Got the Volunteer Job

Mae & Grandma (Red Marshmallows)
ready for Church in Ocala

Sunday we went to church at the Spanish Branch in Ocala.  Why not?  Our weekend fire-bugs are all fluent  en Español .  We got so hungry working our brains to understand everything that was going on in the meeting that we stopped to eat.  Good thing, as we were served up the BEST Mexican food I'd ever had.  Give me more!  The horchata had real Cinnamon and ground almonds added to the rice beverage, and the tacos were seasoned perfectly.  Viva Mexico!  

The day kept getting better, because when we returned Dan Johnson, the host we are replacing, had the good news that all we had to do was fill out the paper application for the file, and we could start.  The job is only until the end of the month, but how fun!  We get to stay!  (Good thing, since I said I'd never leave.) 

It was so sad after the kids packed up their tents and left.  The only cure was to go on a canoe ride the next day.  Bob was up for the adventure and pedaled the mile to the Ranger Station to check out the paddles and life preservers for the half-mile trek to the river.  We were amazed at the natural beauty we encountered.  Bright yellow and purply-pink flowers painted the river banks, as did bumpy-backed gators.  The last one we spotted was the biggest alligator I'd ever seen in Florida.  He didn't look real.  Bob wacked the water with his paddle to splash water on him, and oh, yah...his growl was real enough to get us out of there.   

We found a band of playful rhesus monkeys.  They didn't mind us floating alongside to greet them.  Not even the moms with babies seemed nervous.  Three of them hung in the branches over us and were swinging in a way I thought they'd fall in the boat!  I'd recently been reminded about the woman who had her face torn off by a monkey, and the thought actually made me nervous, so Bob moved near a group who were posing by sitting together on a log grooming each other. 

The Cormorants put on a full-length show.  Three of them fought over a fish that was quickly swallowed by the rightful owner, making a huge bulge in his neck.  It was certainly evident why they are called snake birds, but I mistook one that was swimming under the water as a gator. 

We paddled up to Silver Springs and it was unnerving to see all of way to the bottom through the ultra-clear water.  The boil keeps it free from sea grass, so the bigger fish enjoy drifting about unencumbered.  Gar and bass of a "Wow" size abounded.  We didn't need a glass-bottomed boat to see everything.  Mah-velous!

PAYING JOBS in Ocala National Forest

Yep…you can get a couple of thousand a month plus a free site and utilities. We met the Area Managers for the Alexander Springs area of the Ocala. What a nice setup! All of the hosts at Alexander Springs have a large concrete pad with a patio and new picnic table with FHU. The managers have a company truck and more electric carts than I knew existed.

Loop Trail around Springs

John Schultz (pictured with his cart) has a home “in town” and loves working in the park…even though he doesn’t take advantage of a free site. He gets between 30 to 40 hours a week (minimum wage) but can’t get enough of his “office”. It is perfectly decorated with palms, a gorgeous spring, and live turtles and gators. His favorite job is chasing black bears out of the park and removing rattle snakes and coral snakes.

Our Camp Mangers shared some of their Grief: Corporate does not seem to see the maintenance needs of a semi-tropical park and therefore does not see the need to provide adequate funds to meet the Forest Service contract requirements. Basically…the damage from mold, mildew, moisture and intense UV radiation deplete the budget before the year is over. These huge costs are ever present, even if no campers are present. The managers end up paying for things they must have to keep the park running out of their own pockets.

Then there are the “interesting” campers you can meet in the south….like the tenting mom who turned her drunk teenagers loose on the campground. When a host went to her tent to ask her to rope them in, she came out bare-breasted and berated the host with, “You stop staring at me.” He asked her to put some clothes on and went for backup. The manager got the job of sending them packing. They were arrested within a half mile of the park for drunk driving and taken to jail.  The frustrating part of confrontations with drinking campers is their belligerent claims that the host is prejudice. Most campers in this park are (to some degree) Hispanic, Cuban, or black. Happily, Bob and I were raised to realize we are all brothers and sisters…yes, equals…and “prejudice” was not even in our vocabulary. So it’s offensive to us when people on either side of the controversy start firing their “prejudice pistols”. The crux of the matter has nothing to do with color, it has to do with breaking the rules. Drinking in a public area is not allowed in the parks. And public intoxication is not only illegal, it’s insensitive to those wanting to focus on natural beauty and the sounds of wildlife. Belching, puking and uproarious communications mess with this picture.

Our manager is currently being sued for VERBAL ASSAULT because he told a woman she needed to clean up her camp. She had ignored all signs, literature and even the big billboard at the entrance warning campers they will be sharing the park with BEARS. This woman had left her garbage and food all about her camp, and of course the bear made a party of eating and playing with the goodies. Then her disregard of the rules somehow translated in her mind to: “Hey! I have the right to sue the manager for instructing me to clean up the ______ mess!”

Bob had to jump in with his story from earlier this year. A tenting camper set up on a busy weekend without paying for his site first. Our son was visiting our campground from Afghanistan…just for the day. Bob sold the campsite to someone who discovered the non-paying tenter…who flew into a rage when he had to move off the site. He followed Bob around for the rest of the afternoon threatening law suits. Bob showed him the signs at the entrance that said you had to pay before setting up, but he would not take personal responsibility. He became maniacal. Bob finally said, “Look, I’ve been patient with you so far. But you are giving me no reason to work with you.” He finally quieted down as Bob found another spot he could set up his tent. Then Bob was in trouble for not spending the time he should with our visiting son.

The story that tops them all for me is the Florida Federal Court Judge who was caught stealing wheels used to transport the campground canoes. When confronted by the campground manager, she was hugely offended and lashed out with: “I’ll have your job!” The manager laughed at that one and said it was hers. 
However, the manager did not laugh at the camper who was toting a rifle on his shoulder in camp.  Mr. Camper said it was his legal right, as he was going hunting.  He was absolutely correct.  Anyone can carry a weapon, right out in the open, in the campground.

On the up side: Almost every camper is a delight.   These happy campers are patiently waiting for John to bring them the perfect canoe for the Alexander Springs Run.  But sometimes you get one at just the wrong time who bothers you enough to give you some unforgettable memories.