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Thursday, August 31, 2017

A tough decision to make...

This was our fourth summer in a row managing the park. And we spent the summer of 2013 managing Sturgeon Lake Regional Park in northern Saskatchewan. So we haven't had a summer off since 2012.

We've decided we need a summer off, so we're taking a break.

We will not be returning to Cabri Regional Park next year.

Working for five months and then traveling for seven has been a great gig. But there are a lot of places you can't properly explore during the October through April period. We want to do some exploring in those areas while we're still young enough to do some of the things that we want to do. So it's time to get back into some full time travel, both in the motorhome and otherwise!

Plus, Ruth is tired of cleaning bathrooms. It's not a very glamorous job!

But, it was a tough decision to make. It has nothing to do with money, or working conditions or anything like that. We think we've been very fairly treated here. The park has been our home for 20 months over the past four years, and we've put a lot of work into the place to make it better. We've met some great people during our time here, and hope to remain friends with many of them.

We thought about doing one more year but thought that our enthusiasm might not be there, and we wanted to go out on our terms and on a high note. It's been a very good year at the park!

And we like the area. If you would have asked me ten years ago if we would be living in Saskatchewan, I would have laughed at you. But we've come to enjoy the small town life and the community spirit that goes along with it.

So while we won't be returning next year, we've proven that we have no idea what the future holds and we don't discount the idea of returning to work here again. Who knows?!

Now, what will we be doing next summer? Hmm...

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42 comments:

  1. sandyAugust 31, 2017 at 11:32 AM

    The park will surely miss you too. But we really must do what makes us comfortable. I'm glad you've decided to rest more. Can't wait to see where you'll be next summer. (hugs)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevin ReadAugust 31, 2017 at 11:40 AM

      I'm glad you've decided to rest more.

      Not sure there's going to be a lot of resting going on! But, I know what you mean. Maybe we'll do some resting in Barbados... :-)

      Delete
  2. RV Khronicles of KevelynAugust 31, 2017 at 11:47 AM

    Good for you guys. We totally understand how you feel. We are in our 7th year at our park. As much as we love it, and it has been the perfect gig for us; there are some changes coming in our plans in the next few years as well. We also want to explore summer places.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rita from PhoenixAugust 31, 2017 at 11:47 AM

    You've always wanted to explore the Yukon...maybe a summer destination?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barney, The Old Fat ManAugust 31, 2017 at 12:15 PM

    I have learned there is always more work available but not always more life available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevin ReadAugust 31, 2017 at 12:27 PM

      Ha! Yes, exactly! I like that one... thanks Barney!

      Delete
  5. CheapchickAugust 31, 2017 at 12:56 PM

    Well, you can always figure out other ways to make money to fund your travels...such as leading the RV expedition. You definitely have worked your butts off the last 4 summers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:06 PM

      Yep, there are so many opportunities out there, that's for sure! And yes, if leading the caravan goes well this winter that is always another opportunity. We have worked our butts of for the last 5 summers not 4, as we also worked at Surgeon Lake Regional Park the first summer in Saskatchewan.

      Delete
  6. The Cynical SailorAugust 31, 2017 at 1:33 PM

    Sounds like a good time to make a change, especially if the change doesn't involve Ruth having to clean bathrooms :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:08 PM

      Change is always a good thing otherwise you could just get yourself into a rut. I have to admit I will be happy to just have to clean my own bathroom in the future. ;-)

      Delete
  7. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsAugust 31, 2017 at 1:35 PM

    Sounds like you have given it a lot of thought. In my mind traveling in any of its forms is always a great way to live:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:42 PM

      Yep, we flip flopped about it over the summer until we finally just made the decision to go for it. We know we can always work again, if and when we need too.

      We feel the same way about traveling, we love it!

      Delete
  8. our awesome travelsAugust 31, 2017 at 1:36 PM

    Great choice travel more when you are younger,get out and do it, I am sure you won't regret it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:44 PM

      Yep, when we are old and can't move around that's when we will sit in front of the TV, until then we want to explore this wonderful world.

      Delete
  9. Connie and BarryAugust 31, 2017 at 1:52 PM

    You can be proud of what you accomplished there. Best wishes to you both always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:47 PM

      Thank you Connie and Barry, and we are proud of what we have accomplished. We
      just hope that the next couple coming in will have the same amount of pride with the park as we do.

      Delete
  10. Contessa August 31, 2017 at 1:56 PM

    Nothing wrong with changing things up. You close one door and another will open, you just have to find it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthAugust 31, 2017 at 2:48 PM

      Change is the spice of life! I don't think we will have a problem finding another door to open. :-)

      Delete
  11. Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009August 31, 2017 at 3:48 PM

    I am with you, Ruth. Enough is enough!
    I am certain y'all will have a wonderful adventure to share with us next summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 9:42 AM

      I have to admit cleaning bathrooms day after day gets a little tiring but I have enjoyed working with the flowers/plants and doing a lot of bush cleanup and landscaping in general. I think I might actually miss that part of it.

      We are so looking forward to getting back in the motorhome and traveling full time again.

      Delete
  12. EstherAugust 31, 2017 at 4:48 PM

    I don't blame you one bit! Any gig loses its charm and just becomes a McJob at some point... And I believe that's not what you guys are all about at this time in your lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 9:47 AM

      Totally agree with you Esther and I think if we came back for another year at this point we won't enjoy it and it would be just another job. Up until this point we have enjoyed the work for the most part and it is fun to look around and see all the stuff that we and the park board has accomplished on our watch. :-)

      Delete
  13. AnonymousAugust 31, 2017 at 5:09 PM

    RVing thru Europe - that would be my choice. Regardless of where you decide to go, we look forward to following along! Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 9:50 AM

      That won't be next year but it is certainly in the future for us! We can't wait to explore more of Europe in an RV. January and February really proved that to us this year, we loved it! :-)

      Delete
  14. living.boondockingmexicoAugust 31, 2017 at 6:57 PM

    You've done a great job on the park and have brought it quite a ways. Like you said, better to leave on a high note. Good on ya!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 9:53 AM

      Thanks Chris, we feel like we accomplished quite a bit while we have been here! :-)

      Looking forward to some traveling next summer though. It feel like it has been ages since we traveled around during the summer.

      Delete
  15. Barry CampbellAugust 31, 2017 at 7:18 PM

    It was great working with you both. But it will be fun seeing where you travel next. Hope to meet on the road again......Barry and Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 9:56 AM

      Like wise Barry! You and Jeannie helped to make this summer a smooth and less stressful one by looking after the front gate for us.

      Yes, we hope to see you both down the road somewhere.

      Delete
  16. Peter KouwenhovenAugust 31, 2017 at 7:56 PM

    Nobody ever lies on their death bed saying they wished they had worked more. You have given this park your all for four seasons, that's a very good thing. I am certain you'll get a different gig in the future. And leading a caravan through Mexico might just be the answer. Shelagh and I were talking about you guys just yesterday and we figured you might stop Cabri this year... Best of luck for the future, enjoy Barbados...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 10:02 AM

      You got that right Peter! We have enjoyed working our four years here and also our first year up in Sturgeon Lake for the most part and it has definitely worked out well with working for five months and then having 7 months off but even that isn't enough for us anymore. We want to get back out there and travel especially during the summer. That's not to say that we won't manage a campground again but we certainly need a break at the moment. And yes, leading this caravan might be the answer, we will have to see how it goes this winter first before we make a decision like that.

      Barbados and relaxing on the beach is looking pretty good right now! ;-)

      Delete
  17. DougAugust 31, 2017 at 10:14 PM

    Congratulations on your decision. You two certainly deserve at least one summer off. Glad I made it up there this summer, and not next! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 10:03 AM

      Thanks Doug, e think so too!

      We are so glad that you made it up here to visit us too this year instead of next. :-)

      Delete
  18. LIzzieSeptember 1, 2017 at 7:48 AM

    Good choice..more to life than work..says me who is doing 46 of hard labour a week.only unt I find someone to look after our farm :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 1, 2017 at 10:06 AM

      Yep but sometimes you have to work to be able to live!

      I hope that whoever you get to look after your farm isn't going to have to do 46 hours of hard labour or you may have a hard time finding someone to do a swap with you!

      Delete
  19. UnknownSeptember 2, 2017 at 5:00 PM

    Still going to cheer for the Riders?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nickie and JimSeptember 2, 2017 at 10:31 PM

    I don't blame you, Ruth ... I don't much like cleaning bathrooms, either!
    Betcha a Loonie you'll find something fun to do next summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 4, 2017 at 10:14 AM

      When you are cleaning 10 a day it gets pretty old after 5 months!

      We will have no problem finding something fun to do next summer! :-)

      Delete
  21. Harlan MuellerMay 24, 2018 at 7:04 AM

    By the way already summer, I also plan to rest

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuthMay 24, 2018 at 9:15 AM

      Yep, it is summer once again and this year we are looking forward to not working and instead being able to explore more of Canada.

      Delete

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