Saturday, March 31, 2012

Meeting with the Ranger.

Rain, rain and more rain.  It rained on and off all day long.  Mid afternoon we had hail and thunder.  They really need the rain here but I wish it would stop for just a little while.

At 4:00 p.m. this afternoon John and I met with Steve the park ranger for orientation and a tour of the park and the facilities.  John will be responsible for cleaning the bath house and sites for one of the campground loops.  I will be assisting with cleaning the rental cottages.  Our jobs may change in a few weeks when some of the other camp hosts leave.  John will start on Monday and I will meet with the lady over the cottages tomorrow.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Leaving Indian Springs State Park

Hard to believe that two months have passed and it is time for us to leave Indian Springs. We have been blessed to work with such a great group of people. Not only are they great to work with we are proud to call them friends. Of course saying the “see you laters” is not my favorite thing. I managed to get a few last pictures before hitting the road. John and I both liked this place so much we will definitely go back.

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Rangers Beth and Ken stopped by to see us off.

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Fred is enjoying his hug from Dick so much his eyes are closed. LOL

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Fred was really hamming it up.

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I was making my sad face. I am really going to miss Dick’s sense of humor.

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Me and Dick.

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John and Dick. Don’t they look like partners in crime? LOL

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John, Bob, Barb and I.

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John, Kim, Me and of course, Fred. (Fred loved to visit Kim in the office because he knew she would give him a treat) LOL

We had planned to be on the road by 9:00 but it always takes me a while to say “see you later”……usually with some tears. Today was no exception. John is always ready before I am. We pulled out of Indian Springs at 9:30 and made it to Keystone Heights, Florida around 3:45 p.m. It was an easy ride as it was mostly interstate.

The park ranger met with us briefly this afternoon and delivered an information packet and T-Shirts. Our orientation will be at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. Don’t know what our jobs will be yet. This is a large park and everything is spread out. We are parked in an area secluded from the regular campground but we have 50 AMP and the satellite works. Anyone who knows me knows I love my 50 AMP. Yeah!!!

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Our site.

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This little sign is at the front of the work camping sites. Right now it is just us so we have the whole area to ourselves.

Laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Happy Birthday Leslie.

Today is our friend Leslie’s birthday. Happy birthday Leslie. We hope you have a fantastic day.

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Leslie.

John and I spent the day with cousin Tricia and her family. We had lunch at Owen’s Boarding House. The food was great. It is an all you can eat type of place. The tables are set with bowls of food to pass around…..no waiting required. That could really get you in trouble. LOL

Tonight we all attended Emily’s school play. Emily played the part of Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka Junior. Emily played her part well. We were so proud of her.

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William, Emily and John after the play.

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Me, Emily and John.

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William having a funny moment.

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Bryan, William, Emily and Tricia.

While we were gone today Barb and Bob fed Fred and took him out for us. Thanks Barb and Bob.

Tomorrow we will be leaving Indian Springs State Park and travel to Keystone Heights, Florida for our next work camping adventure. It will be hard leaving our friends. We have really enjoyed our time here.

Laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Bob and John working with Dick.

John and Bob worked with Dick on getting more trees cleared in a few more areas of the park.  They also did some more controlled burns.  Barb and I drove over to Forsyth but stopped by to check on them on our way out of the park.  I could not resist getting a few pictures.

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Dick on the backhoe.

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Do they look happy or what? LOL

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Bob, Dick and John.   Love the way Dick is wearing his hat. LOL

Later this afternoon John and I went over to Barb and Bob’s for a rematch on Ladder Golf.   The men beat us again and again and again.  We will definitely have to have another rematch down the road soon. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Last dinner with the group.

John and Bob helped Dick with cutting and hauling off tree parts today.   While the men were away Barb and I went into town for hair cuts.  Luckily Kim at the park office gave us a recommendation for a local salon.  Thanks Kim.   We were both very satisfied.

Tonight we all had dinner at Big Jim’s Wing Shack in Jackson, Georgia.  This was our last night to have dinner as a group before John and I leave for our next destination at Keystone Heights State Park in Florida on Friday.  We are really going to miss everyone here.  

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From left to right: Gloria, Don, Barb, Me, John, Bob and Dick.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Last day to clean group camp.

Today was a work day for us. This was our last day to clean group camp. John and I will be leaving here on March 30th and heading to Keystone Heights State Park in Florida. We will miss this park and the people here and would definitely return in the future. Bob and Barb went with us over to group camp to see what we usually do on a work day. All of us worked so we were finished around lunch time which left the afternoon open for visiting and Ladder Golf. The men won the first two rounds and the ladies won the last one. I think we will probably get in a rematch. LOL

Tonight we played a few rounds of Chase the Ace. It is always fun playing that game. You just never know how the cards will play out.

Laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Barb and Bob Chuck have arrived.

Barb and Bob Chuck arrived at Indian Springs State Park this afternoon.   It is so good to see them again.   After getting checked in we took them on a tour of the group camp area.  Tomorrow will be a work day for us. 

Tonight we had dinner at our place with all the work campers and a couple of Dick’s friends who were in town visiting.  John had cooked a pork butt all night long so the meat would be just right for sandwiches.   We had BBQ sandwiches, cole slaw and baked beans.  Barb brought some delicious pretzel sticks with mustard.  There were so good.  Gloria brought an apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Yum Yum.  Everything was so good.  Fred was enjoying all the attention he was getting.

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Frankie and Fred.   He jumped right up in her lap so she would pet him.

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Barb and Joe.

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Dick, Don and of course, Fred.

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Fred, Don and Bob Chuck.

We all had a great time visiting.  Thanks Dick for bringing Joe and Frankie over to meet us and share the meal.  Hope to see them again sometime.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Fred gets a bath.

Another warm sunny day. I am glad the rain decided to stay away. I think the high today was 77 degrees. That was real nice.

This morning John cut his hair then gave Fred a bath. I guess you could call it Fred’s spa day. LOL

Have you ever noticed when you find a shoe you like and go back to get another pair they are either sold out, not available in your size or discontinued? A year or so ago I found a Crocs sandal I liked and bought a pair. They were so comfortable I decided to go back get another pair. Since then I have not been able to find them in any of the outlet stores. I went online but they were not available in my size. Bummer. The other day when I stopped by the park office I was talking to Kim about the shoes. Today, after lunch, Kim called to let me know she saw my shoes at Academy Sports in McDonough. So you know where I went this afternoon. Thanks Kim.

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These are actually brown and pink. I didn’t care what color they were. I just wanted another pair.

After getting back from McDonough we had black beans, sausage and rice for dinner. Nothing fancy.

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John and Fred sat outside enjoying the nice weather.

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Ahhhhh. This is the life.

Tomorrow Barb and Bob will be arriving here at Indian Springs. It will be so good to see them.

Laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Lemon Baked Tilapia with Parmesan White Sauce

We were supposed to get about an inch of rain today but it never came. Yeah!! That is alright by me. John worked on the electric window in the Vitara then changed out the HVAC blower in the Freightliner.

Tonight I cooked Lemon Baked Tilapia topped with Parmesan White Sauce, steamed broccoli florets and homemade rice pilaf.

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Here is my recipe in case anyone would like to try it.

Bridget’s Lemon Baked Tilapia with Parmesan White Sauce

2 Tilapia filets

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp lemon juice

Combine bread crumbs and seasonings. Season fish with salt and pepper then dredge in lemon juice. Roll fish in the bread crumbs until coated. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

Parmesan White Sauce

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1 cup milk

Over low to medium heat melt butter in skillet, slowly mix in flour and Parmesan cheese until fully combined. Add milk and stir until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and pour over fish.

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Fred is eyeballing John’s plate but John is not sharing.

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Fred thinks he is sneaking up on John’s plate. LOL

Laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Uh oh that is a snake!

We were up early and over to the group camp to check on things.  When we got back home John fixed a batch of homemade biscuits with sausage gravy.  It was too good.  After breakfast he went back over to group camp with a blower to blow off the walkways and porches.  When he got out at Dorm #2 he got a surprise……a SNAKE.   He stepped out of the cart and started to walk forward then noticed the snake.  He came within an inch of stepping on it.  That is just too close for comfort.

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There goes the snake.  I think we will be looking down before stepping from now on.

The trees and flowers are all in bloom in the park.  I guess spring has finally here. Yeah!!

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Later this afternoon John and I went to visit cousin Tricia and her family.   She cooked Korean food for dinner.   I had never had it before and I really enjoyed it.  Thanks Tricia for a tasty dinner.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Happy Birthday Stephanie

Our niece, Stephanie is celebrating her 18th birthday today.  This is a big year for her as she will be graduating from high school and getting ready to attend college.  Happy Birthday Stephanie.  We love you.

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Stephanie

Today John and Dick were busy  at the front of the park cutting up a fallen tree.  They were busy with that most of the day.  When they stopped for lunch Fred made sure he got some attention. 

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Fred and Dick.   Fred really is a spoiled dog. LOL

Tomorrow John and I will go over to group camp and make sure everything is ok before the next group checks in the afternoon. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Controlled burns day 2

John met with the rangers again today to do some more controlled burns.  I bet he had fun doing this.  They finished just after lunchtime.

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Tonight we had roast, rice and gravy with steamed carrots for dinner.  We invited our friend Dick to share it with us.  Fred was so happy to see him.  Dick is one of Fred’s favorite people.

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Dick, John and Fred.

Laugh everyday.   Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Controlled burns.

John worked with Rangers Ken, Beth and Doug today on three controlled burns.  He was tired at the end of the day but I am sure he enjoyed it. 

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While he was gone I finished the laundry and exciting stuff like that.   I think John had a more exciting day than I did. LOL

The park ranger asked John if we knew of anyone who would be interested in work camping June-July 2012 and winter 2012-13.   If anyone is interested please send us an email.  Our time here is getting short.  We will be leaving at the end of the month.   We have enjoyed our stay here.  The staff and work campers are a great group of people.  We will definitely be coming back here.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.