Escapees July-August 2024

contents

ClubSta ff Club Founders Joe and Kay Peterson President Travis Carr Vice President Melanie Carr

Co-Chief Executive O ffi cer Travis Carr Co-Chief Executive O ffi cer Melanie Carr Chief Operations O ffi cer Teresa Moore General Manager Kelly Brown Escapees RV Parks Administrator Cindy Neilsen National Escapade Directors Rob and Laura Kernodle Chapter Director/BoF Coordinator Wendy Stanwood HOP Director Lisa Koca

TAMMY JOHNSON #39557 Editor, Escapees Magazine

Hangouts Director Kirsty Halliday Convergence Director Hollie Parks Educational Director Jim Koca Brand Director Brandon Hatcher Marketing Director Kerensa Durr Digital Content Manager Jeannie Dees

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”

RV Show Directors Larry and Robyn Schultz Magazine Sta ff Managing Editor Tammy Johnson Copy Editor Carol Rice Editorial Assistant Kelly Evans-Hill Graphic Artist Krystina Evans Graphic Artist Cole Carter Advertising Director Kelly Evans-Hill Technical Advisor Mark Nemeth

As the summer season dawns and the July fourth festivities kick o ff , we also mark the 46th anniversary of our beloved Escapees RV Club! This is a time for us to come together, not just as family and friends, but as a united community of Escapees members, sharing in the joy and pride of our club’s journey. T his issue contains RV information to help set the course for your summer travels. Take a moment to peruse the timeline of the Escapee’s events on page 60. This will give you an idea of how the club’s structure has evolved from the brilliant minds of its visionary founders, Joe and Kay Peterson #1. From a simple idea to one of the greatest RV clubs in the country, it’s the perfect example of the wise words of ancient Greek philosopher Plato, when he said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” When Joe and Kay Peterson began full-time RVing with their children in 1973, Kay saw a need for a support network of RVers. At the time, the RV community was much smaller and communication with new friends was dif fi cult. She felt that a newsletter with traveler’s reports, tips and parking information would be helpful and would also provide much needed support. She shared her idea, and the fi rst fi ve-page newsletter came to fruition. That newsletter evolved into the Escapees magazine of today! As the club took shape, new elements such as the RV parks and SKP Co-ops, chapters and mail service were born. The RV lifestyle, once a niche, has now become more accessible and convenient, thanks to technological advancements. Yet, let’s not forget the courage and innovation of our trailblazing predecessors, who turned their ideas into reality. May your summer journeys be fi lled with safety, wonder and joy. See you on the road!

• Submissions of features on all phases of RV living are welcome. Writers’ guidelines and payment schedule are available upon request: editor@escapees.com • For commercial display ads, contact advertising by calling 936-327-8873 or e-mail advertising@escapees.com. • Send address changes to Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 or clubbusiness@escapees.com. Escapees magazine (ISSN-1556-7486) is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, Texas 77351. Periodical postage paid at Livingston, Texas, and additional mailingo ffi ces. 936-327-8873. Fax: 936-327-4388. Website: www.escapees.com. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Escapees RV Club, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, Texas 77351-9300. Copyright© 2024 by Escapees, Inc. All rights reserved. Escapees magazine is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., RoVing Press, in Livingston, Texas. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a data-retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed under individual names are not necessarily those of the Escapees RV Club, its o ffi cers or the membership in general. Escapees does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading ads. The name Escapees and the house-in-a-wagon logo are registered trademarks of Escapees, Inc., a Texas corporation. Commercial or noncommercial use requires an annual permit. Escapees Corporate O ffi ce 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 936-327-8873 • Fax: 936-327-4388, www.escapees.com Escapees Mail Service O ffi ce 101 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77399-9330 936-327-8873 • Fax: 936-327-4388 www.escapees.com/mail-service The written material within this publication is provided for educa tional or informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Escapees makes no e ff ort to verify the information in this publication and, therefore, Escapees does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the contributors’ submissions. Escapees shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the materials herein.

4

ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024