare as a mountain peak. Carrie remembered her own scrappy roots—one of five kids, navigating life with food stamps and grit. Their pasts were different, but their destination was the same: a place where everyone belongs.

As they pack their bags for the Mediterranean, the Welshes aren't just taking souvenirs; they’re taking a new way of living. Carrie wants to bottle up the "Cruisers' Magic"—that warmth and open-hearted affection—and bring it to Spain.

Their journey proved that if you keep your windows down and your heart open, you might just find that "home" isn't a coordinate on a map—it's the group of people who make you feel like you’ve finally arrived.