Angels Wear Yellow!

Or that's what our franchisees in Niagara Falls North think! This is the park that burned to the ground early morning July 27thl It was our first chance to get over there, and when we got there Fran just grabbed us and cried. This is the third park we have been close to over the years that has gone through this, and it is never easy.

The other two KOAs in the Niagara Falls area really stepped up to the plate and pitched in to help Leigh & Fran survive that first horrible couple of days. As Fran was telling us about all their help, she made the statement, "I didn't know angels wore yellow, but they do!" It made us so proud to be associated with a company that has such a feeling of 'family'.

They were trying to work with only two yellow shirts each, so we went back the next day and took some of our ample supply. We also burned a cd of pictures we have taken at their park over the years, and it was helpful as they begin the task of making a list of things that were in their building.

At times like these it can be so tense and emotional, and Fran was sharing how sad it was that she had lost all her 'things' from her parents. She begin to cry and went on to state that she really felt bad, for Leigh's grandparents 'urns' were also lost in the fire. I do not know what possessed me to say it, but I spouted, "That's ok, they've been through it before!" Fran started giggling and so did we. We laughed till we cried, again. Laughter is good for the soul, even in tough times.

The review at Niagara Falls/Grand Island was something. With 61 kabins and a lodge, we had our work cut out Sunday afternoon (but so did the cleaning crew!). Think about 50 of them were vacant and we checked every one! The manager, Ginny, really has her hands full with the park undergoing major renovation. When we arrived on Friday, she had just got the A/C working again in the main building. Then, as we were sitting in her office Monday morning going over the review, the power went down. Seems a transformer had gone down somewhere on the island and the entire park was down. We felt a bit like we were deserting a sinking ship when we left, but knew there was nothing we could do. It's times like this that remind us WHY we are glad we no longer own a park!

Drove south to Westfield, NY and unhooked from the trailer and headed southeast to Kinzua, PA. A pretty little park in the Allegheny Mtns. Needed to do a follow up visit there and didn't want to drag the trailer over those rough roads. It was about 90 miles each way - in the rain - and got back to Westfield about 8:00 p.m. and began their walk-about. Had to stop when it got dark, and finished up the next morning and drove further south. The heat and humidity was a killer, with temperatures in the 90's - and right on Lake Erie!

This stop was Mercer, PA about 130 miles north of Pittsburgh. Waited till it cooled off a bit to do their walk-about. A nice park and we see continued improvement here, which always makes us happy! Had a nice visit with these folks, before heading south once again.

As we drove, we begin hearing reports of a major rain storm that had hit parts of Pittsburgh that morning and predictions of more rain to come. And boy did it. It took us 3 hours to drive 127 miles. It was raining in sheets! Of course, wouldn't you know it, we needed gas. Couldn't find a station - and didn't want to risk getting off on to city streets, so Roger pulls over and stands out in the rain - and lightening - pouring his 5 gallon emergency supply in the tank. He was soaked! That got us on to the turnpike service area, but by that time it was raining so hard, we just pulled over and sat it out for a while. He then backed up to the pump and got gas and we continued on.

The non-stop pace caught up with me (early mornings and late nights typing reports) - and I dozed off. Of course, wouldn't you know it was not a good time! Roger claims I go to sleep always as we are approaching a big city! He would reach over and wake me and I would doze right off again! By that time we had missed our turnpike exit - and the next exit was 20 miles down the road. Needless to say Roger was NOT a happy camper. After fighting that rain and traffic, for 3 hours, the LAST THING he wanted was to drive 40 miles out of the way. You could say it was a pretty quiet evening in the Hughes household last night. The pace is wearing on both of us, and with me still being a 'wounded bird' with my shoulder does not help. We barely got the trailer set up, before the skies opened once again. The third wave hit later that night. We are used to rain storms like this in Oklahoma, but it's been a while since we've had rain like this up here.

Circumstances have mandated that we are here in Madison, PA (southeast of Pittsburgh) for two nights and it has been for the best. A good park here, and we both have gotten some much needed rest. Two quiet evenings here, for Friday nights are not good times to meet with busy owners. Will meet with them in the morning and then head about 150 miles northeast to Bellefonte, PA.