2014 Escapades

The first few days we have been very busy with Parking Team duties.  On our first day parking the incoming staff it rained.  That is always fun.  We had rain gear so it wasn't so bad.  By the afternoon the rain had stopped and all the staff had arrived.

John explaining the parking plan for the next day. 

Tom, Dave and Sharon at their post awaiting RVs at the gate while the photographer waits for Dave to do his happy dance.

Fran, Dave, Tom and Sharon visiting with one of the customer service people and her dog at the front gate. 

Marsha and Michelle rocking their parking orange.

Tom, Dave and Dianne getting ready to head out to their post. 

Donna working her post. 

Peg and Debby assisting someone with a question. 

After that first day of rainy weather things cleared up and parking went rather smoothly.  I had just about made it through the week without a mishap when I got my 8-seater golf cart stuck in the mud. 

Here is my 8-seater with the back tires stuck in the mud. I was delivering water to one of guys working security and backed off too far.  John had to come and bail me out.   But wait.....the day was not over yet.  While delivering lunches to the parking team I backed into a wooden pole.  Nothing was damaged just my ego. haha

On Tuesday we hosted the Parking Team Potluck Dinner.  We always have a great time at these dinners because everyone usually has a "parking story" to tell.  Little did I know that I was going to be the butt of the joke that night.  Our directors, Molly and Bob Pinner, presented me with the Run Amok award in honor of my mishaps during parking. 

Here is my prestigious award.

Molly presenting me with the award. I couldn't help but laugh at myself. 

I was able to take a few pictures of the parking team a the dinner that night before my battery died. 

 During the potluck dinner parking team member shared some of their funniest moments while working.  In this picture Dave on the far right is getting ready to do his "happy dance" and also pay up on a bet he made with Sharon.  Tom, on the far left, is explaining the bet to everyone. 

Sharon receiving her $2.00 bill from Dave. 

Lois and Ron.

Donna and Lloyd.

Bob and Debby.

Barb and Bob Chuck.

Kaye and Erwin.

Lee and Marsha.

Michelle and Dave.

John and I want to thank everyone on the team for all their hard work and a job well done.  We work hard and we have lots of fun.   What an awesome group of people.

The Parking Team group picture.  

After all the parking is complete we are free to enjoy the rally; attending seminars, happy hours and entertainment.  On the first night after opening ceremonies John won two tickets to Dollywood. 

The next day John was walking through the market area and stopped at the Lippert Components, Inc. booth.  They are the ones who manufacture the axles we have on our rig.  We are having problems with tire wear again so John was looking for a solution.  The Lippert man came over to our rig assessed the problem and set-up an appointment for us to have it fixed during the rally.  What was supposed to take around four hours turned in to a two night's stay at the Best Western.  That was a bummer.  Lucky for us it was a pet friendly hotel and there was no extra charge for Fred. 

John and I finally got to meet Carol who has followed our blog for a long time. Carol was in the market area with her employer.  It is always fun to meet blog followers in person.  

John, Carol and me.

That night after attending the entertainment John and I rode over to check on a situation with one of the RVs that had been previously parked.  On our way back when John made a left turn I was thrown from the golf cart and rolled.  John got me up off the ground and took me to our friends Barb and Bob's motorhome to be cleaned up. I had a knot on my left arm, a skinned left hand and two skinned knees.  The right knee was the worst with several layers of skin torn off and swelling.  I am thankful I had jeans on or it would  have been much worse.  Of course word of my mishap was broadcasted over the radios.  I hope the saying "things always come is threes" is true because that means I have met my quota. 

Here I am after Barb bandaged me up with the ice pack on my knee.  Thanks Nurse Barb for taking care of me. 

This is how my right knee looked yesterday.  It really is much better.  

While our rig was in the shop Barb and Bob Chuck let Fred hang out at their place while we were all attending rally stuff.  I think Fred and their cat Gypsy became friends.   We finally got our rig back Friday afternoon.  A big thank you to Barb and Bob Chuck for letting us hang out at their place during the day. 

Fred sitting with Barb while Gypsy gives Barb a "high five". 

The third night of entertainment is called Ham-O-Rama where fellow Escapade attendees audition and perform for the audience.  Our friend Bea was among the entertainers. 

Great job Bea.

And last but certainly not least....the rally would not be complete without poking a little fun at the Escapade Director, Bob. 

Bob proudly wearing his rooster hat made by Barb and Bea.   

Yesterday John left early to host a golf hop and I walked over to the hitch-up breakfast to visit with friends before they left.  The rest of the day was spent catching up on laundry and stuff like that.

A small group of us remained yesterday. Barb, Bob Chuck and John and I went out to dinner one last time before we go our separate ways.  We will miss everyone and hope to see them down the road again real soon.  Even with all the "mishaps"  we had a great time.

Today we left Goshen and arrived at Sandwich Fairgrounds in Sandwich IL to visit with Blog Ma and MacGyver,  AKA Cave Dwellings in blogland.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails. Stay safe.

Staying busy in Goshen, IN

We arrived Sunday just before noon in Goshen, Indiana.  Since our arrival we have been busy getting up to date on all the new information that we will need before all the parking team staff arrives.  Of course we always have time to socialize.

Bea, Mark, Bob Chuck, Bennit, Bob, Jim, John and Wallace

Molly, Wanda, Barb, Bea, Dortha and Lisa.

The gang prepared dinner our first night there. A big thank you goes out to them.  It was very much appreciated. 

John and I are taking Roger and Barb's place as the Parking Chairs while Roger is recuperating from knee surgery.  Roger and Barb we really miss you guys.  We wish Roger a speedy recovery.  Earl and Peg will be taking our place as the Parking Assistants this year.  A huge thank you goes out to them for  all their help.  The rest of the parking team will be here in the next couple of days.  We are looking forward to working with all of them.  They are an awesome group of people. 

Tonight a large group of us drove over to New Paris, IN to eat at Stumpy's Ole Time Pizza.  We were told the food was good so we had to try it.  The restaurant serves other items besides pizza.  Some of us ordered pizza and others ordered the pork chops and chicken.  Everything was very good.

Molly, Peg and Earl.

Wanda

Bea and Bennit

Bob Chuck and I waiting on our food.

Wallace and Mark.

Dortha, Lisa, Mark and Jim.

Barb, Keith, Donna and Bob.

Bob Chuck's spaghetti dinner.  He said it was very tasty.

John's broasted pork chop.

My broasted chicken.  Too much food so I had to get a doggie bag.

John's coconut cream pie.  I almost didn't get a picture before he ate it all. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Traveling on to Indiana

We were up early this morning and got things travel ready in the RV.  Before leaving Woodbury we rode over to visit our friend Betty's mother, who had surgery yesterday and is recuperating.  She is doing well and being released from the hospital today.  After our visit we pulled out of Kentucky to make our way to Pendleton, Indiana.  We will arrive in Goshen, Indiana on Sunday for the 2014 Escapees RV Club Escapade Rally.  Can't wait to see our friends there and work with the Awesome Parking Team again.

I took a few pictures of the Woodbury area while we were visiting.

This is one of the smallest post offices I have ever seen. 

A portion of this road was under water due to all the recent rain. 

We want to say thank you to Ellen and Braxton for letting us park on their property during our visit.  Braxton received some sad news a couple days ago.  His grandfather has been diagnosed with cancer that is treatable but not curable.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. 

We also want to thank Betty and Joe for their hospitality.  We enjoyed all the great food, card games and laughs.  It is hard to leave such great friends. We look forward to seeing them again real soon. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Having fun with friends in Kentucky.

We left Indian Springs State Park early Sunday morning.  Our trip was uneventul and we arrived around 3:00 p.m.  Since our arrival we have enjoyed lots of good food and lots of laughs with our friends.

Fred keeping his eyes on the road. 

Fred watching John sleep. 

Looks like Fred is thinking, "Are we there yet?" LOL

We have played several card games. 

Oliva, Braxton and Caleb showing their Poker faces. LOL 

Betty and Joe.

Caleb and Ellen.

Yesterday was a very rainy day.  We were lucky and did not have tornadoes in this area.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those who where in Mississippi, Arkansas and other areas damaged by tornadoes over the past two days. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.