Another Day … Another Adventure – Weeks 1 & 2
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Perry & Beth took a drive through Ft Yargo Campground with the intent of visiting the new hosts at Campground #1. Jimmy & Fran visited us when we were hosts there back in February & we wanted to do the same since they just arrived on May 1st. We didn’t see them in our first pass by so we drove through the rest of the park. Low & behold, Campground #2 Host Site was vacant. The new host was to arrive on May 1st also but apparently didn’t arrive! We returned to Campground #1 to get the skinny on the situation. This time, Jimmy & Fran were outside. Apparently, the other scheduled hosts had a sudden serious illness & couldn’t fill the spot. Oh my! This could potentially put a lot of work on the other hosts. Hummmm
We decided to stop at the front office & find out the status of the situation but Julia, the Park Manager, was out of the office. We left a message & she called before we even got home. Yes, the assessment of the situation was correct. Yes, she was desperately looking for someone to fill the spot. And YES, she would love for us to take the volunteer position! We were already scheduled for hosting in Campground #1 for July – August which we would do anyway. But, why not! Another adventure to be had!
We usually clean the camper thoroughly when we return from a trip & restock everything we have used. But we failed to do it after our last trip. Too much going on during that week. So we got right on it – washing the camper, stocking supplies & food, making lists & getting to the store. By bedtime, we had everything loaded & ready. Then Lisa called to see if Lily could come to our house the following morning. She was a bit sick & would be going to the doctor at about noon. Of course, Lily takes priority over EVERYTHING & we gladly said, “YES!”
Monday, May 8, 2017
We were up & ready for the Princess’ arrival at 7. However, she had a rough night so her mom let her sleep in a little – until Ruby (the dog) beat on her bedroom door with her excited tail. They got to our house at about 9 or so & Lily was already feeling better. She watched a couple movies with her Pops & then her mom picked her up just after noon.
We finished our preparations & drove out at about 2. Set up at Campground #2 was quick & easy, although much different from Campground #1. This spot was heavily shaded & dark at night. Perry immediately contacted maintenance about repairing the power pole with a plug in & high light. Unfortunately, it was not repaired during the four months we were at the park. We set up our gazebo & put the fairy lights on it which made the area lighter & more festive. Beth ordered another set of the lights that we eventually put on the swing structure, too.
We grilled steaks & had potatoes, green beans & salad for dinner. Then we took a walk all over the two campgrounds with the pups. It’s good to be back communing with nature!
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The morning arrived with birds singing. Exactly what we needed to hear to get a successful day started. We watched a little Good Morning America while we sipped coffee & then converted our bedroom camper back into our living room camper. Beth made breakfast – eggs (from Tracie Pollard’s farm – Belly Acres), sausage, toast (with homemade jelly from Tiffany White’s farm- Lazy Goat Farm) & a tangerine. Perry washed the dishes & Beth ran home to let the cleaning ladies in. While we are at camp, they will only come once a month but their fantastic skills & diligence were much appreciated in cleaning the house from the past 2 weeks of our presence.
Beth took care of bills, bank deposits from her business & a few mail orders that came in overnight. Then she returned to camp in plenty of time to prepare dinner. We also visited the office to get our host box & keys. The office staff at Ft Yargo are so friendly & always helpful. We were glad to be able to work with them again!
Grilled steaks (okay, those were a fail on the marinade), corn & grilled zucchini were scrumptious. That was followed by a long, leisurely walk through the park. Life is SOOOO good!
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
We recently got FitBits in hopes the insights they provide would help with our health habits. These devises measure our heart rate (Beth’s averages about 70 – 85 while Perry’s measures 60 – 70). They also show our sleep patterns. While Perry experiences a steady deep sleep at night, Beth’s is all over the place with many wake times & light sleep. Here’s hoping the days in the woods will correct that situation.
We invited the other hosts over to our campsite for dinner & Beth ran home to get the fixins, fill mail orders, make concoctions for skeeter repellant for the campsite & an all natural weed killer to hold the abundance of poison ivy at bay. Perry returned home for a quick shower & then went to City Hall for a Budget Meeting as he is a Statham City Councilman. Beth made a grocery run & then returned home to prepare a couple dishes for the dinner. She & the dogs were already back at camp when Perry finished with his meeting.
Although Beth is not a fan of doing the grilling, she lit the grill up & put the baked beans on low & got things started. She made hamburger patties with buffalo meat & got all the fixins organized for dinner. After the baked beans were done, she put on the pineapple casserole she had prepared at home & the smell was awesome. Our guests arrived right at 6. Perry grilled the burgers & hot dogs perfectly & all enjoyed the meal & company. Jimmy & Fran are the hosts in Campground #1 & Alva & Emma are hosting in the Lakefront & Walk-ins area. The hosts for the Camper Cabins didn’t join us. This was a “getting to know you” gathering & that we did. By working together, comparing experiences & knowledge, & understanding we will help one another. It makes the days more pleasant & productive for all of us.
Perry had a beautiful fire going (although it was warm out – the ambiance was sweetened) & we enjoyed the flames even after the guests retired back to their own sites. We had more than enough food & our fridge was stuffed to the max with leftovers. Beth will take some home to freeze for later. Life is good!
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Fog prevented the antenna from connecting properly to our favorite morning show. So we just read the news via internet (we have a hotspot devise). Beth made breakfast (she INSISTS this is required when camping) & Perry did the clean up. While moving about Wilbur, Perry banged his head several times on the frame of the slide out. He said his expanding bald spot atop his head is caused by this contact. HA! Now, there’s an interesting spin!
We had a couple late check-ins the evening before so Perry ran the registration sheets to the office. He then wandered around Campground #2 to check on the people still in camp. There were maybe five sites with Homeschool Moms & their 20+ kids celebrating the end of their school year. Most of the kids strung hammocks in the trees & slept outdoors during the night. And most had a serious rash when morning arrived. Poison Ivy was the culprit! The hammocks had been pulled down but a few straps remained, tied too tight for easy removal. Perry ended up climbing one of the trees to free them. And he, of course, tangled with that poison ivy.
Beth was just pulling out to go home & shower when Perry immerged from the bathhouse, soaking wet. She advised he go into the camper, change clothes & wash up even more thoroughly & apply her Herbal Salve to his arms & any other parts of his body that was exposed to the stuff. Later, he was happy to report that he had NO RASH so it must have worked good.
Beth’s friend Rhyse Potts joined her at our house & drove over to Buford to meet up with another high school amumni, Kim Magaldi, for lunch at Mimi’s Café. Life may take these women in all sorts of directions but they keep each other grounded & their friendship from their childhood in Florida flourishes.
Later, Lily came to spend the night with us at camp! She & Perry watched a movie after dinner, interrupted for just a few minutes while we pulled the bed down & all three of us climbed in to watch the movie from there. Then Perry did a walk through the park to see about any late arrivals while Beth & Lily had their “required” family history discussion. This time Lily wanted to know how we met. Well, here’s the story. Beth was a sailor at Mayport Naval Station in Florida. She was the secretary to the department’s Commander & her desk was situated right at the intersection of two walkways/halls. A young man in civilian attire came up to her inquiring as to the location of another office. Beth had put a sprig of mistletoe on the ceiling in front of her desk that morning (it was near Christmas time) & told the young man he would have to kiss her before she would give him an answer. So he did. Lily giggled so much. When Perry returned to Wilbur, Lily sat straight up & said, “You kissed her & didn’t even know her name?” Then she burst out in giggles again. Good times!
Perry’s 10pm check to remind campers of Quiet Hours (10 – 7) had one camper balk. Patient Perry just told him he would wait right there for him to turn off the radio so others, trying to sleep, could have quiet. Mr Grumble finally got up & turned off the radio. It’s rare anyone will argue & we would be inclined to call the Ranger if need be. Fairness is afforded to all.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Lily awoke at 6 & insisted we get on with the morning stories. Perry wasn’t awake yet so we had to do this in whispers so we wouldn’t wake him in his bed across the room & behind the curtain. Beth told Lily all about the “cat invasion” from which we gained Littleman & Pewter. A feral mother cat & her three little babies were spotted out on the fence railing one day. We started leaving cat food nearby because of concern they would starve. Eventually, the mother cat & one of the kittens disappeared – not in a good way but Beth didn’t share that with Lily. The two remaining kittens stuck around, one was a little friendly but the other was mean as a snake. At about six months old, both had four kittens of their own. When those little babies were able to walk, the mommy kitties brought them for the daily buffet. We’d spread a long line of cat food along the deck & delight in all eight kittens, two mommies & occasionally two daddies showing up to chow down all at once. We were able to capture & spay & neuter the eight kitties & adopted out all but two (Littleman & Pewter). The mean mommy kitty disappeared & the other got pregnant yet again before we could catch her & have her spayed. She brought an additional three kittens to the daily buffet. Two of the second litter were adopted by Lisa’s parents & they named them Thelma & Louise. Their brother is still with us & his name is Crusty. The friendlier mommy kitty we named Fluffy. She eventually left us for parts unknown but was spayed before she packed her bags. Lily was happy to know where some of our herd came from & asked many questions to be sure & have the heritage straight. Funny little girl!
Breakfast of buttered toast, boiled eggs & fried bacon was Lily’s request & we made it happen. Then she & Beth played a couple of games we had recently bought for her to enjoy at camp. She even managed to fit in yet another movie with Pops before her Daddy came to pick her up.
Robby mentioned that Perry’s two older brothers would be passing through on their way home after a mountain ride on their motorcycles & would be staying the night at his house in Jefferson. So we decided the gang should come to camp for a cookout. Off to the grocery store we went.
Another happening was the arrival of Chris & Suzy Humble who brought our personal golf cart to the park! So excited! It’s quieter & much more reliable than the Gator the park has provided for us at the moment. AND the pups love to ride in it! So, we asked that Chris & Suzy join us for dinner, too.
Beth made a big bowl of coleslaw (so what if it tastes EXACTLY like KFC – it’s my fav), & a pan of cornbread. We grilled Brats, Nathan’s dogs & burgers & enjoyed the cabbage salad Suzy brought to the party, too. All in all, it was a fun night of laughter with family & friends.
Everyone left at about 9 & we cleaned up the dishes & put the leftovers away. Then we converted the camper for bedtime. Perry made his obligatory rounds with his Ranger Rick hat on & came back to tell me he was going to hang out & wait for the Duty Ranger as there was a situation in the Handicap restroom. He could hear a male & female having an animated discussion in Spanish & was pretty sure they were not registered campers. When the Ranger arrived, she & Perry walked over to the bathhouse just in time to see them jump in their car & hightail it out of there. She called Winder PD & asked for the car be stopped as it exited the park – apparently this particular couple had made a habit of entering the park at night & using the bathhouse for possible elicit activities. Oh my!
After Perry returned to camp, we made short order of falling asleep. It had been a busy day.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
What a beautiful Mother’s Day! The weather was ideal with the sun shining! We had our breakfast & a walk. Then went home at about 11 to shower & get ready to go to Robby & Lisa’s for a Mother’s Day dinner. Before we left we conducted a thorough search of the house for my camp keys which had been missing for two days. Replacing the key to Wilber’s door & the house key would be no problem but Perry’s truck key was on that ring & those computer chip keys are expensive. The key ring was not to be found in the house. But Beth did FINALLY find it in the car’s backseat cup holder. Yes, she put it there when getting the pups out but forgot. Thank goodness the keys were safe & sound in their “hidden” location.
Robby was the chef for the day. He made some fabulous grilled steaks, potato hash & mixed veggies. Delish! We had cookie cake for desert to top it off. Yummmmm! Robby gave Beth a beautiful wreath for our campsite which we put up as soon as we got back. Lisa’s parents were also there for dinner & we enjoyed spending time with Ed & Mary Bufano, too.
We returned to camp at about 4 & immediately did our bathhouse clean up after a very busy weekend. Beth is an organizer so she spent a good bit of time straightening out the supply closet first & making a list of things needed to keep the bathhouse in ship shape. Then we got the ladder out & scrubbed the ladies room windows – toooo many bugs have messed on them or built dirt dabber nests there. We also devised a plan about getting some shelving for the supply closet & perhaps having the community workers pressure wash the whole building. Wasps were already taking up residence in the eaves.
After we got done with the general cleaning of these rooms, we decided a long ride on the golf cart with the pups was in order. Just as it happens in Statham, people love to visit more when you go by at a slower pace. We chatted with a number of campers throughout the park. One woman even showed us the homemade trailer SHE welded together & outfitted by herself. Girl power! It was modern & gorgeous inside with all the luxuries imaginable. And she’s a school teacher at Yargo Elementary, right down the street!
Beth prepared leftovers while Perry visited a couple Yurts to register late arrivals. We made it an early night as there were less campers & less noise to settle down.
Monday, May 15, 2017
It was our turn as Duty Hosts so we made short order of getting up & out to check the campsites & do the park audit. It’s just a list of campers still in the sites with names & departure dates listed on their plackards. We took a picture of the audit sheet & texted it to the other hosts as we did when we were hosts back in January & February. Saves time, paper & then everyone has the list readily available on their phones.
Back at camp we made breakfast, cleaned up Wilbur & then cleaned the bathhouse & camp firepits as people departed. Beth went home for a short while to get some mail orders out – the website is a VERY busy bee. The pups went with her & they insisted on riding in Lily’s car seat, squished in there together. So cute! She got back to camp at 3 so we could do the afternoon audit at 4. Dinner was grilled chicken, potatoes, green beans & salad. Delish!
After a run around the park on the golf cart, we made it an early night.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
The camper in the site next to ours was having a terrible time with his brand new fifth wheel. He said he drove up to Ohio to pick it up because the price was almost $30K less than he would have paid in Georgia. However, the air conditioner that stopped working, the huge leak that sprung from the drain & the non-working washing machine has made him believe his guarantee was “the tail light special.” When they see the tail lights departing, the guarantee is done. <sigh> We know nothing about the mechanics of these things so we couldn’t offer any help.
While out in our personal golf cart, there was a horrendous noise coming from one of the back wheels. Darn thing nearly came off! Perry set about to fix the contraption immediately!
Beth went home after the audit, breakfast & a quick clean-up of the bathhouse. Perry stayed in camp to clean firepits & blow off campsites. Beth met met up with her friend Shannon for lunch at Fajuita’s in Statham. That’s always fun.
Perry came home to shower before leaving for his City Council Meeting & Beth returned to camp.
Alva & Emma, Camp Hosts for the Walk-In Tent Sites texted asking us to come over for some fireside chat. It was delightful & we even got to see the inside of their really nice motorhome.
Being the party animals we are, we returned to camp at 10 & promptly went to bed.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
We did the normal morning routine & then Beth went home to do some work in The Soap Studio. Perry came home in the early afternoon for a quick shower & then we returned to camp.
Although it was MID-week, the park was FULL of campers. No extra spaces to be had – reservations are a must at this park during the summer. We did the audit & directed a camper to the one remaining site but had to turn away two others that showed up later. Neither had reservations.
We had some trouble with one of the wheels on the golf cart again so we used the camp Gator to get around. We loathe that thing! So loud & a very rough ride. We cleaned the dog poop stations (poles with a sign & garbage bags provided to pick up after your pet) & put in a bunch of new bags. Park maintenance said they would add garbage cans by these poles because some folks were taking their full-of-poop bags & shoving them into the dispenser instead of walking said bag to the garbage can at the bathhouse. GRRR!
The late afternoon & evening at the park is always busy with all the check-ins, firewood purchases & general socializing & question answering. Our January – February hosting was wonderful, a slower pace – & definitely prepared us well for this busier season. Over the weekend, one late check-in asked if he could camp for free & Beth told him he could not & that she was simply a Camp Host Volunteer, not management. We don’t deviate from the rules for anyone.
That camper was packed up & gone early the next morning so who knows if he paid for his stay or not. The park office could take care of it since the tag number & driver’s license number was on the sheet we had them fill out when they arrived. The fees help to pay for the facilities & are pretty inexpensive.
While Beth caught up on her blog, Perry had a walk through the park to check on folks. Then it was off to bed for two very tired people.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
We got an early start on the day because Beth had an appointment in Colbert at 11. However, the morning audit delayed her departure. We had one camper that had overstayed his paid spot so Perry stopped to discuss the situation with him. Then we followed him to the office to get his account settled up. He had stayed in the park for 14 days so he was told he would need to move his camper out by 11. Apparently, he was still there at 1 & had even taken a chainsaw to a tree which is a HUGE violation in a state park. Management got him off site at some point in the afternoon & a new camper took his spot by the lake.
Beth went home at about 10 which made her arrival in Colbert 30 minutes late. She even drove through Colbert to Comer before realizing she had gone too far. It was one of those days. Beth’s friend Rhyse Potts was a high school classmate in Bradenton, Florida. At 17 she became a hairstylist & eventually went on to be an international stylist/trainer for Wella. She left the profession some 14 years ago to work with her husband Charles who was a successful horse trader. Eventually, she got into breeding miniature & toy Australian Sheppard pups. About a year ago, she sold her dog business & dabbled in car sales but that’s a pretty hard business for a woman. She was able to outsell others at her dealership regularly but realized the environment was not good for her physically, & more importantly, spiritually. So, after a few weeks of prayer, she decided to check out a small salon not 5 minutes from her home & immediately felt a connection with the new owner. Rhyse asked that Beth be her first client & she readily agreed. Beth doesn’t particularly like change but the cut Rhyse made on her hair was perfection. Now Beth will have to decide to go to Rhyse (Bella Ame Salon) regularly or to her friend Shannon’s salon (Head Games) in Winder. Maybe a switch back & forth?
Once back at the house, mail orders were filled & one of three wholesale orders was prepared. We are so thankful for being able to camp AND take care of business efficiently.
Perry spent the majority of the day in camp, cleaning the bathhouse & firepits as people pulled out, and selling lots of firewood to campers. It was hot out but the ambiance of a fire was a MUST for many.
We forgot to start the crockpot with the meal that was set out so we went to Cheddar’s in Athens & had a delicious steak dinner instead. Once back at camp, we took the pups for a ride through the park to check on all the new people. Perry got a very late arrival set up with the LAST spot available. And we had to run off two sets of non-camper people who just “happened” in to shower or whatever their intent was. No park pass & not camping does not give you access to the bathhouse. Also, when one person is asked if they are campers & they say they are, they need to be able to tell us where they are camping. Then their partner in crime needs to have the same story. “We were fishing,” is a completely different activity. Thank goodness the Park Ranger responded quickly to escort these folks out.
Friday, May 19, 2017
After the morning audit & breakfast, Perry left for Statham to take care of a city council matter needing his attention. Beth stuck around camp to clean up Wilbur & the bathhouse & then went home to shower, clean up The Soap Studio, do laundry & get more wholesale orders ready. The owner of On The Vine Produce in Winterville came by to pick-up her order. She wanted to make sure it was in her store before the crowds arrived during the city’s Daisy Festival the next day. More & more stores are carrying Sweet Tea’s Soaps & Stuff. Who needs “retirement” anyway! Beth loves her job!
Just after Perry got back to camp, he heard some serious squealing of brakes & then a big BAM! He found a couple teen boys had spun out their Jeep Cherokee near the entrance to Campground #2. The car didn’t flip but the tree they hit split in half. After Perry determined they were physically okay, he called the park office. But the boys jumped in their car & took off at a VERY high rate of speed. They must have made it out of the park without getting stopped by a ranger. We hope the experience scared them enough to learn a lesson.
As was expected, the park was full yet again. Those who didn’t make advance reservations & just happened in were very disappointed in not being able to stay. There was one family group near us who had a pop-up & several tents in two spots. They were having the BEST time. Playing games around the table & laughing so much. And the Yurts were filled with a group of friends, too. It may have be warm out but campfires were still a must. Happy times!
Saturday, May 20. 2017
During the night, a HUGE limb fell out of a tree near our camper. Beth remembered hearing something but it was more of a swoosh sound, not a BAM! There was no wind & the limb was not dead so it must have been caused by a giant squirrel sitting on it. No worries, Dustin from maintenance came by as soon as we called & made short order in getting it chopped up into future firewood.
Just a few campers were left after the morning mass departure but the sites they vacated filled back up immediately. We did the morning audit, turned it into the office & promptly forgot to text it to the other hosts. Thank goodness one reminded us to do so. The afternoon audit was done & sent out in a timely manner at least.
The Ft Yargo Living History Society always does their “living” at the old fort (built in the 1790s) located just off the main road into the park during the third weekend of the month. We drove around the park & told as many campers as we saw to run over there & visit. The group is awesome & the history is fascinating. We stopped by on our way to the maintenance shed – our turn to pick up supplies for all the hosts – but just stayed for a minute. It was HOT & these people had on period clothes which are surely uncomfortable. No matter, they never get out of character – amazing!
While making dinner, our air conditioner, TV & microwave went off. Perry checked the breakers inside Wilbur & outside at the pole. Nothing would come on. So he started checking with the other campers. Generators on the bigger units had come on which made us realize the camp electrics had gone off. The lights in Wilbur were still on because they had automatically switched to battery power. No worries, we were good with the crockpot meal already made, a salad & asparagus cooked on the gas stove.
Unfortunately, the bath house electricity went off, too, so people had to use their flashlights for evening runs. Thank goodness for Georgia Power who came through the park at about 10 or so & got everything going again. Fellow campers toughed it out & had a good time, rain & all.
Just before going to bed, our home RING doorbell recorded a person in the fenced backyard. We didn’t recognize the guy so Beth called 911. The dispatcher called Statham PD & Officer John Davis called us back. It was him, checking on our house because he knew we were away. We are so grateful for our PD – they REALLY DO care for the citizens of our fare city! Even those who call the police on the police.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
It rained practically all night & the ground was soggy. The temperature dropped significantly & the air was muggy. Campers were leaving earlier than usual yet everyone was still pleasant. We stayed tucked away in our camper, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, until the rain let up. Then we did the regular chores required of the Camp Hosts. This only takes an average of an hour a day so it was certainly not a burden.
All in all, it was a quiet day to end our first two weeks. We learned new things & met some wonderful people along the way. And we concluded we prefer to host in Campground #1. That will happen in due time.
Another Day … Another Adventure