Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Winter in California

In my heart, I'm a Californian. I might have been born in New Jersey, lived in several other states, and my mail goes to Texas, but I'm here in California.

By practicing my frugal RVing tips and being very budget conscious, I've been able to take a position as a volunteer camp host at Brannan Island State Recreation Area on the Sacramento Delta. I work 20 hours a week selling firewood, helping at the kiosk, perhaps helping in the visitor center, and cleaning firepits. My perks are the RV site pictured below with free 30-50 amp electric, water and sewer. There is a phone connection if I want to add a land line.

The park is 17 feet above sea level, so just in case we have a problem with a levee break on the Sacramento River, it won't affect this location. It seems a bit strange to be concerned about flooding, but with the fires we had this year and the drought, it's a legitimate concern.

One of the best aspects of this locale is I'm three miles from Rio Vista with a grocery store, laundromat, propane and other services, so it won't be too bad to drive the RV for what I need. The nearest large store and bank are in Antioch 13 miles away across the bridge. Fortunately, one of the other volunteers does her shopping and banking there so I can hitch a ride with her.

I don't start working until Friday and I have time to enjoy this:


7 comments:

  1. I drive past your place to camp at Sandy Beach, which is across the river in Rio Vista. The fall is a beautiful time in the Delta, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The Delta towns are charming.

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  2. Please enjoy the beatiful area, but also do us all a favor after you pay the state income taxes explain it all to the rest of us. there are many wonderful sounding jobs available in California but the income tax holds us back. Colorado is the same way.

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  3. The state income tax is the small price I pay to live in this beautiful place. Since I'm a volunteer, there is no income to be taxed. The taxes I pay are on the income I receive as a contractor and from the sales of my books.

    Many people work in the states without state income taxes and I'm sure you'll find one to your liking. After all, we have 50 to choose from!

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  4. Why did you leave the TT on the Russian River??

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  5. Thousand Trails was absorbed by a larger corporation and I cannot work for any subsidiary of that corporation.

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  6. I understand that if you campground host or earn ANY money while workcamping in California you have to get California plates on your MH. Let us know what happens during your stay.

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  7. I do have California plates on my RV (registered in CA with the TX mailing address) and you're correct: if you spend more than 180 days in the state, the vehicle must be registered in that state.

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