Escapees March-April 2019 Vol 40 Issue 5

Final Journeys

  Farewell to our Escapees Friends The Escapees RV Club expresses sincere condolences to the families and friends of deceased members. Bloomquist, Earlene #31949-November 30, 2018: (Jerry, 30527 S. Meandering Lane, Congress, AR 85332-1206) Earlene fought for over 10 years with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. We joined Escapees in 1994 and began full-time RVing for 15 years. She was a volunteer club representative (VCR) for many years and was proud to be an Es- capees member. We traveled to all 50 states, attended many chapter rallies and enjoyed working at spring Escapades. She was a special lady, and I have so many memories of our good times together. Courtright, Gil #1084-July 24, 2018: (Betty, 45323 Park Sierra Dr., #337, Coarsegold, CA 93614-9109) Gil died quietly and peacefully at home. Gil loved Escapees and traveling, and he volunteered at many Escapades. I will stay in Park Sierra SKP Co-Op. Ledbetter, Harold (Hal) #27083-December 12, 2018: Hal died in Livingston, Texas, at the age of 84. He joined the U.S. Navy the day after his high school graduation and served for four years. Hal worked for NASA in Houston for a brief time in the mid-1960s, which started his long-time Civil Service career with the U.S. government. He had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the pioneers in space flight, including astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of the early Apollo missions. He eventually settled in Poway, California, and raised his family. While working at NAS Miramar, he had the op- portunity to work with some of the crew for the movie, Top Gun, while they were filming and utilizing the F-14 simulators in the mid-1980s. After his retirement, he relocated and settled in Livingston in 1994. Hal enjoyed RV travel, Escapees RV Club and square dancing with his wife, Ina. (Submitted by daughter Brenda Ledbetter.) Russell, Bettie #7999-January 9, 2019 : My mother died just shy of age 95. She and my dad (Joe Russell) joined Escapees in the mid-80s. They were one of the first to buy into Jojoba Hills SKP Co- Op before it was built in the late ‘80s. Sadly, Dad never got to see it completed as he died in 1991. Mom continued her travels and lived there for many years. She was also active in Chapter 5 and served as treasurer in the mid-’90s. I took her in my motorhome to one of their rallies in 2015 when I joined Escapees. It was her last RV adventure. She taught many Escapees to knit hats for babies, and that process continues today. She and Kay Peterson were good friends, even after Bettie quit traveling in about 2005. She told me recently that her seventh decade was the happiest of her life because of the friends she had in Escapees! (Reported by son James Russell #123218.) Seim, Beatrice Valsi #3980-July 28, 2018: (Mario Valsi, 2400 S Congress Ave. Boynton Beach, FL 33426). Bea died in Boca Raton, Florida. Maynard and Bea became full-time Escapees after Maynard retired for the second time. They kept a map with their routes marked on their refrigerator. Full-time RVing gave them a chance to volunteer at many churches, schools and Habitat for Humanity. Maynard and Bea were lifetime members of Escapees and helped build the Zolfo Springs Campground where they lived until Maynard’s death in 1998. Bea then moved to Boca Raton to be closer to me. Bea was active in the First Presbyterian Church where she met and married Milo (Mario) Valsi in 2013. Being a member of Escapees added a great amount of joy and purpose to Maynard’s and Bea’s lives. (Submitted by daughter Carol Holdren.)                                       

 LUNATEC®: Self-cleaning washcloths and odor-free dish- cloths are amazing. They have less bacteria, no smell and offer convenience. Ideal for RVs and homes. Live healthier. 858-653-0401. www.lunatecgear.com LUNATEC®: Aquabot® turns water bottles into misters and high-pressure sprayers. Cool you and your pets, hydrate and

clean gear. www.lunatecgear.com Kijaro Kubie : The Kubie will keep you warm and cozy. It can be transformed into a poncho, pillow, ground cover, hammock (complete with straps), sleeping bag, shade cover and more! Durable nylon ripstop fabric and double zipper pulls, it can handle any adventure. Its water-resistant coating and fleece-lined hood keeps wearers warm and dry. It converts into its own carrying pouch for compact traveling. Retails for $80: www.kijaro.com/kubie.

Wise Owl Outfitters: The perfect essential to help you relax. This hammock can fit in your hand. Throw it in a bag and head out on your next adventure. The foam and inflatable pillows are fully adjustable and water resistant, along with the microfiber towels that are super absorbent and dry fast! www.wiseowloutfitters.com. $44.95

Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry Lantern: A compact, lightweight collapsible lantern, the Helix Backcountry is the perfect lighting solution for around camp or in your tent. A “swipe” control surface eliminates buttons and allows you to switch between a dimmable white mode and a dimmable red mode, for low profile or night use. The col- lapsible globe and folding legs allow the lantern to shrink in size, making it easy to stow away. The adjustable legs also allow the light to incorporate several hanging options, perfect for lighting up the

whole area. princetontec.com/product/helix-backcountry. $39.99 VENTOLATION footwear: Footwear collection with a patented, innovative design. A removable insole system vents sand, water and air through channels in the sole, keeping feet clean, cool and dry. Slip resistant, quick-drying sandals and flip-flops for men and women as well as sandals and espadrilles for boys and sandals and ballerina flats for girls. Durable and lightweight and perfect for the beach, boat, campsite or everyday wear. Underneath the removable insole, anatomic columns and a center elevation force sand and dirt particles or water to travel to the sides of the shoe. The perforated sole expels water and sand with every step. The perforated insole can be removed from the shoes for cleaning or to swap in a new color. In addition, the perforation also delivers cooling airflow to the feet. Wearing VENTO- LATION shoes is essentially like standing on air. The columns inside the shoe are spaced apart resulting in less material underfoot and rotary ventilation of air. Instead of sweating and suffocating, feet are allowed to breathe comfortably. MSRP range of $29.99–39.99. Visit https://ventolation.com for more information and ordering. GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker™ : Combining the comfort and innovation of the Freestyle Rocker with the portable convenience

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of a bag chair, the RoadTrip Rocker is a serious game changer. The chair is a full-size rocker that easily folds to fit inside a carry bag. It features patented Spring Action Rocking Technology™ for smooth rocking while you enjoy your time in the outdoors. Additional features include padded armrests, a beverage holder and a mesh backrest. $60. https://www.gcioutdoor.com/

camping-chairs/roadtrip-rocker

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