Christmas with Josh and family

Since we were working at the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in Waller, Texas during 2014 through the middle of 2015, we ended up spending part of December there. We were only open on weekends, and set up to have Santa Claus and Yogi Bear sitting in the activity center where the children would come to sit on Santa's lap and talk to Yogi. After we closed for the rest of the winter, we went to Houston to spend Christmas with our family. Jacklyn & Joe flew in from Florida, and Jim and I drove down, leaving the RV at Jellystone. Josh & Karen live about 1-1/2 hours from Jellystone, so it's not a bad drive.

We were glad when the season at Jellystone ended. Halloween was five weekends of hard work with no break between that and the start of Christmas weekends. We were glad when it was all over and we were able to get away to visit with our family in Houston.

Easter, July 4, Halloween & Christmas at Yogi Bear Jellystone Park, Waller, Texas

Without Directors here anymore, the kids and other workers look to Jim & me for guidance.  (Yikes!) I do not make decisions without talking with the three who worked here last year, and the two other workampers who owned a campground for 20 years, and getting input from them.  Kathleen especially is a wealth of knowledge; I would guess she is in her early 70's but has the energy of a young woman and seems to really enjoy working in activities.  She is quite an asset and if our new managers do not listen to her about what occurred last year in Activities with the pancake breakfasts, games, and theme weekends which the guests love, they are fools.  Unfortunately, none of the three were here last Easter, but started working around Memorial Day, so we don't know how last Easter went.  We will see how it all plays out this summer. 

Here is a picture of the parents and kids waiting for the hunt, and did not even get all of them in the picture.

RV Life from a dog's perspective

After reading the posts from our friend Makena Anderson, we decided it was time to write a blog about our perspective on RV life.  We sit in the trailer all day while Mom & Dad are at work - they come home at lunch and we are very glad to have them come and see us. It does not take them very long to eat lunch and then they are back to work again.  It seems like forever before they come home and we are very, very glad to see them. This was the year they worked at Yogi Bear Jellystone in Waller, Texas. We had a real nice field where Mom let us loose so we could get our daily running exercise.

The best part of our day are our morning and evening walks.  Mom gets up real early - even before the sun comes up - to take us out to walk in our favorite field where we hunt for critters.

Our Field

Warther Museum, Dover, Ohio

Earnest "Mooney" Warther was the World's Master Carver.  Mooney loved things that lasted forever.  With only a second grade education, Mooney would become a master carver that can only be explained through his genius. Noted professors from Case Western Reserve explained the degree of skill in the creation of the pliers tree, one of Mooney's more unique carvings, would require an advanced degree in mathematics. His carvings are on display at the Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio.

The Ledge at The Gorge, Ohio

Since we are so close to Kent and Akron, we went to The Gorge to see if we could find the place where the picture was taken with all the Kent people sitting on the Ledge. The Ledge is located in Gorge Metro Park along the Cuyahoga River, just north of Akron. There is a parking lot at the Park, and we started walking along the Gorge Trail toward Mary Campbell Cave. We did find it just a short walk past Mary Campbell Cave.  Jim is pointing to the one outcrop in the main picture. I think the area Jim was sitting on is just above the indent opposite the outcrop where it looks like the boulder is resting.

Final Resting Place - Elmer Balach

We laid Dad to rest on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, Ohio. The AmVets came fully dressed and gave him a 21 gun salute and a couple of other military men came as well.  One played taps and then the two of them unfolded the flag; refolded it and presented it to my brother Bill, as he was in the Marines at one time. The priest who performed the funeral service also came and said a few words.  It was very beautiful and we appreciate the military giving him an honorable burial.

Mom and Dad are now buried next to each other.  Mom died on July 18, 1988, at 67 years of age.  Dad made it to 94 years young.

Brady Lake, Ohio

Jim lived in Brady Lake, Ohio when he was going to Kent State back in the 70s and had fond memories of living in this little room off to the side of the house where in winter Gandalf would sleep with him to keep him warm and the windows would frost up on the inside as there was no heat in this room. Brady Lake is spring fed and the families living there swim in the lake.  He said that Denis Culp drove his car off of the end of the pier straight into the lake.

The Final Days - Elmer Balach

Things have not been going very well at Jellystone - the things that have been going on are too numerous to mention here - they are a story unto themselves and will take a few pages and I just do not have the gumption to go into it now.  We get along great with all our co-workers and the assistant managers, but the "Managers" are too much and no one working there likes them.  We have been told things will change, but so far it has not.  We were going to resign, but were asked to stay until Bob got there and we were going to, but then family issues came up. 

Visit with the grandkids (and Josh & Karen)

Decided to head to Houston Tuesday of last week and visit with Josh, Karen, Ellie & Jason before Memorial Day weekend and the never ending daily activities at Jellystone.  Wanted to surprise Ellie at her swim lesson but the timing was off and we did not get there on time, however, when we pulled up in front of her house she was there riding her bike and came running into our arms yelling "Grandma"!! This picture is Ellie in her favorite princess dress sitting with her dog Kayla.

Josh, Karen, Ellie & Jason visit Yogi Bear Jellystone Park

Josh, Karen, Ellie & Jason came up to visit last week and stayed in one of the Yogi cabins for two nights.  Oh, and also Kayla, their dog came too.  We had Thursday off and they got here that morning so we were able to have lunch, play a game of miniature golf, and then went swimming.  The swimming area has a lot of things spraying water and Ellie said she did not want sprinkles, so we went to the other side where the water was not very deep and there were no sprinkles.  The water was also warm, just like bath water.  We all swam, and even went down the slides.  Ellie decided the sprinkles were not so bad and really enjoyed herself.  Even Jason enjoyed being in the water, warm and floating and almost falling asleep.

Buster the Abandonded Dog

This dog showed up here at Yogi Bear's Jellystone park about a month ago; seemingly dropped off and appears to be hanging around waiting for his owners to come back and get him.  It's very sad that people do this to their animals.  I look at dogs like kids - you make a decision to have them and they are yours to take care of -- they are your responsibility no matter what.  You don't get rid of your kids if you don't like them or they don't do what you want, so why should one do that to dogs?  I just don't get it.  

The dog has kind of adopted us; he looks to places where there are other dogs and Hayley & Lucy don't really bother with him too much.  I have been feeding him so he has been coming back; he also has been laying on their outdoor bed. 

He was also injured and limping on one of his legs; it was swelling up so I think he got bit by a snake or something. I tried looking at it but he did not want it touched and ran away when I tried. It eventually healed up on its own, which I am very glad about. But I would have taken him to a vet in any case.

Tonight a cold front has come through so I covered him up with a few towels as he hardly has any fur to keep him warm.  I sent out a bunch of emails to various rescue agencies and none of them want him.  I also put an ad on Rescueme.org which I will update and put one on Petfinder.com as well. 

In the end, Kathleen decided to adopt him and took him home. That was a happy ending for Buster.

Lone Star Yogi RV Park, Waller, Texas

Made it to Lone Star Yogi campground today and are getting settled in.  Getting our site "liveable" with the awning out, picnic table, fire ring (hope we get to use it since I cannot see us having a fire with 90 weather), chairs, flamingo, wind chimes.  I like the fence that goes around our site as it adds so much more privacy to our site.

Wake Up the Bears Day at Lone Star Yogi

Today was the big day here - met at the Bear's Den at 8:30 am and Yogi (Jim), Cindy (Fran) and BooBoo (Gayle) got dressed so the children could "wake up the bears" from their winter's nap.  There was a bunch of kids waiting outside to wake us up.  From there we got into a golf cart and drove across the street to the flag pole where we said the pledge of allegiance.  We then had photos taken with the bears.  I had so many little kids coming up and hugging all of them - it was incredible.  It's amazing how much these bears are loved by the kids - Yogi and friends have been around for so many years (even when we were kids) but they have been kept alive even now. 

Lone Star Yogi RV Park - First day of work

Our first day of work at Lone Star Yogi and are getting an ear full on all the miscommunication and lack of help we are getting from the manager and owner.  The Directors they hired were here for three weeks and were just getting the run around while trying to get anything done; so bad that they were on each other's throats and getting mad at each other too much.  They decided that the crap they have had to deal with is just not worth it, and decided to call it quits.  So now instead of 6 of us working, we are down to 4 to run the crafts, train, hay wagon, games, wear the character outfits to name a few.  The characters have to make an appearance once a day during the season and can only be in the outfit for 15 minutes or they will fry. 

We also got the Yogi train out and all of us learned how to drive it and take it around the campground.

Target practice and Class for our Carry Permits, League City, Texas

We have signed up to take the concealed handgun training class this Saturday at the Gun Range.  Went to practice there today; first with a box of rounds and then the 50 that we need to qualify.  It's based on a point system where hits in the 8-9-10-x are 5 points; 7 area is 4 points; and the other green is 3 points.  Jim had no trouble at all hitting the target, but Gayle on the other hand, did not get the 175 needed to qualify.  Kind of looks like I got enough, but I am 4 short.  Hope it goes better on Saturday.

Jim's Target

Gayle's Target

Class went very well on Saturday.  Sat there listening to the teacher for four hours, then went out to the range.  He did not hold to the times listed in the form so we were told to shoot five rounds, then take a break, re-load, and then shoot five more, at the following schedule:  20 rounds at 3 yards; 20 rounds at 7 yards; and 10 rounds at 15 yards.  We all passed the course and now I just have to apply for the actual license with the state.  

Visiting with our grandchildren

In Houston now since Friday, February 7 at Safari RV Park.  Not the greatest park, but I have heard that we were lucky to get a site as most of the parks around Houston are filled up.  There are one or two empty sites but they fill up quickly.  Monday we are taking a trip to our new place of employment for the summer to meet with the manager, look at the park, and pick out our RV site.  We have visited with Josh, Karen, Ellie & Jason Saturday and Sunday; we are really enjoying seeing our grandchildren.  It's really great seeing Ellie again; a year older has made her a little gem who can talk good enough to be understood and who wants to play with grandma all the time. I bought her a fan when we were at the Abita Mystery House and she has barely put it down (and purple is her favorite color).

Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs, Louisiana

We went to the craziest place today - they call it the Abita Mystery House & Museum.  It's a fun roadside attraction.  

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida; Biloxi, Mississippi

We arrived at Gulf Islands National Seashore on January 31, 2014 to spend a couple of days.  Got to use my senior pass for the National Park System so it only cost us $11 a night. We went into Biloxi to see the Visitor Center and the Katrina Sculptures.  Hurricane Katrina brought down so many trees along US 90 in Biloxi that a wood sculptor turned the trees into fabulous sculptures that stretch for 40 miles. There are perched pelicans, soaring eagles, and playful dolphins along the beach, which have become the number one tourist attraction in the area. 

Frozen Rain

Sitting tight today and tomorrow; will be heading to Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs on Thursday, but today we sit in the trailer.  There is not much to do in the clubhouse except watch TV, read, or watch movies.  We did go and shoot some pool earlier, but I cannot do that for very long. The hot tub is broken - seems the heater is broken and they need to order new parts.  We took a walk earlier and icicles starting forming on Jim's hat, but now it's just miserable outside.  Will have to walk the dogs pretty soon though.

Good thing this mess will be gone tomorrow so we will dry out and be able to get out of the trailer.

National Naval Museum, Panama City, Florida

Just after we got to Styx River we met up with Lavon Greathouse, a fellow Amazonian who we met last year (2012) while working there.  He just so happens to live in Robertsdale, Alabama, about 10 miles south of Styx River, our home base resort for Ocean Canyon Properties.  He drove us to the National Naval Aviation Museum one day where we spent a good part of the day.  What a fascinating place - it has airplanes and helicopters from WWI to the present. 

Vindicator SB2U

Sunset Isle, Cedar Key, Florida

Arrived at Sunset Isle in Cedar Key early afternoon.  It was only an hour drive from Crystal River.  This place is a lot more crowded and smaller than I remember it from when the TCT had a rally here.  We are right on the water and there is a dock right behind our trailer that is open to all of the people here so we have people walking through our site to get to the dock.  

We only spent two nights in Cedar Key at Sunset Isle RV Park & Motel. The yard is fairly large but the other sites are so small and packed in.  I would not be able to stay here for very long; I felt claustrophobic with all the trailers so close together. They are crammed in so tight I had to move our truck just so one neighbor could get out and another get in.  Also could not get WiFi and the cable was horrid. 

Crystal River, Florida

We arrived at Crystal Isles RV Resort on January 10 and spent a week with Bill & Julie.  We explored Crystal River thrift stores and got some seafood for dinner one night. Saturday was cleaning and laundry day, before Bill & Julie's arrival.  Went out to dinner Saturday night and Sunday took a bike ride down W. Fort Island Trail to the end of the road.  The end was a pier and beach where a lot of people went to swim and relax.  Tons of birds there as well. 

Tuesday went to the grocery store after breakfast to stock up and get dinner food.  Bill cooked an early dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes and green beans.  It was all quite delicious.

Andersonville National Historic Site, Andersonville, Georgia

We left North Shore RV Resort a day early so we could go to Andersonville and visit Jim's Dad's grave.  Andersonville National Cemetery serves as a final resting place for over 20,000 Americans.  A computer in the lobby of the National Prisoner of War Museum provides information about the location of grave sites, including Union prisoner graves, other Civil War soldiers interred after the war, and modern-day interments.