Escapees November-December 2022

By DAVID AND CHERYL GOLDSTEIN #126793, Hangouts Directors

A TRIO OF HOST-FAVORITE HANGOUT LOCATIONS One of the things we like about the Hangouts program is that it enables hosts who love a particular area of the country to share their knowledge and passion about that locale with other members. Three such Hangouts are coming up next spring across the country. Tickets for all three will go on sale in November and December, so pick one that interests you and mark your calendar! In the 1960s, the area in and around Muscle Shoals, Alabama, became known as “The Hit Recording Capital of the World.” Many now-famous bands and singers, including Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, the Osmonds, Mac Davis and Duane Allman, came to Muscle Shoals to record hit songs at the studios. During this seven-night Hangout, hosted by Dory and Bill Johnson #126254, you’ll retrace the steps of those musical superstars as you explore the historic city of Muscle Shoals and other areas in northern Alabama, the state “where America fi nds its voice.” After an introduction to the area’s history with a screening of the documentary Muscle Shoals: the Incredible True Story of a Small Town with a Big Sound , you’ll get to enjoy guided tours of the FAME Recording Studio and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Your Hangout experience will also include a visit to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and live music at venues like Swampers or Flobama. Other activities during the Hangout will include: • A tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum. • A tour of Helen Keller’s birthplace and childhood home in Tuscumbia. • A visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Hunts ville, complete with a tour of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. • Hiking in the unique Dismals Canyon, trying some of the area’s classic saloons and breweries, plus camp potlucks and other group activities. Tickets for the Musical Roots Hangout go on sale Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 10:00 am CST. MUSICAL ROOTS HANGOUT APRIL 16–23, 2023, TUSCUMBIA, ALABAMA

HARPERS FERRY HANGOUT MAY 4–11, 2023, HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA The town of Harpers Ferry, located in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, is rich in history and stunning scenery. You’ll experience the history and the modern day outdoor activities in the area during the seven-night Harpers Ferry Hangout hosted by Amanda and Jesse Hess #148418. Located at the con fl uence of the Shenandoah and Poto mac Rivers, directly across fromMaryland and Virginia, Harpers Ferry was a strategic transportation hub during the Civil War. A walking tour in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will help you learn about John Brown’s Raid, the fl ash point that ignited the Civil War, and the strategic wartime role the town played as it changed hands eight times between the Union and the Confederacy. You’ll also visit the Antietam National Battle fi eld in Maryland, the site of the savage battle that ended the Confederacy’s fi rst invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the area’s rugged topography and beautiful rivers make it a popular destination for outdoor activ ities. During the Hangout, you’ll have the chance to bicycle on the historic C&O Canal Towpath, paddle the Potomac River, go white-water rafting on the Shenan doah, and hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail. You’ll also visit some of the region’s best wineries and craft breweries, get your crafting on at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, and much more. Tickets for the Harpers Ferry Hangout go on sale Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 10:00 am CST.

MEMBER SECTION

64

ESCAPEES Magazine November/December 2022