Page 14 of Captiva Café

Her mother's face filled the screen, those familiar blue eyes sparkling with mischief beneath her wide-brimmed hat. The Garrison Getaway van was parked behind her at what appeared to be a scenic overlook in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

"Hello, Silver Wanderers!" Grandma Sarah's voice rang out, as energetic as a woman half her age. "I'm coming to you live—well, not actually live, but you know what I mean—from the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. I've been exploring thesemagnificent mountains for three days now, and let me tell you, the views are worth every hairpin turn!"

The camera panned to reveal the breathtaking vista behind her, mist rising from the valleys between the ancient, rounded peaks stretching to the horizon.

"Today I'm sharing my top five secret parking spots along the Parkway where you can stay overnight without being disturbed," Grandma Sarah continued. "Now, the Park Rangers might have a different opinion about whether this is officially allowed, but as my late husband used to say, 'It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission!'"

Maggie groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was exactly what worried her—her seventy-nine year-old mother broadcasting quasi-legal camping advice to the internet while sharing her exact location.

The video continued with her mother providing GPS coordinates for "perfect boondocking spots" and offering tips for "flying under the ranger radar." She demonstrated the van's stealth features—blackout curtains, silent generator, and what she called her "nothing-to-see-here-folks" exterior lighting setup.

"And remember," she said with a conspiratorial wink, "if anyone official asks, you're just taking a nap before continuing your journey. Works every time!"

As the video continued, Maggie's concern deepened. Alongside the parking advice, her mother was sharing personal details about her travel plans, mentioning specific dates and locations. She'd even filmed the interior of the van, showcasing where she stored her valuables "for easy access."

"That's practically an invitation to thieves," Maggie muttered to herself.

The video ended with her mother's now-signature sign-off: "Life isn't about how many years you live, but how fully you livethose years. This is Grandma Sarah, reminding you it's never too late for adventure!"

Maggie checked the comment section, finding hundreds of enthusiastic responses:

You're my retirement goals! Just bought my first van thanks to you!

Tried spot #3 last night—perfect sunset view and no rangers in sight!

Grandma Sarah needs her own TV show! #SilverWanderer

But there were also comments that made her stomach clench:

Thanks for the GPS coordinates! Will be there next week!

I recognize that overlook—it's pretty isolated at night.

Love seeing the van setup. Where do you store your camera gear when you're hiking?

Maggie checked the time. It was just after 6:30 AM, which meant it would be the same time in North Carolina. Her mother was an early riser—a trait Maggie had inherited—so there was a good chance she'd be awake.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Maggie picked up her phone and dialed. After three rings, her mother's cheerful voice answered.

"Maggie! How lovely to hear from you so early. I'm watching the sunrise over the mountains. It's spectacular—hold on, let me take a picture to send you."

"Mom," Maggie began, trying to keep her tone conversational rather than accusatory. "I just watched your latest video."

"Did you like it? I'm getting better at the editing. Those drone shots weren't easy to master, but I think they really capture the majesty of these mountains."

"It was very...informative," Maggie chose her words carefully. "Maybe a little too informative?"

There was a pause on the other end. "What do you mean?"

"You're sharing your exact location, Mom. And where you're planning to be next. And how to find supposedly 'secret' parking spots that might not be entirely legal to camp in."

"Oh, honey." Grandma Sarah laughed. "Nobody's paying that much attention. It's just a little hobby channel for other seniors interested in van life."

"Ninety thousand subscribers isn't exactly a 'little hobby channel,'" Maggie pointed out. "That's a small city's worth of people watching your every move. You’re underestimating how many people you’re influencing. I’ve got a young woman from Maine staying here now because of your videos."

"Isn't that wonderful?" Grandma Sarah sounded delighted. "Another young woman from a tech company reached out yesterday—says I could qualify for sponsorships soon. Imagine that—companies paying me to mention their products! I'm thinking of holding out for the high-end outdoor gear brands."

Maggie closed her eyes briefly. "Mom, that's not the point. I'm concerned about your safety. You're telling the entire internet where you're parked overnight in isolated areas. And you're traveling alone!"

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