Holding On To Our Hats

There is no lie about the winds here. They blow constantly and sometimes much harder than one might imagine for an ordinary day. We brought our motor home slide in for several nights just so we could get some relief from the constant flapping of the slide-topper. Our spinner has gotten a true Outer Banks workout and the winds make for some awesome kite-flying.

In a metaphorical way, we held on to our hats as we conducted recreational activities for Memorial Day weekend here at Camp Hatteras. It was a wonderful introduction to what is in store for us. We planned a weekend full of activities for the young and young at heart. Several highlights of the weekend included tie-dying at the beach pavilion, hot dogs by the pool, an ice cream social, bingo and a Memorial Day parade through the campground. We had a blast! Tie-dying is a favorite activity of the Camp Hatteras guests and has quickly become one of our favorite activities, as well. There is nothing like creating a work of art out of dye and then dunking it in the ocean! You inevitably get hit by a wave as you are dunking your shirt, which can be quite refreshing and can only make one smile.

Our new favorite beach sport is called bucket-ball. It is very much like horseshoes only with softballs and buckets. It is a lot of fun. You can meet a lot of people on the beach and we actually get paid to play! But trust us, playing can be hard work!

We are in awe of this beautiful place and even more in awe of what a wonderful opportunity we have to work in such a beautiful place. We continue to get to know our fellow workampers and we enjoy hearing about their travel experiences. We are able to spend time talking to our guests and learning about their experiences, as well. We met a family from Screven County, GA this past week. What a small world it is, indeed!

The Rodanthe Pier is a short ways down the beach from us. The sunrises and the sunsets are breathtaking!

The tans are coming along nicely (even Kathy has color)!

Until next time...
Be well and keep in touch when you can.

K&J

Working Among the Waves

We have officially taken on the roles of Activities Directors at Camp Hatteras. We are now known as the "Rec Girls" by most. Our first two days have been full of new ideas and procedures. We spent this afternoon tie dying our Camp Hatteras staff shirts as a trial run for our big upcoming tie dying event Memorial Day weekend. Although we have done tie dying before, the new twist is dipping the shirt into the ocean to set the dyes. What fun we had! We'll be working Thursday through Monday most weeks and off on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hatteras Island during the summer is a lot like being in the mountains during leaf season with the traffic and such. Being off weekdays will be the best deal all around. There's a 'welcome aboard' fish fry for all the Workampers on Monday. We are looking forward to meeting the rest of the crew. The campground is bustling getting ready for Memorial Day, which heralds the beginning of summer season.

Our philosophy is that everyone has a story to tell. We've met some of the nicest, most well-traveled Workampers and campers. Of course, thinking about the next place to visit. Hmmm...... Some of the workampers have been all over the country. We met a camper today from British Columbia that manages a campground in Mexico for part of the year.

Meanwhile, there's a Mama Duck who brings her hatchlings out to the pond next to us every day. The four goose babies are growing every day, but the baby ducks are such tiny things. There were eleven to begin with, now we count only ten.

The kite fliers are fascinating around here. We've found time to make it to the beach most days, even if just for a few minutes. We caught a couple of kite fliers that were literally lifted off the ground at times. And, of course, there are the windsurfers and para sailors on the sound side of the campground with their colorful rigs. Jerri can't wait to try out new things. Kitty Hawk Kites will be bringing in the jet skis and kayaks later in the week. We've been told they sometimes bring in a climbing wall, too. If Jerri doesn't break her neck, we'll let you know how it all works.

From the beach, this is the view of the way home - back to our campsite. Beautiful, isn't it? Yes, we know the weather is not always perfect here, but this day it was.







With all the bird activities around the pond, the dogs are very curious. Then there's an overly friendly cat that comes out in the evening to visit (he's probably feasting on baby ducks, or something), and he drives the dogs wild. Meanwhile, Homer is ever vigilant in keeping an eye on all the comings and goings around our rig.






The laughing gulls are in the pond every day. It's probably a sign that we should 'lighten up' and enjoy life more. Or else, there's some inside joke we're just not in on... Their constant 'laughing' was a little annoying at first, but you quickly get used to the sound. Our campsite is at the corner of Ocean Drive and Laughing Gull Lane (of course!).




There are signs in every gift shop that say, "If you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough." There are other signs that say, "Enjoy the HI life."

Most folks don't leave the village unless they have to. It is quite a trek to go north to Wal-Mart and the nearest grocery store is 17 miles south in Avon.

'Nuff said.

Safe travels and love to all,
K&J

Settling into life in the OBX

Arrived safely on May 7th. What a difference a year makes in crossing tall bridges and such - not nearly as imposing as before. We have a wonderful site on the ocean side in workamper row. We're next to one of the catch & release ponds and have 'new neighbors.' One pair of geese have four goslings that you can almost watch grow.

The dogs immediately settled in like they've lived here forever. There's a very nice grassy area behind the coach, just like a backyard. They don't quite know what to make of the beach, but 'Freaky' Frannie seems better this time around. Can't ask for more than that.

Getting to know our workamper neighbors. Some have been returning here for years, others are new like us. It seems to be a good mix of folks. Everyone has been friendly and helpful. This is a very nice campground. We're excited to get started in the rec department.

Camp Hatteras stretches across both sides of Highway 12, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound. We're fortunate to be working in areas on both sides. The sun rises on the ocean side and sets on the sound. There are some beautiful sunsets to be seen. If you ever get the chance to visit, Camp Hatteras has it all! On clear days, we'll be riding our bicycles or walking to work.



We feel extremely blessed to be here. Of course we miss our family and friends. A shout out to Michele at Parkwood! We miss you, too. The winds blow hard across this part of Hatteras. The second night here we experienced a Nor'easter with just below gale force winds. After a little rock'n and rollin' you get accustomed to it. It's similar to the 'whistling' winds in the mountains.



Even though it sounds 'corny,' we've just got to say it, "Life's a Beach." Even grumpy Trouble smiles here.



Love to all...
K&J

On the Road Again...

At least for now... Left Statesboro this morning headed up US 301 to Branchville, SC (near Orangeburg) where we hooked up with I-95 to Florence. Just here for one night, so not extending the slide or unhooking the car.



The WhooHoo Wonder Bus has begun adventuring in earnest. Some adventures will have to wait, like attending Cooterfest (yes, you read it right) on May 8 - 9 in Allendale, SC. No idea what it is, but it sounds intriguing. Somewhere between Allendale and Bamberg we were stopped by a railroad crossing. After seeing three semi-trucks negotiate between the crossing arms, we sucked it up and did it too. Squeezing 36 feet of motorhome towing a car with a ladder on top and two bicycles on the back between two down cross bars with lights flashing, making the 'bing-bing' sound, will surely make your heart beat fast. Must have been a malfunction since no train was in sight.



We ran into a little rain on 301, which totally spoiled WhooHoo Wonder Bus' newly washed beauty, but she took it all in stride. When we hit I-95, the heavier rain set in. Then there's a really rough stretch of I-95 between Branchville and Florence that needs repair in the worst way. The rain stopped just outside Florence and the sun came out. Enough adventures for one day.

All is well in WhooHoo world. Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all.

K&J

p.s. We just couldn't rest until we learned more about Cooterfest. You too can learn more at www.cooterfest.com and be sure to check out the shirts. This one is our favorite...

Gettin' Ready to Roll

Happy May Day to everyone!! The Whoohoo Wonder Bus went in for servicing yesterday before hitting the trail again. She cranked right up, first try, and seemed eager to get on the highway. With a few tweaks here and there and some basic maintenance, she's good to go. Today she will get detailed and the outside cleaned from bottom to top.

We discovered this helpful tip - if using a degreaser type cleaner on your motorhome (or car) start cleaning from the bottom up (sounds counterintuitive, doesn't it?) to avoid streaking which is almost impossible to blend if you start cleaning at the top and the cleaner runs down. Kudos to you if you already knew this.

Frannie and Homer got their summer hair cuts yesterday while Whoohoo was at the shop. Boy, are they handsome now! Trouble will get her bath today (along with Whoohoo). We'll be visiting with family and friends before pulling out Tuesday. We'll be hitting the road on Cinco de Mayo. We will offer a hearty "Salud" to each of you once we arrive for our overnight stay in Florence, SC and have a cold cerveza to celebrate the day's journey.

Jerri has been reiminscing about the many changes to Georgia Southern University (her undergrad alma mater). She regularly runs through the campus and RAC center and is boggled by the changes. The "new" appears to be winning out over the "familiar." Even the roads accessing campus have changed. Most of the buildings are new and bigger; a lot of the old dorms have been torn down and have been or are being replaced. The campus is huge now and beautifully landscaped. We'll be gone from the RV park before GSU graduation weekend (May 9) when it will fill with families and friends in RVs coming in for the event.

Until our next post.....

Happy travels.

K&J