Arrived at Sherando Lake National Recreation Area

August 5 – No rush to leave today since we only had about 75 miles to go.  We left at 10 and stopped at Wal-mart before getting on I-64.  Not being sure about grocery locations near Sherando Lake National Recreation Area we though best to pick up eggs, fruit and salad fixings.  The traffic was more on the interstate than when we arrived but not too bad.  Once we exited it was 10 miles to the park then about 2 miles driving in to our campsite.  We have a really nice spot that is very level with full hookup, fire/cooking pit, picnic table, prep table and 2 poles with hooks that we are using for bird feeders.  Maybe you’re to hang up your trash but they told us not to leave anything edible or drinkable outside due to black bears.

Edge of our site and road to
back in from

The backing in was not the easiest but it sure was better than C & O.  One of the other volunteers took us to our site and he blocked traffic on one end and Bill was on the other.  I had to back around a slight curve and into the space.  Much better than last time.  We were barely set up and our first camper came to ask about water for their camper.  Geez, we didn’t have a clue where the faucets were.  Later our supervisor, Kelley, came by in the Gator and toured us around and we met some of the other volunteers.  This is part of the National Forest and has 4 campgrounds:  1 group, 2 reservable and 1 first come.  There is a small upper fishing lake and a bigger lake with fishing and swimming, a visitor center and large picnic area for day use and there is only one full time paid employee.  There are a number of hiking trails.  They have 3-4 seasonal college students and the rest is done by volunteers.  We could not believe it.  There are 11 sets of volunteers currently here.  Some are for the whole season and some are like us that are coming and going.  They work in the visitor center, the front gate, the campgrounds, do the mowing and repairs.  People just don’t realize how much is done all over the country by volunteers in our state and federal parks and forests.  With the current cut backs it will take even more to take up the slack.

The big lake

So after the tour we finished putting out our lights and I set up the satellite dish.  The worst part of being here is that we have NO cell service at all.  We have to drive the 2 miles out to the road and 4 miles north to get a signal.  They do have some WIFI in 2 locations in the park but we have to drive to them.  Good point:  they provide 2 new washers and dryers for us to use.  Before dinner we walked our C loop of 18 sites and Bill made note of the dates they are leaving.  After dinner we drove up to the upper lake and walked around part of it and then went to the Admin office to use the WIFI.  I forgot our key so we sat in the car and just did some basics to let our families know the number to call to reach us.  Oh, we also have a hand held radio that they call us on if they need us and we are to use for questions and emergencies.  I got out the bird feeders and will put them up tomorrow.

One camper already reported some boys that were doing pop crackers all over the bathroom floor and then trying to jimmy the door to lock behind them so no one could get in the men’s room.  Bill got to deal with that one.  It’s going to be a fun month!