Building a small RV park.

[Jim]

It's bee a productive last few days.

• Set up credit card processing through Stripe. Pros - We now have a way to take payments, deposits, etc. Cons, - Not thrilled to give up 3% + $0.30 each transaction. Doesn't seem like much until you do the long term math.
• Got ViaSat Internet installed at the (soon to be) office/laundry room. It's a solution for email and Messenger, and I can run the booking/payment software on it, but it's not up to the task for streaming. Better than nothing though.
• Got a dumpster delivered. Man, is that thing ugly! Will have to do something to get it camouflaged.
• Fired the plumber.
• Got another fire pit installed.
• Installed a bunch of 12" square stepping stones.
• Planted a couple of Magnolia trees and a dozen small shrubs.
• Cleaned up around the place. Lots of stuff, everywhere. Dumpster didn't look so bad as the day went on.
• Called Lowe's and told them to come get this POS cart we bought from them last week. Words can't describe what a terrible piece of junk that thing is.
• Good news - Frontier came out and found a phone line for us. Bad news - Frontier said I have to wait for one of the two trencher guys to come out and burry the cable. They have no idea when that would be.
• And a gazillion other small things that all had to be done.

We see light at the end of the tunnel and not a moment to soon as we're both burned out on this project.

I've been testing the booking module and I'm thinking it's about time to turn it on. I have two sites ready to rent and the other six are very, very close to being ready. I think I will turn on booking and manually block out the next 3 weeks on those six. That will I can get some booking going and give myself some time to get them ready. That being said, I hate selling something that really isn't ready. Oh what the heck, what could go wrong?

lol

 

[sheridany]

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Here they come...run for the hills! That said, things are looking good, @Jim.

TJ

 

[GlampDaddy]

Well, this is certainly something special!

 

[Jim]

There goes the neighborhood. Leave the gate open for 5 minutes . . .

 

[Neemer]

I guess good help IS hard to find.

 

[Jim]

I guess good help IS hard to find.

lol, it is, indeed!

But in all seriousness, it is great to meet Buddy and Jeanette and tour their beautiful coach. Wonderful people with a tremendous sense of humor. (Which was tested with a low branch a muddy driveway, complements of the previous night’s thunderstorms.)

It was awesome to watch Buddy place this 45’ piece of thundering steel into its slip on the first try, although I’m sure most of the credit belongs with Jeanette and her skillful guidance.

Now, if the weather will just behave, it should be a nice day!

 

[Jim]

After putting my coach in a couple of the sites, it quickly became clear that I needed to do some work to get them level. They looked level, but that was an illusion that was quickly shattered when you hit the auto leveler in the coach. So we took some 2x6's and leveled them in the area where the coach will park. Then we filled in between them with crusher run (paving rock), and knocked off the high areas with another 2x6, kind of like someone would do if they were finishing concrete.

Then I drove the tractor across it a gazillion times to pack it down really good. Maybe I can get Glampdaddy to move his coach over and test it out for me?

 

[GlampDaddy]

Jim, I’m watching that site from the #5 gazebo. It looked fairly level after a beer, and it was perfect after two.? But, I’ll be happy to back in there tomorrow to test your road-packing efforts.

 

[Jim]

Jim, I’m watching that site from the #5 gazebo. It looked fairly level after a beer, and it was perfect after two.?

Ha ha, it's my guess that in another hour, neither of us is going to care.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

That’s an easy fix, @Jim: just provide a couple of beers in the fridge and everything is leveled out. Sure would save on the back.

TJ

 

[GlampDaddy]

For what it’s worth...
This forum has watched Jim’s little RV park grow from ‘thinking about it’ to full-blown reality in just over a year. Jeanette and I had to good fortune to experience Deer Springs early on, and it’s only fair to share what we have witnessed.
First, Jim is an amazing human who had no experience building RV parks, but has seen his baby through to completion, though not without the full support and partnership of the equally amazing Trish.
Second, they have created a very special place for us, the RV community. (They already live here and didn’t have to share).
Third, these folks are the finest RV hosts you will ever find - period.
Finally, you absolutely owe it to yourself to experience this place!
The other Finally-bring sweet wine for Trish and and Lite beer for Jim!
Can’t wait for our next visit...

 

[Jim]

That’s an easy fix, @Jim: just provide a couple of beers in the fridge and everything is leveled out. Sure would save on the back.

TJ

I like the way you think Jim!

 

[STANDERSON]

Looks great!

 

["EZ"]

That place is looking better and better every time I see it. Congratulations Jim and Trish! ?

 

[Jim]

After a successful test run (well, except for that tree branch) with @GlampDaddy's 45' coach, I took the big step of turning on the booking functions in my software. I only have 2 of my 8 sites ready, but I'm very close to having the other 6 ready within a couple of weeks.

I'm actually pretty excited, but at the same time a bit anxious as I know that things don't always go as planned. Especially with software. I would hate to find that something went horribly wrong and several angry guests show up with the multiple bookings on the same site.

But I'll cross my fingers and sacrifice a chicken to the "booking gods". Doesn't get any more real than that.

 

[Jim]

A quick video walkaround of site #5.

Site #5

 

[Ben]

Great job. This is definetely glamping. LOL This is what the DW calls camping.

 

["EZ"]

A quick video walkaround of site #5.

Site #5

Incredible. Just incredible. ?

 

[AuntieDodo]

View attachment 7287
Well, this is certainly something special!

I’m jealous!