My 10 days working for ranchero Visitadores is done. I finished Friday morning and pulled out of the area about 10:30 AM. I drove to Cachuma Lake camp ground and into a spot in the RV Park.
After calling Clyda, I set up the RV in a nice back in spot at the extreme left of the camp ground. Usually these spots are filled by the time I get here as they are prime spots with no one behind you.
The 10 days went well with only a few minor things happening which only adds to the stories we tell about the encampment. I met lots of people as usual while inspecting credentials of all who arrive at the gate. Many are friends of long standing and some are only people who I see here every year. We have a greeting for all as they arrive and a little kidding goes a long way to make them feel welcome.
I drove to the gate where I camp on Tuesday afternoon after taking the long way around as I was really loaded with extra water and all the things I need for the next ten days. George followed me in his motor home. After a quick set up we had dinner and retired for the night.
All set up for the next 10 days. I do most cooking outside and we also eat outside under the awning on the table with the red checkered table cloth.
Our official start day is Wednesday and we use that to get our camp set up and the telephone and radio connected. That is done by the camp communications guy. Our phone is a landline connecting us to two camps used by the Rancheros.
This is the famous Blue Gate through which all must pass and have their credentials checked. What a great view!
The radio connects us to several other people who are mobile at either camp.
We also get a trash barrel and a porta potty for use for the duration. We set up a table covered with a canopy under an oak tree. The canopy protects the phone, clipboards, etc from the weather and also keeps the oak bugs and worms off us. Most of the time we sit in chairs near the phone or stand nearby as we check credentials of arrivals. If it is warm, we move with the shade as the day goes on.
Two of us are on duty during the day with one person on duty from 8 or 9 Pm until 11 Pm when the night man comes on. The night man stays on duty until 7 AM when the rest of us get up and we begin all over again.
I am the cook so I take time to prepare meals three times a day and also time to clean up after meals. Food is supplied to us on Friday in bulk which I need to store away, refrigerate some and decide what to cook. I turn in a food list ahead of time and for the most part I receive all I ask for.
I store extra food and ice in these chests. The tarp and shade is to protect them from the sun.
After working long hours each day and cooking, I am more than ready to take it easy after 10 days.
Because I already have the trailer out, it makes a nice transition to stop here at Cachuma for a few days.
This morning we drove to Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang for breakfast and had Swedish pancakes and eggs. Swedish pancakes are thin and fluffy and cover the whole plate.
We decided to stay an extra day here as we have intermittent showers today and I didn’t feel like moving the rig in the rain.
