Moving along to Georgia...

Yes, we took our free Amazon t-shirts and moved down the road to Valdosta, GA. Yes, we quit Amazon. Yes. Deciding to resign early became a no-brainer. I didn't need to plead my case, nor did Gerard. It's when you can look into each others eyes and have the same thoughts without speaking a word. The time is now. Saturday, we had been assigned to the flat sorter for half of our shift as the raker, or sweeper. All four lanes remained steady, but really did not require us, as packages did not stick because of the constant flow. Standing most of the time---brutal. Our afternoon would have been on the dock among the craziness. Even though the sorter relieved some of the load from the dock, many things still must be packed in a cardboard box, hence load that sucker by hand into a trailer, one by one. And so the sirens scream relentlessly, reminding you of your inadequacy as an Amazon dock worker. Geeze. We went home at lunch and began packing up. But, we didn't begin packing up until after we had lunch and some quality time in the recliners :)

Campfires with therapy!!!!

Heartland campground provided a Thanksgiving dinner that night, turkey, drinks, and paper supplies. Campers brought delicious sides to compliment the main course. The clubhouse overflowed with people and their stories. We also told our friends of our early departure. Hugs all around with hopes of catching up with each other down the road. It was just time to leave. The most important reason for leaving is Christmas time with kids and the grand-boy! If the Amazon gig had been good, we would have stayed, but it was sorely lacking. Or perhaps our expectations were too high. Or maybe it was our assignment area. Half the campers left (ship-dock). If half the pickers, packers or stowers were to leave, there might be an adjustment on behalf of Amazon! Oh well, not my monkeys, not my circus. As Linda M would say...."If they could teach monkeys not to throw their feces, they would hire them."

Sooooo. We left town in the rain and cold and scooted to Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA. The weather isn't much better, but it is a little warmer. Still gray and drippy. But we are on the way to the sunshine state!  Gerard trained Afghan pilots overseas and now they further their training here at Moody. We visited them on base and learned two will graduate soon. Progress for a country in turmoil.

Mayport Naval Station, Mayport FL

The military has a fam-camp here in Mayport with RV spots right on the corner of the St. Johns’ River and the Atlantic. The river is shared by both the military and commercial shipping into Jacksonville, and probably private boats as well. All of the RV spaces were booked on the river, but we did get a space in another location, ‘in the trees’, also known as Osprey Cove. Pelican Roost is the name for the water sites. There are probably about 100 combined sites between the two. The wind howled most of our time here! And the water was cold, of course.  The grounds are nice and well maintained with laundry and a clubhouse. Many snowbirds camp here for the winter along with a few active military families living in the park, too.

Osprey Cove

Sunshine...on the sidewalk!

We gathered some Christmas décor while in town. I put up a small artificial tree on the dining table. I had purchased an ornament kit a while back and finally finished the three little felt birds. They turned out pretty cute! It took about 3 hours from start to finish. I might attempt to do a stocking for the grand-babies. I enjoyed it, but I am the type person that is on a mission….once I start, I must finish. I can’t work on something from time to time and finally finish a year later! I must conquer it! Quickly!

The Christmas Flamingos are adorned and illuminated for all to admire J Their attire will change with the seasons, holidays, special events, football…..whatever the whimsy may be.

 We ate a local yokel place, very local. The fresh fish was awesome. We were ready for some fresh seafood. We both tried new fish, blackened sheepshead and trigger. Delicious. I prefer the sheepshead. It’s a mild white fish. We ate there twice in a week. The atmoshphere can be scary…orginial, low lighting, they must spend $$ on food only. Seems to be a popular place. We tried to visit the other restaurant, Safe Harbour, but they close early, 6pm. It seems to be a big lunch place and fish market. It seems popular looking at the lunch crowd. Both place are very convenient to the base.

Indoors with a view to the fishing boats

The winds howled and was somewhat dreary for our stay in Mayport....but we still enjoyed the temperature! And the fresh seafood! I have missed eating fish. Fresh seafood in Kentucky just didn't seem right...
I will be glad to be back near the coast...the water...the sunshine...and W!

So....and on we go. Headed to Bushnell, FL for a week. Maybe some manatees, or amusement parks and cocktails of course.

Christmas trip and Black Friday

A fun trip to the cave in Louisville with John and Linda!

John and Linda picked us up for a great day trip. We drove to Louisville, about a one and half hour drive, and had dinner in downtown at Bristol Bar and Grill. We arrive a few minutes before 5 and the lady asked if we had reservations. Of course not! It's not supper time yet! We did get a table. The waiter was talkative and knowledgable. The food was good, a little pricey and the atmosphere was sterile. These are my thoughts. Linda thought Ruby Tuesday's salmon was just as good and better priced. I believe most people prefer the Bardstown Rd. location. After our early supper we drove to the decorated caves. 25 bucks per car! We rolled down the windows, enjoyed the Christmas music as we drove thru the decorated sections. Did I mention, Linda brought libations to sip as we sang? Complete experience! The cave is huge. There are zip lines and trails to explore. They also offer RV and POD storage. It's crazy! My first drive thru cave decorated for Christmas.

Black Friday at Amazon SDF-1 is complete and in the history books. The created hype about the craziness of black friday whimpered by without much of a noise. I suppose in years past, it was just that, unbelievable crazy. For us, those in trans-ship, it was busy, not crazy-crazy. Gerard and I worked trans-ship, an area of ship-dock responsible for shipping out totes to other amazon fulfillment centers. Totes filled with products come down a conveyer and we scan the totes to determine the destination, and stack on pallets.  After the pallet is full, usually 20 or 25, the tote is saran-wrapped (by us). Let me tell you about that process, wrapping with saran wrap. The locals call it shrink wrapping, but it's saran wrap without shrinking. Go figure. The wrapping apparatus is a hand-held device, about 2 feet long and heavy when the wrap is full. I guess the wrap is twice the length of the one used in kitchens. The weight is what gets me...along with going around the pallet about 6 times. It's like the silly game of holding your forehead on a bat and spinning around and then attempting to walk. We must wrap a total of 6 revolutions, 3 on top and 3 on the middle to provide stability when moved and stacked on top of each other to load onto trailers. When the line is busy, a pallet is filled in 10 or so minutes. With multiple pallets, the dizziness is real. It did make me nauseated the other day and I went home at lunch. Walking thru the ship dock area on the way to break...alarms off everywhere. The noise made everyone look as they passed by. My poor camper friends working the dock came to the break room with sweat on their brows and sat down with sighs of relief. Mike and Barbara tell of calamity in trailers. Ed is speaking out on behalf of everyone, including the regular workers, about shortcomings. People applaud him, literally. The stories and memories we share. No regrets. We met great friends. Oh, and Jay and Bobby...tell it like it is.

J shift is mostly camperforce working Sunday thru Wednesday with a required overtime day Thursday. They changed our schedule the week of black friday and the following week. Not sure why. We are working 5 days in a row with Wednesday and Thursday off. So we had Thanksgiving day off. Then the 5 day trek begins. All shifts worked Black Friday, so the building was full, as was the parking lot. Start times have changed also to 6 to 4:30, unless you volunteer to work an hour extra. The regulars must work the extra, which amounts to 55 hour weeks expanding to 60 later. We rode bikes, because the weather was decent. The bike ride is about 3-4 minutes, down hill. Boy, it's a steep hill after work! I'm glad we chose this campground. Convenient, convenient, convenient. People like the others, but I like convenience while working Amazon.

The weather is typical wintery blah. Rainy, dreary and cold. Temps are in 50-60s now. We have experienced freezing at night, but good temps the last few days. Working on the dock can be cold. I have used hand warmers twice. They usually keep them available...sometimes. And it is getting dark about five. We go to work when it is dark and get home with about an hour of daylight left. We need light therapy!

Thanksgiving Day we feasted on traditional foods of ham, dressing, green beans, rice and gravy. I did not fuss over anything. I cooked everything that day. Dessert was chocolate chip cookies, baked right out of the package. We invited Ed over for a nice afternoon. He hails from Pennsylvania and rides his motorcycle to clear the Amazon alarm noise from his head. Gerard enjoyed football of course.

Saturday, the flat sorter was our area to work. It requires standing, placing poly-bags, label up onto the conveyor. Of course we inspect the packages for damage...It is repetitive motion, standing, and makes a loooooong day. Beats the crazy loading of trailers though. Basically,  pick your poison. Both can be demanding and unforgiving. Co-workers said Black Friday on the sorter was crazy. Because the packages 'stick' in the chute, a raker is needed. That is someone equipped with a long pole to dislodge packages to come on down the chute into a small holding area. So two people per lane are needed on busy days. Here's the deal...when it is busy, the packages flow continually without a raker. If a package sticks, the next load will dislodge it....The conveyer speed is set, so you can't load more than it will take.  Another comical note....they disconnected the alarms on each individual chute! Glory!!! Gerard and I wore ear plugs because of the high pitched annoying alarms. The alarm did not encourage you to work harder, if anything - it has the opposite effect. The alarms sound if packages obstruct the electric eye in the chute. It does not indicate a threatening problem. I really don't understand the purpose as it is now. But, I'm not there to improve any process. What do we know? There should be an alarm sound if the sorter quits working so people do not have to yell to notify someone. Geeze.

No more pictures. I'm tired. I should. I will. Maybe next time.

Workcamping

Workcamping....

a new experience for both of us, it's good. We have learned many things-but experts on nothing! I do think there isn't a thing Gerard will not tackle.  Our gig will be over here in a week and then we drive a few hours north to Elkhart to have a slide worked on. The slide stops intermittently when closing or opening. It's still under warranty, Elkhart is nearby-relatively, so on we go. Next is Amazon! Yes, we will experience the good, bad and ugly I suppose. But you never know unless you just do it! I read many blogs with very good information and conflicting experiences. We decided to give it a try. We may be repeat worker bees, or decide it's not for us. Beside, some of the proceeds are marked for an overseas trip next year!

Farm work...air tires, change hydraulic lines, mow, mow and mow!

Capturing one of the many to Lee Bottom Flying Field.

Rich and Gerard being boys.

Tobacco farm on the way to Vevay to partake in the wine festival!

White tigers?! Vevay WIne Festival.

Toured Louisville Bat Factory. Trying out a Johnny Bench bat.

Louisville, KY

One of Gerard's projects- and he did get it running!

Ohio River and our front door for a while!

Aviation Migration weekend at Lee Bottom.

A couple of guys from Germany and Sweden stop by. Very cool!

Gotta go! Limited internet, until later. That's why posts are so limited. Check back in a week or two for updates on more....we have much more to share. Churchill Downs and a quick trip to Delaware!

Later.