News

[dpf]

Awesome, kewl, neat...fantastic...just what both of you have been dreaming for....so happy for you. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.

[Bethers]

Congratulations!

Now - save your pennies - cuz you don't need to buy anything - and sell everything you don't need to take! And if you aren't already, I suggest you start exercising - to help you prepare for the high altitude. It'll still take getting used to - but will be easier if your lungs get expanded now -

This is a new step for you both - and I'm glad we can all take it with you. I can just imagine how excited you are. Oh boy - and it'll give you a feel for what the life really can be all about!

[snowball]

that is just cool Echo!!! and you will love being around Sparkles... Have fun I think that would be a fun area but way to far from the grandkids. And what Beth said about excerising that would be good its a high altitude!!!
Enjoy the new and different surroundings
sheila

[Orchid]

How wonderful! I know you two are excited and scared to death. Remember when we were all young and reckless and something like this would only be an adventure and not a source of the willies? Go for it girls! Your first step to fulltime RVers! Cheryl

[SeeyaGal]

Hooray! So good to hear that you can kiss that slave job goodbye!! Life is too short ya need to have some fun and getting paid to do it is even better!

[Echo]

Thank you all so much for the good wishes!!! It is really appreciated.

As to being excited?? The word excited doesn't cover it, not at all. OMG When we got the call we were working so didn't get the chance to listen to the voicemail until we went on bread. I let Kelly call it as we both had gotten a message for the owner. She started screaming and jumping up and down, it's a wonder she didn't hurt herself! But no matter how excited, ya just can't stop the thought of "oh boy what if something goes wrong?". And tho I don't know what we will do if it that happens??? LOL We are looking forward to the whole experience.

We have to be out there by May 7th but will get there a couple days early to have a chance to settle in. Not sure exactly what we will get for housing, either one of the larger RV's or a park model? Told Kelly if we get the park model she's getting the loft! She thinks that is super kool. Kelly and I are both planning on a marathon sorting session to get rid of the excess baggage. The friend across the street will become the new Momma to my collection of dragons. While it breaks my heart to get rid of them she is ecstatic. She is a dragon nut too. We really don't have much furniture to get rid of. Told David and Jenny awhile ago that they could have the coffee table, washer and dryer and whatever else if we got the jobs. So most of what we have left is personal stuff. Have a small TV, small microwave, a crockpot that I'm keeping and of course my coffeepot!!! Have planned on getting a small trailer to tow with our stuff on. Would of course be rather nice to hit Powerball for a couple hundred thousand. But I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one!

We will keep the jobs that we have and are training for, for now. And while I would LOVE to tell them to put them where the sun don't shine??? I wont. We both will be nice and give at least a weeks notice and work that notice. Don't want to torch the bridges ya know. They also have call centers out in either NM or AZ and if worse comes to worse? We can hopefully go to work out there doing the same thing for the winter if need be. It might be an all over crappy job but when ya need a job? Almost anything will do.

We have about 3 months to get stuff sorted, tossed, given away and packed. Ought to be fun.

[Nasoosie]

YAY and CONGRATS, Echo and Kelly!!

Whatever the new job is like, it will be an improvement over what you are doing now in that sweatshop environment! And you will have friends there, too! What more could you ask for!

Yes, so now where will you live, and what will the job entail? HOW EXCITING!!!

[Carolinagal]

Echo and Kelly, My internet was down last night, so I am just finding out your Great News . Congratulations to you both. Its beautiful country out there, I think you will really like it. The breathing idea is a good one, every time I go to my son's in Colorado, I am so glad I am a walker, still takes a week to really adjust. (course, I'm old too )
We'll all be tuned in for your great adventures

I'm so glad for you both, take care

Carol

[NakedPupsAndMe]

How exciting!! I'm so happy for you both. If you don't mind my asking, what will you be doing in this new job? Is this considered workamping? I would love to do what you all are doing! I have made quite a few mistakes along the way, but I don't want to be at the end of my life thinking, "I wish I'd done...(fill in the blank)". You two have to be crazy happy & excited! Can't wait to hear all about your new adventures!

[oregontocal]

Echo, it sounds like you're on the right track. As Beth wrote, there's absolutely no place to spend your money out there except the small gift store in the lodge and the little store across the street. The nearest supermarkets are either in Page, AZ or in Kanab, UT, both at least 90 miles away. There's a Wal-Mart in Page.

As for employment after the Kaibab season, you might think about working for Amazon.com for their holiday season, which runs from September through December, although you don't need to work that entire time. People start when they're available. Express Personnel Services, the agency that handles the workamper program for them, has made arrangements to expand that program to other Amazon fulfillment centers this coming year. So instead of just the Coffeyville, Kansas location, workers will have a choice of working in some of these places as well:

Arizona
Delaware
Indiana
Kentucky
Nevada
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia

The pay is excellent, as is the almost sure-thing possibility for overtime. Please let me know if you need more information.

I understand your hesitation about the big step to Kaibab, the "what if it doesn't work out." Your excellent decision to stay on good terms with your present employer will help ease your mind. If I hadn't decided to get off the road for a while and put down some roots in Oklahoma, I'd be coming to Kaibab. I mean, you get to work with Sparkle! As you said, the place will probably never be the same.

[Shirlv]

Sounds like a great adventure to me. Way to go!

[Fernie]

Congratulations Echo and Kelly. This is a great move for you and a giant step closer to your dreams!! Who knows, someone may come through with a rig they need to get rid of at a price you can afford. At least, you get to spend time in a beautiful part of the country. Of course, Sparkle may get you into some mischief!!! (I haven't forgot her liver treats in Pigeon Forge!! LOL)

[Sparkle]

How could I have forgotten liver treats! Well, I didn't actually forget about them as I made some last week, but I forgot their effects on men, I mean dogs!. Here I am in a Park with hundreds of old men in big rigs..with dogs...with wives too, but I never let that stop me. All's fair in .....I've got to get busy!

[BirdbyBird]

Congratulations. Wish you all the courage to explore and enjoy the adventure. And of course keep us in the loop of the joys, tears and laughter along the way...... I've never been tot he north rim either. I love to find reasons to travel places.

Tina and the furry ones who also love to find reasons to travel places

[rvgal]

Echo, big congratulations to you and Kelly! I hope you both love your new jobs & have many fun adventures to go along with it!
Just a thought about employment after you finish the Grand Canyon assignment - have you ever applied to a utility locating company? Elm Locating is one company that I know of that operates in the western states. Their website is http://www.elmlocating.com/ They locate & mark underground utility lines. Doesn't seem like a bad job, you work mostly imdependently, spend time in the great outdoors, etc. Sometimes they do want prior experience but not always. Might be something you want to look into.