Big Shoals State Park April 30, 2010

Back again,some of you maybe thinking that all we do is rake and blow leaves. Well that is pretty close to it.This state park just started having a park host in October 09. We are the fourth set of host so Ranger Dylan is putting together a handbook guide lines for the host and we are helping him out with that. So things like raking, blowing leaves in the picnic areas ,along walk ways ect just have not been done in a long time.So that is what we have been doing,pick a spot in the park clean it up and move to the next place. Hopefully the next set of host keeps up to it and all after them. It just looks so much better when it is done. People are actually using tables more.OK just thought I fill you in on that.Sunday 25th.It was a pretty rainy day.So we just did the bathrooms and Dan did a check on the road way of branches that the wind blew down. Monday back to sunshine and not so humid.Dan blew leaves off the walkways and parking spaces.He worked on the push mower but it needs carburetor.So off to clean off Wood Pecker trail and check the bathroom at Little Shoals and blow out picnic area too.Tuesday27th. I took some time out for the camper. The windows needed to be washed.The hard water leaves white spots on them. I ended up using vinegar to get spots off then wash them with window cleaner oh such fun but they look better.Dan painted the inside of the bathroom doors now dry before someone touches them. Dan and Dylan took the kiosk and set it up at road 4 with up dated maps and information .Then some more leave blowing. Wednesday 28th, We took the day off and did some computer work and stuff on camper and napped.Thursday well back to raking. Got like six or more pile of leaves to pick up and haul into woods a little. I do not go into the woods to many snakes.. Call me a whip I don’t care.. Checked out road #1,#6 and Wood Pecker trail.We picked up the bush whacker and Dan took down a few trees that were blocking the view to the river. I can see it now.We moved one of the picnic tables to the trail side of picnic area. Went into town for a few things. Dan went and did some more leave blowing, he got in about 8:00. Long day..Friday 30th.Last day of April this month went fast. Looked like rain so we cleared off Wood Pecker trail and returned brush whacker and got the weed whacker. Oh fun . We went to dinner at Telford  hotel. They have a pretty good buffet there.Seafood on Fridays and it was our Anniversary gift from the kids..Thank you it was good and we got enough to go back for breakfast Sunday Thanks… Got back to camp and Dan went and spread more grass seed I walked the girls and the sky just opens up and pours. oh yea I hear thunder.The girls do not like it. Well I guess I got us caught up for now. Have a great first of May…  

Big Shoals,Little Shoals State Park April 2010

OK ,now to catch up again.. Friday16th  cleaned all bathrooms,we blew leaves from Woodpecker trail,patrolled road # 1 and 6.staying pretty cleaned. back at camp Dan finished blowing leaves from walk ways.Saturday we went into town this morning,Went to the White Springs historical building,Farmers Market got some fresh tomatoes,cucumbers,Strawberries. Then to Stephen Foster park and checked out the museum,the tower and gift shops.Real nice place.Stephen Foster wrote songs like..Suwannee River,Jeanne with the light brown hair,Oh Black Joe and many more.Went to work shop and got new rope for blower.Did some raking on side of road coming into the park. Dylan came over to see if Dan could help him do some work on some of the kiosk  Sunday.Sunday Dan went with Dylan to the Columbia side of the river.There they updated information in the kiosk.Did that to the rest of them scatted through out the parks and fixed any that needed to be repaired.Dan got back about 5:30.Monday it rained last night.Which was good wash some of that Pauling from the trees.Sun is out and warm. I ,did the bathrooms, Dan did some leave blowing around parking areas and walk ways. Blew the woodpecker trail later in the day to let it dry up some.Did trail patrol on 3 1 and 6.Went into town for milk and home for dinner.Tuesday did more clean up around Big Shoals,Dan worked on the car some more. got electrical problems.Wednesday21st.kinda cloudy today,did some leave blowing around parking area.Some day these leaves may stop falling so much.And besides it has not been raked in a long time. Thursday we just checked bathrooms Dan worked on the car a little bit. Then into Lake City to do food shopping Oh YEA… Friday Did cleaning on all bathrooms. Could not blow off Woodpecker trail because one of the spark plugs was fouled.Had to wait for Ranger Gary to get done with the nature tour with the school kids to get one. We got two about 6:00 that night. So after Dan got it put in we blew off Woodpecker trail and road through the park.Saturday 24th. Dan took the car back after he finally got to take the battery from car and switched for a new one . Dylan brought Dan back to camp we had lunch and got ready to go visit some friends in Madison.We had a nice dinner that Julia put together. She made smoked pork roast,chicken,toss salad,potatoes and home made sour dough bread. Dame good Thank you for dinner and cheese cake for dessert.And a nice visit too.Sunday 25th. Not doing mush today, it is rainy and windy out.So I am trying to get caught up with my games on Face Book and doing the blog. We got 5 lbs. of fresh strawberries from Ranger Gary so I put some up in the freezer.Got to run into town later for milk and pretzels. That is it for now.Take care everyone…<3   

Big Shoals State Park..Little Shoals

We’ll we are all set up and ready to work.Sunday April 4th we did not do much just kind of hung out at camp. We we into town for food shopping but no real food stores in town. There is a dollar store which the people call White Springs mall.The big stores are about 30 min drive from camp.Not across the street like in Orlando. But like back home. So off to Wal-Mart we go.Had lunch in Live Oaks and then back to camp.Dan and   Dean took a ride out on Woodpecker trail and road # 1.Woodpecker trail is a paved walk,bike trail that is 3.4 miles one way. Road#1 is a dirt road and it is also 3.4 miles one way.But it is in the woods that’s for sure.Had sheperd pie for dinner. Monday morning Gary showed up about 8:30am(Gary is the head ranger for this park) He showed us a few things but not much to it.NO CAMPERS… Now Gary is off for next 6 days and Ranger Dylan is off for the next 16 days so the park is ours.We in charge.lol..It was time for Dean to head home he really did not want to go but he said was time. After Dean and Gary left Dan and I took the six wheeler gator with the blower on the back and blew off Woodpecker trail of twigs and leaves. We do this twice a week. Back to camp and off with blower and onto Rd#1. Cleaned all bathrooms.Tues we start to open and close gates .Dan repaired the hand held leave blower ,and then started blowing leaves off some of the walking trails.He spread grass seed down in our front yard.Did more trail patrol later in the day. Wens 7th. open all gates by 8:00am. Did trail patrol on Woodpecker trail and rd1. More leave blowing. Plenty of them to get rid of,beside keeping up with what he has done.Plenty of raking to.Closed gates at dusk.Thurs open gates,back to camp got ready to go do wash at Stephen Foster park.We meet another host Matty.Had lunch at the Teleford Hotel in town. It was a buffet and very good.A real nice old hotel.Back to camp and do trail patrol.Took the girls with us and they loved it got to ride in the back. Even though Sweetie would rather have the front seat where I sit. Silly doggies. Back at camp Dan build a box to put over the big blower to sound proof it some.It works.close gates.Fri time to do bathrooms and blow leaves off Woodpecker trail.Clean bathroom at the Little Shoals park.And did some leave blowing.By the way the Wood pecker trail goes from Big Shoals park to Little Shoals park.Back at camp Dan fixed one of the picnic tables it was in bad shape.Cut up some fire wood, water yard. Closed gates. Sat11th. open gates by 8:00am,Then off to Lake City to get prescriptions filled for Dan. Stopped at Stephen Foster park so Dan could check out the work shop.Ben from S.F. park has some mech work he wants Dan to do.Back at camp walked the girls.Hauled over rest of fire wood,washed gator and closed gates by dusk.Sunday after breakfast we walked to the big Shoals rapids( the only class three rapids in Fla. The walk was ok pretty woodsy. The rapids were alright. Took the girls with us by time we got back they were ready for a nap me too lol. I went into town for milk and Dan  went out on rd#6 and did a major clean up out there. I went out there with the girls when I got back took the park truck.. On way back Sweetie Pie rode back with Dan on gator she just loved it.Angel came with me.closed gates. Mon. open gates for 8:00,took car count, cleaned bathrooms and left blowing off trail till Gary got back on Tues to get gas.Went to S.F park Dan pulled rear brakes off the dodge truck and I did wash. Left that truck there took another for the day. Did some more raking closed gates.Tues we open gates Dan went and picked up Gary, and they went to S.F.park. Dan did the brakes on the dodge and then Ben asked Dan if he check out there car. Battery keeps going flat every few days. so he worked on that also. He drove that back to camp. While he was gone I did some cleaning in camper then some raking on side of road.Did Woodpecker trail. No more closing gates Gary is doing now.Wens, We did more leave blowing on the walking trails and around camp. We went to L.S . park and did some major cleaning of what else leaves.But it sure did need it. Looks nice now.We were there about three hours.I got the booboos to prove it. Now back to camp for shower and dinner.Thurs we went back to L.S. park and finish picking up piles of leaves. Dan got on the roof of the pavilion  for he picnic area and blew the roof off of twigs and what else leaves. Went back to camp early cause I didn't feel good.I went in and laid down for a while Dan kept busy leave blowing in picnic area at B.S. park… washing roof of motor home.   

April 4 10

OK back again…This winter has been the worst winter here in 20 yrs. Even when we lived here I don’t remember it getting that cold.So need less to say we did not do much this winter.I mean Dan did some stuff in the shop on one of the trucks replaced some air lines.Worked on the office computer got it set up again..He tried to stay busy  but not much happening around the shop..Then other days he just said to heck he was sleeping in.Might as well. I played on the laptop quit a bit.Not warm enough to sit out boo who.Dean left for home around Feb10th. He will be back for bike week with his brothers and a few friends from home which is NY.and friends from down here.We would go over and visit with Helen,Dave,Beckie and James at the office and BS for a while and back to motor home.Dan and I had a nice valentines dinner at home and watched some tv and just enjoyed the night.On Feb 24th We volunteer at a store for teachers to shop at  for kids that need some extra help for school supplies. Such as paper,pencils,rulers,backpacks and so much more.But anyways we volunteered to help stock shelves,sweep,do inventory or what ever needed to be done.It was a new store opening the end of the month.The name is A gift for teaching. It was pretty cool to do.It was give a day get a day.Get a ticket for one park at Disney. February came and went.March started like Feb ended, still bit chilly..But more sun that was good.Dean did bike week then came back to the shop and stayed with us till he bought his deluxe van. That him and Dan replaced the carpet and set his bed.He says he sleeps just fine in there.It is a nice looking van and the guys did a good job putting the rug in. It was a nice visit. March got pretty busy for Dan.He buffed out some old lettering on Bobs truck. Bob is going to a different trucking company.Chris needed some body work done on his suburban so Dan did that and put it to primer now ready to paint.Came out pretty good. Then we replaced the carpet in Guys and Dales bass boat. They helped us with it,Came out rather nice we did good.That was a all weekend job pretty much. They took it out for a run because they also just got the engine rebuild and wanted to check it out.. Well the engine did not make it..Time for new one. Enjoy it when it gets up and going guys. Other then the daily do list clean,wash cook…we go out to eat with Dean or just us two at our favorite restaurant. Been getting motor home ready to go to our next stop which will be Dan’s nephew Brent and his family. March made me a year older.Got a lot of bday calls from home.Thanks for all the birthday wishes calls and on face book.Went to breakfast that morning with Dan and Dean . The Jones got a cake and sang happy birthday..Thank you guys. Hung out that day it was pretty nice out for a change.. Then to dinner that night with Larry, Maureen,Dean and Dan. Nice night.Then Dave took me for a bday lunch the next day,Dan and Dean went with us also.Back to the shop now to do more packing. Wednesday Dan and I went to Animal kingdom at Disney. It was a blast we enjoyed it and the day together. Got back to the shop and finish the last of the packing on the truck and camper.Ready to do in the Am.Got up about 8:ooam went to breakfast.Said our good bys and filled up camper with gas and on our way to Tampa Springs camp ground. Going to see Brent,Jenn,Chris and the kids. Dean came with us he had his van,He went to try his luck out at the casinos.He did fair not rich but not broke.Our visit with the family that we have not seen but in pictures except Brent and Chris but then we have not seen them in 15 yrs or more…Let me tell you the visit was great..The kids are Super, well adjusted right down good kids. Brent and Jenn are doing a great job..And Chris he is a good guy. Keep up the good work.. Wish we could stayed longer..Will miss them all..Saturday morning up and get ready for our trip to White Springs where we will be hosting a state day park. Dean came with us and visited for a couple of days and then home to NY. We sure do miss his company. One of our jobs is to Open and close the gates,open by 8:ooam close by dusk. keep the trails clean of brush and leaves.We use the john Deere six wheeler with a blower on the back and we ride the paved trail and let the blower do it’s thing.The paved trail is 3.4 miles long one way…Such a hard thing to do. LOL  The Swanney River runs along the park pretty cool.When we close the gates the whole park is ours till the next day..OK that is it for now.I should be or going to try to do the blog on a daily thing to keep you up to date.. Take Care Everyone and hope you have great sunny and joyful days..