First things first! Two birthday greetings go out today. One to our niece, Ryann, who turns 28 today. Gosh, it seems like yesterday she was born. Our second birthday wish goes out to our friend Joe in Delaware. He hits the big 5-0 today. We hope you both have wonderful days!
Today ESCAPADE 2008 begins! This is Escapee's 30th birthday so this Escapade should be extra special.
At eight this morning the rigs started coming in and the place filled up fast!
Bob and I didn't have any meetings scheduled until two when we'll attend the First- Timers Orientation. This is not our first rally but it is our first with Escapees.
Today the Exhibit Hall opened where you can shop for all those RV related products and some that aren't RV related like jewelry, clothing and a few other things.
In this huge building is where one would go to sign up to volunteer to help out where there is a need, to find out about BOF's (Birds of a Feather, a group of people who have a common interest such as the Elk's, Boomers, Quilter's etc.) to sign up for classes and seminars, to play bingo, to line dance, truly a multi-purpose room.
At two we attended the First-Timer's Orientation. It was here that we learned about how the Escapade runs, that seminars are available everyday, that entertainment is a big part of Escapade and that the main focus is to have fun!
This next picture is of Kay Peterson, if it wasn't for her and husband, Joe, there would be no Escapees. She told us how she and Joe met, started Escapees and how the whole family is now involved in the running of this organization.
That meeting out of the way it was time for the ESCAPADE KICKOFF!
The Colors were presented and we all raised our voices in singing the National Anthem and Oh Canada.
Then the banners were presented. Each Chapter and BOF (Birds of Feather) have a banner and it was now that they were marched across the floor in front of the stage. Some really stood out among the others, you'll see why.
I don't know this lady's name but if any Escapee can provide it I sure would appreciate it. I'd bet you dollars to donuts that no one could tell you afterwards what banner she was carrying. She was having a great time in this costume of hers and I heard more than one whistle so I think many of the men in the audience were enjoying it too.
There was a packed house for this! The keynote speaker was Craig Zablocki and he kept us in stitches as he got his message of not taking ourselves so seriously all the time and to live in the moment out to us.
I think we all laughed especially hard during this routine. Craig was asked questions from the audience and the answers always involved using "his" hands.
After the Kickoff I quickly went outside to see if I could catch the couple who owned the car with Delaware tags that was parked right outside the door.
I met Judy and her husband, I think his name is Frank and they were surprised to meet someone from Delaware too.
We went back to the house to relax for awhile and to get dinner before the entertainment for tonight starts.
We had to be back at seven for the Blast-off door prizes to be awarded and an ice cream social before the main entertainment started.
Over $15,000 worth of door prizes will be given away this week. Prizes will range from gift certificates from local companies to RV related products from the vendors in the Market Place to two large prizes, one a 7 day trip to Albuquerque Balloon Festival and a 7 day trip to the Rose Parade in California.
This fella, sorry, I don't know his name, tells jokes every night right before the prize giveaway. He tells them pretty well and I could tell which ones he got in email recently because I got the same ones!
These two pick and call out the winner's names. Every attendee has a ticket with their name on it in the drawing. Now, one MUST be present to win and when they call out a name of person not there the entire audience gives a loud Awwwwwwwww and its on to the next name. (Each name is called out three times to give the person a chance to respond.)
After the drawing for door prizes it was time for the evening's entertainment. Tonight we sat back and enjoyed the playing and singing of the Chugwater Band. They are a country band that also plays a little classic rock n roll. They were quite good and I think everyone enjoyed the evening.
So there is Day One!
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