Unexpected Camp Host Duties

Posted on by Gram Weenie
5

A camp host is someone who helps other campers.  This includes anything campground related, like: receiving guests, collecting payment, completing paperwork, or even recommending a local restaurant or bait shop.  The host answers questions and solves problems while the official camp staff is away.  You become the “go to” person when assistance is needed.  The camp host is either a paid or volunteer position and most camping jobs are seasonal.  You reside in your own RV and sometimes park in an official “camp host” spot.

Camp Host Chris

camp-host

We wanted to stay in the Florida Keys through the winter, but were having trouble finding an available site for that length of time.  At the same time, our current campground was looking for a host for their busy season and had a site available for that purpose.  Kayak Chris agreed to become the camp host and we moved into the designated spot.

It was an interesting 5 months!  Now that the hosting gig is over, here’s a list of some of the unexpected things he ended up doing. Continue reading →

Key Largo Sunsets

Posted on by Gram Weenie
2

Key West boasts about its sunsets, but we think they are better in Key Largo.  Watching this daily occurrence is an official activity in Key Largo; so much that I often set an alarm, so we wouldn’t miss it.  Neighbors gather to watch the often stunning descent of the sun along with the colors that emerge afterwards (which are sometimes even prettier.)  It’s a great way to meet people and there’s no such thing as “too many sunset photos.”

Click image to enlarge.

PANO_20151011_192702 - Copy PANO_20160228_181413 - Copy

Continue reading →

Finding Personal Happiness

Posted on by Gram Weenie
Reply

Kayak Chris found the following article that’s a great take on finding personal happiness.   The premise is that staying in your hometown “severely limits the definitions you accept for what makes you successful. Oddly, most of the hometown definitions of success have nothing to do with happiness. They have to do with becoming what everyone in your past expects or desires given who you used to be.” Continue reading →

Freshwater Rigging, Lures, Baits, and Kayak Fishing Success

Posted on by Kayak Chris
Reply
Paddling the Loxahatchee River (Jupiter, FL)

Paddling the Loxahatchee River (Jupiter, FL)

One of my favorite toys, and passions in life, is my kayak and kayak fishing.  A kayak’s size and light weight works well with our kind of lifestyle and the places we visit.  We’ve been up and down the East coast and every where we go, I can barely launch my fishing kayak before someone wants to talk to me about it!  It’s quite a fishing machine when fully rigged.

Kayak fishing is gaining popularity every day.   This awesome sport is one that nearly anyone can get into quickly and affordably.

Continue reading →

8 Things I Don’t Do Anymore

Posted on by Gram Weenie
3

It’s day 180 of our RV adventure and there are few things I can’t or (don’t see the need to) do anymore.  They are:

1. Watch TV
Our travel trailer has TV hookups in the main room and in the bedroom, but we didn’t get one.  We figured with our laptops, smart phones, and tablet, we didn’t need any more screens to stare at.  We’ve gladly avoided: the political ads, the endless loop of negative world news, and paying a cable bill.   We still check the news, but we do it online.  We still binge watch a TV series on a lazy weekend, but we do it from a laptop.  Yes, I do miss a few of our favorite shows (ex: The Walking Dead) but I know that even if we can’t watch it today, we can watch it sometime in the future.  (Unless the world is overtaken by real zombies, it will be available to watch.) When I want background noise, I turn on the radio like it’s 1940.

2. Go Camping
I know how this sounds.  Yes, we’re in a campground right now, but living in a travel trailer and spending the night in a tent are two totally different things!  The trailer has a queen size bed, electricity, climate control, running water, a kitchen, and a bathroom.  One day a few weeks ago, I had the urge to go camping.  (That is, pack up the truck, and go to a different camp ground where we’d spend the night in our camping hammocks.)  That urge was brief and has since passed.  Avid camper Kayak Chris hasn’t uttered the phrase “Let’s go camping!” in months either. Continue reading →

Native Watercraft Versa Board: Half SUP, Half Kayak

Posted on by Gram Weenie
3
Maiden SUP Voyage

Maiden SUP Voyage

Wow, what a year it’s been!  Two things I never thought I’d say:  I live in an RV and I own a Versa Board!  A Versa Board is a cross between a stand up paddle board (SUP) and a kayak.  Paddle boarding is now very popular.  I’ve seen people gliding down the Potomac River but always thought this sport was for fitness models.  It looked difficult to balance, propel yourself through the water, and stay standing up, on what looked like a surf board.  I thought it was cool but probably not for me.  After all, water sports weren’t my thing and I certainly didn’t like kayaking! Continue reading →

Prevent Blowouts on Your RV

Posted on by Kayak Chris
Reply

Since starting our adventure, we’ve had to learn a lot about previously unfamiliar RV technical aspects and maintenance.  Without a doubt, the single biggest problem has been our travel trailer tires!  We’ve all bought, maintained, and replaced car tires before, but the same rules and information doesn’t apply to trailer tires.  There are different considerations, variables, and maintenance steps. Continue reading →