Author: The Buchanans Rolling Down The Road

What can be said, about a crusty old curmudgeon, with no fixed address … not much I guess.

Summer 2020

Sunday June 21st 2020

Well in true Ontario fashion we have gone from people using space heaters last weekend to the dull roar of air conditioners this weekend. And as a full time resident at the park weekends are not our favourite time, oh it’s busier because of more people but it’s the noise that comes with the people, we would normally just enjoy the cool lake breeze with open windows but Now with the drone of air conditioners all night, and someone’s barking dog at six thirty this morning, just seemed to be the most inconsiderate. We love our pet, and would be lost with out our Mr. Sam but why do people have dogs and then don’t train them, and one of the most annoying thing is they don’t pick up after them? And my newest peeve leaving their little plastic bags of poop behind for us to deal with … just saying.

Could you tell that the barking dog thing hit a raw nerve this morning? We have talked about getting a dog, but there are way too many people at campgrounds that just have poorly behaved (untrained) dogs, and then they think they should be able to run off leash. So we see dogs running off of sites, and with no regard for anyone else, and off course their dog “is friendly” which right or wrong is not the point, if we wanted a dog on our campsite we would have a dog … so if you are a pet owner please keep this in mind. Ok I think I have got that all off my chest.

The long days of summer, sun rise at 5:30 and sun set at 9:00, great days for solar harvest, even plugged in we are still bringing in over 25,000 watts of power every month, even parked in a shaded site. No I’m not going to launch into a big solar pitch but I have found it amazing how few electrical issues there were this hot weekend compared to last weekends cold … all caused by space heaters! I understand the temptation to use all the park power possible since it’s included in your fee, but don’t whine when you kick off a breaker, use your unit as designed, propane furnace and water heater!

Sorry this is what happens when your dog wakes me up … but on a much lighter note, what a great week and weekend, the weather has been great, many have enjoyed the beach, the park looks great, many new gardens, decks, fire pits, and the like … the creation of many memories.

Today was Father’s Day, and because of the restriction of the visitors into the park because of Covid, I think a lot of people left the park to be with their family. The complications with visitors is much more than the fear of transmission of the virus, it’s the tracing if a case breaks out … and because we are not a gated campground and there are always a few people that don’t play by the rules. They will have a guest to their site, not inform the park, usually to try to avoid paying. Now it’s not only the not paying it’s not allowing us to collect the proper information for contact tracing if the virus is detected, which helps protect everyone. If we had access control (a entry gate) and if people were honest we could have visitors, but we don’t have either so we are left with very few options, the health board wants us to collect data on everyone in the park, even the repair and delivery people have completed the required forms to be in the park, and it’s all done to provide better, faster contact tracing of the virus.

Well that’s about all I have on my mind for today, take a few moments today to think about your dad. There are very few days that pass without thoughts of George (my dad), he would have loved this little piece of heaven, on the shore of Lake Huron …..

A day off

Tuesday June 16th 2020

So this is how I spend time on my day off, feeding the local chipmunk population in the park. Now while this reminds me of George at the cottage feeding the chippers, Mr. Sam (our cat) on the other hand is thinking more along the lines of a furry lunch. Either way I seem to have realized a lot of enjoyment from this little ritual.

This job is by no means stressful, but the weekend is reasonably demanding with about two hundred sites there are always items that end to be addressed, be it a leaking tap or an abused breaker that needs to be replaced. Although since we started checking the actual energy draw on the site we are changing less breakers as now we know the breaker is just doing its job.

What makes this job so different is we have no commute, so where most people that work a 9 to 5 job have the drive home after work to run errands, or stop and pick up supplies or dinner. So with a commute of less than 30 yards / meters from the coach to the office door, while commute traffic is always light we are never really off duty so escaping means one of us is always has to be here. And with all the restrictions that have been in place with Covid lock down the desire to go shopping has been very limited and I find it difficult to not be involved in the daily tasks as they happen around me.

We are adding a new member to our staff, to help with the weekend pump outs allowing Richard (my boss) to finally retire his rubber gloves, and the new kid will also take on a number of pool and maintenance tasks, as well as any park issues that may occur on my days off. Welcome to the team Dale, glad to have you aboard.