Escapees January-February 2024

thoughts for the road

Attendees arriving at the Xscapers annual Bash, January 2023. PHOTO BY TRAVIS WILD #182688

So often people arrive at their fi rst rally in a naked rig, and a few days later leave wearing a decal that shouts: “I am an Escapee!” Something happened. Often it happened in the fi rst few minutes: You pull in feeling a bit appre hensive. A greeter waves you down and tells you to get out of your vehicle. No sooner have you done so when you see people hurrying toward you, strangers coming at you from all directions. Before you can respond to the instinct to fl ee, someone grabs your shoulders and says, “Hi! I’m so-and-so.” Hesitantly, you extend your hand as another grinning face announces his or her name, but this time the stranger is actually hugging you. You stand stif fl y, arms locked at your sides, ready for the next encounter. The beaming faces keep changing. Slowly, almost of their own volition, your arms lift and suddenly you are hugging as well as being hugged! From that special, precious moment on, you are truly part of the Escapees family. An excerpt from Escapees magazine Jan/Feb 1986

Co-founder

January/February 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine 1