We moved to another site on Wednesday

Here we are set up on the Campground Host site. Internet service is much better up here.

Here's a view of the lake and beach from one of the picnic areas. Nice and quiet in the fall.

This little dog is the spittin' image of our 'Elvis.' I couldn't believe it when I saw them get out of their truck! They are from Carrollton and said they found him on their front porch 12 years ago. Wow...Elvis was 14 and we found him the same way. They camp here often so we'll see them again.

~ Project 365 Day 18 ~

Only a few more days at John Tanner State Park

~ Where does the time go? ~

I wanted to start my Project 365 for the past week but just haven't been able to commit to it. Now I am going to my daughter's tonight to help with sick kids. Probably won't be able to post tomorrow so I decided to start the project on my birthday, November 9th. More on that later.

Here are the boys that came up to visit on Saturday. Tyler, in the middle, is the sick one.

Footnote: Gas was $2.09 in Carrollton, GA!

~ The Goat Man of John Tanner State Park ~

Our first day as volunteers at John Tanner State Park near Carrollton, Ga., we met the Goat Man. He lives just outside the park and every weekend he brings his two goats (Princess, 17 months and Lil' Mike, 18 months) for a walk through the park and campground. He said he just does it so the kids can see and pet the goats. He told us all about how he gives them baths, grooms them and takes them for rides in his truck. They were very tame and friendly. Princess has tennis balls on her horns because hers are a little sharper than Lil' Mike's and the goat man doesn't want any children to get scratched. Apparently he treats them just like he would treat two dogs.....just part of the family.

The Goat Man with Princess and Lil' Mike

Princess

Lil' Mike

Walking the goats

John Tanner State Park is a beautiful park in northwest Georgia. It is just off Interstate 20, west of Atlanta, and only about 20 miles from the Alabama state line. The city of Carrollton is just 5 minutes away and is home to West Georgia College. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, theatres and golfing in Carrollton.

The park itself is best known for having the largest sand swimming beach of any Georgia State Park. There are two lakes for water lovers to boat, fish, swim and rent pedal boats. There are also hiking trails, volleyball on the beach, miniature golf, horseshoes, playgrounds, and picnicking. To stay overnight or longer there is a full facility campground and even six motel-type units located near the beach with fully equipped kitchens. Events are held monthly in the park such as March's Turkey hunting and safety classes and the Triathlon in April, consisting of a 600 meter swim, 11.2 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run.

The area is especially beautiful in the late fall when the leaves are turning yellow, orange and red. Many of the county roads have gorgeous trees in full color in November. Also nearby is Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historical Site, one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation.

We volunteered as Campground Hosts at Tanner for the month of November, 2008. As hosts, we would greet new arrivals in the campground after the office had closed for the day, take their payments and give receipts and answer any questions they might have. We also sold firewood and ice, after hours, for the rangers. During the day, we would ride through the park in the volunteer's golf cart and pick up any trash left behind. We'd also clean out the fire pits when campers left.

We enjoyed our experience at this park so much that we have already signed up for November and December of 2009 and 2010!

~ Funky Little Eatery ~

Front entrance to KC's

KC's Pizza and Subs in Vernon, Florida, will soon be just a pleasant memory. The State is widening the highway that goes through downtown Vernon (pop. 757) in order to have a 4-lane evacuation route for the next hurricane. Any business in the way must close or relocate to a yet to be built strip center just outside of town. KC's decided to sell to a new owner who will relocate some time in the future. They have great Philly Cheese Steaks and I've heard the pizza is excellent.

Side or Main Entrance to KC's

Inside front counter at KC's

Another shot of inside counter

Part of dining area

More of dining area

Tree stump in dining area

Funky rooster

Funky spices!

The last day of business for KC's is November 8th. We will be leaving the area on October 30th for our next volunteer location at John Tanner State Park in Georgia so we will try to make one more visit to KC's before we leave!

FYI - Gas is $2.59 in Wausaw, Florida. Note from Georgia: gas was $1.99 and $2.29 at Marathon in Buford last Monday and Tuesday!!

~ Low Internet Service ~

We decided to leave St. Andrews on Friday, 8/22, when the state ordered mandatory evacuation of all the campers. Volunteers could stay, but because we had SOLD (!) the motor home we thought we should keep it safe until we deliver it to the new owners in Newnan, GA.

We stopped over in Vernon, FL, at our cousin's place to wait out the storms and rain. Today there is finally some sunshine. The internet service with my Sprint data card is slow (roaming) in this area so I haven't been able to do much. We've been busy packing up our belongings in the MH and will unload it all at my daughter's house in Georgia before delivering it to the new owners. Then we have the fun (?) of looking for a new RV - this time a travel trailer.

We're planning to leave for home tomorrow! Yippee! Four months is a long time to be away from family. Our next "gig" isn't until November at John Tanner SP near Carrollton, GA. In the meantime we will be visiting with family while looking for a new home on wheels.

So long old girl. We had a fun ride for a year!

~ Double Red Flags ~

Last week for a full seven days, the Gulf Coast beaches were closed to swimmers due to dangerous and deadly rip currents. Only surfers with their boards tethered to their ankles were allowed in the water. Because of some storms at sea, there were some pretty good waves (considering this is the Gulf of Mexico).

The shuttle boats didn't go to Shell Island. The kayak's weren't rented.

The dunes were beautiful, as usual.

(Click on any pic for bigger view)

~ Entrance Gate "work" day ~

Here at St. Andrews State Park, we have a monthly schedule among the volunteers to keep track of what days we "work" at the front entrance gate. I use "'s on the word work because it is really more fun than actual work. From 2:45 until 8:00 p.m., I sit at the window and collect entrance fees. Sam stands by to answer questions over the phone and check in late arrivals. Occasionally he will go with the evening shift ranger to correct a situation in the campground such as electrical outage at a site. I answer a lot of questions about how clear is the water at the beach or how is the fishing today and a few questions from people looking for directions because they are lost. Depending on the number of hosts in the park at any one time, we work the gate every 5 or 6 shifts. There are 2 shifts on the weekend in the summer when the 2nd entrance gate is open. For instance we worked Tuesday of this week, then next Sunday, then again the next Thursday. We can swap around with the other volunteers any time we need to.

During June, July and Labor Day weekend, there is a Tram from the campground to the beach which the volunteers also drive. There were 7 sets of volunteers here during June & July, so Sam only drove the Tram one day so far. We also walk around the campground, as people check out, and pick up any trash left behind.

Because of the two beautiful beaches, the pier, the wonderful campground, etc., this is the busiest State Park in Florida.....and the biggest money maker. Revenues are split between all the parks based on size and need so St. Andrews shares the wealth with the entire state. Luckily, for us, they share this beautiful park with volunteers.