1/24/08 (Thursday): We've got another wet week here, and despite the potential for flooding and/or mud and rock slides, almost everyone is celebrating. It looks like the two-year drought may be coming to an end. It is very dreary, though--we've already had three day of rain, and it's not expected to stop until next Tuesday! Last night there was snow on all the mountains and they closed I-5 (the interstate that's only about ten miles from us). There's no snow at the lower elevations, though.

I don't have any pictures today because I've been working every day since Wiley left for Florida. But I'm having the best time working for the new managers. They brought in a little construction office trailer and I set it up with a couple of desks, got the computers, fax machine and copier working yesterday. We're waiting for a phone line now. They've got big plans for the campground. They're completely gutting the maintenance barn and it will become new offices. They're turning the old snack bar near the lake (which hasn't been open since we were here) into a camp and marina store. It will have soft-serve ice cream, pizza and other snacks food, too. They're re-building the boat docks and floating toilets (you heard me right--there are port-a-potties out on the lake!) and hiring security as well as a lot more staff than has ever worked here before. They brought in a temporary crew from another one of their facilities to pick up all the litter. They constantly compliment and encourage the employees, too, and give us a lot of flexibility in choosing our hours and days. They have weekly "socials" where they treat us to a meal and encourage us to make suggestions and/or discuss any problems we've encountered. I'll take some pictures when the rain stops. I'm taking this weekend off even though it's raining. I don't want to get burned out!

We still some some deer in the campground, but since the grass on the nearby mountains has started greening up, they tend to only come in late in the day now. There are still olives falling off the trees, and the deer really like them. I also see humming birds every day. The wild rosemary is in bloom and it draws goldfinches. We have some pine trees near the new temporary office, and they are so fragrant! We also have a view of the lake, which is rapidly filling back up. There are white pelicans, osprey and coots on the lake. Wiley hasn't had much luck fishing yet (not for lack of trying), but he keeps working at it.

Speaking of Wiley, he's spending his free time turning the ugly little slope in front of our campsite into a rock garden. He already built steps down to the fire pit and put in a flagstone seating area. Now he's hauling rocks and arranging them in the hill. When he's done with the hardscape, we'll buy some plants and maybe put in some grass seed.

I've got to get ready for work now. I forgot to mention that the new managers are very generous with uniforms, too. I have nice looking golf shirts, a sweatshirt and a jacket. I'll include a picture in the next blog! Have a great week, everyone.