Monday, September 13, 2010

Let The Escapade Begin

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

Just Some Of The RVs Parked At The Escapade

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.

DSCF3371 

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.

Darrell, Larry, and Daryl

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.

Around 2,000 People In Attendance Kathy CarrKaye Peterson, Founder Of Escapees Angie Carr

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. 

Class of 2007 Pot Luck

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. 

Linda and Howard Payne

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.

Adoptees Into The Class of 2007

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.

Johnny Counterfeit and His Band Johnny Counterfeit

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.

1 comment:

  1. Having that much fun during one day sure can wear you out. I'm sure y'all slept good. Enjoy tomorrow and each day.

    Syl

    ReplyDelete