Farewell Howie

It is bittersweet to report that our old, trusty RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) has moved on down the road with a new owner. After two months of first prepping for the sale and then placing him on the market, we had a buyer show up yesterday that closed the deal within three hours. Although we are glad to have the deal done, it was sad to see him go.

For two years Howie was more than just a recreational vehicle to us. He was our home and a good machine that safely transported us through many incredible travels. He provided warmth in the winter, cool air in the summers, fabulous meals throughout the country, grand vistas as we drove through mountain passes and low-country deltas, the opportunities to see and visit places we had never been before, the blessing of spending time with family and the chance to make many new friends. He gave us deep, rich memories that will be with us for a lifetime.

Merrian-Webster's dictionary defines the word farewell as "a wish of well-being at parting." That is exactly how we feel right now. Goodbye Howie. Have good travels ahead and thank you for everything old friend.

copyright 2009-2011 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb

BIG, BIG, HUGE CHANGES

To say that it's been busy here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL since the last post would be the understatement of the year. I swear to myself after each post to add a new one on a more regular basis than I have the past few months, but things have always come along that require my time and energies. That is especially true over the past month and a half. Changes have come at us so fast it's been hard to keep up with them. But as you will discover toward the end of this entry, one major change has occurred that came out of nowhere and has sent our RV life in a whole new direction.

A steady change here at Kelly's over the past month has been the departure of the Snowbirds who headed back North for the summer season. What was a place packed full of RVs over the winter is now a park with only about 15 of us long-term, diehard Crackers who choose to sweat it out over the summer. It's was hard to say good-bye to the many friends we made over the past months, but that's the nature of living in Florida. People come and go on a seasonal basis. After a few years of living here you get used to the rhythm, but it's always strange to go from being surrounded by a lot of people to looking outside and seeing empty lots.

The major task I have had lately has been keeping up with the changes and growth in the community garden. Man, has it grown fast. As the above pictures show, what was once a piece of barren ground has exploded into a beautiful, productive showcase of vegetables. Over the past month we have harvested lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, shell peas, sugarsnap peas, bush beans, pole beans, squash and tomatoes. Everything else is coming along at a fast pace and, within the next week, we will be planting a second rotation of crops. Although it requires a great deal of work, this garden is providing us with some very good eats. Given the price of produce in the supermarkets these days, I am willing to dedicate as much energy as is necessary to keep this garden as productive as possible. Besides, there's no better place to feel connected with life than around growing plants.

Now for the really big news. (Always save the best for last!) As of June 1st, we will be moving into a new RV here at Kelly's. It was not a move we had planned or expected to make at this time, but an opportunity came along that was just to good to pass up.

When we arrived here a year ago two of the first people we met were Peggy and Tom. Tom has lived here for many years and they both quickly became very dear friends with us. After a recent road trip, they returned to announce that they had purchased a double-wide with property in Lake Pleasant, FL. Out of the blue, they quickly offered to sell us their 37 ft., Zinger pull behind RV with terms that we simply could not refuse. It sits on a very large, padded spot with no other units on either side. As it worked out, it is the next spot over from where we are now which will make for a very easy move. The RV is only three years old and is loaded with nice amenities like a large slideout in the central living area, a washer and dryer, a full-size refrigerator and a large deck. Needless to say, we are thrilled and feel very blessed to be given this opportunity.

In my next post, which I promise will be soon, I'll include some pictures of our new digs and explain further why we chose to make this move. Although our old, trusty RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) has been very good to us and provided exciting travels over the past two years, there are many changes going on in the full-time RV lifestyle that require a fresh prospective on the future.

In the mean time, we have serious packing to complete and more vegetables to grow.

Copyright 2009-2011 Lane A. Geyer

Photos by Deb & Lane

A New Awning & A Garden

It has been raining for two days straight here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Hard rains. Heavy downpours of the intensity that makes one start to consider building an ark. In the span of just three hours yesterday afternoon we were deluged with almost 2.5 inches from a storm that moved into the area after building moisture across the Gulf. Although we badly needed the moisture, rains of that intensity caused concern for two new projects that have occurred since our last post. One is a new awning that we placed on our trusty RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) and the other is a community garden we have been heavily working on for the past several month.

As I reported in a post from last July, our old awning suffered major damage due to another major rain event and was beyond the point of repair. We were able to roll it up enough to cover the tear in the seam, but after one more winter of wear and tear the time had come for declaring the point of no return. There were major leaks developing across the canvas and, with the coming summer heat, we need an awning that can be fully extended across the patio. After all, it was 25 years old and had lived a good life. Thankfully, with the help of many good and experienced friends here at the park, and the chance to obtain a new canvas cheap at Bob's RV Salvage in High Springs, FL, we are now enjoying the comforts of a very secure, camel colored awning that can be fully extended!

As the above picture shows, it is no easy task to replace an awning. It is a job that requires the help of at least four people and the expertise to mount and adjust the support arms properly. This was especially true for our awning because of its size. It measures 21 feet between the support arms and has a 20.2 feet canvas. Luckily, by the time we mounted ours everyone shown in the picture had gained plenty of experience in the process. This was the sixth awning we all helped to replaced on numerous RVs here at the park over the past five months. Along the way, there were enough parts left over to also fully replace our support arms and add a much needed center support post. We have to give a big shout-out to all the guys in the picture for their invaluable help. They are true craftsmen who unselfishly completed a task that would have cost a fortune if done at an RV repair shop. It is a true blessing to be surrounded by so many giving and talented people. It is a tribute to their work that the canvas withstood the downpours yesterday with absolutely no problems.

The downpours also, thankfully, had little negative effects on the community garden. The second picture shows the garden during the first week of planting in the last week of February. This is a project that has been in development for months with the clearing of land, the application of several loads of good top-soil, the erection of a 5 foot fence around the entire perimeter and the planting of a large variety of vegetables. It is large enough to accommodate thirty rows spaced 3 feet apart measuring 36 feet in length, plus four additional rows measuring 40 feet in length.

Currently, we have cucumbers, sugar beets, 18 different varieties of tomatoes, 6 varieties of peppers, pole beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, califlower, lettuce, radish, sugar snap and shell peas, spinach, carrots, bush beans, 5 varieties of squash, eggplant, collard greens and four different varieties of potatoes planted and growing well. Some of the potatoes have already required mounding, there are cherry tomatoes developing and the cucumbers, squash and shell peas are beginning to blossom. Needless to say, over the next few months we will all be enjoying a bounty of good eats. All we need now is a few days of warm sun to dry everything out again.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone.

Copyright Lane A Geyer 2009-2011

Photos by Deb

Changing Spaces & A Dog Wedding

 

It's hard to believe that so much time has past since my last post. Although a stretch of cold, damp weather keep everyone indoors for most of January, there has been plenty of activity here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Deb and I have stayed busy with our work/camp duties and spending time around the campfire almost every evening. With the increase of people around the park during the winter months, there's always an activity or event taking place.

One of our undertakings a few weeks ago was moving our trusty RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) to another lot. The new lot is only two spaces away from our old one, but provides a better setting. The patio is 2 feet wider and there is no one parked on the South side, which provides us with a nice view of trees and grass. The other advantage to the location is that there will more more shade from the trees as the sun gets higher and hotter during the coming months.

A lesson learned during the move is that a motor home needs to have the batteries charged and the motor run on a regular basis if it sits in one place for an extended period of time. I already knew that, but became complacent about completing those tasks for too many months. Howie ran and sounded good once the engine was started, but needed a battery charge and a jump to gets things going. Note to self, charge the batteries and run the engine on a regular basis from now on.

One of the most unique events to take place here over the past few weeks was the marriage of our dog Quincy to Daisy Mae, the dog of our neighbors Judy and Al. Since Daisy Mae arrived here from Canada for a winter stay, Quincy and her have been madly in love. Every time they are together, they roll around and constantly kiss like two lovesick teenagers. 

The ceremony took place on a beautiful Valentine's Day afternoon. As you can see from the above pictures, the bride and groom were all decked out for the event and were showered by gifts of numerous dog treats. About 15 people and 6 dogs were present to witness and celebrate the blessed union and all in attendance had a great time. Although the event was unique to say the least, it provided a great afternoon of entertainment. With over 50 dogs residing in the park right now, any event that includes dogs is always a big hit with their human owners.

The warmer temperatures over the past two weeks has also brought a flurry of repairs and improvements to many of the RV around the park. One of the great benefits of living in an RV park is the number of people who have the time, tools and expertise to undertake almost any repair task. So far, the local crew has stayed busy rebuilding a complete set of brakes, replacing and/or repairing over four awnings and patching a broken holding tank. It's a blessing to be surrounded with so many people who so freely give of their time and talents. The amount of money saved on these projects is thousands of dollars when compared to the same repairs being completed at an RV repair shop.

Until next time, we hope everyone is enjoying warmer weather.

Copyright 2009-2011 Lane A Geyer

A Big Campfire & Plumbing Problems

 

It's been a time of big campfires and plumbing problems lately here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. We've enjoyed some nice days with temps. in the high 60's and more nights of temps. below freezing. The two space heaters we use to keep our old RV warm have worked wonderfully for keeping us toasty at night. I've been warned several times by relatives who live in colder climates to stop whining about the weather here, so I won't say I'm cold. I'll just say that I'm looking forward to warmer weather.

The pictures above were taken on New Year's Eve when we enjoyed a wonderful party around the campfire. A few of the neighbors decided it would be a good idea to burn a very large log in celebration of the new year, so they placed it into the fire ring about three in the afternoon. Shortly after that people convinced Al, one of our long-term residents, to have his picture taken while sitting on top of it. As you can see from his expression, the log was already getting very warm. But, as the picture also shows, everyone else got a good laugh out of the experience.

Since my last post I have also spent a great deal of time dealing with plumbing problems in our RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent). Within the past few weeks both the water pump and toilet sprang leaks, leading to wet carpets and the joys of replacing both parts. Although I have done a good deal of plumbing in my life, it is not a job I enjoy. It's something that requires working in tight spaces, dealing with connections that must be very precise and, in the case of an RV, tracking down parts that are not easily found in most hardware stores. Let's just say that a good time was not had by all.

Actually, replacing the water pump was a relatively easy task. In our unit it is located directly below the bathroom sink and easily accessed. The job only took about an hour and, so far, the water pressure has been great.

Replacing the toilet, however, turned out to be one huge pain in the you-know-what! First of all, the only way to remove most old RV toilets is by reaching around the back to remove the water line connections and rear mounting bolt. There is no way to see what you are doing because there's not enough space to get your head down far enough to see anything. Everything must be done by feel, which is frustrating at best.

Once the old toilet was removed, the real fun began with trying to hook-up the water line to the new toilet. The new one we put in is higher than the old one, so an additional flex-hose was needed to connect the incoming water connection to the toilet.  Unfortunately, the standard toilet hoses found in hardware stores are designed for home plumbing specifications, which do not match the specifications for RVs. To make a long story short, after several trips to Home Depot and a full day of work the new toilet is now connected and working well.

If you ever need to find any parts for an RV, I would highly recommend AdventureRV.net. We ordered both the new water pump and toilet through them and had nothing but excellent results. Their prices are very reasonable, they immediately confirmed the orders complete with Fedex tracking numbers and both parts are covered with solid warranties. If needed, they will definitely be getting more of our business.

Until next time, Happy Trails Everyone.

Copyright 2009-2011 Lane A Geyer

Photos by Karen

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Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's hard to believe how the time has passed so quickly since my last post. I hate going so long without providing even small updates, but it's been a very busy month here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Between working, taking a short trip back to Greenville, SC for the family Christmas gathering and doing the usual holiday things, we have had little time to do anything else.

The park is looking very festive these days. Along with our old, trusty RV Howie (House on Wheels is Excellent), most of the other RV's here are adorned with lights, wreaths and other decorations. It's been nice to see the lights around the park while spending time around the campfire ring. The other decorations we are seeing is holiday sweaters on dogs, including Quincy. We now have 51 dogs in the park and most of them are usually wearing sweaters. I'll admit, it's been cold here for several weeks with temps. below freezing many nights. But I still have to wonder about the need for a dog to wear a sweater; especially in Florida. I've mentioned this to Deb several times and the usual response is that it's "because he looks so adorable". Ok, I'll accept that, but I still say there's something wrong about a male dog wearing a sweater in Florida. So much for owning a masculine, protective animal. I guess he can just scare away all threats with his cuteness.

Last Thursday through Sunday, we returned to Greenville for a very nice gathering with the family. Quincy went with us, was very good the whole time, and ended up being very spoiled by my father who snuck him pieces of cheese. Because gas is currently $3 per gallon in this area, we decided to give Howie a rest and rented a car for the journey. While we were there we indulged in another great meal from Bucky's Bar-B-Que and, once again, bask in the pleasure of cooking the meal for the gathering in a full-size kitchen. We love Howie, but cooking in an RV kitchen can prove to be limiting at best.

One of the strange things about the trip is that we both felt as if we had never left the area last May. It was like returning home in many ways. One year ago we were parked at the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC for a 5 month stay. It's hard to believe that our lives have changed so much since we were there. Where did the time go? We both feel very blessed that since leaving Taylors we have found a place that has brought us so much joy and so many true friends. It's the best Christmas present we could have hoped for this year!

For the rest of the week we plan to continue enjoying the holiday spirit around the park and enjoying the nightly campfires while sharing time with friends. There is a cookie exchange today that Deb is attending and, on Christmas Day, we will be taking part in a huge meal in the clubhouse. We hope that everyone has an equally enjoyable week and is blessed with the joys of the season.

“The best Christmas of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
Photos by Deb

Cold Nights, Warm Days

It's been a few weeks of cold nights and warm days here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Temperatures have dipped down into the mid-20s several nights, which has caused everyone to begin preparing their units for winter and commenting on how cold it is for Florida. After living in this state for over ten years, I have to admit that the cold temps. are harder to deal with each passing year. Thankfully, most days the temps. warm into the 70s, so I guess I'll stop complaining and give thanks that I no longer have to deal with extended sub-zero wind chills and knee deep snows.

There was a nice potluck dinner in the clubhouse on Thanksgiving with about 60 people in attendance. The park owners, Richard & Mary, supplied three, 20 pound turkeys and everyone else brought a vast array of side dishes and deserts. It proved to be a great meal and a nice way to celebrate the day. There's something very special about a large group of basically very different people coming together and giving thanks for the blessings we have as a family of RV travelers.

It's hard to believe that we have been here in White Springs for over six months. Last year at this time we were leaving Heiskell, TN for a stay in Greenville, SC. As I've written several times before, we never expected to be here this long, but Kelly's is the kind of place that is hard to leave. Every day, more people who have stayed here for many years are arriving for the season. Everyone knows each other and comments on how happy they are to be back among friends. It's rare to find that kind of feeling of community in an RV park and we are glad to have become part of the experience.

Tonight there is a Christmas parade in White Springs and the opening of the Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster State Park. We are looking forward to attending these events for several reasons. One is the chance to see the more than 3 million lights that will adorn the park. The other is to experience a parade in a town that has a population of less than 850 people. It ought to be interesting.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone.

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photos by Deb

RV News

It's been another busy and beautiful week here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. There have been a few nights where the temperatures dropped down to 32, but the days have been in the high 70s with clear blue skies. Glorious weather that has contributed to almost constant gatherings around the campfire ring. Some days the fire is burning from 7 in the morning until midnight. It's a great place to relax and share good times and good food. The picture above shows Richard, the owner of the park, preparing a breakfast of bacon and eggs over the fire. It's a nice perk here to be able to enjoy a cup of coffee around the fire on cold, crisp mornings.

Other than work and enjoying the fire, there's not much new going on around here except the arrivals of a few more long-term residents. But in between completing other tasks, I came across these recent news items that may be of interest to anyone in the RV lifestyle.

• Overnight Parking Bans at Walmarts: In a posting back in August, I wrote about a couple who is suing Walmart after the husband shot and killed a man who was attempting to break into their RV while they were parked in a Walmart lot in Utah. The family was not harmed, but they decided to sue Walmart claiming that the company did not protect them properly during their free stay and that they are now suffering from mental and emotional stress due to the ordeal. As I and other RV full-timers predicted, one of the outcomes of this lawsuit is that many Walmarts are now prohibiting overnight parking in their lots. Included is the Walmart we shop at in nearby Lake City.
 

• Runaway Bull Shot in Campground: A one-ton bull took refuge in an RV park in Cedaredge, CO and was ultimately and killed after other attempts to control the animal failed. It was feared that the animal would access the grounds of a nearby elementary school. I hope the park residents enjoyed a really big barbecue after the unfortunate incident.

• State Parks Closures:In an effort to address growing budget deficits, many states have already closed, or are planning to close, their parks. A large number of these parks include RV campsites. Colorado is currently looking at closing four state parks, opening others up to oil and gas drilling, plus allowing of corporate sponsorships of parks as ways of saving money and generating money for a park system that is expected to receive no funding next year. A similar situation is facing California after voters defeated a proposition that sought to raise vehicle license fess by $18 per car for state park finances. As a result, the closure of many California parks is certain in the near future.

• Free Alaska Travel Guide: There are very few people we meet who haven't already been to, or are planning a trip through Alaska. There is now a free North to Alaska travel guide that can be viewed online or mailed to you. You can find it at www.northtoalaska.com.

• Permanent RV Discounts for Veterans: On Nov. 10th of this year,  Carefree RV Resorts announced that it will offer permanent, 50 percent nightly discounts to active and veteran military servicemen and women and their families in its 35 parks in Florida, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina and California.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone.


Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
Photos by Deb

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Fall & Witches Stew

 

 Fall has finally arrived here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Most days the temps. are in the high 70s with nights dipping into the high 40s. Good campfire and sleeping weather. The strange thing about Fall here is that most of the leaves drop without changing color. There are a some oaks and maples that have a few colorful leaves at the top, but the majority of leaves coming down are green. That's a big contrast when compared to our stay about a year ago in Heiskell, TN when the leaves were exploding with vibrant colors. I miss that atmosphere. It's nice to be in warmer climes going into the Winter months, but there's something magical about a colorful Fall atmosphere.

The pictures above were taken on Halloween when everyone gathered at the clubhouse for a meal of witches stew. The preparation and enjoyment of the stew has become an annual tradition that dates back about five years. Marilyn, shown in the bottom picture, places a large pot over an open fire and adds a base broth. From there, anyone is allowed to add whatever ingredients they wish except for fish and macaroni. The thing people like is that the concoction is never the same from year to year. We've been told that some years it's been really beanie, while other years it's been loaded with meats. Everyone is in agreement though that no matter what's gone into it, the stews have always been excellent.

This year the mixture included smoked turkey legs, ham, sausages, hot dogs, stew beef, celery, cabbage, peas, carrots, okra, acorn squash, rice plus other ingredients that I did not hear about. After simmering over the fire for about five hours, it turned out to be surprisingly good. It was hot, tasty and very filling. Spending time with people while the stew was cooking and during the meal was a nice way to spend the day.

We hope everyone had as good of a Halloween as we did. Until next time, Happy Trails.

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
Photos by Deb

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RV Park Living

Activities here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL are increasing quickly. Over the past week more people have arrived to spend the winter months. By the first of next month all but two spaces will be occupied by long-term residents. After the relatively quiet summer months, it is good to see so many new people and enjoy the lively evening conversations around the campfire ring. It is a credit to the owners of Kelly's that the majority of people who spent the winter months in the park have been returning for years.

The increase in people has also brought an increase of activities. This past week we enjoyed both a pot-luck meal on Wednesday and a breakfast in the clubhouse on Saturday morning. By next month there will be pot-luck meals every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning breakfasts three weeks of every month. In addition, there will be weekly crafts and beading classes, bingo games, card games, shopping trips and almost nightly gatherings around the campfire ring. The is absolutely no reason for anyone to be bored around this place.

One of the reasons Deb & I decided to make 2010 our Year Of Doing Nothing was to gain a better understanding of full-time RV Park living. We enjoyed our extensive travels in 2009 and gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about full-time RV living when you are constantly on the move. For some people, being on the move constantly is what they prefer. Otherwise they get what is known as the "hitch-itch" if they are in one place for more than two weeks. That's understandable because the full-time RV life is no different than any other lifestyle. Some prefer to be constantly on the move while others are content to spend years in one place. Either way, it's a good life filled with some of the friendliest, laid-back and helpful people you will meet anywhere.

The biggest difference we have found between being on the move constantly and staying in one place for an extended period of months is the chance to really get to know people more deeply and to obtain a better feeling for the areas in which we stay. Over the past five months we have become a of very real part of this small community in ways we never expected. As I've noted in past postings, Kelly's is that kind of place and one of the reasons we feel in love with this RV park and the White Springs area. It's good to be a part of a genuine community and learn so much about an extended stay in an RV park. We don't plan to be here forever, but for now it's providing us with many blessings.

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Work Camping

Image via Wikipedia

It's been another busy week here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. The weather has been beautiful and cool enough during the nights for people to sit around the campfire ring. Many people have begun to arrive for stays over the winter months and the campfire ring has become a regular gathering spot during the early evenings. It is very close to where we are parked, so we are spending a lot time around the fires meeting new people and enjoying the aromas of wood smoke in the crisp evening air.

Both Deb & I have been busy with work. Over the past month we have moved into work camping positions here at Kelly's. I've assisted the staff with instillation of the new WiFi system and Deb has begun helping out with general cleaning of the public buildings around the park on the weekends. Now that the WiFi system is working the way it should, I'll be moving on to assist the owners with updating their web page. Aside from her regular duties, Deb will also be picking up some extra work once the park is full next month helping people who want their RV's cleaned on a regular basis. As if that isn't enough to keep us busy, I have also been able to gain some work helping people with computer problems. It's good to be so busy and involved here.

As with most work camping positions, the owners have been very generous by compensating us for our time through discounts on our site fees and other small payments. We did not come here looking for a work camping position, but the opportunities have arisen. We feel blessed to be able to enjoy this opportunity in a place we love.

If you do a general web search about full-time RV living, one of the biggest topic areas that will emerge will be information about work camping. It is highly touted as a way to make the full-time RV lifestyle affordable. Most of the sites that arise are just links to other sites that offer work camping positions; especially Federal and State parks. The majority of the information makes it appear that there are thousands of work camping positions available across the nation and that all one needs to do is be willing to offer twenty hours or more per week in general work to receive a free site and utilities. Since beginning our journey, we have research and applied for several work camping positions because it is a good way to make RV living more affordable and enjoyable. In doing so we have also learned that the realities of obtaining a work camping position are much different than the general information presented in most web sites on the topic.

The first reality learned was that while there are many open work camping positions available, most are in very remote areas like BLM Federal lands in the western States where no one else is willing to stay. Positions in popular parks during peak seasons are filled years in advance, usually by the same people. For example, here in Florida there is a three year waiting list for work camping positions during the winter months. There were a few positions we came across that offered no utility hook-ups because the park was so far off the grid and the closest shopping area was over 200 miles away.

The second reality learned was that the application process is very slow and laborious. In most cases, you are dealing with governmental agencies who treat applications for work camping positions the same they would any other job position. A lot of the information on web sites make it  appear that all on needs to do is pull an RV into a park and be willing to work a few hours a wee  to qualify. That's just not the case. All work camping applicants go through the same vetting process as other employees including background and reference checks, interviews and verification of past employment. As is usually the case with most governmental agencies, this process can take months with very little contact about the status of the application as it is cleared through all the necessary channels. As with most jobs, it is also true that the people with the most background experience related to the job are ones most qualified for the position. Deb and I were contacted by several different parks after submitting our applications based solely upon the fact that we managed a resort for three years and because I worked for a country park for ten years.

Last November we were offered a work camping position in the middle of nowhere Southwest Georgia. It was in a remote natural area that was in transition from being a State park to a State nature preserve. No camping was allowed on the site and we would have been the only people staying there to provide security and general cleaning. The position did include a free site with utilities, but was in a very remote area with the nearest shopping area almost an hour away. The total time between the submission of our application to the time we were offered the position was over three months. During that time we were interviewed over the phone by two different people, our background and references were checked, numerous e-mails were exchanged and it was not uncommon to have weeks pass with no feedback on the status of when a final decision would be made. On the very day we left Tennessee to head to Greenville, SC to help out my parents, we received a phone message saying that we obtained the position and they would like us there is two days. Given the cold conditions even in Georgia last winter, it worked out for the best that we could not accept the offer. But if for no other reason, the process taught us a great deal about what it really takes to obtain a work camping position.

As happened to us here at Kelly's, one of the best ways to find work in a full-time RV lifestyle is to stay at a place for an extended period and get to know people. It pays off in the long-run.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone!

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photo by Deb

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More Work and a Coffee House

It has been too long since my last post because we have had another busy week here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. In addition to completing a large amount of article assignments, I've also been helping the owners with getting the final bugs out of the new WiFi system. As I stated in the last post, getting a WiFi system to operate properly in a large RV park is no easy task. In the meantime, Deb has stayed busy with keeping up with Quincy and making trips with other residents here into Lake City to stock-up on supplies.

Thankfully, the weather has cooled down nicely over the past week. Days have been clear and warm with temps. in the low eighties and nights are dipping into the low fifties. After the brutally hot and humid summer we just experienced, it's nice to be able to enjoy sitting outside and sleeping with the windows open.

The pictures above were taken during our trip last Saturday night to the open-mic coffee house at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. The park hosts these coffee houses the first Saturday of every month except the months of April and December. In April the park is filled to capacity with an antique tractor show and in December it hosts a Festival of Lights. It's was a nice feeling to return to the park. It was our first stay on this journey and the return brought back many good memories.

We usually spend our Saturday nights listening to A Prairie Home Companion while enjoying a good meal, but it was nice to substitute that for a trip to the coffee house. During the evening we were entertained by eight performers who provided acoustic sets of music that included folk, bluegrass, gospel and one fiddle player who played a strange style of songs that nobody seemed to understand or appreciate. Overall, the amateur performers were very talented and seemed completely at ease with the audience. It was a nice way to spend the evening. If you ever have the chance to attend one of the coffee houses at Stephen Foster State Park, we highly recommend them. They are free, including the park entry fee, and you can purchase coffee, tea and baked goods all provided for just a dollar each.

It's looks like another busy week ahead, so until next time Happy Trails everyone.

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photos by Deb & Lane

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Translator Please

 

It' been another busy week for us here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. The weather has finally cooled down enough to drastically reduce our need for air conditioning, which is a nice change after the past four months of unending heat. The only we really need is rain. The Suwanee River is now running so low that small islands, which are normally submerged under six feet of water, can now be seen in the middle of the stream.

Over the past few days, Deb has helped with getting the clubhouse kitchen reorganized after its painting and floor resurfacing and, this morning, also helped out at the monthly pancake breakfast. In addition to my  daily writing assignments, I have also been helping the owners install a new WiFi system.  For two people who are supposedly semi-retired, we've been putting in a lot of time actually working. We're not complaining though, because it feels good to be involved with the projects and the people here at the park.That's one of the advantages of extended stays in a full-time RV lifestyle.

After spending three hours on the phone yesterday with several technicians of the Cisco corporation, I'm glad I decided to not make installing wireless systems a career. I know a lot about computers and have installed several wireless systems, but the tedium of fine turning the programming bugs in the system being installed here tested my patience. Part of the frustration was trying to talk to technicians that had heavy foreign accents and seemed confused about even the basic steps needed to correct a problem with a product their company manufactured. I beg you major corporations, please provide easy to understand and knowledgeable technicians. No one should require a translator when trying to solve a technical problem.

The system still has a few bugs to correct, but once everything is operating properly Kelly's will have the best WiFi system available in the area. In order to stay competitive, any RV park today must have a reliable wireless system that people can access from inside their units.That's no small task in a large area that is packed with metal-sided structures, but without wireless access people will quickly stay at another park that does provide it.There is just too much of modern life that now revolves around the Internet.

We're looking forward to a relaxing weekend and slowing down for a few days. Let's just hope there is no need for a translator in the near future.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone.


Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photos by Debbie

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Spiders!

Over the past few weeks there has been an increase of spiders here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Luckily, none have invaded our trusty, old RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent). The one thing about Florida is that it is not a place to be for anyone who has a fear of spiders. Over 700 different types of spiders can be found throughout the state ranging in size from very small to very, very large.

The above photo is of a North American banana spider (nephila clavipes) that  recently created a large web between two trees here at Kelly's. Its overall length, including the legs, is over two inches and the web is about three feet wide by three feet high. A big spider indeed, but this is only a young one. Other  long-term residents here have seen some three times as large.

There are actually two different types of banana spiders; one resides in North America and the other can be found through Central and South America. Both types are venomous, but their bites differ dramatically. In North America, the bites can cause allergic reactions or painful welts and blister which usually clear up within a few days. However, a bite from a South American variety is extremely toxic and can be fatal if medical attention is not sought immediately.

The North American banana spider is also commonly known as the golden silk orb-weaver. As you can see in the picture, the spider weaves very thick and elaborate designs into the web. The web silk also reflects a golden color in sunlight. The webs of these spiders are renowned for the strength of the silk, which rivals that of Kevlar and steel. Efforts have been made in the past to harvest the silk on a scale usable for making body armor.

In the United States, the banana spider can be found in areas from North Carolina down to the Florida Keys and in the lower states as far west as Texas. Their diet consists of a variety of insects as large as crickets and wasps, which makes the banana spider a very beneficial natural insect controller. While their populations can be very large during late summer and fall, they don't seem to prefer invading buildings. The one strange thing is that, for as large as these spiders can grow, they seem to have a great fear of cockroaches.

Until next time, Happy Trails everyone.

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
Photo by Deb

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Dealing With Pests

Image via Wikipedia

Suwannee River

It's been another busy week here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. A few of the long-term winter residents are starting to arrive and the park staff has been working hard to prepare the grounds for a full house by the end of October. Deb & I have been staying busy with the usual tasks while still slogging through very hot days. Temperatures at night are dipping into the 60s, but the now four month  long trend of hot and humid days just won't end.

One of the major tasks this past week has been battling an increase of pests invading our motor home. Both the heavy rains and cooler nights over the past week seem to have put them on the move for finding different shelter. Most are insects, but we also had a small mouse boldly walk out from under the sofa a few nights ago while we were watching a television show. Unfortunately, it appears the our new dog Quincy is not going to be much help in keeping rodents out of the RV. He never roused from his sleeping position under the table when the mouse appeared or even paid any attention when I stomped the floor loudly to chase it away. Oh well, at least he's an adorable dog to look at.

Battling pests comes with the territory of living a full-time RV lifestyle; especially when you are traveling or staying in the insect-heavy Southern states. RV's are not as solidly built as traditional sticks-and-bricks structures and just have too many access points for pests to enter like the electrical cable, loose fitting window screens and sewage discharge pipes. Even in newer units, pests can always find a way inside. It takes only very small cracks in seams for insects to enter and mice can fit through holes as small as 1/4 of an inch.

 

The problem is also compounded by the fact that most RV parks and campgrounds are located in natural settings. Here at Kelly's the park is not only filled with a large number of trees, but also surrounded by completely undeveloped woodlands.

 

Aside from the using the usual pest control methods, we have also found that running the engine and generator on a regular basis during extended stays helps to limit pest invasions. The noise and vibrations created by these engines is irritating to pests. It may not solve the entire problem, but it helps in keeping the number of pests at a manageable levels. Besides, we always make it a practice to regularly run the engine and generator to help keep them in good operating condition.

Hopefully, we'll soon have some colder temperatures that will decrease the numbers of insects around here. In the meantime, I need to look into some training for that adorable dog of ours. After all, if he won't even defend us against a mouse, what good will he be if something really threatening comes along?

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

RV photo by Deb

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