Liebersbachs hit the road, land at Pelican Lake

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 10:53 a.m., June 9, 2009

It sounds like something a recent college grad might do — pack their bags and hit the road, in hopes of experiencing a big adventure.

While those involved in the “workamping” movement have the same sense of adventure young adults may have, they tend to be a bit more experienced.

Generally, workampers are retired couples who, rather than simply head south for the winter, choose a lifestyle that allows them to travel throughout the U.S., picking up random jobs as they go.

Though they may sound like aimless wanderers, the experience is a bit more organized than it sounds. Having recently emerged as a popular way for retirees to get around, earn some extra cash and stay busy, there’s an entire national network dedicated to helping traveling retirees find short-term employment.

Helen and Al Liebersbach, who are spending the summer working at Pelican Hills RV Park, are prime examples of the type of folks taking part in the “workamping” experience.

After Al’s retirement last June as superintendent of Beaulieu School District, the couple decided to take the RV out and soak up some American culture.

“We look at it as an adventure,” Helen said. “And we learn from other people.”

This past winter, the couple found jobs in an Arizona baseball park through the “Workamper” magazine — something the couple may never have envisioned themselves doing before retirement.

With children and a new grandchild in Fargo, the Liebersbachs knew they wanted to spend the summer nearby. After finding an advertisement for the Pelican Hills RV Park in “Workamper,” the couple applied and discovered their skills would mesh well with what owner Dave Aaberg was looking for.

Aaberg, along with his wife, Maggie, have been hiring seasonal employees through the Workamper program since 1995.

“I always learn something from the people I hire,” Aaberg said. “Everybody has something different to bring to the table.”

Considering the Liebersbachs together had the skills to carry out clerk and maintenance duties, Aaberg said it was exactly what he needed for the 2009 summer.

The fact that the Liebersbachs had local connections also made the couple appealing, Aaberg said.

Though the couple has only been at the Pelican Lake location for the past month, they’ve made friends with neighbors and others who have set up shop for the summer in the park.

Every Tuesday, the park puts on a potluck dinner, which is a great opportunity to meet and mingle, Helen said.

After the Minnesota summer season, the Liebersbachs plan to head to Branson, Missouri, just because they can.

For more information on Workampers program, check out the Web site at www. workamper.com.

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