Camp Hosts – Weeks 1 & 2
Sunday, January 1, 2017
We may have stepped aboard the “Crazy Train” by becoming volunteers at Ft Yargo State Park … but I’m actually thinking we have just begun a fantastic adventure!
Last fall we spoke to several Camp Hosts & were rather curious about their “jobs” in the park. Interesting! So we got online & applied for the volunteer positions. We easily passed the background checks (very necessary & appreciated as we really don’t want those with a less than desirable history looking after others in the park). Then we spent several months figuring out how to navigate the Georgia State Parks website & the process of selecting & getting approved to host at our chosen locations. At the first of December we discovered Ft Yargo – just 15 miles from home – had an opening for a Camp Host in the Camper Cabins section for January & February. So, here we are …
The morning was busy, getting everything loaded in the camper & food organized for a week or two. Then we drove the 15 miles over to the park & got set up. We brought the Cornhole game Robby gave Perry for Christmas, hoping we would actually use it & learn the game. We also brought the picnic pavilion we bought last year & plan to set it up once the current light rain moves on its merry way. The temperature is a bit chilly & snow MAY be coming next weekend. No matter … we are snug inside a warm Wilbur, cuddling two sweet pups who are seasoned campers!
We checked in at the office & met the new Park Manager, Julia Autry. It took a sec but we figured out she & her former husband were managers at Frank’s Garage in Statham years ago – right behind our house. It’s a small world we live in. We signed all the legal documents necessary & will figure out the online forms we submit about volunteer time over the next day or two. We then drove through the park & met Ron, the Host of Campground #2 who also reported in today. On Tuesday we will participate in a Host’s meeting for further instruction. We are not thinking this is going to be anything but fun!
For dinner we had grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, broccoli & a delish salad. I do love our camp salad – it consists of Roman lettuce, cherry tomatoes, chopped celery, carrots, cucumbers & red onion. Then I top it with freeze dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, mini croutons, potato sticks & chopped bacon bits (think tiny amounts of the toppings but it sure adds pizzazz to the salad). I like Ranch dressing & Perry likes Blue Cheese – reduced fat, of course. Salad is a staple for our evening meals.
The pitter patter of rain on the roof was so peaceful to hear as we fell asleep. We love camping.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Monday & Tuesday are days off for Camper Cabin Hosts so we were in no hurry to stir. After coffee in bed, watching Good Morning America on the TV (GREAT reception from this elevated site), we took our time making breakfast. Perry walked the pups while I got the camper converted from night to day use. The bed gets tucked into the wall & the dining table & couch are then popped up. Perry feed the pups their regular wet food (along with a tsp of coconut oil) while I got bacon, sausage, eggs & Cloud Bread prepared. Easy & delish.
We drove over to Statham to take care of some chores we were not done with before our adventure began – bill paying & festival registrations for the Spring Season. I did some laundry while Perry went shopping for long-johns (he is going to a blacksmith’s retreat in Brasstown, NC in a couple days & it is expected to be COLD).
Back at camp I put one of the Freezer to Crockpot meals on – Beer Chili. It smelled delish while it cooked. And, when it came time to eat, it didn’t disappoint! The maple syrup in this dish is something special! Betcha thought it was the beer that was special but you really can’t taste it. We had a salad & a glass of wine, toasting to the beginning of a successful adventure.
The rain was falling harder & Spice had her gummy to calm her down. Hopefully, we will only have rain & no high winds as is expected in other parts of metro Atlanta. There was a downpour while Perry was out walking the pups just before bed. Two very wet dogs & drenched jeans made a mess in Wilbur!
Here’s hoping the rain ends after tonight – at least for a few days. We are, indeed, dry & warm but want to get OUT to enjoy the woods!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
We had a leisurely morning in camp & then we drove home to shower & wash a LOT of blankets & such. Soggy dogs threatened to make Wilbur stinky! And the pups needed baths after the rain. Three large loads of wet blankets & towels took ALL day to wash & dry. Ick!
I joined my friend Shannon for lunch in Winder & then Perry & I attended the Camp Host meeting at Ft Yargo. The other hosts seemed fun & the job doesn’t appear to be too much. It was more of a “get to know you” gathering than anything else. I’m sure we can wing it & will ask questions about our duties as needed.
We went back home to complete the laundry – did I mention it took FOREVER? We had wanted to return to camp & make grilled chicken for dinner but, instead, went to Cheddars while the last load was drying. It was nearly 9 when we got back to camp & we nearly feel into bed by 10.
Poor old Spice had stomach issues during the night so I had to get up with her 3 times & let her out to do business. I’m thankful she lets me know in time. And that’s all I have to say about that!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
The dogs were walked & Wilbur was converted back to day use a little faster this morning. We had breakfast & then went to do our chores in the campground. Campground #2 Host is off for 2 days now so we are covering for him as he did for us the previous 2 days. While Perry shoveled out any firepits that were used by vacating campers & swept the Yurt’s porches & decks, I scrubbed out the bath houses & laundry room. All looks clean & tidy as is the norm for Ft Yargo.
We drove separate cars home then so Perry could take a shower & head to Brasstown where he is taking a 4 day blacksmithing course on Axe Making at the John C. Campbell Folk Art School. Snow is predicted while he is up there so I’m hoping he doesn’t get stranded.
I boxed up a couple new mail orders for my Sweet Tea’s Soaps & Stuff business. Then I gathered the baskets of soap butts (end pieces of the loaves) & all the other things I’ll need to make sachets. I will give those away at festivals, include in mail orders & whatever else I can think of. I don’t like to waste anything! This will be my project while I’m alone at the campsite for the next few days. Most likely this project will take me the duration of our stay – I have a year’s worth of soap butts to package!
A new skill for me was grilling. I make lots of grill packs & freeze them but Perry has always handled the grilling for us. With him off to blacksmith school it was up to me to handle the chore on my own. So, I lit that bad boy grill up & got it done! And the chicken was delish! Not over or under done! Just right! Accompanied with fresh green beans & a salad it was a feast.
After clean up & a good long dog walk, the girls & I “retired” early. Life is good! And Perry did text that he was safely in at Brasstown!
Thursday, January 5, 2017
An egg, a sausage patty & a piece of cloud bread was breakfast for me. Then I took the dogs for a walk around the cabin area – about a half mile. I checked the bath houses in Campground #2 but, as there are NO campers at the moment other than the Campground #2 Host, there was virtually NOTHING to do. I drove through the park a couple times to see what all is offered to visitors. It’s a large, beautiful, clean park & Barrow County is lucky to have it.
The pups & I stayed in camp the majority of the day. I did some business planning & computer work. Nothing worth remembering really.
I made the leftover chili for dinner & a salad. Then the pups & I climbed into bed early & watched some TV until about 10.
At around 1am, I was awakened by someone trying to pull the camper door open! The pups barked & I yelled, “HEY!” And no noise was heard after that. My gun was in my hand in a flash so I was prepared. I thought, because I didn’t hear anyone running away, that maybe it was a dream. That thought was put to rest when I found the dog gate open at dawn. My car was out there so I’m not sure why someone would have thought the camper was vacant if that was the case.
Friday, January 6, 2017
The slow morning routine was followed by a trip back to the house. More mail orders were taken care of as well as some product packaging. I did some laundry & then returned to camp to await the predicted Snowgeden.
I had leftover grilled chicken & a salad for dinner. I’m finding this camping alone rather peaceful but a little lonely at the same time. Looking forward to Perry’s return.
The park office called & said to disconnect the water from the trailer for the night because the freeze could rupture the pipes. YIKES! So I ventured out & did it. Hopefully my draining the pipes of what water was in them from the faucets inside will help, too.
No strange bumps in the night disturbed our sleep.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
A very light dusting of snow/ice was on the ground when I peeked out at dawn. Disappointing. After breakfast I ran home to shower & get more creamer for my coffee. Necessities! Then I drove through the park to see we had several new campers in house! YEA! The water facet was frozen shut so I had no water in the camper in the morning. One of the other hosts stopped by in the early afternoon & hooked me up to water again. Unfortunately, the metal faucet cracked during the night so water was spewing from the faucet head. That will have to be repaired pronto!
I decided to make cornbread in my square cast iron skillet. Mind you, I am NOT a fan of cornbread but Perry likes it & he is due to return today if he can safely leave the mountains – it snowed a LOT up there during the night. The cornbread was successful but, when I made a skillet of brownies, I burnt those to a crisp. The silver lining is that no calories where consumed because of the blunder!
Perry got back to camp at about 4:30, after he went by the house & took a shower. Blacksmithing is stinky in case you didn’t know. He drove around the park with me & we gave cornbread to a couple of the other hosts.
Perry was up until 1am his last night at the school, hammering on hot metal to get his axe project done, so he passed out while sitting up on the couch. I woke him so I could convert the camper while he walked the dogs. He did snore loud & clear through the night.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Breakfast was without cloud bread because it was growing fuzz. ICK! Note to self, it is best to only make a batch at a time. We had no water again because the temp dropped to 14 degrees! We had disconnected the hose from the camper & drained the pipes the night before – AFTER we had filled the coffee maker. And it will be noon or thereafter before the sun is warm enough to thaw the faucet.
Perry went with Campground #2 Host over to Campground #1 to do some clean up in the various sites. That host seems to be falling down on her duties. Later in the day we were told we could move to Campground #1 to Host as soon as the Host Spot was vacated. That’s a good thing for us. The Camper Cabins is pretty lonely for these two very social people! We went home for showers & had lunch at Fajuitas in Statham. Yumm!
Back at camp, we cooked Kickin’ Chicken for dinner along with grilled potatoes & a salad. And Perry had a little chat with Pogo the Possum who was wandering by. Gives me the heebeejeebees. All & all it was a laid back, cold day. I love this life!
Monday, January 9, 2016
Today was our scheduled day off duty as Camp Hosts. And then we got a call that help was needed in Campground #1 to scrub the bath house from top to bottom – it seems to have been seriously neglected by the responsible host for some time. There were four of us who worked a solid 4 hours to get that place in ship shape. Teamwork!
Perry & I then went home to check on the cats, do a load of laundry, mail some soap orders & take showers. We brought the pups back to camp & then went to Target in Bethlehem to buy some new, cozy blankets. The temperature was FREEZING the last couple nights & we want to be “covered”.
Our facet was still spraying water like crazy when we left for the day but park maintenance came by & completely replaced it. Tonight is supposed to be below freezing again so we will disconnect just in case.
I seemed to have developed a moderately serious congestion situation. Hoping it’s not from any icky germs I may have come across in the bathroom! I will be using my Breathe Easy stuff in abundance & I’ll fall into bed EARLY! We are exhausted!
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
With no water (frozen pipes again), I left camp earlier than usual to go home. It’s our day off so I needed to get there & get to work in The Soap Studio. I got mail orders out & lots of packaging done. Then I worked on bills & paperwork. Perry came home & did a few chores & took a shower. He left me there to have a long soak in the jets while he & the pups went back to camp. The Breathe Easy did the trick on the congestion & I was fine after using it the night before.
Our intent was to grill chicken at the campsite but a FaceBook conversation with my friend Nikki nixed those plans. Perry drove back over to Statham & we met up with Nikki at Chen’s Chinese Restaurant in Statham for dinner & lively conversation. If you haven’t been there yet, make a point to visit. You, too, will be a return customer. It’s delish & the service is outstanding.
Back in camp we watched President Obama’s farewell speech & teared up as he spoke of his family & their sacrifices. Eight years – God bless them as they navigate the rest of their lives.
My Nook was not charging correctly the night before so I took it home to see if I could get it to charge there. Seems as though it may be the charging cable at the campsite that is the problem, not the devise itself, thank goodness. But, as it goes, I left the Nook at home by accident – no reading material to fall asleep with. Groan! Good thing I was tired as I don’t remember anything once my head hit the pillow.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
We are the Duty Hosts for 2 days – our first time filling the job. Since Campground #1 Host will soon be departing, we have assumed all of her responsibilities as we will be moving into her site as soon as she vacates. Campground #2 Host & the Tent Camp Host are both off today. Usually, the Duty Host takes on the cleaning (bath houses & firepits) responsibilities of their partner host only. No big deal, we can handle all 3 bath houses – the campground is just sparsely occupied right now anyway.
There really wasn’t much to do as far as Camp Host duties for the rest of the day so I went home to get some online orders out & check on the cats. All was well there & I returned to camp to make dinner & enjoy a quiet evening with my Perry & pups.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Perry & I cleaned the bath houses again – easy peasy. We rode around the park for awhile & looked more closely at some of the facilities Ft Yargo has to offer. It’s a huge place & so well taken care of!
We went home at about 4 & got showers. Perry had a City Council Workshop to attend & I THOUGHT I had a Planning Board Meeting – but found out when I got there it was scheduled for the following week. I returned home & waited for Perry to finish with his meeting. We went back to Ft Yargo to cuddle two very excited puppies who do NOT like being left behind. We grilled chicken late & practically fell into bed after that.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Friday the 13th AND a full moon. The crazies were out earlier though – personal opinion. We had a great breakfast & then drove around the campgrounds as we really don’t have much to do at the Camper Cabin area – no one is using them at the moment. I made soup for lunch & we got cleaned up for special guests coming for dinner.
Lily brought her parents Lisa & Robby & we grilled steaks, had baked potatoes, broccoli & a salad. Then we roasted marshmellows for smores over the open fire. I love spending time with the kids! They left at 8 & we cleaned up Wilbur & did some preliminary “moving” chores. Tomorrow we will be moving to Site #1 IF the host there vacates.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
The host in Campground #1 was SUPPOSED to leave by 10 & it didn’t happen. I finally went over to the bath house & cleaned up while we waited. FINALLY, at noon, a Camper World truck arrived to haul her 5th wheel out. Little did we realize the mess the site was in. However, the staff at Ft Yargo got right on it with a big team of Community Service workers. Trees were trimmed, gravel was leveled & added to, leaves were blown & a LOT of trash was picked up. A recent repair to the water meter had been left unfinished & the crew fixed that right up. I had noticed the outside lights at the bath house were not working the evening before so those were completely repaired & guests were so happy when evening fell.
We loaded up Wilbur from the host site by the Camper Cabins & moved it over to its new home. As usual, we had it set up in no time, even with spending extra time to make the exterior more inviting. We had another crockpot dinner & some down time before bed. Blissful sleep.
