Showing posts with label Camp Gulf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camp Gulf. Show all posts

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Flood!

Not everything goes as planned all comfy and rosey, danger can occur at any time. Our first real volunteer assignment was at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park in Florida. This park is along the Suwannee River and within 5 days of our arrival, heavy rains caused the river to rise. We were forced to evacuate and we did not return since it would be a long time before the park was back operational. The river rose way over it's banks.

In Destin,Fl at the beautiful park of Camp Gulf a massive 20 inch rain fell in one night. We were woke up at 4:15 AM by a friend who told us the water was quickly rising in the park. Our site was flooding and it had never flooded before. I am standing in knee deep water by our motorhome, still raining hard, and lightning all around. Now, I have to stand in this water and unhook all utilities so we can escape the rising water. As I stand in water, with lightning striking close, I have to unplug our 50 amp power supply from the electric pedestal and I literally wondered if this will be the last thing I do. Electrocution crossed my mind! Soaked and cold, we got unhooked and drove to higher ground, yes it was a scary time for us.

This is our site 308 at Camp Gulf, the water was deeper prior to this picture .


The pond at Camp Gulf really overflowed. This road goes downhill, but you can't tell because the water is so deep. People at the bottom we stranded for a few days, rigs could not come or go. People were not really in any imminent danger, just could not drive their RVs out of that portion of the park. 5 cars that were parked at the bath house were heavily damaged by flood waters.

Bath house 3

But after all that rain, we get to enjoy the rainbow after the storm. We found the end of the rainbow a couple of times, but have yet to find the traditional pot of gold. We saw this rainbow while working in Las Vegas at the Clark County Shooting Park. The adventures are our real pot of gold.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Destin, FL - Camp Gulf - Aug. 6, 2013 until Sept. 1, 2014

Hard to know where to begin so let me start at the beginning...

We arrived 8/6/13 to Camp Gulf in Destin, FL. We were greeted at the gate by a man on a golf cart "just sit down young lady and we'll get you to your site...Hmmm, you aren't on my arrival sheet...oh, you are new workcampers...pull through the gate and someone will be with you" Later, we found out this was Herb Owen.
Then another man, Patrick, pulled up on a segway. "let's get your tow unhooked and get you into your site"
We were given site 508 but only temporarily until some of the other camp workers moved out. 
Site 508
Site 508
After a couple of weeks, we were moved to site 208, which has the cabin row behind it. Not too thrilled with that but it turned out ok.

site 208
Site 208

Working at Camp Gulf was quite an experience! Very, very busy but the management was great about doing extra things for the work campers. Several dinners that they cooked and cleaned up afterwards. Gift certificates for things to do in the area. They were very appreciative of our hard work!
Bruce's Office

Kathy working at Leona's Gift Shop
Bruce had at work power washing the wall.
More of Bruce's handy work!

One of Bruce's favorite jobs...pump-out wagon

Headed to a beach grill
A few of the things were enjoyed on our days off...

Bubba the alligator!

A day at the beach. Water is usually a beautiful blue but it was a bit stirred up this day.
Rocky Bayou State Park on a week-end off.

Kayaking with Harvey and Carmen at Rocky Bayou State Park.

Klein family reunion at St. George Island


Friends stopping by to visit

An evening dinner cruise on the Solaris

Camping at Twin Lakes Campground

Enjoying time together at Twin Lakes Campground

The flood of April, 2014 - this was our site and the water had receded some!

Owen working with his Papa
To summarize our year in Destin - a great time, family and friends came by for a visit and vacation, met a lot of new friends, all in all a great year!