When the other camp host asked whether I would like to return home one week earlier than planned, I consulted SWMBO and said hell yes. Leaving warm water, good surf and weather was not easy. Leaving whiny campers, a dusty and dirty campground, hellacious traffic, perpetual smoke from smoldering campfires, a constant infusion of transients and homeless, many of whom were mentally damaged, was not hard.
When one's self-talk turns negative and every duty becomes a burden, change is necessary. With that in mind, I surrendered our keys, firewood sale money and extra shower tokens to the other camp host. We also left our official camp host vests for others to use. Once divested, knowing I would never again be a camp host, all the negative thoughts and feelings vanished.
With the campground and park in the side view mirror, we eased into the high speed traffic on the northbound freeway. Sipping my coffee, listening to satellite radio, I thought of our home and our friends. Just over one thousand more miles to go.
