Follow along on my journey as I travel the US
Last week I visited “America’s Notre Dame” in Covington, KY. Located just outside Cincinnati, the facade of this Gothic cathedral was designed and built after the Notre Dame in Paris. Ground was broken in 1894 and the dedication took place 16 years later in 1910.
Being able to travel, see sights and learn so much about the world brings me so much joy. I hope that what I see brings you some joy, too. Until next time…
You will have to forgive me for the lack of posts, but work has been tough. Everyone in our Camperforce group feels the pain:
With that being said, Lee and I pulled an all-day/nighter and went to see the Broadway musical Pretty Woman.
The musical was fun and had a talented cast. I must admit that my favorite song was during Edward and Vivian’s date at the opera. The male and female opera singers were phenomenal. The costumes and scenes were everything you saw in the movies, complete with Vivian’s thigh high boots. We even saw a super-fan wearing the dress,hat and gloves from the polo match!
Yesterday was also race day in downtown Cincinnati. It was the final day of the Flying Pig Marathon. I was curious about the name, so here is your bit of trivia today!
Why is it called The Flying Pig Marathon?
In the 1800’s Cincinnati was called “Porkopolis” because of all the stockyards and the meat packing industry. In fact, they often ran pigs through the downtown streets. In the 1980’s when the riverfront was being developed, they commissioned a nationally renowned sculptor/artist to design something that was indicative of Cincinnati’s history and we now have Flying Pigs welcoming you to the riverfront. When the founders of the marathon were looking for a name for the event back in ‘97 “Flying Pig” brought smiles to everyone’s face so that seemed most appropriate.
I have been off the last three days from work and have enjoyed it; however, I am ready to go back this evening. Yesterday was a nice sunny day here and I was able to run errands and have lunch with Lee. We ate at A Taste of Belgium and enjoyed some delicious waffles.
Pesto Cream Mussels
One thing I miss terribly is the friendly people & great customer service in NC, SC, VA, & WV. When you ask someone a question or try to make conversation, you are lucky if you get a one word response. Yesterday, I felt like Julia Roberts going shopping on Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman.
The staff in most places treat you like you are an inconvenience or not worth their time. Don’t get me wrong, I have met some nice people at work and the campground, but I am definitely not in the South!
I found a great article about whether Kentucky, and other states, is are actually in the South. What do you consider the South?
Sorry, Your State is Not the South https://www.theringer.com/pop-culture/2017/8/21/16169944/sorry-your-state-is-not-southern-south-package
Kentucky, when looking down from the North, is very Southern. That’s what you call shaping a calendar year around a 1.25-mile horse race; it’s also the term for sporting bowties and seersucker suits even without it being the Derby: Southern. There’s the fried chicken, the Confederate statues, the hospitality, the bigotry, an unmistakable twang, and a most iconic meal made of of gravy, toast, and meat layered upon fried, fattier meat. But Kentucky is not the South.
—Haley O’Shaughnessy, Kentucky
I had a great time yesterday kayaking in the Gorge Underground yesterday with my Amazon co-worker Lee. We were part of a small group on our one hour tour.
It was a cool 52 degrees in the cave and we were outfitted in our jackets, life vests and helmets.
Exiting the mine
It was very peaceful in the dark. We saw a few bats, petrified wood, and different stone formations. There were also lots of HUGE record setting rainbow trout in the mine. In several places water was dripping from the ceiling and the sound was so relaxing. The water was extremely calm so it was an easy kayak.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for adventure in the Red River Gorge area.
A few tips:
1. Use the bathroom before you go. They only have port-a-potties at the cave.
2. Wear waterproof pants. Everyone left with a souvenir—cold, damp bottoms.
3. Stop at Daniel Boone Coffee & Deli. We had coffee and crumbcake to fuel our kayak. The coffee was hot and robust. The crumbcake was moist with lots of crumb.
4. Have some pizza at the legendary Miguel’s Pizza.
Miguel’s sells whole pizzas or you can order by the slice. There are over 50 toppings you can choose from to top your pizza.
Lee & I both had two slices. They were hot and fresh with a delicious crust. I had mine with pepperoni and banana peppers. There wasn’t a crumb left on our paper plates!
One of my fellow Amazon Camperforce friends, Lee, and I are headed underground today. I am looking forward to some good company, good fun and exploring the Gorge.
It is raining here today, so this is the perfect adventure to get out of the rain! Look out for more details in the next post.
1. Work Badge
At Amazon, your work badge is everything. You enter and exit the buildings with your badge, you clock in & out with your badge, you can even shop with your badge. (I will tell you more about shopping with your badge later!)
2. Comfortable shoes & clothes
This is the most lenient dress code I have ever experienced and it is fantastic! No dress clothes. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes.
3. Beverages
As with any job, it is important to stay hydrated. Amazon provides coffee and ice water 24/7. I was pleasantly surprised—the coffee was great! They also have ice machines that are perfect if you are an ice aficionado.
4. Lastly, some TLC for those sore muscles.
Biofreeze is my best friend!
My body clock is all put of whack, but I am starting the first of three days off. I promise to answer all of your questions in the coming posts.
It is official. I am an Amazonian. Yesterday was my first full day of employment with Amazon and I survived! I am working at one of the facilities in Hebron, KY.
My assigned shift is Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30pm – 5:00am. This was the first time in many, many years that I was up at this time….on purpose!
I trained yesterday on processing customer returns. The facility I am in processes clothing and shoe returns. Believe me when I tell you that I have a new appreciation for this work! It is a physical job in a standing/walking position that works a lot of muscles while scanning items. Luckily, my years working in libraries prepared me for this.
I have met some great people in the Camperforce group who worked here last year. They are back again this year, so I am taking that as a good sign. I will be telling you more about my experience in the days and weeks to come.
Now it’s time for some much deserved sleep!
The last week, I have been learning my way around the area. First things first, food! I am so happy that we have Kroger here. I shopped in the largest Kroger I have seen, complete with clothing, housewares and more.
I have a Kentucky friend who introduced me to Skyline chili years ago. I had to rely on frozen chili, but have now had the pleasure of dining in a Skyline restaurant.
If you haven’t eaten Skyline chili, you don’t know what you’re missing! https://www.skylinechili.com/
Next stop Rabbit Hash, KY
Lots of friends have been asking about my time in Kentucky. I will be working for Amazon in Hebron, KY from October 20th through the middle/end of December . I am participating in an Amazon program called Camperforce.
Click here to read more about Camperforce. https://hiring.amazon.com/our-team/camperforce#/
I don’t know what my specific job will be, but it will involve picking, packing, and/or shipping customer orders. I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone is ordering for the holidays!
I have my tennis shoes ready, too. The facility is about 800,000 square feet and has seven buildings over 882 acres, with a multi-story parking garage and space for aircraft parking.
Camperforce jobs are available throughout the year across the US.
Employees receive a $100 sign on bonus the first day for being COVID vaccinated. They also receive supplemental income towards the campground stay & an assignment completion bonus.
The next question is where do you find out about these jobs? https://workamper.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokjy998Wi1DisXEJjZDw2H6ugXTk0FNMPDxw1HBgC-6-Avsu5v5JbYBoCTiMQAvD_BwE
I have been very fortunate with Workamper. This is where I also found the job listing for the Grand Canyon, which runs from April – October 2022. I am keeping an eye out now for next winter. Believe it or not, employers have started listing jobs for summer 2023 and beyond!
I arrived in Kentucky this week and have settled in nicely. Cappy says he approves, too. The area here is in the tri-state area and central to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Camping with Christi