Our First Really Busy day

It is finally Sunday night.  After 5 straight days of working, we are beat!  How did we ever hold down full time jobs? The southward snowbird migration has gotten underway and tonight the park is 99% full. Mark's job was to lead all those rigs to their sites, get them parked and make sure they had no problems. My job was to collect the money, figure out if any discounts apply and check The Board for open sites. We are told that today and December 27 are the two busiest days of the season. We are just glad we aren't working the 27th! As of now we're on the 2-day-a -week schedule which will be just perfect, especially since the weather has been fabulous.  Maybe we can get in more golf (if his back gets better.)

We had to turn our furnace on early both Friday and Saturday morning, but only for about a half hour to take off the chill.  I tried turning on the fake fireplace, but Butch wouldn't quit barking at it.  He's such a chicken.  We hear the leaves back home are beautiful.  No such thing here - some trees just drop their green leaves; others just turn brown. 

Speaking of Butch, on Thursday night he managed to poop one green earplug; one more to go. 

It Halloween - I forgot to wear my Halloween socks.  We have no candy since there is only one baby and three teenagers who live in the park, so I opted not to buy any candy.  Mark specifically asked me yesterday if we should buy a bag but I just didn't want to be eating the entire bag if no one showed.  Mark would have wanted Milky Ways and I would have insisted on another bag of Snickers, so we have none.  Here's the problem with that - as I was walking Butch at 7:00 when we got off work tonight, we came to one of the local residence who yelled over to me - "look Diane, I got trick or treaters tonight."  (They were her grandkids who live in the area.)  I yelled over, "hopefully they won't stop by our trailer - they will be very disappointed - we have nothing." 

About a half hour later we were having a cocktail outside when, yes, the trick or treaters stopped by with their parents and grandma.  We (the adults) all had a good laugh, and they insisted that the kids only wanted to pet Butch.  However - the kids kept saying "trick or treat" and holding out their bags.  They left empty handed, and even scared Butch in the process.  In hindsight, I could have given them a few quarters, but those are precious laundry money and I really didn't want to part with them. 

We've vowed not to go to bed so early tonight.  The past two nights it's been 9:00pm and then 9:30pm.  Of course when you go to bed that early, you're up at 6:00.  I can't do that tomorrow.  Mark says he'll have a Tylenol PM induced night.

Ramblings From a Busy Week

We've been busy working this week - filling in for Gene and Linda.  Three more days to go before an off day. Mark is enjoying the workamper position. He gets in his golf cart several times a day and cruises through the park. He says he's just keeping order! We even have our symbol of authority.... 

Butch doesn't like it when we work.  He's left on his own for too long in the day, even though we stop by every couple of hours to let him out or visit.  After we worked on Wednesday, he was anxious to run and play so we did a few laps around the park.  Once I started cooking dinner I noticed he wasn't around - he was busy in the bedroom.  For some strange reason, he loves to chew on my earplugs.  It's the only thing, besides an occasional kleenex, that's he's taken a liking to.  Usually I find the things and just throw them away.  This time we think he ate them!  We keep looking in his poop for green plugs, but just haven't found them (we're not really looking that hard either.)  He keeps going, so we're not concerned.  Now I found a better hiding place for them.

We're really missing my sis and her husband this winter season.  In their honor, we're posting our favorite picture of them, knowing that this is how they would look if they were enjoying the winter with us.

What you can't read from this picture is the signs on their chests.  Pam's says "Pam - navigator" and Dennis' says "Dennis - driver".  We love you guys and wish you were here!

We had to go to the other end of town yesterday and just happened to stop by our new favorite restaurant.

Next stop - Sam's Club for a book, and some meat.  Mark has read the Stieg Larsson books, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and "The Girl Who Played With Fire."  Now he needed the final book - "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest."  Unfortunately this book is only out in hardback at this time, but he really wanted it and didn't want to wait until the paperback came out.   

Look what Sam's has: 

This is the first of many pies to grace our table.

We had to work late last night since the owners went to their son's football game.  By the time we got back at 8:00, we were hungry even after chowing down on all that Chinese buffet.  A salad and dessert was dinner.

Shave and A Haircut

Monday was going to be the day to get Butch a haircut.  Unfortunately, the groomers at the place we were going to take him had Mondays off.  Since it was 90 degrees and very windy, we decided to hit the links.  We teed off around 11:00am with 25 mph gusts, but cloudy so it was bearable - especially since we rode.  I think that this is the perfect time to go.  When we tee off around 9:30, we always have to wait for several slow fivesomes.

Butch got into the groomer around 9:00 this morning.  He didn't give the groomer a bit of trouble.  He's a very handsome guy now!

Pooped after being at the groomer's for 2 hours.

See anything different in this picture?

I had to get the laundry done today since we'll be working 4 1/2 of the next 5 days.  We only have 3 work shirts each so we must stay fairly clean so we can wear them more than once, or wash every couple days.  One of mine is long sleeved so I only wear two of them.  No one does laundry on Tuesdays so it was a breeze; in and out in  an hour, $6.50 the poorer.

The pool now feels fabulous.  Now Mark only says "brrrr, you're nuts" a few times before feeling comfortable.

It was 90 degrees today; water was 82.  Not perfect, but refreshing!

Free Stuff is Good Stuff

This is the first "gift" that Mark got from someone camping in the park.  This gentleman came into the park early last week in a VERY large (and expensive)Prevost motorcoach.  He worked for the local AB distributor for the area and was in Victoria for the 100th  anniversary of the company. Mark had befriended him when he arrived and made it a point to always talk to him.  Friday morning as he was pulling out of the RV park, he asked Mark what kind of beer he drank.  Unfortunately, " Bud Select is the only beer I don't have with me, would you take Bud Light?"  Of course, and he also gave Mark 3 hats.  The motto to this story - be nice to everyone; you just never know what will happen.

Friday was a first for us in a really long time (7+ years).  We had to attend a staff meeting at 9:00am with instructions from the owners to "don't eat breakfast before you come."  The two other couples who are workampers, along with the owners all gathered in the office to start the once-a-month ritual.  Breakfast was fresh fruit, OJ, and a choice of bacon & egg, sausage & egg, or carne asade breakfast burritos.  Yummo! 

Little did we know this staff meeting would last 2 1/2 hours - which meant we were late getting started on cleaning.  Mike and Pam headed off to New Mexico for a two week visit with their son and his family while we had our our final day of training with Gene and Linda. 

Saturday we had the first rain since we arrived over two weeks ago.  The temperature dipped down to 85 while it rained for about 10 minutes, but quickly jumped back to the 90s we're going to have for the next 10 days.  That allowed me to get some cleaning done inside the trailer.  Unfortunately, after cleaning the office area, activity room, laundry machines, and 2 bathrooms - the last thing I want to do is clean my own house, but it had to be done.

After dinner last night, we headed up to the other end of town to check out the local mall.  It was kind of sad - lots of stores had closed since we were here in the spring.  The city of Victoria is growing very fast, with new restaurants springing up everywhere, but the retail stores don't make it. 

Today we took a ride over to the city of Palacios, which is about 45 miles away.  We thought we would be able to get Butch to go by the water.  Once we got there, I decided he really didn't need sand in his feet and I didn't want wet dog in the truck.  He likes water, so I'm sure he would have plunged right in.  Instead, Mark walked down to the edge to check out the water temp.  He says it was warm.

This is Palacios Bay, off the Gulf of Mexico.

The Palacios Pavilion has been on the waterfront since 1904.  Hurricanes in 1961, and again in 2003 destroyed parts of it.  The city has been deciding since 2005 what to do with it.  Even though we could have walked on it, we didn't.  I don't think Butch wanted to end up in the bay by way of a fallen pavilion.  There was a roof over it when we last saw it 4 years ago.

Our next stop was to check out two other RV parks right on the bay.  The tide was out when we stopped in the first one.  The black specs in this mud are actually teenie tiny crabs - millions of them.  Hopefully they won't be eaten by predators before the tide comes back in and they can safely return to the water. The RV parks are set in the midst of the home port where the local shrimping fleet ties up. While the spots are nice and the view of the bay is wonderful we can't help but think the aroma might be overwheming when the fleet is in and unloading.

We made it back to the park in time for a dip in the pool before the shade got on it.  Even though the outside temps are 90, the pool temp is only 82.  Refreshing, but not warm by any means.

We're supposed to be off work until Friday, but Gene just came by to tell us that Linda's mom passed away tonight.  They will be flying back to Pennsylvania early Tuesday morning and won't return until late Sunday night.  We'll most likely be working their hours this week to help out.   It's gonna be too hot to golf early in the week, and supposed to rain the end of the week.  Might as well stay inside the office.

Here's Your Sign

Monday we once again worked with the owners of the park, Tania and Erik.  They are a great couple to work for and are always trying to make sure we are comfortable in what we do.  This is our final week of working with other work kampers. 

It's official now! We have our own sign.

Yesterday was our final day of working with Pam and Mike.  It was an extremely boring day, made better only because they were around, plus Gene and Linda hung out with the rest of us.

Mark, Mike, and Gene watching a video on Mike's phone.

When it's not busy, we both don't have to be in the office - just available by phone, and in the park.  Mark kept checking up on Butch.  Speaking of Butch - he, along with all the other dogs in the park, are all suffering from ragweed allergies.  Monday night he was up much of the night (with Mark) scratching.  Luckily we still have some steroids to give him.  Since the weather is not going to change for the next 10 days (sunny and 86-89 degrees), we suspect he'll be suffering for quite awhile.  Once the pills run out, we will switch him to children's Benedryl. 

Tania had asked us to switch our Wednesday workday to Friday so we could work with Gene and Linda.  This allowed us to go golfing today.  The 27-hole municipal course where we play most often - Riverside Park - is having a "fall special."  Walking 18 is $10; riding 18 is $15.  Yes, we're gonna be riding until the special ends November 18.  This gives us another month of this luxury.  Play today was extremely slow which made riding in the cart that much more special - no standing around waiting while baking in the sun.  Mark's back did ok until around the 15th hole; then it started tightening up. It looks like those spinal injections didn't work any better than the pills he used to take.

The pool was a perfect 84 degrees when we got back to the park.  We had a couple of hours to relax with Butch until it was time to play Joker.  Sad to say - the men beat us both games.  It can only go uphill from here.

Idling Around the Park

Not much happening this weekend in the park.  Saturday was spent shopping for a new harness for Butch.  The previous one was just too big.  Gene and Linda (fellow workampers) showed up yesterday for the winter.  It was fun catching up with them.  Linda and Pam (another workamper) and I ended up in the pool because it was a beautiful 86 degree day.  Unfortunately, the water was only 78.  Thank goodness the hot tub is 103 to warm up our near-frozen bodies.  Mark said it was too cold, and he wasn't coming in.

Later that evening I got to try out my new BBQ pit.  We have a Weber Q100 gas grill which is perfect for steaks or burgers, but terrible for everything else.  Since we're here so long this winter, we decided to get a Weber kettle knock-off to use.  This then led to the purchase of the charcoal and chimney. 

This was on the front page of Saturday's local paper.

We're excited about the forecast, but smart enough to know that the local meteologist is as reliable as the ones back home. 

After dinner tonight, we played the first of many canasta games with Gene and Linda and Mike and Pam.  It was quite ugly for the women.  After the first round, we were down by 8200 points.  It didn't get much better - after the game was over, we had lost by 6000 points.

We're working Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week.  It's our final week of training, then we're on our own.  Should be interesting.

Butch's Blog

Today was our day off.  We were glad; but Butch was ecstatic.  He just doesn't know what to make of us being gone for several hours a day, dropping in for lunch, and then immediately leaving again.  Little does he know, there will be 12 hour days later in the season for Bingo nights.

Ready for our 2nd day of work kamping

Yesterday we worked with the owners of the park again.  I had to confess to them that I had undercharged one couple that had come in for just one night.  Unfortunately, his truck ended up being towed into the local Ford dealer, and he had to come back in yesterday to pay for another night.  He really wanted to pay the 2.75 that I had undercharged him for the night before, but we wouldn't hear of it - after all, it was my mistake. This is the same guy that I gave him the incorrect change and still owed him $5.  He came back in while I was recounting the drawer, so we were both in agreement that I had shorted him.  I felt terrible, but if this is the worst mistake I make (it won't be), I can live with it.

Once we get off, we immediately walk Butch around the park, and then settle down for a liquid refreshment.

I always try to walk at least four laps (2 miles) around the park each morning.  Mark always takes Butch for 1 lap, and then I take him for one more.  He was extremely excited so I just kept walking with him for lap 3.  I'll know better next time - he just quit and crashed on the road as far away from our campsite as possible.  I had to carry the little chunk back to the trailer.  We're been here one week and he's already gained 1 lb.  Numerous non-dog-owners keep treats at their trailers to feed all the dogs in the park.  Butch especially likes Dick and Judy - they have Beggin' Strips.  Mark feels sorry for him when we're gone so long, so he's always giving him treats too.  

Today was laundry day which I got done by 10:00 this morning.  Then we left Butch behind and headed to Hobby Lobby to buy a small Christmas tree (40% off this week) that I'll put up on Thanksgiving.  Next stop Walmart to return a clock, Academy to check out kayaks and to buy a charcoal chimney, Jason's Deli for lunch, and then finally HEB for groceries.  Once we got home we unloaded then immediately headed back to the other end of town where we had just been - took Butch to PetSmart to buy a harness.  We wanted one just like Mike and Pam's dog (Bear) has.  They said they got it at PetSmart, but they no longer sell that one.  We left with him wearing the new harness, but we've since taken it off and will return it another day.  He's too large for a small, and too small for a medium. {Steph - any suggestions?}

We took him to the park and let him run (while attached to a 50' rope).  I think we wore him out.  Unfortunately, the field we were in had grass as tall as his little legs.  We'll try a new place tomorrow.

The owners are working on the December schedule so we're now investigating how we're gonna get home for our two weeks off before Christmas.  We'd really like to rent a car for the trip since we'd get better gas mileage, don't want to put the 2000 miles on the truck, and gas is .40 a gallon cheaper than diesel. 
More investigating is in order.

Workamping 101

For any who don't know, we have decided to work at an RV park this winter season. There is no pay involved but for 12.5 hours each per week we get free rent and electricity. There are a few other benefits but we aren't sure yet just what they will be.

Tuesday was day 1. We spent the day with the park owners learning the various duties that we are responsible for when we work. We always work as a couple so each of us needs to know how to do everything. The day started with visiting the shower house in the park and being shown what cleaning is needed each day. Diane understood all of this and me, not so much. Afterwards we went to the office where most of our time will be spent. There are a number of functions that take place when you make a reservation, arrive at the park, pay your monthly bill and check out. Apparently every park has a different way of doing this and where we are working it is a manual procedure. In other words, no computer and/or software systems to learn. I also spent some time with Eric, the owner, learning about pool maintenance, spa treatment and the boiler that heats them both.

THE BOARD IS THE BIBLE

Rule # 1 .Everything that involves a campsite is on THE BOARD. There are very specific ways to enter the info and a myriad number of ways to incorrectly enter the info! The difficulty comes in because everyone that works here including the owners have their own way of doing things. They suggested we work with the other two workamping couples and the owners and decide what works best for us. The freedom to do things our own way does not extend to THE BOARD. I'm sure that future blogs will include a story or two where we have failed to remember Rule #1.

We enjoyed the indoctrination of day one and feel that we have a tenuous grip on the most important procedures but only time will tell. The day ended with three couples arriving within 30 minutes. We muddled through and got them on their spots. I helped fix the WiFi system and didn't crash the golf cart into anything. It all went so well so far that we celebrated with a trip to the local Chinese Buffet. This was the second trip there and we had decided that we  would go only once a month. Now we can't go back until December.

We Don't Like Gators and Snakes!

Sunday after breakfast at Ramsey's, we loaded Butch into the truck and headed to Riverside Park so he could run around.  At home he's used to a daily trip to Forest Park for a walk around the reflecting pool in front of the Art Museum.  This was going to be a substitute.  There's a small lake in the middle of Riverside Park with a very messy duck-pooped-on walkway around it.  And something new - a sign posted "Beware of Alligator" and another sign saying "Snakes in Area". Butch really doesn't want to be attacked by an alligator and we aren't too crazy about snakes, so we quickly loaded him back in the truck and he got a nice ride instead of a walk.  We would have to come up with something better for his exercise regimen. 

We spent most of the afternoon talking to Pam and Mike about our upcoming training (which starts tomorrow).  After dinner while walking around the park,Mike had told us he was going to the pool because earlier in the day he said the thermometer had read 89.  This was really hard to believe, since it was only 82 the night before when I got in.  The four of us got it, but it was NOT 89; it was 81.  Fortunately the hot tub is a mere 5 feet away from the pool.  We stuck it out for about a half hour before we were frozen.  Mike finally admitted that he read the thermometer without his glasses.

Today we headed off to what we hope is the first of many trips to the golf course.  Mark and I walked while Kevin and Mike rode in a cart.  The weather was fabulous even though it was close to 90 degrees.  We started to fade fast around the 16th hole.  Mark was armed with many Tylenols and only complained about his back a few times.  One thing we couldn't complain about was the cost - the guy inside only charged us $10 apiece to walk; Kevin and Mike only paid $15  apiece to ride. 

Tomorrow we become Workampers!

Setting Up Housekeeping

Friday we tried to get our new homestead set up and in order before heading off to the store to stock up.  We left home with bare cupboards and an empty fridge.  We headed out around noon to our first stop at Lowe's for a new hose and another hose repair kit.  Since we were starving, we tried out the new Buffet City.  As luck would have it, it was right in front of our next stop at Walmart.  They were building this new restaurant when we left Victoria in April so we were very excited it was now open, and the parking lot was mobbed.  Others in the park had already told us how fabulous it was -- they were correct.  We had to agree to limit our visits to only once a month. 

We waddled out an hour later to continue shopping.  We managed to walk out of Sam's Club with no purchases.  They were handing out samples, but we were just too full to partake.  Sad to report - people at Walmart still don't return their shopping carts to the cart corrals. 

Our final stop was Target.  Who knew it would take so many stores to find the perfect toothbrush holder.  I had a $50 gift card to Target so we stocked up on beer and soda.  We got to the register to check out and the young man asked to see Mark's ID.  We both burst out laughing.  Mark was very excited - I don't think he's been carded in at least 20 years. 

Today Mark got out the ladder, brush, and soap to start cleaning all the bugs off the front of the trailer.  The front cap and part of one side are now spotless.  This then led to the discovery of a small tear in the rubber roof which he then had to fix.  Then he noticed that the gasket on one of the slides had come off as well.  What was to be a day of relaxation turned into minor repairs.

Our nice little yard.  We're happy to have the end spot with no neighbor.

Butch has settled right in.  Today he wasn't near as friendly with the other dogs but we're all sure he'll come around.  Now if he'll just quit barking and waking us up at 5:00am as he has done the past two mornings.  The couple on the other side of us take their very old dog out for a walk at 5:00am.  Since they go to bed at 8:00pm, I guess Bitsy just can't hold it past 5:00am.  Don and Peggy are leaving on Tuesday so hopefully Butch will settle down and let us sleep.

Back On The Road Again

The newest Mr. & Mrs. Patton

We have hit the dusty trail once again and have headed back to Texas. Before we left we had a wonderful day as our baby, Michael, got married to Angela. We now have two wonderful daughters to complete our family.

The trip to Texas was not without a little drama and as usual we found a buffet along the way. The drama occurred on day three when we deviated from the known route to try different way from Waco to Victoria. First we took a thirty mile toll road around Austin. Once we were on this highway the only way for us to get off was to drive the whole length of it. Four toll stops and $18 later we finally found the highway we were looking for. After getting off the tollway we found ourselves in the middle of major highway reconstruction. This wouldn't have been a problem except that they had removed several signs that would have directed us to make a turn to stay with the correct road. We found ourselves on a very narrow two lane road with Diane searching the map to try and figure out just where we were. Even the GPS was confused. Nothing to do but just drive on, hope for no breakdown (how would we be found?) and eventually we made our way out of the wilderness and reached Victoria.


The buffet was found on day two at a casino (imagine that) on the Texas Oklahoma border. We didn't win any money but we made up for it with crab legs.

We finally reached the RV park about 3:30. We normally be set up within an hour or so but friends came by just to say hello and meet Butch the traveling wonder dog. We finally opened the trailer at 5:45.

This year we are doing something new to us. We will be workampers!  Aside from no longer paying rent or utilities for the winter in exchange for a few hours a week it will hopefully give a whole new slant to the blog as we document the experience.