My first workamping job at Buena Vista Wildlife Safari and RV Park is coming to an end. I can’t believe five months have passed already. It’s been quite an adventure.
Before accepting this workamping position here in Central Texas, I thought long and hard about working for someone else after 10 years of being retired. All in all, it’s worked out just fine. I’ve enjoyed my stay and picked up a few new skills along the way.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly At My Workamping Site
The Good
- Amazing sunsets and sunrises
- So many sunny days
- My drives through the safari
- The Airstream Rally that came to me
- Learning that I can contribute again
- Surprisingly inexpensive veterinary care
- Texans are lovely people
The Bad
- Wind, neverending wind
- 60-mile round trips to the grocery store
- Spending the holidays and my birthday alone
- The terrible hard water
The Ugly
- Gumbo Mud – Unlike any other mud I have experienced.
- Ice storms
- Falling into the gumbo mud
Where To Next?
I have reservations for a resort near Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas. I’ve wanted to go there for years but never managed to do so. This year, fingers crossed, I’m going.
After Big Bend, I’ll mosey home to Washington State slowly. I don’t want to arrive too early in the spring or I will end up enduring weeks of gray, drizzly days.
Everyone’s Favorite Camp Greeter, Murphy
Murphy is completely in his element here at the RV park. He’s the best office coworker and camp greeter ever. He waits on his bed for someone to come in. When he hears the bell, he’s off to greet them with a toy in his mouth wagging his tail like crazy. Everyone smiles and talks to him. He’s a natural.
However, my dog is broken. Poor Murphy is starting to show his age. He will turn 8 next month and because he is a large breed dog, age-related problems creep up earlier than in smaller dogs.
Murphy started showing signs of hip pain and stiffness last fall. We talked with his vet and started him on Cosequin. We gave it a few months but he didn’t show any improvement. We tried CBD treats too. When he started to get worse, I took him to the vet here in Texas. They did a lot of x-rays to get a good idea of what is going on and found he has arthritis and hip dysplasia.
She started him on an anti-inflammatory which seemed to help at first. Now he’s having trouble bearing weight on his left rear leg for a while after he gets up. He’s also been feeling a bit under the weather and I’m thinking it may be the medication causing stomach irritation.
I’m planning to take him to our regular vet when we get back home and see if there is some other treatment we can try.
In the meantime, I have purchased a set of retractable steps to help him get in and out of the truck without jumping. Let’s just say, he’s adapting.
Read more about my Texas workamping adventures here. Wonderful Winter Workamping in Central Texas.
Maybe I will have the chance to say “ Hi” to you when you get “home”? Your travels sound amazing and it has been fun watching your adventures. Travel safe! P.S. Murphy is a hoot! ❤️🐾
Hi There!
I’m sure we’ll see each other at some point. I’ll be in your neighborhood often. I’m glad you’re enjoying my travels and Murphy! He’s the best.
Juley
Wonderful! Sad about Murphy but I had a lab Shepard mix that I treated for arthritis for years. She lived to be 18 years old! If I think of the drug I will send it to you. for your information dogs can have Pepto Bismol for tummy upset.
Pam, Thanks for the information on the drug name. We definitely need a better solution for his pain. He’s doing better right now. I’m worried about all the riding in the truck over the next few weeks but we’ll take it slow.
Juley