Ain’t it just like California?

I was planning on hosting at Grizzly Creek State Park in the Humbolt Redwoods, but got an email at 5:30 p.m. the evening before my scheduled arrival that they had another host, and my services weren’t needed. Wish they had told me a week ago as I have been cooling my heals in Eureka, CA for a week waiting on July 1.

I have hosted in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Oregon. These state parks required a minimal application and cursory background check.

Not California! They require hours of watching training videos with a test after, you must pass with at least 80% correct. Videos included sexual harassment, safety and CO-VID, training. Then $30 for fingerprints at Life Scan for a complete background check, and then a training manual which requires your name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, and (first born) on every page. Apparently auto fill is not available. That package was possibly 40 pages long and required a signature using document signing software (no printer). The software kept kicking me back to incomplete sections, my felony arrest record, and I finally gave up. All of this for a volunteer 30 day host position. So, I suppose it was my fault for not completing the paper work. But less than 24 hour notices, I could think of other ways to notify a person. Like do the paper work before accepting and scheduling a host? California is a very regulated state, and I do believe in government regulations, just think a shorter application for a volunteer might be appropriate. Needless to say I will be leaving California tomorrow, not on a jet plane… But, California is absolutely beautiful and I am glad I made the trip.

I have mapped a path from Eureka, to Reno, to Madison WI where my niece Rachel and husband Adam live. Then on to Ohio to hopefully see Barbara in Columbus, and Ruth in Cleveland. 2700 miles later I will be back on the east coast to host at First Landing at Virginia Beach in September. First Landing is my favorite campground, beach and shopping at Trader Joe’s. What’s not to love?

JOHNNY’S

I want to give a shout out to Johnny’s Marina and RV at King Salmon just south of Eureka. While the front of the park is a parking lot, I had my space next to the office and by the marina with a deck to watch sea birds and the afternoon seal. Across the street there is a huge area for dog walking and a beach. Johnny is working on major improvements, more greenery, and getting rid of very old mobile homes, making this a nice RV Park. If you love fishing this place is for you. Guys pulling up with halibut and other sea fish daily, and if you ask nicely they will give you a filet. Thanks Johnny!

I hope you are all getting my postings, I am still struggling with webpage plug-ins. If you don’t know what plug-ins are thank your lucky stars.

Onward! Stay tuned.