Escapees May-June 2024

The History and Continuity of Escapees’ Free and Low-cost Overnight Parking Spot Compilation

When we joined Escapees in 2009, I didn’t realize how much our membership would enrich our travels. A single club gathering was all it took for me to feel like we had been welcomed into a sprawling, multi-generational family of “SKPs,” united by a thirst for adventure that transcends typical camping vacations. S urrounded by RVers with more expe rience than we had at the time, we were encouraged to add the “Day’s End Directory” to our travel plan ning toolkit. This treasure map of unique, affordable campsites and overnight stops, curated by Guy Gipson #84383, opened a whole new avenue of exploration outside the bounds of developed campgrounds. Today, it’s primed for a new editorial leader to take the wheel and craft it into an even more robust and accessible trip-planning bene fi t for members only. A sampling of the “Day’s End Directory” listings, which coincide with destination articles, appear in each issue of Escapees magazine. (See page 17 in this issue.) The Secret Handshake Before the Internet era, the sharing of overnight camping spots was con fi ned to print media. Back then, intrepid travelers relied on publications like “Road Roamer News,” published by Escapees Founder, Kay Peterson. Each issue featured a “Day’s End” column with hot tips about “secret” camping locations and friendly RV providers across North America. In 1987, Peterson gave consent for longtime Escapees members Bob and Viva Lee Ed #7568 to start publishing all the listings into a single “Day’s End Directory.” The Eds launched the endeavor as a separate business in conjunction with Escapees RV Club, and it fl ourished thanks to the power of the club’s distribution network and adventurous SKPs

who happily sent in new tips and updates. Within a decade, Day’s End morphed into something akin to a closely-knit society of adventurous boondockers, all eager to help club members enjoy hidden boondocking sites and easy overnight parking spots. When Guy Gipson #84383 took the helm in 2009, he and his son Ryan took “Day’s End” into the digital age as a website and downloadable directory that today costs only $15 a year (or available free for members who provide a certain number of location reports each year). Gipson has enjoyed being owner and editor, but is now on the lookout for an enthusiastic, tech-savvy SKP to pass on the baton of ownership. Unearthing Hidden Gems One Internet search is all it takes to give the impression that the digital age has revealed every secret campsite out there. But has it? “Day’s End” proves that some amazing spots are still off the radar. Throughout my own North American travels, “Day’s End” has proved it’s value. Over the years, I’ve discovered the limitations of generic campsite directory websites. Here’s why I fi nd it best to keep “Day’s End” as part of my trip-planning toolkit and continue participat ing with updates: • Camping directories don’t mirror the information contained within “Day’s End.” This is especially true in places like Canada and Alaska, where average RVers don’t often explore. • Reviews of boondocking spots are often written by passenger car and van travel ers who don’t have the ability to gauge turnaround space, level parking ground or roads unsuitable for vehicles exceeding 20 feet long. • Many websites won’t reveal the kind of details RVers need to know, unless you’re a paid subscriber. Sure, access to the “Day’s End Directory” has a nominal $15 annual fee (plus Escapees club dues), but users who send in enough reports on locations in one year can get a free annual

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May/June 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine