LIFE AS BACK PARK HOSTS

Riverbank is in central California,  in what is called the  Central Valley. in the midst of orchards of almonds, cherries,  peaches, apricots   and walnuts. Modesto is only 10 miles away where there is a Walmart Supercenter, the smallest one we've ever seen and busy all the time. We were getting settled, rented a post office box, found a little neighborhood grocery store where they have a full service meat counter.
I found me a church, and met some of  the nicest people I have ever met.  After introducing myself,  we were like old friends. They welcomed me into their small flock!  I am  so grateful to have this Church Family.

 Our duties  are few here, at one of the meetings, we went over our duties list with Wayne, and he kept saying, No, you don't need to do that, we do that. Sue keeps saying  she's just so glad to have someone here. We open and close the walking trail gate and open the two vault toilets and monitor the trail. Darrell blows off the trail with this blower that he pulls behind the mule and does some hand  blowing also.

  On Michelle's two days off, we cover for her........... Easy Peasy!!  We pick up litter and inform folks of the park rules.  The biggest offenses is alcohol in the park  and dogs off leashes. We have security in the park on weekends and park aids that clean the bathrooms and pick up litter.  Darrell and I work in the ticket booth Fridays from 12:00 to 3:00. They charge $7 on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.

 I was also  busy getting my flower garden and pots ready to plant.

I  wanted to do something with this stump that is out by the walking trail.

The fence needed painting before we could plant the garden,  it didn't take long to paint it, it looked really nice.

We decided to try planting flower seeds, I don't have much luck with seeds, so Darrell planted them.

He planted three kinds of flower seeds and cucumbers, we bought three tomato plants.

Wayne kept asking if we needed anything.....I asked for some stepping stones for around the picnic table and a few tools, he got everything I asked him for.

The picnic table needed  a little "dressing up", I made this, got the idea from my buddy, Pinterest.

We have this wonderful little shed to use, so when Wayne brought us the tools I opened it up to put them in........OH!   Full of spider webs, hanging from the ceiling to almost the floor! Darrell wouldn't even walk in. I got busy and got it all cleaned up and organized. Wish I'd taken a " Before and After" picture.

We are enjoying the peace and quiet here, there is no traffic noise because there are no cars allowed back here. We do hear the train that runs right  in the middle of the park separating the front from the back.
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The Stanislaus River is running high due to all the rain they had this past winter.

The early reports were the river would run high all summer due to the snow melt in the Sierras.

The trees are standing in water and there is no bank.  One day I walked up on the bridge so I could get a good shot of  the river.

Running bank to bank and in some places out of it's bank.

I planted annuals in all of  my pots and the stump.

This sign was placed  in the park to warn swimmers of the dangers of being in the river.

Sadly, a few lost their lives.
 In May, Church was held in the Park. The folks from Oakdale Methodist Church joined us for service and pot luck afterwards.

 The combined church musicians  played  and we sang,  "Shall We Gather At the River"...it was such a beautiful still  day!

Lots and lots of food and all delicious!