Summer Arrives at Last!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Okay, work camping ain't all it's cut out to be. After all, it is work, and punching the clock after two and a half years on the road is frankly tough. We have been stationary for a month, in fact long enough to have our first rodent resident inside. Two weeks ago, Greg started up the RV engine just to run it for a while, and like Pavlov's dogs, I didn't start salivating, but felt a strong urge to strap myself in the passenger seat and prepare for take-off!

Our little camp in the north woods

The good news? We've cut our expenses, made some money, live in a beautiful spot, and have made some good friends. The bad news? There was some miss-representation about our job responsibilities and how many hours were expected of us. Still hashing that out. So, no comment!


We had a rainy, cold stretch, but now the days are warm and sunny, so Summer finally seems to have arrived. The woods are green, and filled with birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, and we hear the loons on the lake at night. The skeleton crew of seniors is slowly starting to be filled out with younger people, and the international students are starting to arrive. In another couple weeks, when the first big groups come as guests, our staff will swell to around 65 people. There was some drama with the chef, but now that we have a new one, our meals have improved. We will be sorry to leave the modern dining room in the meeting house, but all meals will start to be cooked from the big Inn kitchen and we will be eating under the pipes in the basement in the Staff Dining Room.

The Well House gazebo near the front entrance

The Council Ring campfire near the new RV park

Looking at the Inn and Ice Cream Shop across the Upper Campus

Hanging flower basket outside the ice cream shop

The Outside Chapel looking at the lake

The Inn porch looking toward the lake

Soon a huge tent will go up below the Inn so we can serve meals for up to 400 guests

The gas fireplace in the lower dining room

The lower dining room at the Meeting House where the staff dines before the season starts

The Ice Cream Shop is ready to open, except that we need the ice cream and toppings to be delivered. The Gift Shop is ready, but not very well stocked. Unfortunately, I have no control over that process. The Coffee Shop isn't ready yet, but I hope it is done for our guests arriving on the 26^th. And again, no comment...

The freshly painted Ice Cream Shop floor

The business side of the counter

Kathleen's tools of the trade

Greg is very tired from the long hours, but he has been enjoying the physical activity. He's learned to drive a tractor and a small dump truck, and has spent hours raking, digging, shoveling, mopping, waxing, painting, hauling, and generally doing whatever Dave asks him to do. After a day like that he likes having the big meals we are served! I'm liking them too, but need to watch my portions better!

Blueberry bushes growing outside the Meeting House

The Meeting House with dining halls upstairs and down

Looking through the birches at the lake

Greg hauling doors to be refurbished at the Gray Barn woodshop

Greg's bike has only left its cover a few times during the 6-day work weeks

Last weekend we celebrated my birthday and our 34^th anniversary by going out to dinner in Center Harbor at Canoe. We had a nice meal with a sort-of lake view, and enjoyed the time away from Geneva Point Center. This week we will take four days off and make a quick trip down to Maryland for a grand-daughter fix. I am missing them so badly! We won't be able to get back again to see them until after Labor Day and the big rush is over. By then, the blueberry and raspberry bushes all over the property will be bearing fruit, and the ducks and geese will be preparing to leave Lake Winnipesaukee and head south!

Anniversary dinner at The Canoe Restaurant in Center Harbor

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!