Happy Fourth of July! - (Chester, CA)

For some reason, I didn't sleep very well.  I didn't feel like doing the prior day Journal entry, and figured I would do it later in the day when I had a couple hours off.

Before bathroom duty, Randy and I did a special pump-out.  Then, even though it was his day off, he helped me with bathrooms so we could knock them out and get them open more quickly.

As it turned out, he did most of the work because I had to go talk to a group of our campers that were blaring really loud music with really offensive lyrics from their boat at the docks.  I had heard from a couple campers that they did the same thing yesterday morning, but today I could hear it myself from the bathrooms.

I talked to them and they turned the music down and apologized.  Of course, I had no authority over what they did once they left the docks, but we could still kick them out of their campsite anytime and we would if they continued with the unacceptable behavior.

Fortunately, we didn't have any more problems with that.  But after I had talked to them, I got an earful from several campers that complained.  I assured everyone that I addressed the situation.

The only other real problem I had to address during the day was one site with several younger people that constantly used loud, offensive language according to reports.  Their father was in the site next to them, so I had a little chat with him.  I explained they would be gone if I got any more complaints.

The kids had been polite when I talked to them on other occasions so I hoped that was all that was needed.  After my chat with the dad, I noticed they did clean up their messy sites.  And I didn't have any more complaints before I went off duty.

I was supposed to be off duty from 2:00 to 4:00, but there was nothing going on at 1:00 - everyone was in town for the parade.  So I took my lunch then.  That was the time I was going to do the prior day's Journal entry, but instead I fell asleep.  I really must've been tired.  :)

I woke up when the walkie-talkie went off for a couple of kayak rentals.  It seems that nothing really happens when I am actually at the office, but as soon as I leave, people come in waves for a variety of things.  :)

Anyway, I headed back to work.  But I took the camera this time.

Here is a shot of our Site 1, a tent site.

The land in the background is the Peninsula where the area fireworks show would be held.

"Where is the best place to watch the fireworks?"  That was the question we got a hundred times today.  Since we had never been here for the fireworks, we could only go by what others told us.  "You can watch them from our shoreline, but they will be distant.  If you want to get closer, you'll have to leave the campground and go ...."

In addition to the campers asking about the fireworks, we had several people drive in and ask us about the fireworks.  Some asked if they could watch them from our campground.  Negative.  Sorry.

I continued making rounds throughout the afternoon and took some more pictures.  This is a view of one of our RV rows as it descends toward the lake.

I took a few more pics, but I was in a hurry and they didn't really capture the scene.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty quiet.  I helped the people in the Quail Cabin get the DVD player working.  And once again they brought us dinner.  Tonight was a bacon mushroom macaroni & cheese dish.  Yum!  :)

I made one final round about 8:00 and talked to several folks.  I thanked the young people with the boat for turning the music down.  Most of the time, I go back and just let people know that I appreciate it when they comply with my requests for the benefit of the other campers.

Then Linda & I went home.

I took this shot from our deck just before the fireworks were supposed to start.

I was just about to get the tripod out and set up for some really nice evening shots, when fireworks went off .... in the campground.

Fireworks are illegal in this county and they are certainly not allowed in the campground.

I jumped in the golf cart and flew down the campground main road.  People told me the direction where the fireworks came from, but it was out on the beach and not from a site.  Nobody could or would tell me if they saw who shot them.

I patroled for a little while when I heard firecrackers at the other end of the campground.  I took off in that direction.

This time I found the culprits.  Yep, the same folks with the boat with the loud music.  Sheesh.

Of course they claimed not to know about the law.  At least they didn't light anything after I spoke with them.

So, rather than getting to enjoy the official fireworks from our deck, I was driving the golf cart around making sure we didn't have any others in the campground.

It was a beautiful night and we could see the fireworks pretty well even though they were pretty far away.  I just didn't get to sit and watch them.

Since it was approaching quiet hours, I stayed out in the golf cart and cruised.  With the fireworks ending at 10:00, I gave everyone an extra half hour to settle down, and I talked to a few groups about lowering their voices.

It calmed down pretty quickly and I headed in for the night.  I was pretty sure there would be a few issues, but I wasn't about to stay out there all night.  :)

All in all, it was a pretty laid back Fourth.  We didn't get to enjoy the celebration like most folks did, but we're certainly glad to be celebrating independence ... in more ways than one.  :)

Comments

[Ross]

I do sincerely appreciate your blog. I have read most if it from the first and find it to be the most helpful blog on the net with information for us full-time wannabes. Our time is comming soon and we appreciate your encouragement. One comment about todays entry. It seems to me that this nation has too often abreviated our national holiday "Independence Day" by simply stating the day of its celebration (July 4). I wonder if it is more honoring to the patriots who proceeded us by stating the nave of the holiday for which tey sacrificed to achieve - independence?

[Jerry and Suzy LeRoy]

Too bad you weren't able to really enjoy the fireworks and get pictures. Our yesterday blog shows some we took three years ago. You can see them at
www.jerysuzylifeonwheels.blogspot.com