Picking up where we left off, on Monday December 16th, we went with Cindy into Kingston as we needed to make a conscious effort to save as much fuel in the Nomad as possible. We needed what money and gas we had left in order to drive to either a local campground or to another location in Georgia if our employment situation didn't pan out here in the St. Mary's area. We headed into the bright sunny day by mid-morning. We have to admit - nothing beats a sunny day for keeping one's spirits high.While Cindy attended to her appointments, we sat in her van writing the next blog as well as reading. Afterwards, Cindy grabbed her lunch at a local BBQ (we packed ours) and headed for the Cooked River State Park to eat alfresco. The plan was to visit a few campgrounds afterwards that were in the area - two of which had called us back by that point.
The first campground we stopped at was The Big Wheel Campground just down the road from the park. We spoke with Karen, the owners wife. We reviewed our situation and explained the pickle we were in in regards to the four campgrounds (and counting) that offered us work and then for various reasons, backed out at the last minute. She sympathized with us as we spoke;
"We are a small campground. We have filled all of our sites, I'm even putting a couple out in the field. My husband built this business with his own hands and does pretty much all the work himself. I'll admit, we're getting a little too old to run it ourselves, but my husband is very stubborn."
"This is his baby", I interjected.
"Yes, and being so," she continued, "he's extremely particular who he lets work in this campground in regards to the repairs he can no longer do. He doesn't even let anyone borrow and use his tools! At this juncture, he hasn't considered work campers. I did want to meet you in person - put a face with the phone conversation we had. Have you checked with other campgrounds and state parks?"
"Yes ma'am, I have", Dave replied. "I've emailed and called over 35 campgrounds from South Carolina all the way to the Florida panhandle."
Karen asked, "Well, how about your local church? It's all about networking - putting a face to a name and making sure you're not scruffy looking."
"Yes, if I ran a campground, I'd do the same - he got pretty scruffy looking while we traveled!" I joked.
"No, I'm talking beer belly hanging out, clothes with holes in them, long unkempt beard, long scraggly hair - ya know... scruffy looking! Your husband does not fit that description." Karen said with emphasis.
Dave thanked her for her time and I wished her a Merry Christmas. Karen gave us a printed list of numerous campgrounds along I-95 just in case there was one that Dave had not contacted yet. Karen did mention she was going to get her husband to consider at least sharing the work required to maintain the campground and that they might have some work for us next winter. If nothing else pans out, here's hoping for next winter!
Next on the list was a 3rd trip to Country Oaks Campground as well as the KOA right down the road from it. This time we actually got to talk with the owner Lonnie and his wife
Stephanie. Once again, we ran into another situation of the owner
building the place up from scratch. He even had another work camper
couple who just retired. However, at this moment, he wanted to "...be more hands on and involved in his business and not be an absentee owner." Stephanie really wanted to help us out - you could tell - but she couldn't change her husbands mind. Maybe next year he commented. While we were talking with the owners, Cindy was on the Internet and found out that the full moon she wanted to photograph was taking place that evening. We agreed that after we talked with the KOA campground manager, we would head up to Jekyll Island to watch and photograph the moon rise.
Less than 3 minutes later, we pulled up to the office of the St. Mary's KOA and spoke with the manager Darlene. Again, it was by now a familiar story - no work camper opportunities. It was just too late in the season. Dave & I were beginning to feel like we were participating in a movie - we were just going through the motions to complete it, even though we already knew the outcome. However, we refused to believe that there were zero opportunities within 100 miles of us. There had to be a vacancy, an employee who wasn't working out, a sudden change in someones plans in which they could no longer fulfill their obligation... somewhere. Or we're we just in denial? Or maybe partially insane... performing the same tasks and expecting different results?
We toured the hotel which was decked out in by-gone era Christmas decorations, ambled through the chapel, and around the grounds while waiting for sunset. While walking around, Dave received a phone call from yet another campground. This one however, was different. It was an actual phone interview and then a real job offer... in Maine for the summer season. Our new boss Patti would email us a contract and would see us in April. We were both elated! Great - we finally had employment... in Maine... starting in 3 months... over 1400 miles away! What the heck?!? We were extremely grateful, but we also need something... like now!
Be it as it may, we were still excited about our new jobs. We continued to drive further around the island before parking in a tree-lined area near the beach. Ah... nature at last! Palm trees were in abundance along with some swamp lands as we meandered along a path until we reached an open expansive beach - and there was the wide open Atlantic. There was lots of driftwood on the beach, but not like what we were used to in Maine. This "driftwood" didn't "drift" - they were large uprooted trees that had been tossed on shore like play toys from various storms of the past. Some were upright, but most were on their sides. The abstract designs Mother Nature created were incredible. 
However, also incredible, were the gnats on the beach. We thought the black flies in Maine were bad on the first warm day in late spring - this was just as bad if not worse. Even Cindy was surprised they were still this bad, this late in the year. For those who don't know me very well - I hate bugs! The moon, for me, couldn't rise fast enough. The incests were just too much. I went back to the van - thank you Cindy for the keys! I really appreciated it! Dave stayed for the moon rise and photographed some great footage which can be seen in our latest photo slide show that will be up on You Tube in a few days!Upon leaving, we passed several graceful deer and saw some beautiful Christmas light displays. We stopped for dinner and then headed home. I relaxed in a hot bath and then we all retired a little earlier than usual for a sound nights sleep.
We were all awake before 8am, as a service man from Cindy's Internet provider was due at the house shortly thereafter. Dave and I ate our breakfast and packed for our excursion to the local library. While Dave continued his job (and campground) hunt, I went on a book hunt. In a small local library, I managed to find two Christmas gifts as well as a book for myself! Besides - what's a book-aholic without a book?
One book I picked up was entitled, "Angels Among Us - Chicken Soup For The Soul". I believe some of the people we've met along this journey have been angels. They are comforting, calm, and peace-filled people that were there during a short stay, or even at times, vanished by the time I went to turn around. It doesn't matter if we ever see them again - they did their job for their allotted time, and we thank them.
'Tis the season of hope, faith, love and joy...
We hope to find work,
We have faith we are provided for in all our needs,
We love God, ourselves, each other, and all those we meet,
We await and then enjoy with joy-filled hearts this wonderful season!
Until next time,
The Happy Campers,
Jill & Dave
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