Travels with Zia and Zia II: Escapade 2016

This years Escapee Escapade was held at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in Essex Junction, Vt July 22 - 29. It was a great event for us. We made new friends, saw old friends, and learned a lot at the Educational Seminars.

We arrived around 10:00 on Friday the 22nd and as usual, the Parking Crew did a great job getting us in to our site.

Rigs lined up waiting to be parked

Our site in the West Infield area

Parking some rigs required a little extra

Once we got settled at our spot, the next task was to get registered and pick up all of our "stuff" relating to classes and events.

The Row area- where Chapters told their stories.

More of The Row area

Funny story about registration process: we sat at a table and were completing our registration when a couple approached us and asked if they could share our table. Of course, we said yes, and when we were both done completing the paperwork we chatted. I asked where they were from and they said Casa Grande, AZ. I commented that we had stayed in Casa Grande last Nov & Dec and he said that he worked part time at Norris RV. At that point I knew who he was and said that on one of my visits to Norris RV to get parts or propane, we had discussed the Escapade. Small world.

And then came the Welcoming Reception.

The Solo's BOF with the Yellow Feathered heads

We sat with old friends Paul & Judy from Maine

Door prizes galore

On monday the business at hand was learning. And that involved either visiting Vendors in the Vendor area, or attending classes that covered most RV'ing topics......

Ed from An Rv'ers Friend

One of the Vendors / Classes involved some old friends from Tucson Escapade - Ed & Kassandra, the new owners of An RV'ers Friend. Ed & Kassandra were our neighbors at the last Escapade in Tucson. They remembered us, and so we shared stories about what we've been up to in the past year. I can't tell you how helpful Ed's seminar on RV products was. We ended up purchasing a number of things from them, among them, the Body Spa Oxygenics Shower head, a resupply of The Solution for cleaning our truck and trailer, a solution for our black tank sensor problem - Micro Blaze Septic, a Battery Watering System, and a Dash Camera. We were also introduced to Strike Hold Dry Lubricant. It may have been entirely commercial but Ed's session explained the features of a number of his products and related to his experience with them as a full time rv'er. I considered his session VERY valuable.

I also attended a session on Water Systems for the RV, including filters and water softeners. Got a lot out of this session presented by G & L RV Specialties. We also had them do an update/upgrade to our water softener. Again, I found this session very valuable.

Both Mary and I attended classes put on by the RV Geeks. Class topics included iPad, iPhone, Google Maps, and Google Photos. All, excellent and well worth it.

On Wednesday morning I allotted 3 hours of my time and volunteered to drive a golf cart and shuffle people from their rigs to classes and vise versa. It was a rewarding experience and earned me a special volunteer pin to adorn one of my hats or lanyards.

The Escapade is all about Friends. And we did meet a few of them here.

Paul & Judy who we met at last years Lobsterfest

Bruce and Linda from Michigan- we met them last year in Deming, NM

A gathering at our trailer of fellow Freethinkers, which we all very much enjoyed.

Can't forget to mention the Ham O Rama. Our new friend Diane was in charge of this event and what a good job she did!

Mark Nemeth was the MC of the event and did his usual fine job.

The talent was very good and everyone enjoyed.

Pretty soon it was the end of the week and time to think about leaving. We did our closing Ceremony on thursday afternoon, followed by a Farewell Party that night......