There's A Moon Out Tonite

Unbelieveable full moon rising over Grapevine Lake tonite. A little haze in the sky made it illuminate the campground for a few minutes—and it's moments like this that makes RVing the best thing in the world to do.

And this even makes you want to break out in song...but the question is which one? Blue Moon ... Moonlight Becomes You.. Moon River ... Moonlight in Vermont ... Dancing in the Moonlight? What's your favorite?

Rowing for Rubbish

Come join our friends at Keep Grapevine Beautiful next Saturday morning, March 6, and let's get the shoreline around the campground cleaned-up. All ages are welcome to join in. Bring your life vests, wear your boots, and help us pick up some of the debris that washed up from the lake and high waters. Bags, gloves and grabbers will be provided. Also, there will be a few kayaks, canoes and some john-boats available for those who want to work out on the lake.

Sign-in at the Pavilion at 8:30 a.m., work awhile, then join the group at 11:30 a.m. for lunch over at Big Daddys in the sailboat marina across from the campground. Big Daddy's is locally famous for their great hamburgers, so join all of the KGB helpers on Marina's International's deck for lunch. Know that we really appreciate your help!

Love Your Pet!

Of course you love spending time with your pet ... and Saturday, February 20, we want to make your pet feel extra special on National Love Your Pet Day!

Whether it's a good scratch or a tummy rub, a longer walk around the campground, or just a bit more attention—stop by the Front Office Saturday to pick up an extra treat for your pet.

And, if your pet loves to travel with you from campground to campground, let us know. Post comments or a great story about your favorite traveling companion right here on our blogspot. Or, email us a picture of your pet at thevineyards@grapevinetexas.gov, and we'll be happy to post them as well.

You Say Goodbye, and We Say Hello... Workampers Needed Now

The Vineyards Campground, known for it's outstanding staff, are pictured here receiving recognition at a Grapevine City Council meeting for being an award winning campground—TACO's 2009 Best Medium-Size Campground! So, it's hard to say goodbye to fellow workampers and friends as the camping seasons come and go each year.

Yet, it's a natural cycle in our Workamper industry. The City of Grapevine's Lake Parks system, which includes The Vineyards Campground, has openings now for several 6/12-month contract positions. These 'experience-preferred' positions are for dependable, hard working couples that have great customer service skills.

Interested couples will need to be available to begin work within the next 6-10 weeks (March/April 2010), depending on the exact position. Applicants will be interviewed in person or by telephone, and then a review panel will consider the best-qualified applicants for each position. A full-service site, discounts on store products, laundry and a daily stipend are provided with each position.

Positions do have varied schedules and park locations, but will average 10-14-days per month/per couple. The Lake Parks currently need:

+ Three Park Attendants: collect daily fees, sell Annual Boat Ramp Passes, and monitor park activities.

+ One Park Host: clean cabins and restrooms, order campground supplies, assist with campstore and special events.

+ Two Campstore Attendants: monitor store, rentals, inventory, special events, Annual Boat Ramp Passes, and all duties associated with a camp store operation.

Please contact Joe Moore now at jmoore@grapevinetexas.gov if you are interested in joining the award-winning team.

Snowtime

Much to everyone's surprise, we woke up this morning in a Winter Wonderland.

Campground looks magical this morning, with about 3" -4" of fluffy, wet snow. Most of pine tree and live oak branches are weighted down with a several of inches of soft snow. It doesn't happen often in Texas, so come enjoy the snow with us. Some of you will feel right at home.

Roads are passable now because temperature is just above freezing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area today. Snow is falling, and ice may be present on various bridges for those RVers driving in to the area, so use caution.

TXDOT is patrolling the highways, and sanding around the clock where needed. You can go on their state website, and click on 'Road Conditions' in Tarrant County. It will pop-up a screen that gives highway information near The Vineyards Campground. So, if you're on the way here for the weekend, bundle up and "come on down," as we say here in Texas.

"Drive carefully and the Front Gate's open!"

Celebrating 100 Years of Boy Scouting Today

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts in America! And we are celebrating it on the campground. Any camper who has been a Boy Scout in years past can go to the Front Office and sign our official register of being at the park on this historic day.

Our Convention and Visitors Bureau has provided City of Grapevine keepsake pins for former scouts as a token of appreciation for visiting the city and staying at The Vineyards Campground.

Scouting has always advocated preservation of our natural resources and developed youth programs that instill a love for the outdoors. If you have a favorite memory of scouting or a scout camping trip, let us hear from you!

Pizza Great at Pavilion Open House

We had a good time at the pizza party Open House in our snazy, updated Pavilion on Saturday night. And, boy did that HOT pizza taste great in this cool February weather! Most everyone went with the all-time favorites of pepperoni, sausage and cheese pizzas, but a couple of us went 'out on the edge' and tried Mr. Jim's Pizza with grilled chicken with jalapeno pizza and the vegetarian one with fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, basil and black olives. Yumm!

More than 40 of our winter

campers joined us at the pavilion and brought salads and desserts, especially a great cherry pie. We all talked up a storm for a couple of hours, sharing stories about travels and favorites spots to see.

The new vinyl sides proved to be a great upgrade for the Pavilion, and kept the cold out while we enjoyed the music and lively conversation with each other. Special thanks to our great staff — Mary and John, and Nancy and Mike—for having such serving hearts, getting the indoor heater, and making the evening so enjoyable for everyone here! Hopefully, this will be the first of many night-outs in our covered Pavilion...