The world really is a small place.

Of all the people we expected to meet while traveling through Canada and Alaska, we certainly didn’t expect someone from our own hometown of Pleasanton, California, to recognize YOLA.

But that’s exactly what happened when we met Aju and Madu, fellow Pleasanton residents traveling by RV with their two grandsons. They recognized YOLA from the Pleasanton Weekly story about our plan to drive this 2008 Toyota 4Runner around the world.

We chatted and eventually went our separate ways, assuming that would be our one fun chance encounter. Apparently, the road wasn’t finished with us yet.

Later, while in Fairbanks, Alaska, we ran into Aju and Madu again — this time at the visitor center. One of the sweetest moments came when Madu surprised us early one morning by bringing us the best milk tea before they headed off on the next leg of their journey.

Aju and Madu, it was a pleasure meeting you — not once, but twice — and hearing about the adventure you were sharing with your grandsons.