Day 52 - My first online class

Day 52 - Wednesday

I wake before the alarm, turn on the computer and have no invitation to the class.  Then I see a text from my boss asking whether I want the invite to the morning or afternoon class.  I reply and she promises to have the presenter, who is our manager, send an invitation.  He does send an email but it's not the invitation.  After more texts back and forth it's now after 8am but I do get the invitation.  I follow the link, but since it's the first online class I've taken this year it takes time to get in.  Eventually, though, it works.

I learn why I was hired, why the company is now relying on virtual training, how I will be paid and about the extensive training and support I will get before I have to teach.  I'm really excited about this new opportunity.  Meanwhile I find that I can now sign up for the other training sessions I will need to attend.  I can do all but one of these from my computer at home (in the RV) but for one I will need to be in an H&R Block office.  It's during the week we will be in Gillette for the FMCA convention and I find the number for the HRB office in that city.  I try to reach them several times over the next 2 days, and finally talk to the franchisee, who is quite happy to let me into her office when the time comes, so that's taken care of.

Meanwhile, the weather continues to improve, although we're still getting some rain and clouds.  But in the afternoon everything clears, we get a great sunset and a visit from the white tailed deer.  At this point we've been in the woods (boondocks) for 9 days.  We're impressed with the fact that we still have fresh water, and neither our black water tank nor our grey water tank is full - but they are getting close.  Our original plan was to go across the road to Beaver Lake campground and pay them to let us dump the bad and refill the good, and then return to this idyllic spot.  However, after all the rain, we're sure we can get out, but equally sure we won't be able to get in again without getting mired down.

So we start trying to find a campground we can get into for 3 days.  We try several places, both around the Custer area and a little further away, but every one is full.  Finally we go talk to the people at Beaver Lake and they can find us a spot.  So we move in there, fill up the propane and fresh water, and do the dump.  The weather is supposed to be sunny tomorrow so we decide on an early start and will go tour the caves at Wind Cave National Park.  The rangers told us we will have to be there at 8am to guarantee a spot on one of the cave tours.