Is It November, WOW!!!

It is hard to believe it has been over a month since leaving Jackson. Let me catch you up on where we have been and what we have been doing. After leaving the KOA we headed south to warmer weather and the weather was warmer. We left the pleasant 60 degree weather to higher and higher temps.

Our first stop other than an overnighter was Moab, Utah. Here there are two national parks. Arches and Canyonlands National parks. We spent 4 days here exploring the parks and taking in all the geological wonders.

Arches is a wonderland of stone arches and rock formations formed by the winds and the sands of time. It is a really cool place and should be on your bucket list. It is a relatively small park compared to Canyonlands or Yellowstone. It has the largest concentration of natural arches and bridges in one place. They are spectacular and it is amazing to think of how they are formed.

Canyonlands is a huge park. It would take weeks or months to fully explore. We drove the “Island In The Sky” area where we got fantastic view of the canyons below. It is an awesome place and I don’t think the Grand Canyon has anything on this national park. The way the sun changes the colors of the walls of the canyons is fantastic.

These parks are great and where else can you get 2 parks for the price of 1. Also the Moab area is a mountain biking mecca with trail of all types including the famous “Slick Rock Trail”. Being a cyclist I considered doing some riding but I am out of biking shape due to not riding over the summer. We spent most of our time hiking the Tetons.

Our next stop was Vegas. We visited here last winter and it was on our way so we stopped for one main reason, FOOD!!! Last year we went to the buffet at The Bellagio Resort and it was awesome. I ate more than I do in a week. We went back for round 2. I managed to eat my share and Victoria’s and also probable a family of 4. I like to get my money’s worth.

We are not Vegas people, we don’t gamble so after eating and a day or so of walking the strip we are ready to head out. We continued our travels south and stopped for a couple of days at a RV park with a nice pool and just relaxed.

We arrived at the RV park where we planned to work and spend the winter and found that one of the couples we worked with in Jackson were already there. Three couples including us had signed up for working at this park.

The park is in the middle of the desert “literally” it is an hour from anywhere. It caters to off roaders. If you like off -roading in the California desert than you would like this place, otherwise there is nothing there. Victoria and I quickly knew it was going to be hard to spend the winter here and started looking for an alternative.

One nice thing was our view of the mountains

And the sunsets

Pretty dead during the week

Me and my friend Ed working in the 100 degree heat

I could go on about what happens at the park but I will spare you the detail. After our first 2 days the other couple left and were replaced by the 3rd couple from Jackson. They lasted about 10 days and left.

To make a long story short we lasted just short of a month. We feel very lucky to have found another place to go. We are now in Avila/Pismo Beach Ca. It is right on the coast of California. It is in a beautiful area. We are 3 miles from the beach and can get there on a bike path. We have all the necessities here and the managers have welcomed us and seem really nice.

The California coast near the RV park

This little guy is sick and will be helped by the area seal resuce

The park is located on the central area of the California coast about 2 hours north of L.A. The area is several beach communities strung together along the ocean. We will start working in the next few days. Victoria will be working in the office and I will be doing maintenance and grounds. Both of our jobs should be similar to what we did in Jackson.

We feel this will be a big improvement for the desilet desert.  The only real down side to this location is we are right next to the 101 freeway and we hear the road noise day and night. They say we will get use to it but I don’t know? We have a grocery store and fuel and entertainment within a few miles not to mention the beach. We are located a couple of hours from L.A. and about 3-1/2 from San Francisco so we hope to make trips to both along with exploring the immediate area.

Real apple cider from a farmers market down the road

Well, there you go; I have caught the blog up to our latest adventures. I will try to post more often in the future.

Summer's End

Wow, it’s hard to believe our summer at Snake River Park KOA and Whitewater has come to an end. We have spent the past couple of days packing things up getting ready to head south for the winter. We have had a wonderful time here and leaving is bittersweet. We have made new friends here at the KOA and in Jackson.

The weather is changing and getting cooler and the leave have turned from green to spectacular gold and red. In just a few weeks the snow will be flying. The RV Park will be closed and we will be in warmer weather of the south west.

Tomorrow we head south for the winter. We have a place to stay and work in the California desert. We will head to our next assignment working at another RV park.

My sister's visited and we toured Yellowstone

A final visit with Chippy Victoria's best friend

One more hike- with our co-workers

The changing colors of fall

The homestead used in the movie Shane
Shane! Shane! Come Back Shane!

Fire On The Mountain

Yesterday Victoria and I had the day off and went out for Mexican before heading out to Teton Park to look for wildlife and enjoy the beauty of the park. It was a great afternoon. We went to the Gros Ventre area, pronounced “Grow Vont” of the park. We went to see the world’s largest land slide that happened back in 1925. It was so large it blocked the river and formed a lake.

The rock here is from the slide which is seen in the back ground

We wondered up the back roads enjoying the scenery and searching for animals. There were a lot of buffalo in this area back in the spring, but none were to be seen on this day. We did see some antelope and a fox.



On the way home there was a traffic jam and we knew there must be some critters up ahead. We pulled the truck over and joined the gathering crowd at a bridge that crosses the Gros Ventre River. There we found 4 moose, a whole family, a good size bull and cow and 2 calves. We hung out for a while watching them and snapping pictures.

Mama and her babies

Papa Moose

As we drove toward Jackson we could see smoke close to town. It looked like it was in the mountains behind the Snow King Ski area. A ski area in the center of town. By the time we made it through town and headed out to the KOA we could see the fire was much closer to town and the KOA then we had first thought.

That doesn't look good

As we drove we could see the hills along the highway were on fire. All of a sudden we saw a plane swoop down at the flames and drop fire retardant. And then another plane and another and then we saw 2 helicopters. Man, this fire was roaring and getting very big. We were amazed that when we passed the area earlier in the day there was no sign of fire and now the hills were a blaze.

Fire bomber dropping his load

We stopped and watched the show of the fire bombers until sunset and then headed back to the house. We are not in the path and we have no concern for our safety. There are a lot of house in the area but the fire fighters seemed to have headed off any disaster. The fire was heading up the hill into a more wilderness area.

Ring of fire

Today as I worked outside I could see the smoke from the fire. It seemed to be much less then it was yesterday. I checked the smoke though out the day and it seemed to be ok. That is until about 2:00 when I looked up and the smoke was bigger and blacker than ever. The fire had blown up again and was growing. I kept an eye on the smoke as the afternoon went on and could see it was still getting bigger.

The fire blows up again today

After work Victoria and I decided to go in toward town and see how the fire control was going. We found a spot where we could park and not be in the way of the fire crews and helicopter to watch the growing fire. The flames were heading away from use but heading closer to Jackson.



This is the view from downtown Jackson



All day long fire bombers and fire fighters have been trying to contain the beast. It is going to take awhile. We have been told that over 700 acres have burned since yesterday. That is amazing. This is now the number one priority fire in the country. It is pretty serious. We are not in any danger but this could be a big problem for Jackson and the surrounding area.

It's Been A While

It has been some time since I have posted anything on our blog. That’s been because; well frankly we have been too busy. Work here at the KOA keeps us hoping and when we work, WE WORK. On the other hand when we play, MAN DO WE PLAY.

We have been going and doing so many things that there has not been much time to keep up on the blog. So here is a little post to let you know what we have been doing when we are not slaving at the KOA.

One weekend we went to CODY and visited the Bill Cody Heritage Center. It is an awesome museum that has a great history of Buffalo Bill and the whole Yellowstone area. We also went to the rodeo. It was a blast and let me tell you those guys and gals are very talented and a bit crazy.

On this trip we took our tent and camped along the Shoshone River. We were in a Forest Service campground and almost had the whole place to ourselves. We were a bit worried about bears and slept with our bear spray close at hand. Note: A fire arm is no help when you forget it at home. This was an awesome getaway that we really needed and enjoyed.

We also went to the big city (Idaho Falls) for Victoria’s birthday. She enjoyed the shopping while I “patently” waited while she browsed and bought things in several of the big box stores. It again was fun to get out of Dodge and enjoy some of what the area has to offer.

We were invited to a pool party with some new friends we have made hear in Jackson. We also went to the local fireman’s BBQ and ate way more ribs than we should have. We did that with some of our co-workers. We also went to a chuck wagon dinner and hoe down one night with some other co-workers and horseback riding with yet some others.

There has also been rafting and hiking and wondering down rural roads just to see what we can find. One of the wonderful thing about this area is all you have to do is go for a ride or hike and you will probably see some wild life. We have seen moose, elk, buffalo, eagles and prong horn antelope on our hikes and drives.

This is truly a wonderful and magical place and I hope you can see why I have not posted lately. We have past the peak season and things are beginning to slow a bit so I will try to post a little more often

A Fish Story

We have been on the night shift this week so it has limited our off time adventures, plus I have not been feeling well for a week or so. Yesterday was a hectic and busy night and Victoria and I felt pretty beat up from the nights work.

When I got up this morning to the beautiful Wyoming sun I thought we need to get out of Dodge for a while before going to work. So after morning coffee we packed a lunch and headed out to find a secluded place on the river.

We followed the road to where the Snake and Hoback Rivers meet and drove up along the Hoback until we found a nice spot. Victoria set up our chairs and I threw a line in the river.

I have been fishing a bit on my off time and have reconfirmed that I am the world’s worst fisherman. I walked up and down the rocky river bank tossing my $4.00 lure in and hoping to feel the tug of a cutthroat trout and praying that I don’t lose the lure on the rocky bottom.

I moved along thinking if I were a trout this would be a good place to hang out so I toss my line but to no avail. As I fish I look all around at the wonders’ beauty that surrounds me. The tall spires of the rocky cliffs above my head. My ears are filled with the sound of the crystal clear river rushing over the rocks. And I enjoy the simple pleasure of being out in nature.

As I look down stream at Victoria relaxing and basking in the morning sun the thoughts of the busy work nights wash away with the current of the river. I am in a serene place and my thoughts are only of the majestic beauty that surrounds me and the one who created it all.

I tossed my line several dozen times and all I managed to catch was the occasional rock. I do have some skill as a fisherman as I managed not to lose the $4.00 imitation speckled trout. So I have decided that fishing is a wonderful past time and I am going to continue to fish all summer long. If I should catch a fish that would be great, but I have discovered that for me there is a lot more to fishing than catching fish.

Busy, Busy, Busy

We have been really busy the past few weeks. The KOA is almost full to capacity each night. It is crazy around here. We have been on the evening shift the past 2 weeks. We don’t get done until 8:00-8:30 each night.

I am still working on projects with my work partners. Our new bathrooms and laundry have arrived so we have been installing plumping drains and water. More fun for me crawling underneath in tight spaces. I am the only one skinny enough to fit. I have been also building steps and landing for the new buildings. All this is done in between escorting RVers to their sites.

Victoria and the other ladies have been running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Checking people in, answering the phones and making reservations along with running the camp store. I think the women have the harder job, they have to smile and welcome everyone. It is organized (sort of) chaos in the office.

This is before the evening rush

Don’t feel too sorry for us though on or time off we have :

Gone fishing

 One of those is mine

 Gone cycling

Gone to Yellowstone

Gone rafting (whitewater and scenic)

Gone hiking in the Tetons

 Last night we went to a complementary diner show (BBQ) and singing cowboys. Tomorrow horse back riding and steak diner. Life is tough here in Wyoming at the KOA but we are doing our best.

A Day In The Park



It has been another busy week here at Snake River Park KOA. Everyone has been busy preparing the park for “The Season” which does not start in earnest until June. We have had 6 new cabins installed by a crew from the manufacturer. Our guys will be doing the electrical and plumbing hook up “more digging” along with building stairs and other finishing details.

New cabins being installed with a remote control "Crawler"

The girls of KOA

On our day off Victoria and I spent the day in Grand Teton National Park enjoying the beauty of the area and looking at the abundance of wildlife. The inner road that I enjoyed on my bike last week is now open to cars so we could venture all the way through the park until the road closes again at the entrance to Yellowstone. That road opens on the 10^th of this month and we can hardly wait to enter the granddaddy of national parks.

These signs are everywhere in Grand Teton

And for good reason-Mama and her cubs

The never ending beauty of the area makes even a trip to town an adventure and all the hard work at the campground worth it.

Just hanging out on the side of the road