56th Escapade Opening Day

Today was opening day, and we were looking forward to a bit later start than for the rest of the week (we have devotions Monday-Thursday at 7am)... I (Patti) wasn't exactly "up" but was starting to get ready when I noticed an official looking guy outside our door. Bob Pinner was there to confirm that there were issues with the electric at our location and to ask if we wanted to move or to stay and "boondock". Initially I said, "Oh, we have too much going on today to move," but after Dwayne got up, we decided having reliable electricity was important. I had breakfast baking in the oven, so we turned on the generator and moved - a little closer to the buildings too. We have a gorgeous "yard" and the electricity seems to be a lot better.

They told us to park "long ways" - but the rigs coming in behind us are parking right next to each other down the row.

 Today was the first day on the ROW, so we were to be there from 10am-2pm. We also had a Christian Fellowship Service scheduled 1-2pm, so we knew we would need to be away from our table for the last hour.

Christian Fellowship BOF friends Shirley and Maurice Rust were across the aisle from us representing the "Hoosier Neighbor" Chapter

Here we are at our post on the Row. Just behind us to the right is the Saguaro SKP Co-op and you can see "The Original Ranch" to the left of Dwayne.

The ROW provides the opportunity for attendees to find out about:

• Chapters - these are geographical groups, people might join one where their homebase is, or a place that they want to visit. 
• BOFs - Birds of a Feather groups - these are groups that are joined around a common interest - like Christian Fellowship, or Woodcarving, Photography, Geneaology. There are two other Christian groups that are more service oriented - SOWERS - Servants on Wheels Ever Ready (http://sowerministry.org/) and NOMADS - Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service - an RVing group in service to United Methodists (http://www.nomadsumc.org/).
• SKP Co-Ops - These are parks (campgrounds) that are owned by Escapees (individual members) (https://escapees.com/parking/skp-co-ops). There are sometimes spaces available for rent - for example. the KOFA Co-Op that we stayed at in Yuma is one of these Co-Op parks.

Today, we also hosted the Sunday Christian Fellowship Service.... we had a good number attend - about 60. Since neither of us are professional Bible teachers, we decided to use e3partners Simple Second Bible study (http://e3partners.org/resources/learning-resources/). I think most folks were expecting a more traditional service (singing, teacher), but folks seemed to engage well.

Later in the afternoon was the Opening Ceremony. Lots of folks participate to make these events happen, and it was great to see all the folks stand up as their areas of responsibility were named.

New president Trevor Carr addresses his mom (Cathie) and grandmother (Kay). For more of the Escapees story: https://escapees.com/aboutus

Shawn Loring talked with us about the importance of being represented to the RV industry - having a "choir" of voices instead of just single voices.

Kay Peterson addressed us with her ever humorous stories.

 We then participated in the parade of banners, and then joined other attendees for ice cream out on the patio.

There is supposed to be evening entertainment tonight (Jimmy Travis) - we hope to make it, but right now, we're just tired!