St. Louis MO Cloudy 57 Degrees
Here we are headed south for the third year now. We talked the other night about how leaving the kids doesn’t get any easier. In fact, it gets harder. This year we had the good fortune of spending our vacation with our oldest son and his girlfriend as part of the group. He is so busy raising is own family including 6 of his own grandkids, we don’t see him as much as we’d like when we are home in the summer. Upon our return from our trip, we met our other son Chris, Samantha and little miss Nora for the afternoon and had a great visit. When I start getting weepy on that final hug, my son always reminds me how much we didn’t see each other during the cold winter months. He’s right I know; his cavalier way sets me at ease long enough to get away without crying in front of him. Boys hate that you know!
[gallery ids="1194,1195,1191,1200,1193"]
Last night was spent with our daughter Kelsy and JP and the boys. It was beggar’s night and the evening was warm for this time of year. Champ and I took the boys trick-or-treating around their neighborhood and had an absolute blast watching them. It had been a very long time since either of us had escorted any goblins on beggar’s night. The goodbye was tough as it always is. Especially now that Hunter is old enough to understand what it means when we say we are leaving for the winter. JP sent us an audio of the boys wishing us safe travels this morning. That made a lump in my throat!
[gallery ids="1198,1197"]
I think one sign that we are becoming more comfortable with the lifestyle is this year we don’t have the entire 5 months etched in granite like the past years. We will be working the first half of winter so won’t have the insulating emotional blanket of the snow bird park for the holidays to distract us. Neither one of us are sure what to expect this year when Christmas rolls around and we are doing our thing and the kids are all in Iowa freezing, but together. We will be in Plains with other RV volunteers. Maybe something will get organized for the two holidays, maybe not. We are trying to prepare ourselves emotionally. After January 31st, when our commitment ends with the Jimmy Carter Historical Site we have no firm plans. For this compulsive planner that’s a bit hard. We may go to Alabama and do an 8-week stint at a Corps park that may need a fill-in. We won’t know till mid-December about that. We truly have no plan for February or March and it’s liberating in a way. Even though Britt the planner nearly hyperventilates occasionally thinking about it.
It’s been a hell of a summer. Extreme weather, flooding and two evacuations. Lightning strikes frying major appliances, little annoying crap wearing out like the generator and water pump. In between all the junk we forged deeper friendships with our Volunteer Village companions and met new friends who will return along with us next year. We spent lots a great time with the kids and loved our part time work. I got involved as a volunteer at the new Jester Park Nature Center and hope to do more with them next summer. My new way of eating has made me leaner and much healthier than I have been in decades and I’m loving that.
Today we embarked on our journey to an area new to both of us. There is a lot of excitement knowing we have new people to get to know, rich history of the southeast United States to soak up and who knows what else lies ahead. As our years go by in this life our network of people grows. We will know three couples who will be in Florida for the winter, maybe we’ll head that way after we finish our gig in Plains, Georgia. One never knows. That’s the best part.
Until next time…
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Day 245 / 120 Yes, We Take Vacations
Griff’s RV Park- Altoona, Iowa Sunny- 67 Degrees
“What do you mean you’re taking a vacation, you’re on vacation all the time!” We hear that all the time. Some people are joking when they say it, others seem truly confused. We just laugh, along with every other full timer that has heard the same comment.
[caption id="attachment_1178" align="alignleft" width="300"]
The Gang[/caption]
If you follow me, you know we anticipated our recent trip to the Dominican Republic for months. We went with the group of family and friends that we have camped with for many years. It was a trip that we’ve talked about for a long time. This year it happened. Thirteen of us, (8 Joneses) boarded a flight, half asleep but excited at 5:30 am last Sunday morning. 10 hours later we were at the resort lounging in the pool, near a swim up bar and chatting about the upcoming week and how happy we all were to be there. It was the first time we had all been together at once in over a year. The destination was beautiful, but the trip was made by the people we shared it with. Like everything else, it’s about the people.
The trip got off to a rough start when my daughter-in-law Amber slipped on the tile, with feet wet from the pool, entering an unfamiliar restroom. Her first few hours on the island, were spent in the Emergency Room of a nearby hospital getting 7 stitches in her forehead. She did not suffer a concussion but was quite sore from the fall the next couple of days. She was a trooper and put the accident behind her and had a great trip, with a bandage on her head and a puffy eye. Good stories for the grandkids.
Lazy days at the all-inclusive resort were punctuated by two excursions. The time we spent away from the resort made me feel like we had really visited the island. A resort is a resort no matter where you go, especially in the Caribbean. You don’t really see a place till you get out and about. We found the Dominicans to be very nice, and quite laid back. Although the island is densely populated, and traffic is busy, I found it interesting that there were only a handful of intersections controlled by traffic lights and they were near the airport. Most intersections were uncontrolled, with speed bumps placed to slow everyone down as they approached. It was remarkable to watch how easily our drivers maneuvered around each other. Small motorcycles mostly 500cc or smaller usually carrying 2-3 people, single passenger scooters, panel rack pickups carrying some 20 workers standing up in the box and multitudes of tour busses zoomed around each other, horns beeping making each other aware of their intentions. No one seemed irritated and kept moving along. Road rage didn’t seem to exist. Americans are much too up tight and self-centered to be able to deal with that kind of traffic. There is no texting and driving. Dominicans seem to approach driving like playing a video game. Our bus passed a small motorcycle being driven by a man, with three small children sandwiched between him and I assume his wife at the rear. Imagine a family of 5 going somewhere together on a motorcycle! In the United States they would be in a Tahoe with televisions and Wi-Fi. The narrow streets were lined with store fronts pushed right up against the open sewers running along the road sides. People were engaged in their conversations, and mostly looked happy. Extreme poverty was present just a few miles from the resort as you leave the city of Punta Cana. You know you’re along way from home when the tour bus pulls over to let a farmer move his heard of cattle down the road past the bus!
We visited Los Haitisas National Park and took a boat tour through the Mangrove Forest, out onto the brackish waterways were the sea water meets the fresh water coming from the mountains in the middle of the island. We toured caves where we saw 10,000-year-old face carvings, and petroglyphs. The tour guide taught us about the Pre-Colonial Dominicans, the importance of the Mangrove Trees and lots of interesting history and folklore. I saw and photographed a couple of species of birds I had never seen before, an extra treat for me. Randy and Amber joined us, and we all enjoyed the day off the resort exploring the northern coast.
[gallery ids="1189,1188,1187,1186,1185,1184,1179,1180,1181,1182,1183"]
Friday, we left again to take a Zip Line trip. After skydiving and parasailing in past years, the zip line has been on my list for some time. I went anticipating a single line. I was thrilled to find out we did 12 lines through the tree canopy of the mountain rain forest. By far my favorite line was one of the longer ones that whizzed through a tunnel where the tree canopy had been trimmed to allow passage of the line. The trees were blooming, and the smell of flowers rushed at me as I sailed through. It was quite a moment. My only regret was that I didn’t rent the GoPro to strap to my helmet. It would have been cool to watch it later and see the same view without all the adrenaline surging and not having to focus on all the things they told us to do so we didn’t get hurt or wipe out upon reaching the next platform with the instructor giving us hand signals. My memories will live in my head.
In between excursions we lounged on the beach, swam in the ocean, stood around in the pool with our drinks, ate very good food and napped whenever we wanted. I was happy to have identified about 20 bird species on my own, with the help of the Merlin Bird App on my phone. Three were new to me and are endemic to the area so that was exciting. My sister-in-law Sue, and I were entertained one evening, as we sat on a patio, by a mother Gallinule and her babies. We couldn’t stop laughing at them, with their giant three-toed feet that they would eventually grow into. They stepped on their own toes and wobbled about as they followed mom around the lawn between our patio and the pond were they lived.
Even though we don’t live in a bricks and sticks home on our corner lot in Williams, we do still have our ‘home’ and routine albeit an unconventional one. Everyone loves a vacation from their normal routine. My sites are already on joining my Aunt on a trip she takes to Europe to sail the Danube and take in the Christmas Markets along the way. I had intended to go this year, but it didn’t work out. Now I can look forward to something next year!
Until next time…
“What do you mean you’re taking a vacation, you’re on vacation all the time!” We hear that all the time. Some people are joking when they say it, others seem truly confused. We just laugh, along with every other full timer that has heard the same comment.
[caption id="attachment_1178" align="alignleft" width="300"]
The Gang[/caption]If you follow me, you know we anticipated our recent trip to the Dominican Republic for months. We went with the group of family and friends that we have camped with for many years. It was a trip that we’ve talked about for a long time. This year it happened. Thirteen of us, (8 Joneses) boarded a flight, half asleep but excited at 5:30 am last Sunday morning. 10 hours later we were at the resort lounging in the pool, near a swim up bar and chatting about the upcoming week and how happy we all were to be there. It was the first time we had all been together at once in over a year. The destination was beautiful, but the trip was made by the people we shared it with. Like everything else, it’s about the people.
The trip got off to a rough start when my daughter-in-law Amber slipped on the tile, with feet wet from the pool, entering an unfamiliar restroom. Her first few hours on the island, were spent in the Emergency Room of a nearby hospital getting 7 stitches in her forehead. She did not suffer a concussion but was quite sore from the fall the next couple of days. She was a trooper and put the accident behind her and had a great trip, with a bandage on her head and a puffy eye. Good stories for the grandkids.
Lazy days at the all-inclusive resort were punctuated by two excursions. The time we spent away from the resort made me feel like we had really visited the island. A resort is a resort no matter where you go, especially in the Caribbean. You don’t really see a place till you get out and about. We found the Dominicans to be very nice, and quite laid back. Although the island is densely populated, and traffic is busy, I found it interesting that there were only a handful of intersections controlled by traffic lights and they were near the airport. Most intersections were uncontrolled, with speed bumps placed to slow everyone down as they approached. It was remarkable to watch how easily our drivers maneuvered around each other. Small motorcycles mostly 500cc or smaller usually carrying 2-3 people, single passenger scooters, panel rack pickups carrying some 20 workers standing up in the box and multitudes of tour busses zoomed around each other, horns beeping making each other aware of their intentions. No one seemed irritated and kept moving along. Road rage didn’t seem to exist. Americans are much too up tight and self-centered to be able to deal with that kind of traffic. There is no texting and driving. Dominicans seem to approach driving like playing a video game. Our bus passed a small motorcycle being driven by a man, with three small children sandwiched between him and I assume his wife at the rear. Imagine a family of 5 going somewhere together on a motorcycle! In the United States they would be in a Tahoe with televisions and Wi-Fi. The narrow streets were lined with store fronts pushed right up against the open sewers running along the road sides. People were engaged in their conversations, and mostly looked happy. Extreme poverty was present just a few miles from the resort as you leave the city of Punta Cana. You know you’re along way from home when the tour bus pulls over to let a farmer move his heard of cattle down the road past the bus!
We visited Los Haitisas National Park and took a boat tour through the Mangrove Forest, out onto the brackish waterways were the sea water meets the fresh water coming from the mountains in the middle of the island. We toured caves where we saw 10,000-year-old face carvings, and petroglyphs. The tour guide taught us about the Pre-Colonial Dominicans, the importance of the Mangrove Trees and lots of interesting history and folklore. I saw and photographed a couple of species of birds I had never seen before, an extra treat for me. Randy and Amber joined us, and we all enjoyed the day off the resort exploring the northern coast.
[gallery ids="1189,1188,1187,1186,1185,1184,1179,1180,1181,1182,1183"]
Friday, we left again to take a Zip Line trip. After skydiving and parasailing in past years, the zip line has been on my list for some time. I went anticipating a single line. I was thrilled to find out we did 12 lines through the tree canopy of the mountain rain forest. By far my favorite line was one of the longer ones that whizzed through a tunnel where the tree canopy had been trimmed to allow passage of the line. The trees were blooming, and the smell of flowers rushed at me as I sailed through. It was quite a moment. My only regret was that I didn’t rent the GoPro to strap to my helmet. It would have been cool to watch it later and see the same view without all the adrenaline surging and not having to focus on all the things they told us to do so we didn’t get hurt or wipe out upon reaching the next platform with the instructor giving us hand signals. My memories will live in my head.
In between excursions we lounged on the beach, swam in the ocean, stood around in the pool with our drinks, ate very good food and napped whenever we wanted. I was happy to have identified about 20 bird species on my own, with the help of the Merlin Bird App on my phone. Three were new to me and are endemic to the area so that was exciting. My sister-in-law Sue, and I were entertained one evening, as we sat on a patio, by a mother Gallinule and her babies. We couldn’t stop laughing at them, with their giant three-toed feet that they would eventually grow into. They stepped on their own toes and wobbled about as they followed mom around the lawn between our patio and the pond were they lived.
Even though we don’t live in a bricks and sticks home on our corner lot in Williams, we do still have our ‘home’ and routine albeit an unconventional one. Everyone loves a vacation from their normal routine. My sites are already on joining my Aunt on a trip she takes to Europe to sail the Danube and take in the Christmas Markets along the way. I had intended to go this year, but it didn’t work out. Now I can look forward to something next year!
Until next time…
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Day 233 / 132 That's A Wrap Folks
Saylorville Lake 60 Degrees- Brilliant Sunshine
Yesterday, we completed our last official day of work here at Saylorville Lake for the 2018 season. What a glorious day it was. I relish every moment I get to work out here, before and after I finish my in-town job for my friend’s store.
The day started out around 38 degrees with sun. It was like my favorite state of Colorado. Cool morning, sunny, no humidity, little wind and warm afternoon. I started out the work day in 4 layers and was down to my T-shirt by early afternoon. Judy and I couldn’t have asked for a better day to clean out the last few flower beds at the Butterfly Gardens. Of the 30 or so planting areas there were 8 left that needed cleaned out. We were thrilled to have it all done before our departure. Ranger Coty showed up in the afternoon with a chain saw and helped Judy cut a bunch of invasive Mulberry trees out of the fence line. The two of us have big plans and vision for the area for next year. We worked and talked about things we want to do next spring when we return. It’s a gardener’s thing. We are never completely satisfied. There is always something else to plant, move or change.
[gallery ids="1171,1174,1173,1170,1172"]
Champ and Will had a nice day of stump grinding with the kind of grinder that makes the job leisurely, rather than labor intensive. Everyone basked in the bright fall sun. As the day wore on we all knew it was the end of the season. Leaving at the end of the day, meant cleaning out lockers and saying goodbyes to the Rangers. One of the ladies in the office, surprised Judy and I with a framed picture of us that I took and had emailed to one of the rangers. A very sweet and heartfelt souvenir for us to take away from this year.
With the work done, we will leave on Saturday. After a hiatus in the Dominican Republic to take a vacation. (Yes, we still take vacations!) We are looking forward to our winter gig for National Parks in Georgia.
That’s A Wrap Folks!
Until Next Time…
Yesterday, we completed our last official day of work here at Saylorville Lake for the 2018 season. What a glorious day it was. I relish every moment I get to work out here, before and after I finish my in-town job for my friend’s store.
The day started out around 38 degrees with sun. It was like my favorite state of Colorado. Cool morning, sunny, no humidity, little wind and warm afternoon. I started out the work day in 4 layers and was down to my T-shirt by early afternoon. Judy and I couldn’t have asked for a better day to clean out the last few flower beds at the Butterfly Gardens. Of the 30 or so planting areas there were 8 left that needed cleaned out. We were thrilled to have it all done before our departure. Ranger Coty showed up in the afternoon with a chain saw and helped Judy cut a bunch of invasive Mulberry trees out of the fence line. The two of us have big plans and vision for the area for next year. We worked and talked about things we want to do next spring when we return. It’s a gardener’s thing. We are never completely satisfied. There is always something else to plant, move or change.
[gallery ids="1171,1174,1173,1170,1172"]
Champ and Will had a nice day of stump grinding with the kind of grinder that makes the job leisurely, rather than labor intensive. Everyone basked in the bright fall sun. As the day wore on we all knew it was the end of the season. Leaving at the end of the day, meant cleaning out lockers and saying goodbyes to the Rangers. One of the ladies in the office, surprised Judy and I with a framed picture of us that I took and had emailed to one of the rangers. A very sweet and heartfelt souvenir for us to take away from this year.
With the work done, we will leave on Saturday. After a hiatus in the Dominican Republic to take a vacation. (Yes, we still take vacations!) We are looking forward to our winter gig for National Parks in Georgia.
That’s A Wrap Folks!
Until Next Time…
Monday, October 15, 2018
Day 230 / 135 Early Winter
Saylorville Lake – 35 Degrees Sleet and Rain and Snow
We are sitting in the front Campground Attendant’s site here at Cherry Glen, our assigned site upon being moved out of Volunteer Village last week. This was the last weekend for this campground for the season. As we sat and watched the sold out campground visitors dump their tanks and pull out for the last time this season we reminisced about the days when we would too, be wrapping up our last weekend. It was always a sad day each year when we unloaded and winterized our 5th wheel against the cold Iowa winter that loomed ahead. My homemade chicken soup simmered in the slow cooker all afternoon as we watched the giant snow flakes against the red and gold of the trees. It was a day to sit around inside and watch movies. Our last week here is much like our first week back in April. cold and snowy.
Last night was our last get together with our companions, Will and Judy and some of their family. We had a beautiful 50-degree evening, with a roaring fire, Tex-Mex munchies and margaritas. As the ISU game played on the radio in the background about 4 different conversations took place simultaneously. Everything from what we look forward to next year when we come back, memorable moments from this season and of course a bit of razzing at the four of us for our impending exodus toward southern parts while our north dwelling campfire companions endure the frigid temps and snow and ice. We know it won’t always be 80 degrees and sunshine but at least we won’t worry about sub-zero temps or feet of snow.
[gallery ids="1165,1166,1164"]
By 3:30 this afternoon, the campground was empty, the guard-house was closed up and barricades in place. Now it’s just the volunteers like us who will leave in a few days.
This time next week, we will be sitting on a beach in the Dominican Republic with our group of 13 friends and family that we have camped with over the years. It’s a nice thing to look forward to on a cold, wet day like today. We will work tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday before we turn in our keys and say our final goodbyes for the season to the Rangers. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site awaits. They are re-opened now after being closed a couple of days as Hurricane Michael tracked inland and crossed through that part of Georgia. I will check blogs from other volunteers we know and see how they are doing in their new winter digs or see if their plans have been changed due to extreme conditions around the country.
In the meantime, meals out with friends and family and seemingly endless errands are filling our last two weeks. Sub consciously, I think, I asked my good friend Joyce for a suitcase for our trip so I would have a reason to see her one last time before we take off for the winter. We have had grandkids spending the night every weekend the past month and are trying to soak up all we can before the dreaded day we leave the end of the month. A warmer climate, new ‘job’ for a new agency, new corner of the country and who knows how many new friends await us for the five months we will be away. Like fall in Iowa it is a bittersweet time of year for this full-time RV Volunteer couple.
Until next time…
We are sitting in the front Campground Attendant’s site here at Cherry Glen, our assigned site upon being moved out of Volunteer Village last week. This was the last weekend for this campground for the season. As we sat and watched the sold out campground visitors dump their tanks and pull out for the last time this season we reminisced about the days when we would too, be wrapping up our last weekend. It was always a sad day each year when we unloaded and winterized our 5th wheel against the cold Iowa winter that loomed ahead. My homemade chicken soup simmered in the slow cooker all afternoon as we watched the giant snow flakes against the red and gold of the trees. It was a day to sit around inside and watch movies. Our last week here is much like our first week back in April. cold and snowy.Last night was our last get together with our companions, Will and Judy and some of their family. We had a beautiful 50-degree evening, with a roaring fire, Tex-Mex munchies and margaritas. As the ISU game played on the radio in the background about 4 different conversations took place simultaneously. Everything from what we look forward to next year when we come back, memorable moments from this season and of course a bit of razzing at the four of us for our impending exodus toward southern parts while our north dwelling campfire companions endure the frigid temps and snow and ice. We know it won’t always be 80 degrees and sunshine but at least we won’t worry about sub-zero temps or feet of snow.
[gallery ids="1165,1166,1164"]
By 3:30 this afternoon, the campground was empty, the guard-house was closed up and barricades in place. Now it’s just the volunteers like us who will leave in a few days.
This time next week, we will be sitting on a beach in the Dominican Republic with our group of 13 friends and family that we have camped with over the years. It’s a nice thing to look forward to on a cold, wet day like today. We will work tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday before we turn in our keys and say our final goodbyes for the season to the Rangers. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site awaits. They are re-opened now after being closed a couple of days as Hurricane Michael tracked inland and crossed through that part of Georgia. I will check blogs from other volunteers we know and see how they are doing in their new winter digs or see if their plans have been changed due to extreme conditions around the country.
In the meantime, meals out with friends and family and seemingly endless errands are filling our last two weeks. Sub consciously, I think, I asked my good friend Joyce for a suitcase for our trip so I would have a reason to see her one last time before we take off for the winter. We have had grandkids spending the night every weekend the past month and are trying to soak up all we can before the dreaded day we leave the end of the month. A warmer climate, new ‘job’ for a new agency, new corner of the country and who knows how many new friends await us for the five months we will be away. Like fall in Iowa it is a bittersweet time of year for this full-time RV Volunteer couple.
Until next time…
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Day 224 / 141 The Wind Down
Saylorville Lake 71 Degrees – Rain
The season is coming to a quick end. I don’t know what is more stunning, how fast it went or realizing how much we crammed into our 6 months in Iowa. Yet, I feel like so much has been left undone. We are ending on the same note as we arrived on. Unseasonable weather. I’ll just say what everyone is thinking, “The weather sucks” It has not been normal anywhere in the U.S. this past 12 months or so. It’s been a rough year in Iowa in terms of flooding, extreme heat and then the end of days like plague of giant, voracious mosquitos that won’t go away till we get a hard freeze. Iowa has had a big year for West Nile Virus with 5 fatalities and dozens hospitalized. Not the kind of records we like to see.
A thought entered my mind as I watched the Weather Channel, showing the path of Hurricane Michael as it sets it’s sites on Tallahassee Florida, due south about 125 miles from our next gig in Plains Georgia. Last year we came in on the heels of Hurricane Harvey when we worked at Goliad. I wonder if hiring us to volunteer at a park is a bad omen for a hurricane to hit? I watch the Dominican Republic anxiously as we near our departure date for our vacation with our friends in 13 days. Our destination has been skirted by the storms and an earthquake happened at the opposite end of the island but no damage to the area where our resort is, so far. Another storm, they are calling depression # 15 is developing. Fingers crossed.
The summer has included two weddings, a retirement party, lots of hard work and hard play with friends and fellow volunteers who are more like family each year, and sleep overs with grandkids. I made a successful transition to Paleo style eating and am happy to report am following it pretty much effortlessly. I feel great! I have dumped another 15 pounds along with my migraines and stomach pain issues. My foot is healing slowly but steadily.
We will evacuate from Volunteer Village again tomorrow. Another historic first. The Village has never been evacuated for flooding twice in the same season. This time we move to a vacated contractors spot in another campground at the south end of the lake. Campgrounds are starting to close, and some seasonal volunteers have pulled out to fly south with the Pelicans. Our neighbors Pete and Rena left on September 30th for their winter digs in, you guessed it, the Florida Panhandle. They evacuated yesterday and are now in central Alabama sitting tight and hopefully high and dry. At least we only have to move a few miles down the road instead of 5 hours inland.
Our time here is coming to a fragmented end this year. As the village evacuates, our little neighborhood is being split up once again. Don and Sharon are pulling out for the year. With some serious health issues, Don has told us he will likely not be back. At 79 years old it's understandable but we are so fond of him and are sad that his time as a volunteer is coming to an end. Deb and Denny are moving into an apartment for the winter while they have extensive work done to their camper. Everyone is scattering to the wind like the falling leaves. Our village will look different next year with some new volunteers joining the team and what will likely be a huge hole left by Don, if he doesn't return. We will say our goodbyes and hope for the best. Ben and Rhonda and Pete and Rena will be in the same quadrant of the US with us this winter so we may well see them in a few months.
Here is a photographic snapshot of our summer. I left our wildlife pictures on purpose. I post plenty of them. For me this is all about the people. It's been an adventure every day and I wouldn't trade this life for anything. The pictures both make me smile at the memories and all the new people we now call friends. The stark absence of some people also reminds me how much we didn't get done this year.
Until next time…
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The season is coming to a quick end. I don’t know what is more stunning, how fast it went or realizing how much we crammed into our 6 months in Iowa. Yet, I feel like so much has been left undone. We are ending on the same note as we arrived on. Unseasonable weather. I’ll just say what everyone is thinking, “The weather sucks” It has not been normal anywhere in the U.S. this past 12 months or so. It’s been a rough year in Iowa in terms of flooding, extreme heat and then the end of days like plague of giant, voracious mosquitos that won’t go away till we get a hard freeze. Iowa has had a big year for West Nile Virus with 5 fatalities and dozens hospitalized. Not the kind of records we like to see.
A thought entered my mind as I watched the Weather Channel, showing the path of Hurricane Michael as it sets it’s sites on Tallahassee Florida, due south about 125 miles from our next gig in Plains Georgia. Last year we came in on the heels of Hurricane Harvey when we worked at Goliad. I wonder if hiring us to volunteer at a park is a bad omen for a hurricane to hit? I watch the Dominican Republic anxiously as we near our departure date for our vacation with our friends in 13 days. Our destination has been skirted by the storms and an earthquake happened at the opposite end of the island but no damage to the area where our resort is, so far. Another storm, they are calling depression # 15 is developing. Fingers crossed.
The summer has included two weddings, a retirement party, lots of hard work and hard play with friends and fellow volunteers who are more like family each year, and sleep overs with grandkids. I made a successful transition to Paleo style eating and am happy to report am following it pretty much effortlessly. I feel great! I have dumped another 15 pounds along with my migraines and stomach pain issues. My foot is healing slowly but steadily.
We will evacuate from Volunteer Village again tomorrow. Another historic first. The Village has never been evacuated for flooding twice in the same season. This time we move to a vacated contractors spot in another campground at the south end of the lake. Campgrounds are starting to close, and some seasonal volunteers have pulled out to fly south with the Pelicans. Our neighbors Pete and Rena left on September 30th for their winter digs in, you guessed it, the Florida Panhandle. They evacuated yesterday and are now in central Alabama sitting tight and hopefully high and dry. At least we only have to move a few miles down the road instead of 5 hours inland.
Our time here is coming to a fragmented end this year. As the village evacuates, our little neighborhood is being split up once again. Don and Sharon are pulling out for the year. With some serious health issues, Don has told us he will likely not be back. At 79 years old it's understandable but we are so fond of him and are sad that his time as a volunteer is coming to an end. Deb and Denny are moving into an apartment for the winter while they have extensive work done to their camper. Everyone is scattering to the wind like the falling leaves. Our village will look different next year with some new volunteers joining the team and what will likely be a huge hole left by Don, if he doesn't return. We will say our goodbyes and hope for the best. Ben and Rhonda and Pete and Rena will be in the same quadrant of the US with us this winter so we may well see them in a few months.
Here is a photographic snapshot of our summer. I left our wildlife pictures on purpose. I post plenty of them. For me this is all about the people. It's been an adventure every day and I wouldn't trade this life for anything. The pictures both make me smile at the memories and all the new people we now call friends. The stark absence of some people also reminds me how much we didn't get done this year.
Until next time…
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Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Day 218 / 147 The Last Warm Day
Saylorville Lake 85 Degrees Humid, Windy
If you live in a 4 Season climate you are familiar with that 80-degree day that you know is probably the last one till spring. Today was that day here. These are tumultuous times here at Saylorville. The lake is rising rapidly again and threatening to encroach Volunteer Village once again. The first time in the memory of the long timers, that it has happened twice in the same year.
[caption id="attachment_1142" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Judy standing in the debris field from July's flood watching the water rise today[/caption]
I spent today with Judy, working with her here at the lake. She and I spent the morning blowing off 10 miles of the bike trail that goes through here. As we rode along in the Polaris I couldn’t help but beam as she shared 18 years of memories working out here. She really loves this place. She is 25 years my senior and everything I hope to be when we have been at this as long as she and Will have been. Every turn presented a memory. A kiosk she helped build, trees that she planted years ago, fence lines she has worked on over the years. A place where she slid of the trail in adverse conditions, years ago. The afternoon was spent in the Butterfly Gardens with her as she shared her vision for next year with me as we worked on cleaning out some of the leggy, bent over annuals that have run their course for the season. We watched the Monarchs and dreamed of what different areas can look like next year with some work. This afternoon, when I came home, I took advantage of the warm afternoon to unpot some of the annuals that will be killed by frost in the next couple of days. I am down to two pots on the patio, several things moved inside, that will go with us in a few weeks and many of the lawn ornaments put away. Better to do it today. A cold front is coming tonight, and the remnants of Hurricane Rosa will arrive with heavy rain over the weekend. Cold and wet is the forecasted theme for October 2018 in Iowa. Not unlike April. Champ decided this evening that it was time to take the motorcycle to his brothers 40 miles north of here. It was a nice evening ride for him. Anytime after tonight promises to be cold and wet.
People are starting to pull out of Volunteer Village for warmer climates. Two are gone and two more will leave this weekend. Another two couples will leave mid-month and we will pull out the day before we leave to go on our trip to the Dominican Republic late this month. The motor home will sit at a relative’s house, far from the flood waters that will revisit here. Our little house will be safe, and the cats will be cared for while we bask in the tropical sun on the beach for 6 days with our old group.
Time is winding down quickly. The excitement for our tropical vacation is building along with our anxieties about leaving everyone for 5 months. I spent yesterday with my good friend Joyce, all the while knowing it was likely the last ‘play date’ of this year. Every time I see my kids or grandkids, I hug them a little longer and a little tighter knowing the season is winding down. There is a long list of visits that we hope to get in before we pull out for the winter on the 31st. Starting with our grand-daughter Nora, spending the night this weekend.
The rain is beginning to drum on the roof. It will likely continue more or less steadily for the next several days. The water at Saylorville will rise. There are several feet of water on the parking lot where I stood to take my picture for the last post. My big question is where are they going to dry dock all the house boats that are still on their buoys in the marina? The dry docking lots are under water and winter will be here before we know it. I won’t be around to see the solution. I’ll have to look forward to the stories about it when we return next spring. Already a slide show of 2018 at Saylorville is starting to scroll in my mind. I’m looking forward to putting it together for next time.
Until then…
If you live in a 4 Season climate you are familiar with that 80-degree day that you know is probably the last one till spring. Today was that day here. These are tumultuous times here at Saylorville. The lake is rising rapidly again and threatening to encroach Volunteer Village once again. The first time in the memory of the long timers, that it has happened twice in the same year.
[caption id="attachment_1142" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Judy standing in the debris field from July's flood watching the water rise today[/caption]I spent today with Judy, working with her here at the lake. She and I spent the morning blowing off 10 miles of the bike trail that goes through here. As we rode along in the Polaris I couldn’t help but beam as she shared 18 years of memories working out here. She really loves this place. She is 25 years my senior and everything I hope to be when we have been at this as long as she and Will have been. Every turn presented a memory. A kiosk she helped build, trees that she planted years ago, fence lines she has worked on over the years. A place where she slid of the trail in adverse conditions, years ago. The afternoon was spent in the Butterfly Gardens with her as she shared her vision for next year with me as we worked on cleaning out some of the leggy, bent over annuals that have run their course for the season. We watched the Monarchs and dreamed of what different areas can look like next year with some work. This afternoon, when I came home, I took advantage of the warm afternoon to unpot some of the annuals that will be killed by frost in the next couple of days. I am down to two pots on the patio, several things moved inside, that will go with us in a few weeks and many of the lawn ornaments put away. Better to do it today. A cold front is coming tonight, and the remnants of Hurricane Rosa will arrive with heavy rain over the weekend. Cold and wet is the forecasted theme for October 2018 in Iowa. Not unlike April. Champ decided this evening that it was time to take the motorcycle to his brothers 40 miles north of here. It was a nice evening ride for him. Anytime after tonight promises to be cold and wet.
People are starting to pull out of Volunteer Village for warmer climates. Two are gone and two more will leave this weekend. Another two couples will leave mid-month and we will pull out the day before we leave to go on our trip to the Dominican Republic late this month. The motor home will sit at a relative’s house, far from the flood waters that will revisit here. Our little house will be safe, and the cats will be cared for while we bask in the tropical sun on the beach for 6 days with our old group.
Time is winding down quickly. The excitement for our tropical vacation is building along with our anxieties about leaving everyone for 5 months. I spent yesterday with my good friend Joyce, all the while knowing it was likely the last ‘play date’ of this year. Every time I see my kids or grandkids, I hug them a little longer and a little tighter knowing the season is winding down. There is a long list of visits that we hope to get in before we pull out for the winter on the 31st. Starting with our grand-daughter Nora, spending the night this weekend.
The rain is beginning to drum on the roof. It will likely continue more or less steadily for the next several days. The water at Saylorville will rise. There are several feet of water on the parking lot where I stood to take my picture for the last post. My big question is where are they going to dry dock all the house boats that are still on their buoys in the marina? The dry docking lots are under water and winter will be here before we know it. I won’t be around to see the solution. I’ll have to look forward to the stories about it when we return next spring. Already a slide show of 2018 at Saylorville is starting to scroll in my mind. I’m looking forward to putting it together for next time.
Until then…
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