Winter Excursion 8, Day 119 The Life of a Camp Host

Left camp this morning and headed to Wrens, GA. This is the home of Stuckey's. There are still a few Stuckey's Roadside joints left, but if you traveled I95 in the 60s and 70s there was one a almost every exit!

Before we stopped at the home of Stuckey's we stopped for lunch at Peggie's Restaurant.

It was highly recommended by everyone local we've talked to. They are famous for southern food.

We screwed up. When we first walked in there was a long line at the warning table being served by a few ladies. We decided to skip the line and ordered some sandwiches at the counter. We sat down at a table and waited over an hour for our sandwiches. As we sat there I think ever locals from Wrens stopped in for lunch and they all ate from the warming table. Our sandwiches were awful and we got a lot of looks from all the locals enjoying their lunch. Live and learn!

After lunch we hit the Stuckey's museum if you can call it that.

We were totally disappointed. It was more like a lousy store with almost nothing you might want. They did have some Pecan stuff (that's what they are famous for). We spent all of 10 minutes and then hit the road headed home.

Then we stopped at Sunny Day Farms Bakery & General Store. This made the drive worth it. They had fresh baked donuts and bake goods, They will have u-pick strawberries in a few weeks. We are looking forward to returning.

 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 118 The Life of a Camp Host

Finally! Cookie Day! Cath made 4 dozen and we took half to the office....Damn!

For the most part we just hung out as it was an easy day, but we were on duty.

We did manage a find of the day.

I thought it was left by the campers who had just left, but were at the dump station. I rushed back up to the dump station and held up the spoon and said "are you missing one from your set"? They said no it was there when they had occupied the site. I'm just going to get it appraised to see if it's real silver....LOL!

Winter Excursion 8, Day 117 The Life of a Camp Host

We are back on duty, but it was a slow day. The weather remains perfect, but rain is forecast for all weekend and into next week. Naturally we are on this weekend.

We had a fifth wheel come in across from us. It is a big one and I helped the guy get it into the site. He got it all set up and then left. A little later a large Mercedes van pulled into the site and unloaded Mom, five girls, and a baby! They all proceeded to have a great time playing ball, riding scooters, and being kids. I asked the Mom if the baby was also a girl. She answered no it was a boy and she also has another boy at home, her oldest child. She calls them "bookend boys". So two boys ages 15 and infant with five girls in-between! 

The find of the day is another piece of plastic. 

I'm not sure what this is from. Google doesn't know either!

Winter Excursion 8, Day 116 The Life of a Camp Host

We hung out at camp all day and basically did nothing. I was a good day!

Our friend from PA stopped by to say goodbye and we spent some more time yakking with him. We plan to see him in PA on our way home in the spring.

Temps were nice and cool today, low 60s. So we sat by the campfire in the late afternoon. A few of the campers came by for firewood and we talked with them a little.

The find of the day is this plastic "Y".

I thought at first that the alien had left it, but it turns out it's really a plug cover for an RV 30 amp plug!

We are back on duty tomorrow, it's been a fun, lazy weekend.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 116 The Life of a Camp Host

We stayed in camp all day people watching. There are alot of people to watch as the place is full.

Last year we met a young man who was camping in the "primitive" area. He was from Pennsylvania. He works at the PA State Parks in Potter County and travels south for the winter. He came by again this year and we had him over for lunch.

We burned some burgers and had a good time yakking with him.

The find of the day is this.

It was across from us at the dump station. I've no idea what it is! A google search says it is this.

Maybe the alien transformed!

Winter Excursion 8, Day 115 The Life of a Camp Host

Today is our first of three days off. We hung around camp all morning, did some camp maintenance and relaxed.

In the afternoon we drove to Ft Stewart, GA, hit the commissary, and headed back home. We picked up some KFC for dinner as we needed our "health food fix".

We spent the late afternoon and evening outside, the weather is starting to warm up.

The find of the day was this dog toy.

It was well used so I'm sure Fido will miss it. Poor dog!
  

Winter Excursion 8, Day 114 The Life of a Camp Host

The ankle is doing a little better today. By the end of the day it was much better. Cath insisted she help me clean the sites this morning to help the ankle. So she earned another badge! She now has her "Raking" Badge in addition to her "Blower" Badge. I'll have to get her a sash like the Girl Scouts wear. 

It was busier today than expected. We had 12 new campers arrive.

The find of the day was this seashell.

It probably washed in with the flooding from last week.

We had a really nice sunset in the evening.

We are off for the next three days with no plans.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 113 The Life of a Camp Host

The day started out lousy! On my way to the bathhouse to check it out first thing this morning, I twisted my ankle stepping on a pine cone. It was very sore (painful) all day. Luckily we only had two campers leave and two arrive, so I only had for sites to clean. The bathhouse was also easy as it was used very little.

In the afternoon we had a friend and his wife show up. Rudy was one of the maintenance guys here for the past few years. They are looking to buy a home in North Carolina near where they grew up. They still have family there. We spent a few hours yakking with them.

Then we spent the late afternoon re-seasoning the Blackstone. It came out really nice! It looks like a well seasoned cast iron frying pan.

The find of the day was this.

I figured this was a very appropriate find as I "screwed-up" my ankle this morning! 
 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 112 The Life of a Camp Host

We left camp this morning and drove to Hamburg State Park, GA.

Our friend, Carolyn, is hosting there. We picked up some subs for lunch. The weather is still perfect and we sat outside at her picnic table for three hours yakking and telling stories. She has this 6 month old miniature dachshund that is a ball of fire. Hamlet gets into everything and has boundless energy just like most puppies.

On the was home we stopped at Wally World for a few essentials.

We got back to camp around 1600, just in time to enjoy an hour outside.

We are on for the next two days and the campground is not crowded. Should be an easy few days.   

Winter Excursion 8, Day 111 The Life of a Camp Host

We left camp this morning around 1000 and made a Costco run. We were getting low on snacks. Peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, Irish Cream, Gyro meat, and dried fruits were all on the list.

Back at camp we sat outside and enjoyed the weather. Kaylee got a short walk.

I forgot to post an incident that happened yesterday.  Our bird feeder is a tube with two holes near the bottom where the birds can get their treat.

I noticed yesterday that the feeder was almost empty and went out back to fill it. I found that there was a bird with its head stuck in one of the holes. I figured it was dead, but when I took it out it looked up at me, said thanks, and flew away. I doubt if that bird will be using the feeder any more! I guess this will serve as the find of the day.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 110 The Life of a Camp Host

Today was a special day in the Life of a Camp Host! Catherine earned her "Blower Badge"! She blew out her first site! It was site #22 at George L. Smith State Park in Georgia, and will go down in history.

We had a few campers leave and a few arrive. The campground is once again 100% full tonight. Our Co-hosts tomorrow have 18 campers leaving! Cath and I will be going to Costco!

The find of the day was this power supply

It says "JBL" on the label, but I don't think it was for a sound system.

We are off for two days and will post our adventures here. Not sure what the adventures will be, but time will tell.
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Winter Excursion 8, Day 109 The Life of a Camp Host

Even though the campground is full it was a very easy day for us. We had one or two campers leave and the same number arrive. I was finished cleaning sites by 0930. Amazingly enough the bathhouse is hardly getting used! That does not break our heart.

Most of the campers are sticking to their sites and huddled around the campfire. Folks in this area think mid 50s is freezing!

The find of the day was this small (dime size) metal disc. It has the word ONEIDA on it.

I have no idea what it cam off of.

Tomorrow should also be an easy day as it's a three day weekend and most of the campers are not leaving until Monday when we will be off! That doesn't break our heart either...LOL.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 108 The Life of a Camp Host

Our first day on for the weekend. Made sure all the sites were ready for their new inhabitants as the campground is booked full for the weekend. We have eighteen campers arriving today.

I filled in the rest of the holes from the stump grinder. There was quite a pile where I've been dumping the shavings.

We spent most of the day watching all the campers arrive. By 1700 the place was packed. Let the campfires begin!

The find of the day was this painted rock. 

I think it fell out of Santa's sleigh. I found it in the middle of the field.

The weather remains perfect, cloudy and highs in the 60s. It can stay that way, we are not looking forward to the heat!
 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 107 The Life of a Camp Host

The whole campground got lucky...the tree removal guys finished yesterday. The campground is back to it's normal, quiet self! Except for the holes left by the stump grinder and the mess behind one of the sites in the water you'd never know they were here.

Cath did laundry today and I did some camp maintenance, but for the most part we just relaxed and enjoyed the day. The weather is perfect and forecast to stay that way for at least the next ten days.

The find of the day was this seashell.

I'm guessing it washed in from the coast with all the flooding.

We are "ON" for the next three days (weekend). It should be fun, the campground is 100% booked. Time will tell.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 106 The Life of a Camp Host

First day off.

Yesterday Cath made some biscuits. She has been trying lots of different recipes for the last few months. Some were OK, some were like eating rocks, and some were somewhere in between. Is that enough "somes"? This batch is a winner!

Nice and fluffy, great with apple butter, super with just butter, and made some fab SOS. I can't wait to try them with some homemade jams/jellies.

We left camp today and drove to Evans PDA (Public Fishing Area). Some local guys told us about this place. There is a really nice campground, some sites with full hookups, three stocked lakes/ponds, and the place is kept really nice. I regret we didn't get any pics to post.

On the way back we stopped at the Food Lion in Metter, GA. It was newly renovated and is really nice. It will be our new "go to" grocery store.

We were glad we were gone most of the day. The tree removable guys started at 0801 this morning. Chainsaws, grinders, trucks, and tractors. The campers that are here were a little miffed (pissed), but it had to be done. They should finish up tomorrow. We are full for the weekend.

All is well in the Boss Camp! 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 105 The Life of a Camp Host

We woke up this morning to sunny skies. It sure was nice to see after yesterday. We ended up getting 5.9 inches of rain yesterday! I did my first look around at 0800. I was not prepared for what I found!

My first hint was site #12. The water is right up to the lower part of the site.

Normally the water is probably 20 ft back from the site.

When I went to the office to pickup todays slips I was stunned by what I found there.

The boathouse (shed) is in the water.

This is below the mill house dam. The new grand stand is flooded!

Later in the morning we rode to the boat ramp. The walkway was under water.

Another view of the boat ramp. The walkway had about 18 inches of water on it.

Here's another view of the water coming through the dam later in the afternoon.

We did have a find of the day. I think this white rag was used by a camper to surrender when the pirates floated in on the flood!

While all this flooding is happening the tree removable guys are in the campground. They have been grinding stumps and leave it for the hosts to clean up. They have ground about 15 so far!

We are off for the next few days. Hooray!

 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 104 The Life of a Camp Host

To say we got lots of rain is an understatement. It rained most of the night and all day. The Ranger stopped by mid afternoon and said we have had 5.5 inches so far. It was still raining then. It finally stopped around 1700. The weather radio went off and we were under a flood warning for most of the day and into the night Lots of flooding in the area and many roads are closed.

Needless to say we spent most of the day in the camper. We had a few campers arrive, but we had more extend for a day so they didn't have to travel in this weather.

We had a camper arrive around 1600. It was still raining hard. She was supposed to be in site #2, but wanted to change to site #12. The office approved that, but she changed her mind again and wanted to be in site #5. I'm certain this camper had never backed a trailer berfore. It took around an hour to get into the site and she would not listen to my coaching. I was soaked before she finished. It would have been fine if she had stayed with site #2, it's a pull-thru!

There is no find of the day. Anything worth finding floated away!

Winter Excursion 8, Day 103 The Life of a Camp Host

Super Bowl Sunday and we are off!

After a nice breakfast (omelets) we did a little camp maintenance and then played some cards in the afternoon. We did prep some things for our Super Bowl snacks (dinner).

We did the wings on the Flattop.

They turned out good. We did a little trick to get them crispy. We dried them off with paper towels and then let them sit under a fan for about an hour. They were super dry. Put a little canola oil on them and a touch of homemade wing rub.

Cath made her world famous 7 layer bean dip. It was fab as usual.

With a few beers and some wine we were ready for game time. It was a good game, and stayed close almost the entire game. We missed halftime as the rain storm caused us to lose satellite signal, but it came back for the second half.

It was after 2300 when we got into bed. Sleep will come fast and tomorrow is a workday with lots of rain in the forecast.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 102 The Life of a Camp Host

We woke up late this morning and just like the folks in the Old West, since it was Saturday, took our baths (showers). LOL.

Left camp around 1100 and drove to Metter. Cath had a little shop she wanted to check out. Kaylee and I waited in the truck.

After that we drove to Publix in Statesboro to pick up the needed food supplies for Super Bowl Sunday. Cath's Bean Dip and Wings are on the menu and maybe some fancy beer!

Back at camp we once again enjoyed the perfect weather, although the bugs are starting. Talked to a few of the campers as they walked by and spent some time yakking and trading stories with our co-host.

And here is what Vizslas do on their day off.

Oops forgot. Vizslas are off everyday!

We have Super Bowl Sunday off and then on Monday back to work. It's not really hard work!  

Winter Excursion 8, Day 101 The Life of a Camp Host

First day off for the weekend! We slept in a little then had a late breakfast or was it an early brunch? Anyway it was good.

We did a few repairs/projects on the camper. 

First was a repair on the kitchen gray tank dump valve. The bracket had broken and some of the coroplast was out of place. Made a quick run the the hardware store and all is in good shape now. Actually it's better than new!

Next was installing a new shelf in one of the kitchen cabinets. With the new shelf it is way easier for Cath to get things in and out.

And last but not least the hardest project of all. I replaced the knobs on the stove so we can actually read them. The writing on the knobs had worn off. This took all of 30 seconds...LOL

We spent the rest of the afternoon outside doing our favorite pastime...people watching! The weather is perfect and the bugs are not out yet. I've been waiting for them and the Bug-A-Salt gun is loaded and ready!

Winter Excursion 8, Day 100 The Life of a Camp Host

WHO DE WHO...Day 100!

It was a half busy day. Had a few leave and a few come in. Tomorrow will be the busy day (17 arriving), but we are off.

This afternoon I was blowing out sites in preparation for the weekend crowd around 1300 in the afternoon. Had a camper walk over and tell me to stop blowing as they were having lunch and did not want the noise. I was a little taken aback, but stop blowing. They said they were leaving by 1500. So at 1500 I started blowing again. Once again they asked me to stop blowing as they were packing up and would be gone soon. This time I refused and continued my work. Funny thing was when they arrived yesterday I lent them our wheel chocks as they had "forgot" theirs. Talk about "entitled". I think they need to go back to CA. 

Find of the day was another dart.

That kid is around here somewhere. I just can't find him.

We are off for the weekend, no plans, but I'm sure we will find something to do.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 99 The Life of a Camp Host

Our Co-host ran over something with the Host Cart yesterday and put a hole in one of the tires. We are using another cart, but it has no windshield. Temps this morning were in the low 30s! Later in the afternoon the Park Ranger had the tire repaired (patched and a new tube) and gave us our cart back. Horrah!

We had a few campers arrive for an overnight stay, but the campground is hardly busy. That will change when the weather warms up.

I got the find of the day while cleaning site #3. It is the largest find of the day I've ever had.

If you look close there is one charred log in the middle of all this that the camper tried to burn. None of the bucked up pieces are the same length and none are cut straight either. I loaded all of it in the cart and took them to our site with the intention of splitting it all up for our campfire. As soon as I tried to split the first one I realized just how green this wood was. So it all got loaded back in the cart and dumped at our burn pile in the maintenance area. 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 98 The Life of a Camp Host

After breakfast we drove to Ft Stewart, GA to hit the commissary. It was a nice day and we took the backroads. After dropping a few hundred bucks (I wish it was only a couple hundred) we headed back to camp. After unloading everything we relaxed and watched some shows.

I did get a little walk in so here's the find  of the day.

This little black, plastic washer was in the middle of the campground road. I actually have a use for it on our windsock pole.
  

Winter Excursion 8, Day 97 The Life of a Camp Host

Last night it rained so hard that the TV satellite signal went out around 1930 so we went to bed. We didn't get up until 0800 this morning! I figured since it was our first day off in a while we could sleep in!

After breakfast we did a little camp maintenance. 

While walking Kaylee I got the find of the day.

Another dart! It's the new and improved version. That damn kid from last year must be back! Time will tell.

Late afternoon we drove into Metter to check out the Mexican grocery store. We will be back again when we need or Mex food fix.

After the store we had dinner at our favorite Mex restaurant.

Back at camp it was TV time and then off to bed.
 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 96 The Life of a Camp Host

We had 17 campers leave this morning. Some were supposed to stay until tomorrow, but we have lots of rain in the forecast. That meant we had to get 17 sites cleaned up before the rain starts. We were successful and got the bathhouse cleaned up also before 1300.

I got a bunch of "finds of the day" today, that way I have some in reserve in case I find nothing on a given day.

The find of the day was these pink wafers.

I think the camper left them for the squirrels as they were on the picnic table. I wasn't going to eat them as the squirrels had already turned their noses up! They ended up in the trash!

Worst thing today was many of the outgoing campers left campfires burning. That makes it a pain to clean the firepit as we have to add water to the bucket to douse the fire. It makes for a sloppy mess! I think they do this so they don't leave any wood because they paid for it.

We are off for the next two days and looking forward to it.

Winter Excursion 8, Day 95 The Life of a Camp Host

While doing my 0800 "first look" at the campers, I noticed that one of the sites with a pop-up was totally flooded. Seems the hose was leaking at the pedestal and at the camper. A little later I went by and the camper was outside so I stopped and asked about the leak. He said it always does that. I also noticed there was a lot of water around the front of the camper and it was full of noodles. I asked about that and he said the noodles were from last night's dinner dishes! I was so flabbergasted I couldn't even reply. I tightened up the hose connections after replacing the washers and asked them to please clean up the noodles. I can't wait to clean this site when they leave...NOT!

Here's a quick story from yesterday. We had an older couple arrive and put a camper on site #3. Then they asked us to keep an eye on the camper as they were just dropping off their camper for one of their kids as the kids are thinking of buying a camper. The parents set the whole thing up; hookups, patio mat, chairs, grill, and firewood. I'm fairly sure the "kids" (middle 30s) will not be buying a camper as long as Mom & Dad will do all the hard work!

Find of the day were these caps.

Today was red cap day. I'm sure in the future I will have clear, blue, green, and yellow cap day.
 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 94 The Life of a Camp Host

The campground is 100% full. Should be a fun weekend..LOL. The last camper arrived well after dark.

Not any stories today. We just spent the day watching everyone arrive after we got the sites clean.

I did have a find of the day while getting all the sites ready.

I only took a pic of one of these, but there were hundreds on site #16. I figured the birds had a knock down dragout with the squirrels and lost.

 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 93 The Life of a Camp Host

It was another fairly easy day, but we did have five new campers arrive. We will be full for the weekend.

The weather has been perfect, 60s and 40s. We hope it continues, but of course rain is forecast for Sunday when almost all the campers leave and we have 20+ sites to clean.

The find of the day was this dog tag.

The dogs name was Oreo and according to the tag he is from New Brunswick. We had a couple here last week from there. If they contact us we will send it back.
 

Winter Excursion 8, Day 92 The Life of a Camp Host

We will be glad when the weekend gets here. We have almost no one in camp, but we are supposed to be full this weekend!

The find of the day was this tree on SIte #9.

I had just cleaned this site a few days ago and today was prepping it for an incoming camper and found this damage the woodpeckers had done! When the site is empty again we plan to fill this hole with cement. If we don't the tree will die as the hole is almost to the core.

Cath and I spent the afternoon playing cribbage. At one point I went to move my pegs, but one was missing. We found it under Cath's seat, but had no idea how it got there. Later both my pegs were gone in the middle of a game! It took us a few minutes to figure out what happened.

That's a magnet on Cath's watch band. We got a good laugh out of that.