Escapade 5/17/14

Day 15 - Saturday, May 17, 2014
Escapade Day 6  Hitch Up Day

Hitch up day is the departure day from an Escapees event.  There was a continental breakfast, but we slept in.  You may remember that we are camped on the infield of the racetrack at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.  It has turned into a mud field after several days of rain and the fairgrounds staff has requested that those of us camped here stay for an extra day in hopes that the field will dry out and solidify somewhat.  All of the big rigs would tear everything up even more as they left and if they  got stuck in the mud, no tow truck would come to pull them out.  We have already experienced that earlier in the week.  Some folks have left because it is drier than it has been, but most people are going with the advise of the fairgrounds staff. 

We ventured over to where we parked the truck to bring it back to the trailer.  That worked pretty good.  We didn't get stuck, although there are some pretty soggy areas out there.  While we were walking around, the horse people were exercising their horses again.  I like the way this picture turned out.  To me, it looks like one horse with two heads.

But you can see in this next one, that there are really two complete horses.  Ha!  Ha!

Most of the day was spent cleaning and putting away all of the things we had gotten out, in preparation for actually leaving Goshen tomorrow.  Since there are no activities tonight, we went shopping for something that we could fix for dinner that wouldn't mess everything up. 

Wouldn't you know!  It started to rain again, as you can see below.  It was a short storm, so I think everything will be OK for tomorrow's continuation of our trip.  Interestingly, to us, there is covered parking at Walmart, here in Goshen.

We also rented another movie from the Red Box.  This time it was Gravity.  Maybe we will see some of the movies that everyone has been talking about, during this summer.  We usually don't go to the movie, so this method of renting movies has worked well for us and it is so simple and inexpensive.

Escapade 5/16/14

Day 14 - Friday, May 16, 2014
Escapade Day 5

We had a lazy day today.  After breakfast we went out to find a geocache that is located on the fairgrounds property.  It was fairly easy to find and we got some exercise by walking to it.  Somewhere in this area is a geocache.

 

Across the road from here was an interesting smiley face painted on a rock as a yard ornament.

 

On our way back to the trailer, we took this photo that looks back toward the racetrack.  Notice the clouds.

Also, the horses were being exercised.  This is a twofer, one horse pulling the cart and one being pulled along.

The infield is starting to solidify.  Hopefully, we will be able to safely move our truck from this spot back to where our trailer is located.  As you can see, the ruts are still there.

Even the gravel that was put down in the really wet areas didn't help when someone tried to leave.  They are gone, so I guess it didn't slow them down too much.

You may notice that I have my winter jacket on.  The high temp was 50 again today and it was about 47 when this picture was taken.  It is supposed to get down to the mid 30's again tonight.  We thought we might need our heavy coats in Alaska, but not here.

Today was the last day of the Escapade.  There was a pet parade and a chili cook off , but I didn't get any pictures of them.  The closing ceremony was at 3 PM.  It was announced that there were 540+ registered rigs and 1066 people attending Escapade.  Everyone who had a hand in putting on the Escapade was recognized.  The grand prize, an Adventure Caravan trip for two, was awarded.  Also an Escapees HOP trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was awarded.  A farewell social with music and snacks was this evening.  Tomorrow, there is a "hitch up breakfast", but we won't be hitching up until Sunday.

I guess we will take tomorrow to reorganize our home on wheels.  If we can get the truck out of the infield, we may do some sightseeing.

Escapade 5/15/14

Day 13 - Thursday, May 15, 2014
Day 4 - Escapade

It has been raining for the last three days and now it is cold, only in the mid 40s this morning.  We had to get out our heavy coats and long sleeved shirts!  The storms were not severe, but a lot of rain has come down making for a soggy racetrack infield.  Since it was raining, we set out to drive over to the seminar.  This is what happened.

Now, this doesn't look very bad, but we could not move without spinning our tires even after Earl locked the differential.  We do not have a  4X4.  Luckily, the fairground staff were trying to fix things by dumping gravel along the most heavily traveled area of the infield and the guy running the Bobcat pushed us out of these ruts and onto more solid ground.  We didn't dare take a chance of trying to get back to the trailer, so the truck is parked in a different area of the infield.

 

Here is an example of the ruts made by other trucks and the Bobcat that rescued us.

Actually, we left the truck stuck in the mud and walked to the seminar.  We were rescued later in the day.  The two photos above were taken in the afternoon.

After the seminar, we went over to the market to browse around and ended up buying one of the tire monitors.  This is what the market looks like.

Tonight, the entertainment was provided by Escapade participants.  It is called Hamorama.  There are some very talented Escapees members.  There were singers, musicians, a comedian, and someone who read poetry.

The sun came out late in the day.  We thought, "Yea! maybe it will dry out so we can get out of here tomorrow, a day before the end of Escapade, and head to Dayton for the Hamvention (amateur radio convention) that takes place this weekend."  However, it was announced tonight at the general assembly when door prizes were given out, that the fairgrounds is encouraging everyone in the infield camping area to stay put and not try to move our RVs until things dry out because tow trucks won't come into the area, if you get stuck, because they will get stuck too.  They are even offering free camping for Saturday night for those of us parked here. Tonight's weather forecast is calling for more rain during the night and tomorrow morning.  Also, it is COLD for this time of year.  High today was about 50 and it is expected to get down to 34 tonight.  Frost warnings are up.  I guess we will not be going to Hamvention after all and will be in Goshen a couple more days.

Escapade 5/14/14

Day 12 - Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Day 3 - Escapade

There were more seminars today.  We learned about blogging with Google Blogger and how to manage our photos with Google's Picasa from Chris and Jim Guld, Geeks On Tour.   We also learned about remote tire pressure gauges to monitor the tires on the trailer or any of our tires, up to 22, if we needed that many.  The new truck comes with a tire monitoring system, so we don't need one for them. 

We mentioned that we are parked in the infield of the racetrack of the fairgrounds, here in Goshen.  That has made for some interesting signage that we pass as we drive around.  Here is one.  The Rvs in this photo are on the outside of the track.

 

This is a caution, look both ways for horses.  Here is the area we are camped in.  Notice that it is the infield of the track, therefore, we need to cross the track to get to our campsite.  It has been raining and there is a puddle at the far side of the track leading to the infield.  Things are beginning to get torn up by the traffic as the campers go in and out to attend activities.  Of course, most of them walk or ride the shuttle golf carts, but the trucks and cars are taking their toll on the grassy area and paths between rows of RVs.  You can see the clouds that are dropping all of the rain.

 

As we were leaving to go do the laundry, we saw the quintessential way to exercise your horses.  It reminds me of those people who run their dog while riding their bikes.  There are two horses here, not one with eight legs.  We had to wait for them to go by before we crossed the track.



A little farther on the way out of the fairgrounds, this horse was headed to the track.

 

There was no entertainment this evening.  The optional activities were card games, bingo and a jam session, if you played an instrument.  We did not participate in any of those activities, so we went out to dinner at Ponderosa, after we finished the laundry.  The Ponderosas near us, in California, have been closed so it has been awhile since we have been to one.  Well, it turned out to be "Senior Wednesday", so we got our buffet for half price.  What a deal!

 

It was raining quite a lot by the time we got back to the trailer, so we had to rush to get the dry laundry in before it got wet again. 

 

Tomorrow, there are more seminars and the last day that the market will be open, so it is our last chance to shop till we drop for our must have RV items.  Better rest up for that!

 

 

 

Escapade 5/13/14

Day 11 - Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Day 2 of Escapade

The educational seminars began today.  They cover all sorts of topics that might interest an RVer, such as products you can add to your rig, handy tips for making life easier while traveling, ideas for places to go, safety, volunteering or working while RVing, full time living in your RV, etc.  I attended three seminars this morning.  One was by Jim and Chris Guld.  They are Geeks On Tour and travel full time giving seminars about all sorts of electronic devices and programs for them that one can use while traveling.

I went to two different seminars about RVing to Alaska this morning as well. 

At the one, given by Adventure Caravans, there was a door prize drawing at the end of the talk.  I was lucky enough to win the gift certificate worth $500.00 toward one of their adventures.  We have been to their Rose Parade and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta rallies and really enjoyed them.  I am sure that whatever trip we choose to apply the certificate will be just as much fun.

This afternoon, we toured the Montana Trailer assembly line.  It is amazing how the trailers are put together.  They were not building our model of Montana, but the process is basically the same.  They start with a frame, attach the under belly insulation, axels, wheels, tires and jacks.  Then they run wiring, hoses, water lines and drop in the holding tanks for waste and fresh water.

After everything is in place, the floor goes on top.  Here, the board is on and some linoleum has been placed.

 

Next, the interior walls and cabinets go in as well as some of the fixtures are completed.  The shower is about ready to be put in place on this trailer.  The trailers are on dollies that you can see fairly well here.  This allows the units to be moved side ways down the assembly line

You may have noticed a lot of pieces higher up on a second level in the previous pictures.  All around the assembly line, various cabinets, fans, light fixtures, etc. are prepared to go into the trailer as it passes the appropriate point on the line.  That is some of what you are seeing.  Here, toilets are placed, one on top of the other, ready to be installed on a trailer as it arrives at that spot .

These are the exterior wall units that have been fabricated and laser cut for where windows, doors hatches, and slides will be put on later in the process.

Now the outside walls have been attached.  This is the pass through area before they hide it with black fabric covered walls, such as you can see off to the left in this photo.  You can also see the plumbing pipes, water heater, and water pump (little black thing at the bottom right with a white label).  Interestingly, you can see into the next trailer ,that is further in the assembly line, through the hatch opening of this trailer. 

Ceiling and fixtures have been added.  Since this trailer will have a large slide on each side, it is easy to see the trailer that is preceding this one down the line.

The roof and slides have been added, trim, windows, exterior lights, and vents installed and hatches are covered.

 

It is just about ready now.  The graphics have been added and furniture is in the process of being added inside.  The company is still recovering from the recession, but they are finishing the assembly of 18 trailers per day now.   Our tour is finished.

There was another evening of door prizes.  Getting ready... 

And the winner is out there...

Entertainment, tonight, was the Homestead Pikers from Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO.  The guy in the middle played the harmonica as well as sing.  The acoustics in the hall, that we were in for the performance, were not very good to be able to understand them.  I'm sure that they sound much better in their own theater.

That was a pretty busy day.  I think I'll get some sleep to be ready for tomorrow.

Escapade 5/11 & 12/14

Days 9&10 -Sunday and Monday, May 11 & 12, 2014
Mother's Day Sunday and Escapade Begins Monday

Sunday was Mother's Day.  We had a nice day getting settled in at our campsite at the Escapade, a rally of Escapees RV Club members.

The official Big Red Truck with all of the supplies for the rally is here, too.

There are RVs of all kinds here.  They are parked in different areas of the fairgrounds depending upon whether they are boondocking, have water and electric hook ups, or full hook ups.  Here is the area we are in.

We are in the infield of the fairgrounds grandstand.  This is looking down our row which is at the left.  You can see a trailer for a cleaning service, one of the services that can be arranged here at Escapade.  If you buy items such as awnings, AC units solar, etc. for your trailer, it can be installed right on site, so we will see installers throughout the camp, this week. 

There are Montana trailers everywhere.  There is one above and one across from us, our truck is on the left, plus one behind the brown trailer in the photo below.  There are many more in the other areas around the fairgrounds.

We had a fish based foil dinner that has fish and vegetables seasoned with dill and lemon, one of our favorite dinners, for Mother's Day dinner.  Then we rented a movie to watch while the thunder storm raged outside.  We had a lot of lightening and thunder with the rain, but no real bad winds.  The organizers of the rally sent us an e-mail telling us where the safe places were should the severe weather sirens blow.  Fortunately, they were not needed this time.

Today, Monday, it is cloudy with scattered showers predicted.  There is a front that will come through tonight and tomorrow with more rain and thunder showers, then the temperature is expected to drop from highs in the 80's to highs in the 50's and 60's and lows as low as the upper 30's and 40's.

When we took the movie back, we saw this elk statue painted with puzzle pieces.  It looks like other animal figures that we have seen, in previous travels, that have been painted by various groups in the town.  There have always been a multitude, each with a different design.  The only thing is, we have not seen any others, so we don't know why this one is here.

The official opening of the 54th Escapade was 3:00 PM.  Here is the stage where all of the general assembly activities take place.

The participants are gathering.  We have not heard how many attendees there are.

 

There were announcements followed by the local VFW presenting the Colors.

Then there were door prizes and a parade of banners from different chapters.  The opening ceremony was followed with an ice cream social.

There were evening door prizes before the entertainment. 

Johnny Counterfit is very talented.  He impersonated many singers and famous figures.  His backup band members are also very talented and had their own spotlight performances.  In addition, he is a great comedian and we enjoyed his performance very much.

 

Tomorrow, the seminars begin.  We will have more to tell you about then.