Work, work, work -- we asked for it -- we got it!  Yesterday we started learning our respective jobs -- Alan in maintenance and me in the office/store.  We only worked four hours yesterday, but we were pretty whipped by the time we finished...we are such wimps -- LOL! I sort of just hung out and watched how things are done in the office yesterday.  You can show me all day, but I have to get in there and actually have hands-on to really learn a particular job.  Today I got my opportunity -- I answered the phone and made a couple of reservations.  And we also priced and stocked new merchandise in the store.  We worked from 9:00 - 3:30 today, with 30 minutes for lunch.  My main job is to learn Campground Manager, the computer reservation system.  Last year at Branson I learned Campground Master.  Manager is more in-depth, but it does do most everything for you, as far as calculating the total cost of a reservation.  Also, we must take a one-night deposit for all reservations and if a reservation falls during a holiday, the total cost must be paid in full.  So, that means taking and processing credit card information over the phone at the time of the reservation.  One feature I really like  about Campground Manager is being able to email a customer their reservation confirmation straight from the computer.  I have never sold merchandise and worked a cash register before, but with modern technology, it doesn't appear to be too difficult.  Currently, the park is not that busy, but that will change next week.

Alan will be responsible for maintaining the pool, escorting folks to their sites, pumping propane, among other things.  Today he placed solar lights on top of poles next to some of the cabins and then helped build wooden benches from trees that were previously cut down.  

This is a busy park, with over 100 reservations scheduled over the Memorial weekend.  It looks like we will be working 25-30 hours a week, maybe more during the holidays.  A couple of workamping couples scheduled to work has called saying they will not be coming, so that may make it difficult for those workampers that are here.  I have been very impressed with the workers and managers -- they take great pride in their work.

We had a staff meeting with a potluck last night.  Hamburgers and hot dogs were furnished and we all brought side dishes.  Alan made his "world famous" banana pudding as our contribution.

We were both tired after working our six hours today, so we drove into Cherokee and ate at Paul's Restaurant where we had Indian tacos...yummy.  

Tomorrow all the workampers are going on an adventure -- a four-hour train ride through the Great Smokey Mountains.  It's one of those benefits we get for working at Yogi in the Smokies.

I hope to have pictures to post.  Our internet service appears to be better late at night or early in the morning, so I hope to get some pics of our train ride posted when we have a break from work.  In the meantime, you can check it out by reviewing their website here.

Also, if you really want to look at the campground, you can do that here.

We've had quite a bit of rain this week.  It started raining early Sunday morning and was continuous until early Monday morning.  At least it was a nice gentle rain.  Then yesterday it came a downpour, but the forecast looks much better for the remainder of the week.

YEAH, I managed to post a picture.  I think it's all about timing -- it's currently after 11:00 on a Wednesday night.  As you can see, the mountains are living up to their reputation -- smokey -- or in the clouds in this pic.  It's beautiful here and I hope to get some good pictures soon.


Thanks for stopping by -- stay turned as we continue to share our workamping experiences, as well as our traveling and sightseeing opportunities.  God bless!