Work Kamping at Elijah Clark State Park

Have not blogged lately because Billy and I have been real busy here at the campground.  Seems we have one huge storm almost every day.  These storms blow everything around the campground including trees, limbs, and water toys.  We have had a great deal of damage to RV's and the surrounding trees.  Gee, in FL we give names to these storms and anticipate them for a week or longer.  Since arriving here to "WorkKamp" we have called an ambulance to an unresponsive gentleman, phoned law enforcement to a man who plowed into a tree with his motor home and boat, and called an ambulance to transport two teenagers who had their golf cart roll over on them.  Billy, Brandon, Sam and Big Al are out with a guide fishing today so I am sitting in the campground with all of my emergency numbers handy.  For the first time since we have been here the campground is almost full to capacity.

Phil and Lincoln have been busy this week with Vacation Bible School so we haven't seen them all week.  We made a trip into Augusta to spend the afternoon with our grand daughter last week.  She is just the sweetest; however, Brandon and Lori are cursed that she has a touch of the colic.  Oh my!  I did finish her little Dedication gown and slip.  You can double click on the photo to enlarge.  Closing for now and enjoying a day alone with a good book.   Life is Good Today.

"Surf's Up" at Elijah Clark State Park

At dusk last night a thunderstorm quickly rolled in with a vengeance.  Thankfully Billy and I were able to pull our awning in before it was damaged.  Some of our fellow campers weren't so lucky.  The storm lasted what felt like forever, and we just kept a look out from our perch on the hill.  We found out later that most of our camping neighbors evacuated to the front of the park to get away from these trees.  The sound of a chain saw alarmed us at midnight, and we went out to discover that a huge pine tree had fallen across the road narrowly missing campers and vehicles.  After this cup of coffee the big "clean up" effort begins.

Caroline sent a text to me in the midst of the storm telling me that the transformer between her house and Sam's mom's house blew and caught bales of hay on fire.  The fire was licking dangerously close to her house as Caroline began gathering up items to evacuate.  Thankfully, it was Wednesday evening Prayer Meeting time at nearby Salem Baptist Church and most of the Volunteer Firemen were in attendance.  They did a miraculous job of controlling the fire and when I last spoke to Caroline the Forestry Dept. was out there trenching to contain the fire.   The grandsons were "wide open" last night with the late night activity at their house.

Monday I went in to Oglethorpe Co to visit with the grandsons.  The plan was for me to go with them to the swimming pool; however, I had to drive into Athens to shop for a new swim suit.   That was an all day affair, and I promised myself that this is the LAST swim suit I will ever buy.  I will relegate myself to the society of women who wear a pair of shorts and tee shirt to the beach/pool.  Caroline is "Music Director" for Vacation Bible School next week and I enjoyed watching Phil and Lincoln sing and dance to the music video that Caroline plans to use.  Our newest little Grand daughter is gaining weight, and we are so hoping that the Pediatrician on Friday gives her the okay to venture out in "public."

Must hastily close and get out to clean the damage.

Still Figuring Out the Work Kamping Routines

This past week we have learned:

that our new little grand daughter is perfect in every way.

that this State Park is beautiful, scenic and relaxing.

that nothing is better than swimming the afternoon away in a tree-lined North GA lake with two grandsons.

that Billy and I can bag many bags of ice when we have to.

not to accidentally leave the water faucet running in the bathroom all night.

not to leave the refrigerator door opened all night.

that there are ticks in these woods.

that this campground fills up on the weekend but is quiet through the week.

that Work Kamping is fun so we are investigating new parks to explore.  Yellowstone, here we come!

to enjoy once again the music of children playing in the water and riding their bikes through the park.

that there is a Smocking Store (http://www.farmhousefabrics.com/) in nearby Beech Island, SC that I need to explore.

that as always "Life is Good Today."

Settling In As Campground Hosts

While Billy spent last Thursday "training" and learning the ropes for our responsibilities here at Elijah Clark State Park I welcomed our new 5 lb 13 oz grand daughter into the world.  What a beautiful gift that I can't wait to get my hands on.  On Friday Caroline brought the boys over to spend the afternoon with us while she went to visit her new niece.  Phil and Lincoln seemed to enjoy the day at Memaw's and Big Daddy's as we took a hike around the park, swam in the lake, and Phil went with Billy on the MULE to do his rounds through the campsites that we are responsible for keeping up.  Saturday night Billy and I drove over to the Soap Creek Marina and Restaurant (http://soapcreekmarina.net/) for a seafood dinner.  We are not peculiar about where we eat; however, we must report that this was one of the worse restaurants we have ever eaten.  The fish was tasteless and fried to a rubbery hard to chew texture.  Therefore I made a much needed trip into Lincolnton to pick up some groceries at Bell's Supermarket.

Our Work Camping experience here is going to be rewarding.  We need to get out and about the area on our MULE and pick up some of the big limbs that are on the ground near campsites.  We clean/hose down the bath house when necessary (Billy's pressure washer is the ticket) and bag ice to keep a steady supply of ice available for campers.  Our campsite is huge with a view of the lake out the front and the dining room window side of the motor home.  Otherwise we are parked in a wooded area surrounded with the sounds and sites of birds and nature.  When we drive our MULE up to the park entrance after lunch every day it is awesome to see the deer and wildlife throughout the forest by the roadside.

So Life is Good Today especially if our grand daughter is released from the hospital today!  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Elijah Clark State Park - Campground Hosts

We departed Tampa early Sunday morning to begin our slow journey north to GA.  Spent the night in Jimmy and Tricia Padgett's front yard and were treated to a cool swim in their pool, playtime with their 5 year old grand daughter and lively conversation with their two sons.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Maggie dived into the pool and enjoyed her swim, also.

We spent two nights in Caroline and Sam's front yard and had a blast playing with Phil and Lincoln.  They are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun and I will let you tell me who Lincoln looks like.  He even has that mischievous twinkle in his eyes.  After Sam and Caroline treated us to ribs and steaks cooked expertly on the grill we are going to have to plan on doing some hiking up and down these wooded hills.  We are setting up (to be specific, Billy is trying to hook up his satellite tv) with a view of the lake and it looks like we are going to like it here.  Still waiting to answer that definitively when we find out what our responsibilities are and if we can locate a tv signal.

Lori goes into the hospital tomorrow morning at 7:30 am so we should have ourselves another little granddaughter sometime tomorrow.  We are preparing to take a run over to their house shortly.  As always "Life is Good Today!"