Wednesday, May 16, 2012

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!

12 comments:

  1. Went to the campground website - sure looks like a busy place...and fun. Hope you enjoy your workamping experience there. The train ride sounds like fun too and hope you can get some pictures.

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  2. A train ride through the Smokies is the best way for all participants to see the views. I love driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains but for obvious reasons, I must keep my eyes on the road. Carol is often reading - go figure.
    Looking forward to hearing more of your adventure

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  3. I love the picture!!!!

    Driving though the Smokies in the early morning is one of my favorite things. We used to travel from the coast of Virginia or North Carolina back to Arkansas so travel was usually thought the Smokies involving either early morning or late afternoon travel through the mountains. The mountains are so magical looking when the "smoke" is hanging around the mountains.

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  4. I sure liked the sounds of Alan's banana pudding! Seems to be a very busy campground with lots of things to keep you hopping.

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  5. Wow, sounds really neat! Even a pool! I'm glad you're having fun and meeting people. I didn't know there was a campground manager. We won't be working reservations this summer - unless something changes. We'll be arriving at our summer position on Monday! Have fun! I'll be watching for more pictures!

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  6. Catching up on reading blogs after 5 days with no internet. For us it's better to not have it at all than have a really slow connection. Drives us crazy.
    Looks like you'll be earning your keep at the park this summer. Hope you like it!

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  7. I have to agree with the previous comment on the early morning drives in the Smokies. I LOVE waking up there and can't wait to get back that way. Do you think there's any workamping opportunities there that would be worthwhile for a single? (enough of an allowance to actually pay expenses and save a little?)

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    1. Keyward9, sorry I am just now reading your comment. I think there are workamping opportunities out there for singles. In fact, our neighbor here is single, but of course he's the managers' son. He does various maintenance jobs, landscaping and escorts campers to their sites. Also, in the office is a lady here by herself -- her husb is back home in KY still working. I've seen ads on workamper.com for singles as well. We are paid minimum wage for all hrs worked over 18 (18 combined hrs for our site). Don't know if it's different for single folks. We work 30+ hrs a week.

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  8. You guys must be incredibly busy because you haven't posted for a while. I hope you make it through the 4th week without being overwhelmed by vacationers. Take care and stay safe. Levonne

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    1. Yes, Levonne, we have been very busy, working at least 30 hrs a week. It's like having a fulltime job again. We will be here until after Labor Day. Thanks for checking on us:o)

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  9. Replies
    1. Levonne, we are two weeks away to the end of our time here and we are definitely anxious to move on down the road! It has been an experience we won't forget anytime soon! Hope all is well with you in your new life in CN -- will catch up with my blog reading one of these days:o) God bless!

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