What's it like to be a workamper?

We are followers of an an excellent blog written by Randy Warner called the Roadrunner Chronicles (click on his  link in the  blogs that we follow).  Be sure to check it out and better yet, become one of his followers. He loves it when people join.  He asked us on our previous post the following "What is your job description? What do you like best?"

Good question!  We certainly wondered what it would be like to be a workamper and are very appreciative of this opportunity to gain some experience before retiring and "hitting the road". 

For the most part I have been working the hours required due to John's work schedule at the Post Office.  We are working for site only and that requires 20 hours per week.  There are four workamping couples at this campground (including us).  They work more hours than us. This KOA is owned by a couple with four children who live on the premises.  They are very active owners and two of their children also help out. 

My job description mostly involves working at the front desk.This includes some of the following:

• Checking in campers that are arriving and arranging  an escort to their site if needed
• Arranging a camp site for "walk ins" (campers who arrive without a reservation)
• Answering the phone and making reservations in the computer system 
• Checking out purchases for the camp store (this is located in the same building ) We sell a wide variety of items and also firewood, ice, and propane
• Providing lots of tourist information about the area and directions to the nearest WalMart, church, Emergency Room ..campers have lots of questions
• Communicating all the activities and encourage them to attend (i.e hay ride, breakfast)
• Cleaning the office and camp store as needed

I also help out with a Saturday breakfast.  This involves getting up very early and preparing the meal (usually scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, and beverage).  There are three of us who help with the breakfast.  The room needs to be set up each time and there's lots of clean up afterwords The campers really seem to enjoy it.  The other workampers have done this for a long time and really have a good system in place. The time goes by quickly.  Only downside is that it can be very hot at times (kitchen  and dining area are not air conditioned).  I'll be glad when the dog days of summer have passed. 

We certainly have a new appreciation of all that it takes to run a campground  The other workameprs and the owner are very busy with a tremendous amount of upkeep such as lawn mowing, weed wacking, cleaning camp sites, cleaning the rest rooms, cabins and lodges. Plus, "Murphy" happens a lot.  Campers run over the water spickets,circuits malfunction, lawn mowers break, WYFI goes down, air conditioners quit working.  The workampers and owners have amazing talents and abilities.  They certainly are great at trouble shooting and setting priorities. Did I mention that the campground flooded twice this year!

So, what do we like best?  Hands down it is working with the workampers and  the owner.  John says it's like having an instant family! We will be here through November and are looking forward to the rest of the season.  I'm sure we will have more stories to share.  

Thanks for asking Randy and happy trails!

Busy Weekend-Brickyard 400

We have been workamping for about 6 weeks now and are really enjoying the experience. This weekend was very busy because of the Brickyard - NASCAR race. We have people traveling here for the race from all over the country. They love coming year after year and always  reserve their favorite site before leaving/  Here are a few  of the the RV's and some of the festivities.

Summer 2011 Workamping Job-KOA Cripple Creek Colorado

We have been told by other workampers that oftentimes it's important to line up your workamping positions about one year in advance.  We do not want to workamp all the time, but our accountant suggested that it would allow our investments to grow better if we did not initially tap into them very much.  So, for now we would like to work at least 50% of the time.We will certainly be following our finances closely, however, we don't want to work so much that we cannot see the area or have too little time to explore. 

Initially, we were really wanted to workamp in Yellowstone next summer  They offer a great workamping program with two concessionaires (gift shop and food services).  They pay you for all hours worked (approximately $8/hour) however, your site and meals are at an extra cost.  We were struglling with the fact that it requires 40 hours/week/person and approximate 4-6 month commitment.  Yellowstone is such a wonderful e place.  Would we have enough free time to explore? Maybe it would be best for us to just go and spend time on our own without working. 

So, what would be the best option?  After some discussion, we thought a part time position might work best.  There are many opportunities out there with campgrounds that offer a site, propane, discounts on sightseeing etc for 20-30 hours of work per couple.  That is the arrangment we currently have with the KOA in Indianapolis.

I was explaining all this to my boss (Dave) @ KOA one evening.  I found out that he LOVES Colorado.  We had thought about workamping there next summer because our nephew Dan might be transferring to Denver.  He loves the outdoors and his Mom (John's sister) could then come from Brazil and see both of us at the same time.   Dave showed me on a map some of his favorite places.  He has traveled there many times with his family.  He mentioned that the highest (elevation) KOA was in Cripple Creek Colorado.  It is about 45 minutes from Colorado Springs.  Click on the link for pictures and descriptions of the campground.

KOA has a special website for their workamping positions.  It costs $35 to join and offers a few other benefits.  We checked out the job listings that evening and found out that Cripple Creek had a part time position posted.  Hmmmmnnn, maybe we should apply.  What did we have to loose.  It's an easy site to work with and it attaches a cover letter, your resume and a note to the employer with just a few clicks.  So, with a few clicks and prayer it was sent out into the cyberspace. 

Jimmy (Cripple Creek KOA owner) called me the next morning.  Amazing!  He said that he wanted us to be sure about three things:

1. It was part time only - 20 hours / couple  (no pay) but we could have three days off together in a row most of the time
2. Elevation was 10,000 feet.  That takes some getting used to and he suggested we come 2 weeks prior to our start date (May 15th)
3. It snows in July and you will never use your air conditioner but almost always use your heat at night

So, where we still interested?  We had already checked out the website and after some discussion called him back the same day and said "count us in"  Jimmy called our references  (Dave gave us a great reference-thanks so much).  The next day we were offered the position  Woo Hoo!   

To our readers, please feel free to let us know your opinion about working for site only?  We'd appreciate your input and will share your views on this site.  

My Droid Phone Really Is Incredible

I have been researching for some time the best way to handle our Internet access.  There are lots of options and I must say it took me some time to sort through them.  I found the best source of information that discusses all the possibilities on the Geeks On Tour website.  Jim and Chris Guld travel all over the country giving seminars for RVers.  We attended several of their classes last year at the FMCA rally in Bowling Green Ohio.  In addition, to their classes they have a website that is an "online classroom" It is packed full of information. There are some great videos that show you just how to create a blog, use Picasa, for uploading and storing your digital photographs,  computer safety, and extensive information about Internet access.  Here is a link to their computer tip blog http://wifisavvy.com/

I have been using  the WYFI provided at the two campgrounds where we have stayed. since we began full timing  It is a great option and usually free, however, it is very slow.  And, at certain peak times cit an be very frustrating.  For example, my signal would be dropped, a page would take forever to load up etc.  I added a booster antennae  and it did help some but I still wan not very pleased.  

Originally, I considered the Verizon Air Card.  I did not like the two year commitment and the 5GB limit.  John and I oftentimes like to watch a missed episode of a TV program on the computer.  Watching one missed episode of Lost can almost take up  your monthly GB limit.  Watching an episode on "WYFI is impossible.  The connection is just too slow. 

Jim and Chris recommended the new Droid phone. They had been very pleased with theirs and found it to be very easy to use. I already had a Verizon phone and it was time to upgrade.  The Droid Incredible is one of those fancy phones that does everything.  It has an excellent camera, camcorder, clock, appointment calendar, GPS, Internet access provider, and oh yes it's a phone.  I had a basic phone plan and it now costs me an additional $30 a month for this package.  So now I have a phone and computer all in one.  There is a way to tether (connect) this phone to your lap top.  An easy program is uploaded ($18.95) and with two clicks (click on the tether in the phone and click on the connection on your lap top) and I've got a great Internet connection.  The signal is strong and the  connection is very fast.  This is an unlimited plan without a GB limit (at least for now).

The phone cost $200 after the rebate (initially $300) and I did have to wait three weeks for it to be delivered.  Here is the link from the Geeks on Tour site that gives step by step instructions.  .  I did receive my rebate within 10 days in the form of a debit card.  I've used the phone/computer for two weeks now and I've been very pleased.  From what I've read the Verizon network has the best coverage across the country.  I'm not sure how much I will use all the other "bells and whistles" but just having a good computer connection makes me a very happy camper. 

There are two Droid phones.  The newest one is the Incredible.  I decided to buy this one due to the faster processor and the excellent camera.  I usually have my phone with me, but don't  always  have my camera.  This way I'll never miss a picture as we go down the road.