Well, well...I'm finally back! We were so busy with our Workamping duties at Five Branches Camper Park at Vallecito Lake coupled with the fact that we did not have internet there, I am JUST NOW completing the story of our adventures for the summer of 2006.
But what a summer it was! Buddy stayed busy overseeing the boat dock - he became dockmaster mid-way through July when the other Workamper left to attend to some family business. With two pontoon boats, 3 paddle boats, 5 fishing boats, 3 kayaks, and 2 canoes all for rent, he was kept hopping. The biggest laugh for everyone was his impromptu dive into the lake while attempting to remove a small motor from the back of one of the fishing boats. As he was pulling the motor off, it caught on the metal rim on the tramsom. He lost his balance on the very unstable floating dock and man and motor ended up at the bottom of the lake. Fortunately, the water was only five feet deep there. As you can imagine, he received quite a bit of static about that. I stayed busy working behind the counter in the store/office and cleaning the cabins I had been assigned. Five Branches is a very busy park that sits right on Vallecito Lake which is located due north of Bayfield, Colorado. Our days off found us exploring this gorgeous-beyond- description area of Southwest Colorado. We hiked; we rode horses; we kayaked on the lake; we had some wonderful times with our other Workamper friends just taking in the sights on the out-of-the-way roads we traveled. We had potluck dinners around campfires. One night we even had a kareoke party, thanks to some friends of our Workamper friends.Mike & Phyllis came out from Durango (they are Workampers at Alpen Rose RV Park) bringing all the sound equipment needed. We sang until the sun went down. What a delightful evening that was! The folks we were working for hosted a night at the Bar D Chuckwagon - a western dinner/show attraction. The food was wonderful and the entertainment even better. They also treated us to a glider plane ride at the gliderport near Durango. We had the opportunity to make some great friends at the little church we attended: Vallecito Church. This was a log cabin church right on the lake with a very warm and welcoming pastor and congregation. We truly felt at home. Buddy actually volunteered to teach Sunday School while the regular teacher took a few weeks off. It was hard to have to say "goodbyes"...or "see ya laters" to folks who became such dear friends. We did end of staying until Five Branches closed on Sunday, Sept. 17th to help with the winter prep. Then on Monday, Sept. 18th, 2006 we hitched up our 5th wheel and rolled out, headed toward Jacksonville.
The Road Runners,
Buddy & Elaine
1st Thess. 5:18
PTL!
