Last Night in Gillette and the big 50

After the Escapade many chose to hang out at the Cam-Plex to avoid traveling on a Holiday weekend. We had fun, one night it was a potato bake, 20-30 gathered together with a baked potato and a topping. We had so many toppings, just putting a little of each one on the potato caused the potato to too much to eat, and then there was deserts on top of that. After everyone ate we played "corn hole", and ladder ball.

The next night it was going to be just a happy hour, but you all know what happens when a bunch of SKPs get together. There was enough food to feed a small army, and Mark even brought some of his special "home brew". The happy hour moved into the sunshine where the "corn hole" and Ladder Ball took over again. I even got a yard stick and two clothes pins out to keep score. (CRS doesn't effect the yard stick).

Today everyone started packing and cleaning getting things ready to hit the road tomorrow. Marcia was really disappointed that we weren't having a happy hour, but then she didn't know Molly and Donna had got the wheels rolling to have her a surprise 50th birthday party. All the women did a great job of throwing it together, and I kept Marcia distracted.

Around 3:30 I took Marcia for a ride, she had no idea that we were going to the Chinese place, and I needed to have her there at 6:15. She also didn't know that 38 people would be waiting on us to show up. When we walked into the restaurant she still had no idea what was going on, Bob was taking pictures of us walking in, ands she still hadn't put it together. It wasn't until she saw the balloon with the big 50 on it that she realized it was a surprise party for her.

 We could see the tears of joy running down her face as she went around hugging everyone. That went on for several minuets until she had hugged almost everyone. Everyone filled their bellies before they broke out the cake. The firefighters in the group broke out the fire extinguishers because there were so many candles on the cake. I was really glad they didn't have to use them!

 Then the presents!!!! She got butt-aid, a pregnancy test, prune juice, a cane, 14 boxes of ex lax, anti-aging cream, a set of false teeth that jump around, a bottle of wine labeled "WOMEN'S VIAGRA", and a slew of other gifts. And to top it off someone paid for our meal, (thanks to whom every it was). Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and most everyone said it was a blast. I know I had a blast watching everyone.

Then the sad part came, everyone started saying their good-byes, some will be leaving early tomorrow morning, and some will sleep in so the good-byes was done tonight.

Thanks to everyone that made it happen tonight.............

51st Escapade is over

  Friday was the "hitch-up" breakfast here at the Cam-Plex in Gillette Wyoming, closing ceremonies was Thursday. It was a busy week to say the least, Monday was the first timers happy hour, Tuesday was the class of 2007 Happy Hour followed by B I N G O, Wednesday I was in the popcorn booth handing out free popcorn. Thursday I and 50 others were initiated into the Elks Lodge # 2825, followed by B I N G O.

  The first timers happy hour was the first for us and the Escapade, we were among 5 couples hosting it. We had around 175 people show up, Jim Tidball did a good job with the mic directing everyone to group up with others from the same area. Everyone brought a snack and their drink so we all sat around getting acquainted while we filled our bellies.

 The class of 2007 Happy Hour had around 50 people, and everyone again brought a heavy snack, Marcia brought chicken and dumpling because we weren't going to have time for supper before B I N G O. We adopted 4 couples into the class so there were more adoptees that people that went full time in 2007. I think everyone had a good time, even the couple that came in, sat down and ate, and then left without saying anything. The class of 2007 is an easy bunch and we didn't mind sharing with them, but they would have enjoyed it more if they had stayed and joined in.

 After the happy hour Marcia and I headed to the bingo building. Mary and Gail were training us this year, they had done the bingo for 10 years and this year they were hanging up their keys. Marcia and I had different ideals as to how bingo should be run, but since this was their last year and they were teaching us we followed their lead. Mary started calling, and then I called the last 10 games, and I could call bingo a couple times a week if it were possible.

 Wednesday morning I volunteered to help out in the popcorn booth, there were three of us, one running the popper adding popcorn, and oil, and two were opening bags, salting the popcorn, filling the bags, and stacking them on a table where people were picking them up faster than the popper could pop the popcorn. From 9:30 until 11 am we didn't have a chance to sit down. From 11 to 12 we had plenty popcorn sitting on the table in bags for anyone to grab a bag.

 Thursday I joined the Elks, I and 50 others joined the Elks Lodge # 2825. This lodge had right at 100 members before Thursday, and gained 51 members Thursday.  It was a special initiation and they waived some of the requirements because most if not all of the 51 were full timers and wouldn't be around long enough to do the regular initiation.


  As soon as I was sworn in, paid my dues, and got my card I was rushing to bingo. Marcia Gail, and Mary had things all under control and had already played half the games for the night. We all took a short break and then I took over the calling. Mary was happy to play bingo at an escapade, after being the caller for 10 years. She didn't win but she did enjoy daubing.

 Friday morning the donuts were free as was the coffee and orange juice as most everyone gathered to say good-bye. Many paid extra to stay a few more days because most of us didn't want to be running down the road on Labor day Weekend, but we wished those leaving safe travels, and made promises of meeting up somewhere down the road.

 Friday afternoon/evening we 20-30 of us gathered up for a potato bake. Everyone brought a baked potato and a topping. and some brought deserts too. It is amazing at what you can top a baked potato with, and mine had almost everything on it. After eating we played corn hole, and ladder-ball. The wind made it hard for some to throw the corn-bags accurately, (or maybe we/they just used the wind as an excuse, but either way everyone had a good time.

 Saturday we will southern pot-luck with soup beans, cornbread, and fried tatters, and I'm almost  sure someone will challenge someone to some kind of game........................

Escapade # 51

 The 51st Escapade officially starts at 3pm today ( Sunday ) but it feels like we have been here for months. Two weeks at Ellsworth AFB, a week at Devils Tower and in the Black Hills NF, a week at High Plains CG across the street from the Cam-Plex, and three days in the Cam-Plex getting things set up.

 Our mission is to host a couple happy hours, one Monday for new-bees or first timers, and one Tuesday for the Class of 2007, and then Tuesday and Thursday evenings we host the bingo. I guess I'll be calling bingo for the first time, I wander how that is going to go????

 We have been able to see and visit with many friends that we have met in the last four years. Dad always told us we have met some pretty special friends since we went FT in 2007 (and I agree). And the best part is we have many more friends that arrived yesterday, or will arrive today that we haven't seen yet, and the ones we will meet this week. I'm sure many of them will show up for the happy hours we are hosting, or the bingo, and that will make it that much more interesting.

 To highlight what we have been doing the past few days, eating, and eating, and eating some more. Escapees like to eat when we can get together, but we have filled the gaps with getting things set up for the Escaapade. The parking crew has been really busy parking over 500 rigs in the last couple of days, the vendors have filled the market area with all kinds of goodies, the the staff has set up rooms for classes and the main hall for the opening of the 51st Escapade. I think all the i's have been dotted and the t's have been crossed so let the fun and games begin.............

recap with pictures and racetrack

This will be few words (I hope) but some of the pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Here is the sign as you enter Deadwood, Deadwood has all non smoking casinos. SD is a non smoking state.

A rat bike that showed up at Sturgis.

  Sturgis the week before the rally

Sturgis a few days before the rally

Sturgis during the rally

Every small town and large town was full of bikes this week. A lot of the parking lots had motorcycles only signs posted, and they were full.

This was a special bike, a tribute to the soldiers, it had two m-16s with helments and boots on the back displayed to reppresent soldiers graves. enlarge the pic for a better look.

Here are some of the deer we saw while we were at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

A look at Sturgis from Sturgis Campground. ($550 for 5 nights)

A look as we enter into Wyoming

A good shot of Devils Tower with the flag fllying at half-mast.

The rig with devils tower in the background, (as if you couldn't tell)

There were around 3000 visitors to Devils Tower on Wyoming Wednesday during the rally.

Sundance Mtn from the Black Hills National Forest in WY

The town of Sundance got it's name from the indian rituals held on this mtn.

Us parked at Reuters CG in the BHNF

A night out with friends at a Mexican Joint, Marcia and Wanda shared a picture of Margaritas.

It was a fun night, Wanda and Wallace, Marcia and myself, Bob and Molly, Keith and Donna and Rich and Marry all went.

Last nigh was my first ever trip to a dirt track races. It was pretty awesome. THe unlimitted modified class flew around the small track. Donna was afraid one might get loose and fly into the stands.

It was fun watching them slide around the oval track.

Now I have been to a dirt track races, a Daytona race, and drag races. I missed the boat races in KW, but I'm not into racing, life is way too short to go so fast........

I hope you enjoy the pictures......

Laughter is pretty good medicine.

 Our time at Reuters CG in the Black Hills National Forest is over, we really enjoyed the quiet, and the NF. We did several drives through the forest on the forest roads in the jeep. I was a bit surprised to see the forest service rents, or leases out parts for ranchers to let their cattle graze on.

 Today we drove the 60+ miles to Gillette, we are parked at High Plains CG across the street from the Cam-Plex where the escapade will be. Several friends are also here in the park as is several friends are across the street in the "advanced party" of the escapade staff.

 We spent several hours catching up with friends at the CG, and then five couples went out for Mexican food, and drinks. Bob and Molly, Wanda and Wallace, Rich and Mary, Keith and Donna, and us enjoyed a pretty good meal, and Margaritas second only to the ones made by the infamous "MARGARATOR".

 Donna had some trouble climbing into the back of the jeep, and butts seemed to the the main focus of the cameras. At some point while climbing into the jeep your rear end sticks out and someone, (no names) or someone(S) was really happy with the cameras. I,m sure the pictures will turn up somewhere sometime, but not by me. ( I value my life).

 We did a lot of laughing all night, one lady that was sitting at a table near ours with her family wanted to know where we were from. When we told her, GA, KY, Va, IL, and TX, she was a bit confused, but told us it was good to see people having so much fun.

 The fun and laughter continued at the cam-plex where we gathered after dinner. Some of the "advanced Staff" came out to protect Bob and Molly's rig when we showed up before Bob, Molly, Wallace, and Wanda, but we just included them in our happy evening.

 If tonight has any indication as to what will be going on for the next two weeks, we are all in for a great rally, and if you aren't here, you will miss out........................

Chillin in the Black Hills NF

 Yesterday we made a trip to check out Keyhole Lake State Park, I didn't like the sound of residents paying $10 a night and non residents paying $17 but I thought $17 a night wouldn't be bad for a full hook up site around here. We I was shocked to find out they charge $17 a night for NO HOOK-up, and from the list of rules we read we didn't even drive to the cg to check it out.

 Since we were almost to Gillette we though it would be good to check out where we are headed next week. We found a Smith's, which is the same as Kroger's back in KY so we had to stock up on Diet BigK. We also hooked up with some friends and did a Chinese Buffet. Oh yea they had crab legs, although they weren't the best they were pretty good for the $9.95 they charge for the buffet.

 Today we spent cleaning on the rig, I climbed up on the roof to clean the front cap above the windshield. I had plans to wax the entire roof, but after doing the front cap I decided someone else would have to wax the rest of the roof.

 Everyone in the CG left today, except us, the camp host, and a doctor staying in a tent, that is working at one of the local hospitals. So when the host left for a trash run and dinner we were here all alone. Kind of nice being a lone in a CG.

 We plan on checking out another cg in Gillette for the week before going into the escapade, but until then we will chill out here in the Black Hills National Forest outside of Sundance WY...............

Devils Tower

 We left Ellsworth AFB Tuesday, our two weeks were up and we ( I ) was ready to roll the wheels. We drove the 130 + or - miles to Devils Tower NM. It was a decent drive, although we did have some rain. Everyone knows I don't like to drive in the rain, mainly because it makes a mess of the RV and the Jeep, but after going through the road construction a few weeks ago it wasn't a big issue. (2 miles on a temp dirt road changed the color of the jeep and RV)

 The CG at Devils Tower was OK, it was dry camping, but it was a long way from anywhere. Hulet was the nearest town ten mile away, but there wasn't much there as far as stores. They did have the Hulet Han and Jam for the bikers yesterday.

Tuesday afternoon we checked out Hulet, before all the bikers arrived on Wednesday. A couple bars, a gas station, a lumber yard, and a few mom and pop stores downtown. It was one of those "drive through" towns, you just needed to drive through it to see it. On the way back to the rig we took a detour through part of the Black Hills National Forest. We were impressed with the number of deer we saw, and we found a CG near Sundance that we liked.

 We started to leave Devils Tower to explore the area but when we got to the gate there was a line of motorcycles and cars about 1/2 mile long waiting to pay the entrance fee. We quickly decided to park the jeep and walk to the PO to avoid the line.

 We left Devils Tower this AM,( almost 3000 bikes visited Devils Tower Wednesday) dove the 25 or so miles to the CG in the Black Hills NF. At $5.50 a night with the pass it is a pretty good deal even though there are no hook-ups. We will hang out here through the weekend at least while we explore some of the area, and next week the bike rally will be history and the prices of things will drop back to reasonable.

 I could tell more about things, but you need to check them out and I need to explore some more....