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Couple camps at Douglas Dam for vacation, now they're running the place

"I always say it outta be a sin or illegal to do something so fun," laughed Connie Odle.

When you arrive at Douglas Dam campground, you're bound to meet the Odles, the couple who makes sure the campgrounds are in tip-top shape all year round.

"We just enjoy it because of the campers who come in. It's kind of a family atmosphere. We meet an awful lot of nice people," said Rick and his wife Connie Odle.

"I love it. I love this job. I love being outside. I love meeting people. We've made a lot of great friends," Connie Odle said.

The Odles may manage the grounds now, but once they were just regular campers.

"We came here camping in 2015. I had just retired and we came down camping, and they talked to us about taking the job. We weren't really looking for a job, but we said we'd consider it and liked the idea of it," Rick said.

"We went home and thought about it and ended up back," Connie added.

Since then, the Odles have treated this place like it was their own, cutting the grass, picking up litter and managing the other host families who live on the grounds.

"We have a lot of personal pride in the campground. We try to keep it as nice as we can and as clean as we can," Rick said.

It's a full-time job, even when the campsites are closed for the winter. But, the Odles say they wouldn't trade it for the world.

"I always say it outta be a sin or illegal to do something so fun," laughed Connie.

So next time you're enjoying a stay at Douglas, you can thank the Odles for helping to make it possible.

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