My Season at Adventureland

I had arrived at The Adventureland Campground safe and Sound.  I was a little nervous about working in an amusement park.  But hey it sounded like fun and all the things I had read about it were positive.  The day after my arrival I had a breakfast meeting at the human resources department.

This was the employee entrance!

At the meeting we were given 2 uniforms and our name tags after filling out the employment forms.  They had also asked about our pets.  They wanted to know who had pets so if there was a power outage they could send us home to tend to them.  Now that is thoughtful!

The amusement park has a Canteena attached to the employment office where we could eat inexpensively when we were on duty.  I must say for the most part the food was really good.  I loved chicken days!

We were informed of a staff meeting that would take place in a couple of days and sent on our way to enjoy the rest of the day. 

The park entrance for employees is on the opposite side of the park from the campground.  On days when the weather is not so nice it is a long walk.  There is some limited employee parking nearer the entrance but I figured by the time I got in the truck and drove around there and found a parking spot I might as well walk.  I can only remember driving a couple of times all summer.

The next day I got out and found Wal Mart.  It is just down the street from the Adventureland offices.  I really liked the little town of Altoona.  It pretty much had everything I needed.  It was nice working at Adventureland until Memorial day and after Labor day we only worked on the weekend. 

The day of the staff meeting we had a group meeting with most of the workampers.  Adventureland hires hundreds every year so there are lots of people with common lifestyles.  We all love our lives living in an RV and workamping.  After the group meeting we broke into smaller groups to meet with our direct surpervisors.  The people that were hired to work in the games department reported to the Bingo hall.  There we received our handbooks and were able to ask questions.  There are 3 games areas in Adventureland.  I asked our surpervisor after the meeting if it would be okay to walk around the park.  He said yes and 2 couples and another single lady joined me.  One of the couples had worked there the year before so were great guides.  In each of the 3 areas there are about a dozen games.  It was neat to rotate between the 3 areas and work different games.  By the end of the season I had worked all of the games at least once.  Some were more fun to work than others..but hey it was called work! 

My first day at work it was windy and cold.  The next day was even worse as it we had snow flurries!  I was lucky the second day as I was inside the arcade for all my shift.  I found the hardest part of working games was standing inside the little areas in one place most of the day.  I loved interacting with the guest. 

In the first few days my new friends Dan & Rita asked me to go out with a group for supper.  We went to a Mexican food place nearby.  I was blessed to meet Bob & Vicki there.  It was a neat group of people that seemed fascinated by the fact I was doing this alone.  That year there were several of us single ladies there.  I made friends that summer that will be friends for life.  I still keep in touch with a bunch of them.  This past year I have managed to even see Rosalie & Larry, Margaret and Bob and Vicki.  Since we are all mobile we seem to cross paths occasionally.  We keep in touch with phone calls and email that way we can plan our routes to include friends.

My summer in Iowa will always be a fond memory.  Other than the great friends I made visiting some of the sights in the area was fun.  I saw the Pella Tulip festival and even went back in September to visit the unique little town. 

The Pella Windmill.

I also visited the Bridges of Madison County and John Wayne's birthplace in Winterset Iowa.

One of the Bridges of Madison County

John Wayne's Birthplace.

Did you know that John Wayne weighed 13 lbs when he was born?  They lived in this small three room house at the time.  It was really cute but tiny!

In the fall I road the Boone Valley Railroad with a group of Adventureland buddies.

Inside the train!

A group of us were some of the last people of the season to float down the Iowa River on tubes! 

Ready to ride the river!

This was a fun group of people!  Rita and Margaret were great at planning things for us to do together!  All summer long we had pot lucks and pool parties.  Sometimes it was this group of people and sometimes it included way more.  Everyone was always welcome! 

While Iowa can be hot and humid and sometimes stormy it was still overall a great summer.  I will always be thankful to all the fine folks I met at Adventureland for making my first summer workamping experience the best!

Adventureland or Bust

After visiting with my family as long as possible at the hospital in Dallas I continued my trip.  I headed out of Dallas on US Hwy 75 going north.  There was construction on the highway for a few miles.  While the road narrowed it was not too bad.  It really helped that it was Sunday and the traffic was not heavy.  I was in need of gas after about an hour of driving and started looking for a gas station.  Well the one I chose was not the right one!  After I pulled up to the pump I realized that I was going to have to back up to get out!  Not an easy feat with a trailer and a busy convience store.  I went into the store and told the 3 clerks behind the counter that I needed help.  They looked at me like I was dumber than a rock.  I told them either I got a little assistance or the gas pump might go with me. That got them moving.  One of them volunteered to watch while I backed.  Bless his heart he tried to direct me but he was telling me the oposite of what I needed to do.  I told him to just yell before I hit anything and backed up!  Thankfully I did not have to go far before I could swing wide enough to get out.  Whew, back on the highway without dragging a gas pump behind!  Before long I was in Oklahoma!  My second state! I stopped at the visitors center and picked up a new map. It made for a nice break and a little exercise for Ellie.  Just after I left Durant my cell phone rang.  It was Aunt Betty checking up on me.  It is so nice to have people who care enough to call in my life.  I had not been able to figure out how far I was going to get on this day so I had not made any reservations.  I figured if the worst happened I could spend a night in a Wal Mart parking lot.  Once again the good Lord was looking out for me.  I found a new small RV park just north of Muskogee in the comunity of Porter.  They were still working on the front porch of the office.  The site was a nice pull through.  Ellie and I were happy  to be off the road for the day.  I was also glad to get beyond Muskogee before stopping for the night.  
The next day would be a real adventure.  I would go onto my first toll road pulling a trailer.  No Problem.  Then I stopped at the Missouri visitors Center and picked up a new map.  Then on to Kansas City.  Wow, what a trip through that proved to be.  They were doing construction so following the road signs was not easy.  To add to this it was raining!  I made it through with a tight grip on the steering wheel and a lot of prayer.  To this day I will avoid Kansas City if possible!  I stopped for the night at JJ's Campground in Holt Missouri.  It is a really neat campground not far from the interstate.  As there was a heavy mist when I parked I just plugged in the electic and went inside to wait for a break.  It was also cold!  Ellie and I were lucky enough to get in a couple of walks between showers!  
The next day it was on to our distination of Altoona, Iowa.  This is a suburb of Des Moines for those of you who do not know.  I was really anxious to arrive.  

Ellie and I were up and on the road by our usual time of 8 am. We stopped about 30 miles down the road for gas. Then when we got to Iowa we stopped and got a map at the visitor center. It was a neat center that had an antique store in the same building.  It was really windy and so the driving was not so easy. We really enjoyed the break. I stopped at an easy in and out gas station across the road to top off the gas tank. We got into De Moines around noon. The traffic was not too bad. We made Altoona easily. The directions I had for the RV Park were easy to follow and we arrived with no problem. At the desk I was given a packet of information and an escorted to my site by Dave who helped me back in. We are home!!! Because of the wind it felt really cold to this TEXAS girl! I would do a little of my set up work and then come inside to warm up. There was a lot of grass around this campground so Ellie liked it.  

Garrett Arrives!

It was April and time to leave my very first Workamping job and move on to my 2nd.  I decided to go spend a week sitting in Johnny & Carol's driveway.  This is my home base.  Well things don't always go according to plan.  My niece Lori was expecting a baby and had been put on bed rest.  So I left my trailer in Johnny's driveway and headed to Whitehouse Texas to spend some time with Lori.  Spending a lot of time confined to a sofa is not Lori's idea of fun.  But it had to be and she was willing to do whatever it took to keep her baby safe.  Bless her heart she was having a difficult time.  On Wednesday I headed back to Mexia to get ready for my trip.  I sure hated to leave knowing Lori was having troubles but I needed to get ready to head out to my second Workamping job.  I planned to leave Mexia the next Sunday and head to Iowa. 
Lisa had brought their dog Harley to Mexia to have surgery on Thursday.  He was to be "fixed" at the local vets.  Friday was the day Harley was to be picked up. 

Well Friday started out just like any other "normal" day.  By noon things had taken a turn.  Lori was being rushed to Presbyterian hospital in Dallas for an emergency C section!  Johnny called me and said he was on the way to the Vets office to pick up Harley then he was headed to Dallas.  I wanted to go so bad but someone had to stay and take care of the dog.  It sure was hard to stay in Mexia but I knew I was more help there than sitting at the hospital.  My prayers went with them. 

Little Garrett was born that day!  What a tiny little blessing.  He weighed just 2 lbs 12 ounces at birth.  Lori and Garrett both had a rough time but we were blessed with a great outcome.  Garrett was born six weeks premature so a long hospital stay was in store for them. 

I so hated to leave while they were going through this tough time.  However I could not afford to stay.  So on Sunday morning early I hooked up my trailer and followed Johnny into Dallas to meet Garrett for the very first time.  I was really nervous to pull my trailer through Dallas but seeing Lori and Garrett made the stress worth it.  Johnny had arranged for me to park the truck and trailer in the hotel parking lot where he was going to stay.  Then we went to the hospital with Harley.  Harley had to stay in the truck while we visited.  Butchie picked him up to take him back home.  It was so good to see Lori.  She looked pale and worried but was doing as well as could be expected.  I got to scrub up and go in to see Garrett.  What a tiny little blessing!  Wow that little guy had fight in him!  That next couple of months would not be easy but he and Lori both made it.  It was hard to leave but I knew they were in good hands.

Lori and Garrett in July

Big Bend Area

It really took a leap of faith and a lot of prayer to get me out of the driveway of our home on Lake Mexia.  I knew I would not be returning to it.  Talk about hard!  But then again I was headed out on an adventure.  Johnny and all of his family and the neighbors were there to see me off.  I can't say it was easy but it was the first step of my new life.  I still miss my family a lot.  If I had my way I would pack them all up to travel with me!  Email, the internet, webcams and cell phones have made the distance easier.  My nieces Lisa and Lori I do believe worried about me more than Johnny & Carol.  I think Johnny and Carol knew just how much I had prayed about my decisions.  I can't say I did not leave with some fear and tears but I knew in my heart I was doing the right thing.  I have not regretted the decision to RV. 
Like I said my first job was to be in Study Butte Texas.  I headed west on highway 84.  I was in familar territory until after I reached Gatesville.  I had decided to break the trip as much in half as possible.  I took hwy 84 to Evant then 281 down to Burnet.  From there I took state highway 29 over to Mason.  I was surprised when I was out in the middle of nowhere...or so I thought and I came across a watch for pedestrians sign!  It turns out there is a bald eagle nesting area just off the highway and lots of people stop to gawk!  Out of Mason I took hwy 377 to Junction.  I spent the night there at the KOA.  On my way into the campground I spotted a service station where I thought I would be able to get in and out!  Pulling a trailer you have to be really really really careful where you pull in because you might find yourself backing out!  NOT FUN!  While I was at the KOA I discovered that my water hose was to short so I purchased a longer one.  It still amazes me to this day when people say a campsite does not work for them because the utilities are in the wrong place!  That is what they make extensions for people!  I carry multiple water hoses and several sections of sewer hoses that can joined together if need be.  It is not the campgrounds fault if my short hose won't fit!
Can you tell I have been working in RV parks?   Ok off my soap box!  I got off the road before dark which is always my goal.  My preference is to arrive in the middle of the afternoon.  The next morning I stopped and filled up the gas tank then headed on to my distination.  Study Butte or bust...I was praying not bust!  I got onto I-10 not far from the KOA.  My little dog Ellie was in the floor in front of the passenger seat of the truck.  She was doing fine until it started raining and I turned on the windshield wipers.  Who knew they would scare her!  Over the console and into the back passenger area went this black streak.  I did not know she could move so fast.  I had to stop at the next rest area and move her bed to the back seat area.  I 10 is not very busy out in West Texas so I was able to make good time.  Just past Fort Stockton about 10 miles I turned left onto US 67.  This took me into Alpine.  Wow I was seeing west Texas! 
After leaving the hill country behind things really opened up.  Just as I arrived in Alpine I spotted a gas station with easy access!  Yeah another successful gas stop.  I took hwy 118 out of Alpine...78 miles to Study Butte!  Going south out of Alpine you have to climb a pretty high hill.  This was my  first "mountain".  Wow what a pretty view from up there.  The 78 miles from Alpine to Study Butte are really pretty.  I would make this trip once a month while I was there.  Alpine was the place to go for groceries.  I was also happy to spot a Sonic drive In as I passed through.  Alas you can't park an RV in a Sonic!  That Dr Pepper had to wait until I came back without the trailer. 

I arrived at my distination in the early afternoon.  My boss went to make sure my site was ready before coming to meet me.  He managed to run over the water connection with his golf cart and break it off.  He had to get a maintence guy fix it before he came to get me.  I was to work as a waitress out there in the cafe'.  I must admit I was not impressed with what I saw when I arrived.  But later I learned the people were nice and the food was really good!  I had never been a waitress so I had a  new skill to learn.  I must have done a good job because the tips were always good. 

I was really thrilled to be so close to Big Bend National Park.  One of the first things I did was buy a National Park Pass.  Usually on one of my days off every week I would run into the park to explore it.  It sure is a diverse area.  Most of the Park is Chihuahuan desert but then you run into the Chisos Basin and the pine covered mountains.  It is hard to believe that people actually ranched there in the not to distant past.  There is not much available for RV camping in this national park.  The tight curves in the road to the Chisos Basin campground make it impossible for most RV's.  There are some RV spaces at the Rio Grande Village however they are limited so if you plan to stay in the park make reservations.  I did a lot of hiking in the park.  Always take water with you and if at all possible go with someone else.  I made friends with the lady that clerked in the store when I was waitressing and together with her husband we hiked several trails.  I hiked the Sam Nail ranch trail alone the first time.  It is fascinating to me that anyone would dream of having a ranch out there.  The desert has pretty much reclaimed most of what was the ranch.  However one of the water wells is still producing water.  Birds and other animals come there to drink. 

 There are black bears and mountain lions in the area so it is a good idea to make some noise as you hike.  Don't want to surprise one of these guys!  One of the guys that worked in the park told me about a face to face he had with a black bear one evening about dusk.  He was riding his motorcyle and looked up and saw a bear coming down the mountain at him.  He said the bear landed on the road right in front of him!  He stopped to keep from hitting it and the bear stopped and looked at him then ambled off!  Whew that was a close one!  One of my favorite spots in the park is Sotol Vista.  From there you look down toward St Elena Canyon.  Wow what a beautiful sunset you can see from there.  I took a picnic up there one evening and waited for the sun to go down.  It is very quite and peaceful and the view is spectacular.  Before I left I heard a noise in the brush and discovered I had been joined by some deer. 

Because I arrived in the area in late January and stayed until April I was able to experience 2 seasons in the park.  Winter which is pretty stark and spring which really blooms!  Wow the desert is pretty with every thing blooming. 

People ask me all the time if it is worth seeing.  My answer is yes, however you need to park your car and do a little hiking to really get a feel for the place.  If you just drive though you will only touch the tip!  There are a lot of neat places that are fairly easy to hike and not very far!  I ended up going back there the next year for the same time because I did not feel I had seen all it had to offer.  Being out there is almost like taking a step back in time to the old west days.  Because I was there for several months I was able to visit a few places most don't see.  If you click on the title above it will link to the National park system website for Big Bend!  Check it out you might be surprised. 
I also wrote a book how I got on the road. I go into more details about what is involved in living full time in an RV. Here is a link to it on Amazon Yes, You Can Full-time RVing for the Single Person I have been told that even people that don't travel alone have found it useful.

My Full-time RV lifestyle

I thought I would start a blog about my lifestyle.  I love living full time in an RV, most of the time.  When I first started out 5 years ago I lived in a 25 foot Jayco Kiwii Too that I pulled with a Ford F150.  I was an experienced RVer however I still had a lot to learn.  The beginning of my life in an RV started with my divorce.  I was forced to make some lifestyle changes and decided to give my dream of seeing the country and living in an RV a try.  After all what did I have to lose?  I wrote a book about how I got started and tips on how others could do the same. It is called Yes, You Can Full-time RVing for the Single Person.   I have been asked by several to write another book but I decided to Blog instead.

I admit the lifestyle is not without it's trials but for the most part I find great joy in my lifestyle.  When I first hit the road I was afraid I would not be able to support the life I had chosen.  I have found that while the winters are hard I can find plenty of work in the summer season.  I do not have extravagant needs and am not a shopper by nature.  Most of my souveniors are pictures.  I take lots and lots of pictures.  I rarely get one developed on to paper.  I store them on my computer and on disks as backup.  I can sit and watch my life unfold just watching my screen saver. It brings back so many good memories.   Sometimes I get down right nostalgic looking at the places and faces I have seen in the past few years on the road.  What a beautiful country we really have. 
The first thing I had to do when I decided to be a Full time RVer and workamper was find a job!  I wish I was able to travel without making a living but this just is not the case for me.  I like to eat and need to pay for my home on wheels.  The first trailer I had was fairly small to live in full time but it worked for me.  It was also good that I started small because I was able to build my confidence as I went along.  I found my first job via the Workamper News website.  I watched the postings on their hotline every day until I finally found one I thought I could handle.  I was really excited and scared at the same time when I got the job!  My very first workamper job was at the Big Bend Motor Inn and Cafe in Study Butte Texas.  It was within a mile of the Big Bend National Park.  It was a great opportunity to explore the Park.  I had lived in Texas all my life and never been to Big Bend.  It was over 500 miles out to Big Bend from my home in Mexia Texas.  I only had a few days to prepare for the trip.  I already had a truck but I had to go out and get the RV after I secured a job.  By the way RV stand for recreational vehicle...some people think only motorhomes are RVs!  Travel trailers, 5th wheels and motorhomes are all RVs.  You can't pack everything you own in an RV.  Well, if you could you would not want too. You will need stuff but you will find that you don't need near as much as you did when you lived in a big stick house.  Also the more you can keep the weight down the better. 
I am a Christian!  I believe that fact is what has made it possible for me to enjoy my life on the road.  I could never do this alone.  God is my co-pilot and has helped me make the right decisions!  I have been so blessed in my travels and the friends I have made along the way. 
I plan to chronicle my travels here.  It will take awhile as I have had some really neat experiences.  My next post will be about my time at Big Bend Motor Inn.