Plains, Georgia Cloudy 70 Degrees
Today was our first day at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. https://www.nps.gov/jica/index.htm
As Full Time RV Volunteers first days are becoming quite common place. This is our first time with National Parks Services. We met Ranger Kevin, who took us on a tour of the Boyhood Farm that includes 27 acres of the original farm that was deeded to the NPA in 1987. It is still a working period farm. Two mules, Belle and Bird drive the plows for demonstration farming a few days a year and spend the rest of their days as “pasture potatoes’ as Kevin humorously put it. There are chickens and goats we well. The home where President Carter lived as a boy is now a museum and the rest of the farm that includes, farm hand houses, a blacksmith shop, barns and a small visitors center are connect by paved walkways, with interpretive signs and recordings to listen to along the way. The entire place is ADA accessible as proven by our ‘boss’ who uses a wheelchair. Champ will be working at the farm with the Rangers helping maintain buildings, greet visitors and take care of the animals.
After lunch we took a tour of the former Plains High School, now the Welcome Center and Museum of all things Jimmy Carter and Plains. A small gift shop is there as well. I will spend most of my time working at the front desk greeting visitors and informing them about all the different sites to visit in town that encompass the NPS grounds and exhibits. After spending a couple of hours there getting an introduction that included several short films, we ventured over to the old train depot, that was converted into his Presidential Campaign HQ in 1974, and now serves as an exhibit for things pertaining to his political career.
Perhaps the most unusual thing about is gig were the instructions about do’s and don’ts about interacting with the former President and his wife Rosalyn. Secret Service are present in town, since the Carters live here just a mile or so from the Welcome Center. He moves about town like and ordinary citizen, except for the ever-present Secret Service of course. We already encountered one officer in our first hour here in the convenience store in front of our motorhome site.
We were told today, as NPS Volunteers we will receive front row reserved seats to Mr. Carters Sunday school class at the Baptist Church where the Carter’s are active members. Apparently several hundred people show up on the weeks he teaches Sunday School and most stand in the packed church. It is quite an honor to get this VIP treatment. Most of you know I don’t affiliate with any particular religion and tend to shun organized religion in general. However, I am most willing to participate when the occasion calls for it. Normally that means a wedding or funeral. I think a former President teaching a class qualifies.
I have admired Jimmy Carter’s humanitarian spirit and efforts for most of my adult life. I have always perceived his demeanor as gracious and dignified and I am learning quickly from the local citizens that the image on television is quite genuine. It will be a great honor to meet him in person while we are here. We are drawn to places with rich history. This will add a layer we won’t likely encounter again. This very different place is going to leave quite an impression I suspect.
We received our shirts and officially begin ‘work’ tomorrow. Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday will be our work schedule. I am waiting impatiently for the sun to return to give some decent photography light. Hopefully before they harvest the cotton fields. They are quite beautiful right now and so different looking to this girl from corn and beans country.
Until next time…
Monday, November 5, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Day 249 / 116
Plains, GA Sunny - 70 Degrees
Two things that make us anxious about moving to a new place are water and satellite.
When we go to a new place we never know what the water quality will be like or how good the water pressure will be. I drink nearly a gallon of water each day and hate bottled water. Bad water can also corrode faucets if it is hard, like it was in Goliad last winter or make laundry hard to get clean. Bad water pressure for the shower is a pet peeve for both of us. Especially me, trying to rinse shampoo out of my carpet thick hair.
[caption id="attachment_1210" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Getting set up in our Plains GA digs[/caption]
Champ is a TV watcher and getting the dish set up after moving half way across the country is a challenge sometimes. We have learned a lot about setting up. An app our friend Deb showed us last summer, SatFinderLite, worked splendidly to determine Azimuth and Elevation and locate the satellite 1200 miles from where it was last pointed. We highly recommend it. When our contract is up with DirecTV we plan to switch to streaming services. For now we lug a dish and tripod around to get our favorite shows.
This evening as we rest we are happy that the water is good and flowing generously through the faucets. Our little deck and landing is reassembled and we have our long list of shows to pick from again. Instead of the 4 network channels that the antenna can pick up in this rural area.
We had a smooth trip from Iowa, the hard stuff for set up is behind us and we've talked to the kids. Tomorrow, we have another day to relax and get rested from 3 long days on the road, then we will start our new gig on Monday.
Until next time...
Two things that make us anxious about moving to a new place are water and satellite.
When we go to a new place we never know what the water quality will be like or how good the water pressure will be. I drink nearly a gallon of water each day and hate bottled water. Bad water can also corrode faucets if it is hard, like it was in Goliad last winter or make laundry hard to get clean. Bad water pressure for the shower is a pet peeve for both of us. Especially me, trying to rinse shampoo out of my carpet thick hair.
[caption id="attachment_1210" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Getting set up in our Plains GA digs[/caption]Champ is a TV watcher and getting the dish set up after moving half way across the country is a challenge sometimes. We have learned a lot about setting up. An app our friend Deb showed us last summer, SatFinderLite, worked splendidly to determine Azimuth and Elevation and locate the satellite 1200 miles from where it was last pointed. We highly recommend it. When our contract is up with DirecTV we plan to switch to streaming services. For now we lug a dish and tripod around to get our favorite shows.
This evening as we rest we are happy that the water is good and flowing generously through the faucets. Our little deck and landing is reassembled and we have our long list of shows to pick from again. Instead of the 4 network channels that the antenna can pick up in this rural area.
We had a smooth trip from Iowa, the hard stuff for set up is behind us and we've talked to the kids. Tomorrow, we have another day to relax and get rested from 3 long days on the road, then we will start our new gig on Monday.
Until next time...
Friday, November 2, 2018
Day 248 / 117 Plains Landing
Plains, Georgia – 70 Degrees
We arrived in Plains today after three long days of travel. No dilly dallying this fall. We did that in Dominican Republic two weeks ago. We are committed here for 90 days to volunteer at the High School that is now the official Welcome Center for people who visit the Jimmy Carter Farm where he grew up and is now a part of the National Parks System.
We are tucked away in a quaint RV Park ½ mile from the High School. To say we are in the midst of a huge culture change and change of pace is a gross understatement. The cool part is, there is a convenience store directly in front of us, so quick supplies, gas and a slice of pizza or beer is only a few paces away.
I came here with hopes of meeting President Carter, who lives here. Those wishes were validated by Bob Moss, the old boy who owns the park we will call ‘home’ till January 31st. He said, “If you’re going to be here for three months, you’ll see him a lot”. Good!
Our drive the past two days has taken us through areas we had not previously driven through. I was not surprised by the beauty of Alabama as we made our way from Tupelo to Plains today. I was surprised by how hilly it was. It was a nice drive. We were the beneficiaries of the end of a long season of resurfacing. Our roads were smooth all day today. Unlike yesterday when we endured 8 hours of rough state highways making our way through 5 states from St. Louis to Tupelo MS.
On Monday we will report to the Visitor’s Center to begin training. In the mean time we will acquaint ourselves with the area, the people in the RV park here, and a couple of nearby towns where we are told we will find anything we need.
Until Next Time…
We arrived in Plains today after three long days of travel. No dilly dallying this fall. We did that in Dominican Republic two weeks ago. We are committed here for 90 days to volunteer at the High School that is now the official Welcome Center for people who visit the Jimmy Carter Farm where he grew up and is now a part of the National Parks System.
We are tucked away in a quaint RV Park ½ mile from the High School. To say we are in the midst of a huge culture change and change of pace is a gross understatement. The cool part is, there is a convenience store directly in front of us, so quick supplies, gas and a slice of pizza or beer is only a few paces away.
I came here with hopes of meeting President Carter, who lives here. Those wishes were validated by Bob Moss, the old boy who owns the park we will call ‘home’ till January 31st. He said, “If you’re going to be here for three months, you’ll see him a lot”. Good!
Our drive the past two days has taken us through areas we had not previously driven through. I was not surprised by the beauty of Alabama as we made our way from Tupelo to Plains today. I was surprised by how hilly it was. It was a nice drive. We were the beneficiaries of the end of a long season of resurfacing. Our roads were smooth all day today. Unlike yesterday when we endured 8 hours of rough state highways making our way through 5 states from St. Louis to Tupelo MS.
On Monday we will report to the Visitor’s Center to begin training. In the mean time we will acquaint ourselves with the area, the people in the RV park here, and a couple of nearby towns where we are told we will find anything we need.
Until Next Time…
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Day 247 / 118 To Reserve or Not To Reserve
Leaving St. Louis Raining 50 degrees
The topic of where people stay on their way to somewhere comes up quite often among the full-time RV’ers. Everyone has their own way to travel. Some take the Interstate, others take all secondary roads. We do both. It depends on our time period and the weather. If there is bad weather forecast, like last spring when we dodged snow storms all the way from Texas back to Iowa we stick to the Interstates. When we have time we like state highways. County roads can be pretty, but small-town gas stations are tight and nearly impossible at times to get a 40’ motorhome, towing a car to the pump and out again. Not to mention, counties have the smallest road maintenance budgets, you get the picture.
I keep a running list in a spreadsheet on my computer of campgrounds where others have stayed and been satisfied as well as places we stay and like. I share our opinions with others as well. As we move back and forth in the spring and fall I am developing a list that lets me pick nice campgrounds, with less research.
We talk to many who don’t like to reserve. They don’t want to be committed to stopping a certain place or time of day. When they are ready to pull off they get on the internet and find a nearby campground and call ahead to check availability. We tried that coming home last spring and found that we did not have any trouble stopping when we were ready, but we did spend a lot more on sites and were in crowded, commercial RV parks. I have decided a little research and planning will not only improve the experience, but also save some money. I have always believed in planning ahead and reserving. After testing the other method, I am a firm believer in it.
[caption id="attachment_1203" align="alignleft" width="225"]
"The Gateway To The West" at night[/caption]
Last night was a perfect example of the value of talking to others. We stayed at the Casino Queen RV park in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch. Cool view and close to the interstate we are travelling on. But it was expensive $55.00 for the night. The green in between the sites on the online map was not grass, but white road rock. The hook-ups were at the very back of the site, requiring us to unhook the car in order to reach the water / sewer / electric. It defeated the purpose of a pull through, FHU overnight stop. Security was good though and we slept like babies in our concrete jungle. Our new friends from Saylorville messaged me to say they had stayed at a city park a few nights before when they made their way through here and stayed for $13.00 less and were happy with the site. That info went into my growing spreadsheet right away. I do write and read online reviews for places we stay. I take most of what I read with a grain of salt as people’s expectations of nice vary widely. I home in on reviews that give specifics not just opinions.
The trip to Georgia is somewhat expedited. We took our trip with our friends, knowing we wouldn’t return till the 27th. The Ranger at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site wants us there as close to Nov 1st as possible, as their biggest event of the year takes place in Mid-November and we wants us as trained and comfortable as possible for the huge crowds that will visit that weekend.
We chose a route today that will take us through Shawnee National Forest and through so me of the Natchez Trace area of Mississippi. It will be a pretty drive through fall foliage and rain today.Todays route made me long for the Interstate route. We were detoured twice for closed bridges, diverting us onto narrow, bumpy county roads for miles at a time. Our 6 hour day turned into 8. It was very pretty, but we both had to keep reminding ourselves of it. The cats are very stressed tonight as were we. We were forced to fuel at Bubba's Gas and Go ( not really but the name would fit nicely) the per gallon price was 30 cents above the norm for the area and if it weren't for Champs super power of driving big stuff, we would have had to unhook the car and dolly to get in and out. I still marvel that he was able to back the motor home with the dolly and car attached.
[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Annie came out of her cocoon in the stair well to watch Champ park the motor home[/caption]
I made a reservation tonight for us at a State Park near Tupelo MS. It will cost half as much and be more campground like. We have our National Access Senior Pass, so Corps parks are our first preference. They are half-price for us, usually around $12.00 per night, always near water (Army Corps of Engineers controls the waterways, dams and reservoirs) and fairly consistent in terms of quality, and services nationwide. When I can’t find a Corps park on our route, State Parks are my next bet. Private RV parks along the roadway are a last resort. When it comes to being on the road I campaign for Reserve… always.
Until next time…
The topic of where people stay on their way to somewhere comes up quite often among the full-time RV’ers. Everyone has their own way to travel. Some take the Interstate, others take all secondary roads. We do both. It depends on our time period and the weather. If there is bad weather forecast, like last spring when we dodged snow storms all the way from Texas back to Iowa we stick to the Interstates. When we have time we like state highways. County roads can be pretty, but small-town gas stations are tight and nearly impossible at times to get a 40’ motorhome, towing a car to the pump and out again. Not to mention, counties have the smallest road maintenance budgets, you get the picture.
I keep a running list in a spreadsheet on my computer of campgrounds where others have stayed and been satisfied as well as places we stay and like. I share our opinions with others as well. As we move back and forth in the spring and fall I am developing a list that lets me pick nice campgrounds, with less research.
We talk to many who don’t like to reserve. They don’t want to be committed to stopping a certain place or time of day. When they are ready to pull off they get on the internet and find a nearby campground and call ahead to check availability. We tried that coming home last spring and found that we did not have any trouble stopping when we were ready, but we did spend a lot more on sites and were in crowded, commercial RV parks. I have decided a little research and planning will not only improve the experience, but also save some money. I have always believed in planning ahead and reserving. After testing the other method, I am a firm believer in it.
[caption id="attachment_1203" align="alignleft" width="225"]
"The Gateway To The West" at night[/caption]Last night was a perfect example of the value of talking to others. We stayed at the Casino Queen RV park in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch. Cool view and close to the interstate we are travelling on. But it was expensive $55.00 for the night. The green in between the sites on the online map was not grass, but white road rock. The hook-ups were at the very back of the site, requiring us to unhook the car in order to reach the water / sewer / electric. It defeated the purpose of a pull through, FHU overnight stop. Security was good though and we slept like babies in our concrete jungle. Our new friends from Saylorville messaged me to say they had stayed at a city park a few nights before when they made their way through here and stayed for $13.00 less and were happy with the site. That info went into my growing spreadsheet right away. I do write and read online reviews for places we stay. I take most of what I read with a grain of salt as people’s expectations of nice vary widely. I home in on reviews that give specifics not just opinions.
The trip to Georgia is somewhat expedited. We took our trip with our friends, knowing we wouldn’t return till the 27th. The Ranger at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site wants us there as close to Nov 1st as possible, as their biggest event of the year takes place in Mid-November and we wants us as trained and comfortable as possible for the huge crowds that will visit that weekend.
We chose a route today that will take us through Shawnee National Forest and through so me of the Natchez Trace area of Mississippi. It will be a pretty drive through fall foliage and rain today.Todays route made me long for the Interstate route. We were detoured twice for closed bridges, diverting us onto narrow, bumpy county roads for miles at a time. Our 6 hour day turned into 8. It was very pretty, but we both had to keep reminding ourselves of it. The cats are very stressed tonight as were we. We were forced to fuel at Bubba's Gas and Go ( not really but the name would fit nicely) the per gallon price was 30 cents above the norm for the area and if it weren't for Champs super power of driving big stuff, we would have had to unhook the car and dolly to get in and out. I still marvel that he was able to back the motor home with the dolly and car attached.
[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignleft" width="225"]
Annie came out of her cocoon in the stair well to watch Champ park the motor home[/caption]I made a reservation tonight for us at a State Park near Tupelo MS. It will cost half as much and be more campground like. We have our National Access Senior Pass, so Corps parks are our first preference. They are half-price for us, usually around $12.00 per night, always near water (Army Corps of Engineers controls the waterways, dams and reservoirs) and fairly consistent in terms of quality, and services nationwide. When I can’t find a Corps park on our route, State Parks are my next bet. Private RV parks along the roadway are a last resort. When it comes to being on the road I campaign for Reserve… always.
Until next time…
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Day 246 / 119 On The Road Again
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…
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…
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.
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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.
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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…
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