Happy New Year

We hope everyone had a great Christmas.Ours was great as we had a great family gathering at our daughter Katie's house.
Jeni and I worked the day after Christmas at the park. It was a cool sunny day and we had a few visitors in the day use area enjoying the day hiking and biking.The main multi use trail that follows the American River from Sacramento up around part of Folsom lake, runs right through our park. We get all kinds of walkers,hikers,bikers,and horseback riders through the park. So,there might be only a few cars in the park, but a lot of people in the park. It's a great park for all these activities. The campground has been slow with 2 or 3 people camping on the tent side(mostly homeless living in their cars) and 5 or 6 RVs in the full hookups side. As new years approached, we got a few more RV's in but still had plenty of sites for rent.
Our grandson DJ came out to spend the day with us this week. He loves to come out when we are working because he knows Grandpa has the " Gator"! (the vehicle we get to drive when we are on duty) He loves to ride around with me as I make my rounds through the park. We also have our golf cart with us,so we ride in it when we are not on duty.Jen and I sure enjoy having him come see us.
New years eve DJ spent the night with us as his mom and dad went out to celebrate new years. We had a great time playing games and eating cookies. We didn't quite make it to midnight though, we were in bed by 10:30.
I haven't been on Jeni's good side the last few days as there has been 10 football bowl games on TV the last two days and 5 more tomorrow. I don't dare tell her NFL games on Sunday!
We are still #4 on the list at Park Sierra. We have to call in every Wednesday between 8am and noon to keep our place. I think we will be in about mid Jan. or early Feb.
My brother Gary and his wife Martha spent the Christmas holiday in New Mexico checking out the "land of enchantment". They loved Las Cruses. In New Mexico they celebrate the holidays by putting out "Luminaries, Candles placed inside a small brown paper bag that has sand in the bottom. they are placed on fences along the edge of walks and driveways. Whole subdivisions do this along with the downtown area, and commercial buildings.At night,when their lit, it looks spectacular. Gary and Martha loved them.
I wish I could say all my family had a great holiday.My Brother Larry, who lives in Phoenix, had pneumonia and had to go to the hospital. I talked with him yesterday and he didn't feel well and went back to the doctor. Hopefully he will feel better in a couple of days. Hang in there Lar. were thinking of you.
2009 was an "OK" year with it's ups and downs for us. Winter found us at Agua Caliente county park volunteering.We met some wonderful people there and we miss them now. Spring we were in Riverside,Ca. helping our son with some difficulties.That is what family does. Summer we were at Park Sierra workamping and getting a feel for the place in case we wanted to make it our "homebase. We were sold! we are #4 on the list. Fall brought us down to Sacramento for our daughter Katie's wedding. Now we are camphosting in Folsom at Beals Point State Park for the winter. Time flies when your"Livin the Buena Loca" HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010. May it be a great year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The shopping is done,the presents are wrapped,another Christmas is upon us.

Jeni and I reminisced that we have been together for 40 Christmases......that's a long time! Am I that old? Where does the time go?Hopefully we can enjoy many more.

This year we will have all the kids together for the holidays for the first time in a long time.My daughter Katie is having Christmas dinner for all of us.This will be a special one for us this year. I know I complain. about volunteering here in the winter,(cold wet weather) but it is nice being with our Sacramento family.Jeni and I are so lucky to be RVers,Able to freely travel the country being where we want when we want.

For the last couple of weeks,we have been watching all the Christmas movies on TV.You know,to get in the" ole" holiday spirit.The one thing I've noticed though,all those movies have happy endings.The guy got the girl,the family brought back together,the lost son that came home.The miracle of the holidays! All too often it doesn't happen in real life for some.On the tent side of the park we are volunteering at,it's too cold for tent camping but, we have people, homeless because of the economy,living out of their cars staying in the park.There are kids that won't have presents this year because their parents lost their jobs.Our homeless veterans living on the street, where are these people's Christmas miracle?Our family has had to cut back because of the economy this year, make do with less for Christmas, but we all have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and most importantly our health. This is our Christmas miracle.

Our family,as we gather this Christmas, will say a little prayer for the less fortunate in hopes that they too can have their own Christmas miracle. Merry Christmas to all!

Life at Folsom Lake

We started our workamper jobs at the lake as we donned our "state park"hats and vests for our first day.I snapped a picture of Jen and I inside the kiosk just before we opened.You know,I sure have a pretty wife.Anyway,our first day was very slow and uneventful as The weather took a turn for the worse as another winter storm was bearing down on us.
After our first three days on the job,we got the next nine days off as we switched schedules with one of the other camphosts so they could be off.We got to spend some quality time with our Grandson DJ.and Granddaughter Alyx.I would get up early in the morning and DJ would be awake and ready to go.I would fire up the"ole"golf cart
and we would head down to the "day use"area and explore the dry lake bottom.We had to bundle up both mornings as it was in the mid 20s and breezy.
With the 9 days off we got most of our Christmas shopping done.In the few times we were out,we noticed that the crowds were down compared to past years.With the economy,we have had to cut back on the value of our gifts too.
Our Daughter Katie is having Christmas dinner at her house and we will have all the kids there together for the first time in a long time.
The lake is as low as I have ever seen it.With the construction of the levees and the drought,it is only about 29% of capacity.I took a picture of the lake and from were I took the picture,that is usually the water line of the lake in a good water year.Attendance has been down because of the economy,and the price hikes.One benefit is we pretty much have the park to ourselves.
We got word that we are now #5 on the list at Park Sierra.We have to call into the office each Wednesday to see if there is a space available.We might be in by January,a lot sooner than we thought.When were in we will drive down to the park to pay our money,check our site out,and head back to Folsom.We probably won't return to the park until next October,as after we finish here in April,we head to Oregon for the summer.
With the recent rain and snow,the park has really turned green, luscious,and beautiful.When spring arrives,the park will be in full bloom.It is the best time to be here.
After spending the last several winters down south,it takes some getting used to spending winter up here.It is great seeing the kids and spending the holidays with them.But,I can't wait til spring!Until then,we will have to bundle up and endure the cold and rain.Such is life at Folsom Lake.

SNOW #$%^&*

We got up this morning for our first day as camphosts.I threw open the front curtains and we had snow on the ground.In Sacramento!I told Jeni to call the Ranger cause WE ARE OUT OF HERE!I don't do snow!!!I should be headed south at the first sight of the white stuff like a good RVer........After consulting with el jefe(Jeni),I settled down and we opened the kiosk at the park.It didn't get out of the40's all day and low 20's tonight,perfect!
The park actually looked real "christmas like"and our first day was quiet.Hopfully it will warm up soon.
Because of the economy,and the camping rates going up,not many people are in the park right
now.I left Jeni in the kiosk and I set out to find somthing to do.Finally 2:30pm came around and we were off the clock.We headed back to the RV to get warm as the temp was 39 degrees.I took a couples of pictures of the snow.It is highly unusual for Sacramento.In 20yrs living here, I only remember one time that we had snow.
If we can get through the winter,spring is beautiful here.One brite spot is we get to see more of our grandkids Alyx,and DJ.

at Folsom Lake

We are now settled in at Folsom Lake for our winter jobs as "camp hosts.We left Park Sierra Monday morning,got in to Sacramento about 2pm at "campworld"for some repair work on the RV.We spent the night in the parking lot as we had a 9am appointment.Tuesday morning we checked in with Todd,our service guy and he rolled our RV on the rack for a much needed oil change and lube .Jeni and I strolled down to a little cafe that Todd had suggested for breakfast."Vanita Rhea's".Great food and "delightful decor".A little "pricey" but I would recommend it to anybody in the area.They are located on Granite drive in Rocklin,Ca.

After breakfast we picked up the RV, (that's the fastest I've ever got service on the RV) and headed toward the lake.We also had to get the RV "smogged,gased up,get propane,and take back the trailer that we used to bring the golf cart here, before we went into the park.I had set as side the whole day for everything,but from the time we started at campworld at 8am til we dropped off the trailer,it only took 2 hrs.WOW!that was record time.By noon we were in our site at Beals Point state park at Folsom Lake.Site#D.I took a couple of pictures of our site.It's the same one we had when we "camphosted here back in 05 and 06.It's very spacious,full hookups,50amp elec.and paved level sites.The" big brown mound"you see behind our coach in the picture,is the levee they are working on to raise the level of the lake.There used to be big trees in front of that levee but because of the const.,they had to remove them.What a shame as we used to love to watch the "red tailed"hawks up in those trees swoop down in search of prey.Wednesday we got settled in,met with the other camphosts,Ken&Barb and Jerry&Deb.We had worked with them both when we were here a few years ago.The Rangers came by and got us signed up,gave us our camphost hats and badges and cleared us for duty.That afternoon we met with the camphosts at our site to formulate a schedule that we all agreed on.We all agreed on 3 days on 6 days off.We Will start Monday morning 9:30am til 2:30pm.
The lake is usually very beautiful here but because of all the construction,and the drought,it is very low.Wednesday night,we had the grand kids over,Alyx and DJ.for KFC chicken.It was good to see them and we really missed them while we were away but now that we will be here for awhile,"LET THE SPOILING BEGIN"!
Thurs.morning we went up to the Kiosk to get trained for our assigned tasks as camphosts.Mostly we will be manning the Kiosk 3 days a week.This used to be done by Park aids,but because of the severe budget cuts,the park can't afford to pay them so they are using the volunteer camphosts.It's a great idea and hopefully more parks will adopt this novel approach.
Thurs. night we got to watch DJ while our daughter and son in law went Christmas shopping for him.I love it at their house as they have a big screen TV.I watched the Oregon vs Oregon st. football game for the rose bowl.It was a great game.
Jeni already has the Christmas lights up and the RV dash decorated.I always complain that she over does it but it does look great and festive.I noticed that after our lights were up the other hosts and campers put theirs up.That a girl Jen!
This morning we have chores to do as laundry,shopping,and cleaning the coach are in order.We are glad to be here but Jeni and I were saying last night that we sure miss the folks at Park Sierra.We are now #9 on the list,so it won't be long and we will have a "home base."
The weather here has been cool but sunny so far.We weren't fond of winters here when we lived here as the rain and fog in Dec,Jan,and Feb made it dreary.They say "you can never go home",but for now we are going to try to make it work.

Happy Thanksgiving

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Jeni and I

The park had a breakfast a few Saturdays ago and we helped out as they were shorthanded. We were on the "egg crew".Jeni cracked and I cooked about 250 eggs!It was yummy.They served biscuits&gravy,eggs,and sausage.

Last Friday we headed to Pasadena to meet up with the family for our annual ASU college football game.This year they are playing UCLA in the Rose Bowl.Saturday before the game,we had breakfast at a delightful little diner called "Russell's."Clockwise from the left that's our son Dan and grandson Nevin,me,Jeni,my sister in law Martha, brother Gary,grandson Aiden,brother Larry,and Dans friend Mark.What a "motley "crew.ASU lost but we still had a great time.

Our plans have changed for Thanksgiving.We are staying at the park instead of going to Riverside as we had planned.This is our last week here at the park.We will leave Monday for Folsom and our winter job at Folsom lake state park.We have had a wonderful time workamping here at Park Sierra.We have made some great friends here and when we become members we will already know the ropes.

This week the Maintenance dept decided that since this was my last week here, we will pour concrete!Tuesday we poured two slabs and some footings.The slabs were for containment pads for

their gas and diesel tanks.The footings were for

a cover over the parks historic stagecoach by the clubhouse.It was the first time I actually had to "finish" concrete in a long time.Jeni took some pictures of our "motley crew'.I really enjoy working with all the guys here.For me, work has to be a part of my life.that's why the park will be a perfect fit when we are members.Jeni and I can't wait to become members.

Wednesday,Jeni helped prepare the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner here at the park.They cooked 11 turkeys in all.The clubhouse had the

delicious smell of thanksgiving feast.Thanksgiving day we are helping out again,serving turkey dinner to about 130 people in the park.
To everyone,from Jeni and I,HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Bird Watching

If you know us,you would never think of us as "avid" birdwatchers.Believe me we don't go around the world in those "kacki,Bwana"jungle outfits with big binoculars around our necks,"craning" our heads for that rare shot of the"yellow breasted"sapsucker!But we do enjoy sitting at our site,wherever we may be staying and viewing the wildlife in the area.At Park Sierra, we enjoy sitting on our porch

watching the" locals.Jeni took a few pictures of the residents at our site.We have California Quail,White crowned sparrows,Red headed woodpeckers,California Towees,and a big ole Swainson Hawk.Also ,Jeni"s favorite resident....The Deer!The camera didn't add ten pounds to the birds,Jeni did!She feeds them every morning.Before we know it,we have"covey's,and gaggles and flocks"of birds.

Fall is here.Cool days and frosty nights.The park has really" greened"up with the showers we have had a month ago and today.The rosemary is in bloom, the "live" Oak leaves have turned dark green, and the sycamore tree leaves are bright reddish orange.What a beautiful place!

Our time is growing short here as we only have a couple of weeks left. We have really enjoyed it here at Park Sierra.We now know this is where we want our "Homebase"where we will live.We should be in by next summer,but until then,we move to our new adventure at Folsom Lake St.Pk.for the winter.

We will be leaving the park for Riverside,Ca. to have Thanksgiving with our son and grandsons.Then up to Folsom for our winter job.

Tonight we are"Wii bowling" at the clubhouse.A lot of fun with our new friends.There is a lot to do here as every night something is going on at the clubhouse. Tuesday night is "bingo night",Thursday night is "Wii bowling",Friday night is "playing cards",Saturday night is"pegs and jokers",and Sunday afternoon is the ice cream social.Lots to do here.

At "break time",the other morning over coffee and cookies,my"pole barn buddies" and I discussed the pros's and cons of retirement.We decided unanimously that it was great! The only dissenter....a guy that used to worked in real estate.his complaint.....he couldn't make 200,000, a year anymore.YEA!He got some mean looks from the other guys!We got all types here in the park!

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