Geriatric Gypsies At Work

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

The Gypsy Mobile Maintenance Vehicles

Ready to Roll

Rich and I have enjoyed our volunteer service work at Natural Bridge Campground. On average we each work about 2-3 hours each day. On our two days off each week we do evening rounds, but only to check that everyone in camp has paid. We have looked at the work aspect as a service we are providing to the campers. It is much easier to clean pit toilet “blow outs” when it is a service you are providing, and not a task you are being paid for.

Cheryl, hazmat-ready to clean up a “blow out” at a pit toilet.

The best part of the work is the campers we have met. Most are from the Medford area. Many attended Grants Pass High School around the time Rich was a student there. A handful of campers were from the Portland Metro area, one couple lives about a mile and a half as the crow flies from our Portland home.

Rich and I were inspired by one extended family, sons and daughters of an aging father, who came with their spouses. Twice they brought their aging father, who has Parkinsons and a bit of dementia, up to fish and camp. Natural Bridge Campground is one of his favorite places to fish.

The eldest campers to come were in their nineties. That is not a typo. As they aged they modified their camping experience from backpacking and hiking to a Westfalia camper van and less strenuous 2-3 mile hikes. They are a good role model for us and a true inspiration.

The youngest camper was six weeks old. The second youngest were two month old twins. I doubt I would choose to camp with a six-week-old, and two month-old twins, never. I am such a wimp.