Let The Escapade Begin

Yesterday was the kick off for the Escapade.  There are over eight hundred RVs with over 2000 people in attendance.

It was a busy day to say the least.  Judy got an early start by going over to the Ag Building just before eight to register for several craft sessions throughout the week.

 

Once Judy finished her sign ups, we did a walk about to “kick the tires” on some new RVs.  We looked at several Heartland fifthwheels, a Coachman class C, and a Phaeton diesel pusher.  Only the Phaeton said, “Take me home”, but I had forgotten my wallet.

Next we strolled through “The Row” where Escapee Chapters and BOFs (Birds Of A Feather) have their displays.  Yes, it is like old home week; we keep bumping into people we know all over the place.  We met a woman named Daryl and as we were talking with her Larry (as in Larry the Cook) approached – we just had to do it, so here’s Larry, his sister Daryl, and his other brother Darrell.

We came home for lunch and a little resting before heading back to the “Comm Building” for the Orientation and Opening Ceremony followed by an Ice Social and Entertainment.

 

At 5:00 the class of 2007 was having a Happy Hour get together with hors d’oeuvres.  In the Escapees organization fulltimers are divided up into classes by the year that they began fulltiming. 

A lot of the members of the class of 2007 follow Howard and Linda Payne (not to be confused with Norm and Linda Payne) of RV-Dreams and were pleasantly surprised by their unannounced visit to the Happy Hour.  They are currently workamping in Michigan and weren’t expected at the Escapade.  Howard and Linda will be participating in the Fulltimer’s Open Forum this evening. 

We began fulltiming in 2006, but have been adopted by the class of 2007 since the class of 2006 is pretty much inactive.  Howard and Linda, who began fulltiming in 2005, were also adopted by this fun class.

Having mentioned Norm and Linda, Howard and Linda wanted to see them again so Judy and I escorted them over for a surprised visit (see Wandering America, November 2009 Travelogue for our last get together with the Jones, Pattersons, Paynes, Paynes, and Russells).

At 7:30 there was a live entertainment variety show starring Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, George Jones, George Strait, George Burns, Roger Miller, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Willy Nelson, Archie and Edith Bunker with appearances by presidents Nixon, Clinton, Reagan, and G. W. Bush.  Also, Jack Benny, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and Rodney Dangerfield were on hand to brighten up our evening.  These were all impressions done by Johnny Counterfeit who entertained us for an hour and a half making it a very enjoyable evening.

As you can see, we are having fun and enjoying ourselves.  A lot gets packed into a day before our heads hit the pillows.  Today the seminars begin with more fun packed in between.  See ya tomorrow.