I am probably more guilty than most. When we get in a pattern regardless of reasons we tend to accept that this is the way it will be. Sometimes it is good to get pushed out of that rut. Long story short, a change was made because we were made to be the collateral to try and keep everyone happy. The campground we have been at and the most loyal users of nolonger has our business. However we are one of the first to be at a new campground and now know it was the right move. Here is last night's view from our site. A little slice of heaven !
First was a camper, then moved to Canada and bought a Campground on a lake. It contained 100+ seasonal campers, many of which had been there for many years. It was a amazing adventure as a owner. you are the landlord, police chief, fire chief, garbage collector, baby sitter, Ann Landers and occasionally the "executioner" amongst other things. It totally amazed us as to how people , who had been site neighbors for years, suddenly couldn't stand the sight of each other............so, let the games begin. Being a campground owner is like being a gardner..............occasionally you spend part of your time having to transplant some of your product. Turns out being best for all concerned.
Well said rottiman! My family has owned a campground in the Ottawa Valley my entire life. From the late 60's to the late 80's it was a 100+ seasonal and nightly sites but after the inmates tried to start running the asylum we shut it down and re-opened it a year later to just a select few seasonal sites. We now have about 25 seasonals that are for the most part self sufficient. There is still drama and the occasional PIA issues (sometimes family ) but a lot less than in the days old.
For my first job, I worked at a campground for 3 years. So much turnover in that time between ownership, employees and seasonals. It was a blast to work there and as rottiman said, a truly unique cornucopia of tasks and challenges. Kudos to you for starting fresh and trying a different place. I kinda see it as a neccessary thing to do every once in a while. A camper wasn't meant to be parked and never moved again. Get those wheels turning every once in a while.
I have always had this weird idea that if I was to be able to ever semi retire that I wouldn't mind running a little campground, but it would have to be mine and it be known that I am the enlightened dictator. The biggest issue with our last place was it was being part time ran by someone who has never camped or been around it and didn't know any of the basics of camping standard operating procedure.
13 years ago my dad approached me about buying a camp ground in the white mountains of NH. I had just recently started dating my wife, and knew I had something special that kept me from saying yes and uprooting. It could have been fun for sure.
