Continuing my Nirvana saga, my gig as a camp host at Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina is going along just fine. There's not been much change since last year, but I'm dedicated myself to make my stay here to most productive I've ever been.
I'm keeping very busy, putting in a lot of effort and time. But also having a great time doing it. There's absolutely nothing like working in a nature environment, pretty much, whatever I want to do at my own pace. My pace is pretty fast and pretty furious for an old guy.
My weight is coming down again, but walking up and down this mountain campground 5 to 10 miles every day will do that to anyone. It's pretty humid with heat index at 95 degrees, although the actual temps are around 88 in the day time.
I suppose, after sitting at a computer terminal punching computer software code and finding it's flaws for over 25 years, eating like a pig, and doing nothing but gaining weight all that time paid it toll on me. I now feel healthier and more energetic than I ever have in my life. It's amazing what hard physical activity will do for one's health!
It's not all work though. I do have plenty of time for playing also. Lots of hiking, eating, site seeing, and relaxing too.
I'm doing my best to pay very close attention to the camping guests, helping them wherever I can, and assisting with anything they need (to the best of my ability and within range of my position as a Host... that is). It's hard NOT to get personal with some of these camping guests. So many are such great people.
Not all is work. Here's some photos of the last 2 weeks.
I'm made some new friends:
We've had some great "down time."
My 2 doggies are my companions and faithful assistants. They go with me everywhere:
The campsite itself is in an odd position, but it works, and once on site, works pretty well. However, the challenge was the sewer hook up. The ONLY hookup site in the park is the Host Site. After being here last year, I was better prepared this year to get those sewer hoses hooked up so I didn't have to "walk" them ever time I emptied tanks. Lots of boards from home and lots of lumber laying around the host site that other hosts have used and left behind for the same purpose. This year, I was prepared. The problem is, the sewer connection is higher than the parking pad. But, I did make a down-hill slope. It works well now. I zip tied the hoses so they won't move.
View of Pilot Mountain (the big Pinnacle) from "down below":
View from the top:
I'll be here 6 more weeks. The only problem with this job is, time is moving too fast. I could spend the rest of my life here, if only "they" would let me!