Read Article/Watch Interview: From Tennis to Pickleball - The DeHeart Family's Extraordinary Journey
Adjusting Back to RV Life: Home Is Where We Park It
Adventures, Mishaps, and the Joys of Life on the Road with Pro Pickleball Star Megan Fudge and Her Family
Introduction
Megan Fudge—a professional pickleball player, dedicated mother of two, and wife to former tennis pro Ryler DeHeart—has long embraced the freedom of life on the road. Along with their kids and two dogs, Megan and her family travel in a 40-foot RV, blending their competitive athletic career with an adventurous nomadic lifestyle. Their journey began when they traded hotels and Airbnb stays for the stability of a mobile home, a choice that not only allowed them to pursue pickleball tournaments across the country but also provided a consistent home base for their growing family. As chronicled in her March 29, 2025 blog post, "Adjusting Back to RV Life: Home Is Where We Park It," Megan shares the highs and unexpected mishaps of returning to their beloved RV life after weeks of exploring exotic destinations—from the luxury of Cayman beach mansions to the simplicity of roadside stops in Orlando and Tampa.
Adjusting Back to RV Life: Home Is Where We Park It
After a whirlwind month of breathtaking travels, the family’s return to their 40-foot mobile haven felt like a grounding return to “normal.” With memories of luxurious stays and scenic adventures still vivid, the adjustment meant reconnecting with the practical rhythms of life on wheels, from reuniting with familiar routines to tackling everyday challenges on the road.
Picking Up Frank the Tank
The adventure resumed in Orlando, where the family retrieved their RV—affectionately known as "Frank the Tank"—from storage. A carefully planned process saw them emptying the fridge, cleaning out the tanks, and ensuring everything was in order before setting out on the road once more. This meticulous return to their mobile home underscored the importance of preparation in a life where every detail matters.
The Frog Incident
Not every moment on the road is predictable. While cleaning the sink, Megan encountered an unexpected guest—a tiny frog that popped up from the drain. This light-hearted incident not only provided a moment of comic relief for the family but also served as a reminder of the quirky surprises that RV life can offer. The incident led to a full cleaning of the RV, symbolizing a fresh start as they settled back into their routine.
Back to the Basics: Training & Travel
A blend of training and travel defines the DeHeart family’s unique schedule. After refueling their RV and stocking up on supplies, they made a pit stop at Cracker Barrel—a favorite for its free RV parking—before heading to the Racquet Club of St. Pete. This location holds special significance as the birthplace of their passion for pickleball, and returning here felt like coming full circle. Amidst busy days, including a dermatology appointment for Ryler, the family managed to balance athletic training with the logistical demands of life on the road.
Reuniting with Max and Lexi
An essential part of the homecoming was reuniting with their beloved dogs, Max and Lexi, who had been cared for by a trusted pet sitter during their travels. The heartfelt reunion was marked by joyful hugs and the reaffirmation of the warmth that a true home—on wheels—provides. This reunion underscored the emotional side of RV living, where every return is celebrated with family, both human and furry.
Grocery Haul & Settling In
Before fully settling back into routine life, a massive grocery haul was in order. A trip to Trader Joe’s resulted in a well-stocked fridge and freezer, ensuring that the family was ready to resume everyday activities. By the third day back, the DeHearts were once again in sync with their responsibilities: from virtual check-ins with the kids’ teachers and completing school assessments to resuming their training sessions. This seamless reintegration into daily life highlights how the RV, despite its challenges, is a place where the family can truly call home.
Final Summary
In her March 29, 2025 blog post, Megan Fudge encapsulates the essence of life on the road—a harmonious blend of adventure, spontaneity, and practical challenges. The post details the family’s transition back to RV life after an exhilarating month of travel, marked by both memorable mishaps (like the unexpected frog encounter) and comforting routines (such as reuniting with their dogs and restocking their home). For Megan, Ryler, and their children, every stop and every challenge reinforces the truth that home isn’t defined by a fixed location, but by the shared experiences and memories they create wherever they park. This story not only highlights their dedication to both their professional pickleball career and family life but also illustrates the innovative way they’ve built a life that truly travels with them.
Click the title to listen to the song
Rolling Rhythms on the Open Road
(Verse 1)
Well, she’s got a paddle in her hand and a fire in her soul,
Megan Fudge rides the highways, making every moment whole.
From a tennis court to pickleball, she’s dancing on the line,
A pro on wheels, a loving mom, her life is pure sunshine.
(Chorus)
Rolling rhythms on the open road,
Where every mile is a story told.
In an RV home, love’s the load,
Megan Fudge, you break the mold.
(Verse 2)
In a forty-foot castle, where adventure meets the day,
With Ryler by her side, they chase the worries away.
Kids laughing in the backseat, dogs with wagging tails,
They’re living life like a sweet refrain, on adventurous trails.
(Bridge)
Oh, the gas station stops and grocery hauls,
Pit stops at Cracker Barrel, where freedom calls.
A frog in the sink gave a quirky little start,
To a day of cleaning memories and mending every heart.
(Verse 3)
From Orlando to Tampa, they pick up Frank the Tank,
Every twist and turn of the road gives their lives a special rank.
Training on courts of St. Pete where the pickleball dreams are spun,
Her passion’s like a jazz refrain that’s only just begun.
(Chorus)
Rolling rhythms on the open road,
Where every mile is a story told.
In an RV home, love’s the load,
Megan Fudge, you break the mold.
(Verse 4)
She’s a mother, wife, and athlete, with grace in every stride,
Balancing the chase of tournaments with the warmth of home inside.
Her essence shines in every smile, in every quirky twist,
Life on wheels is poetry—a soulful, joyful tryst.
(Bridge 2)
With a fridge stocked full of dreams and a heart that’s light and free,
Each new dawn on the highway sings of endless possibility.
The open skies above her head and the pavement by her side,
Every mile’s a melody where her love and dreams collide.
(Final Chorus)
Rolling rhythms on the open road,
Every moment’s a piece of gold.
In her RV, love’s forever told,
Megan Fudge, your story’s bold.
(Outro)
So here’s to journeys and to life that’s never planned,
A folk-jazz serenade for a woman who takes a stand.
In every note and every line, her spirit’s here to stay—
On the open road, she writes her song every day.
In-Depth Analysis: How the Song Was Written
This song, "Rolling Rhythms on the Open Road," was crafted to capture the multifaceted essence of Megan Fudge's life on the road, blending elements of her career as a professional pickleball player with her roles as a devoted mother and wife. The songwriting process started with identifying key themes from the original article: the RV lifestyle, the adventurous spirit, the quirky mishaps (like the frog incident), and the balancing act between professional sports and family life.
The song's structure follows a traditional folk and jazz format, featuring multiple verses, choruses, and bridges to provide variety and build the narrative. The verses introduce Megan’s dynamic life, highlighting both the challenges and joys of constant travel. The first verse establishes her as a determined athlete and passionate individual, while the second verse paints a picture of the family unit within their mobile home.
The choruses are designed to be catchy and uplifting, with a rhythmic refrain that emphasizes the recurring theme of “rolling rhythms” on the open road. This metaphor elegantly ties together the motion of the RV with the flow of life and music. The bridges serve to add emotional depth and transition between the more narrative verses, evoking images of everyday experiences like grocery hauls and impromptu cleaning sessions—moments that are both mundane and magically memorable.
Additionally, the song incorporates playful rhymes and rhythmic patterns to echo the jazzy, upbeat tone. Each line is constructed to maintain a consistent meter, allowing for a smooth flow when sung. The final section wraps up the song with an empowering message, celebrating the beauty of a life lived fully on one’s own terms.
In essence, this song was written not only as a tribute to Megan Fudge’s lifestyle but also as an invitation to embrace spontaneity, family, and the endless pursuit of joy—hallmarks of a life on the open road.
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