Escapades

An escapade is defined as an act having daring, excitement or adventure.  We are parked now, so what kind of excitement, daring or adventure can you find at a sleepy campground that's batting down the hatches for what the locals call "winter"?

The job hunt is in full swing.  We were originally headed for St. Marys Georgia for a camp worker job, but those positions were filled by another couple by a campground owner who lacked any patience and just couldn't wait for us. We then had a lead that was out on Cape Hatteras, but that manager changed his mind at the last minute. After being told there were no camp jobs available at this moment, Dave applied to more than thirty places online and about ten jobs he can walk to.  Jill applied to only one- Living Waters Daycare Center for children.  This center is about two blocks from the campground and in walking distance.  Lashawna, the office assistant, told me her story and how she stepped out in faith to get her job as well as in starting the center.  She kept repeating that with my Bachelor's Degree the center could receive a five star rating and attract more clients. Needless to say, she wants to hire me.  She knows a five-year-old boy who needs more help with his letters and numbers.  He's currently in another program and you'd be good working with him.  She then handed me the job application to fill out and return.

I went back the following day and met the Assistant Director, Martianna. "You came back!"  she said excitedly as she snatched the paper from me.  At that point, I was unsure what to think - how many potential employment opportunities do you run across where that sentence is the first thing out of someones' mouth? She told me she'd have Lashawna call me later with the other forms and certificates I'd need to bring in.  The phone call never came. I walked there the next day with my birth certificate, social security card , driver's license and references only to find out their copy machine didn't work.  The rest of the office was disorganized chaos. I decided to wait for their phone call now.  I stepped out in faith, but I also need a job I can physically do.

In the meantime, Pat, the campground manager, left for a convention in Texas and then on to spend Thanksgiving with her grandchildren in Virginia.  The very next day, we were invited to dinner and a rousing game of cards to be held in the community center only a campsite away from us. I guess when the manager is away, the workers will play! Brian Wescott organized the whole event.  He came over with Jenny (who is a long term camper here) who said we'd be her guinea pigs with this new Mexican Stuffed Shells she was planning to make.  It would be her and her husband, Fred, Brian and his girlfriend, Lisa, another work camper Betsy and her husband Rick along with Dave and I.

Jenny is quite a crock-pot cook.  She scours recipes and loves to cook.  She also made an apple crisp for dessert.  She decided the stuffed shells were too much work, but was pleased with her effort.  They were tasty and everyone participated in the daring of trying something new.

After dessert, Rick cracked out a deck of Five Crowns. Only Betsy & Rick had played before and Rick tried to explain the rules to us all.  They were simple enough.  The game begins with three cards.  The threes and jokers were wild in the first hand. The object of the game is to get a run in the same suit or three of the same number and to end up being the person with the least amount of points when that hand (and game) is over. I bombed the first hand accumulating thirty-one points, Dave got zero.

The next round increased to four cards and fours were wild with the jokers.  The first person to go out had to use up all of their cards and then the rest of the players had to scramble to see what they could lay down to eliminate some of the points in their hand. On a couple of rounds where the players had seven or eight cards in their hand, if they couldn't make a run or have more than three of the same number, the points added up fast costing them anywhere from seventy to ninety points per hand.

For being a rookie, I was dealt good hands with a lot of wild cards and jokers.  I was the winner with forty points at the end of the game.  Everyone else was well above one hundred.  Regardless, we all agreed that we needed to keep coming out and socializing all winter.  I guess cabin fever takes on a new seriousness when you're living in a four room tin can.

Escapades don't have to be big or grand. They can be smaller experiences that include adventure or excitement, or bring the chance to be daring in some way. In any form, they can add terrific memories, increase the number of friends we meet, and be part of the greatness that is our journey today as well as through life.

Until next time,
The Happy Campers,
Jill & Dave