2025 Escapades in Tucson, AZ

(submitted by Brian Downing ) 

The time had rolled around for the annual Escapades Rally which this year was back in Tucson at the Pima County Fairground. We had arranged for a place to Boondock the night before the rally so we could meet up and enter the fairgrounds the next day. That ensured we could all park together (Handy for Happy Hours!) We met up at Hot Rods of Vail, only about 3 miles from the fairground and a very warm and welcoming place. We had 4 rigs by 3pm.

If you haven’t been there, Hot Rods is a Hot Rod shop plus a bar and restaurant! You can see right into the shop thru huge glass windows in the restaurant. Kristi the manager made us all welcome and had a table for 12 all set up ready for us with a waiter exclusively assigned to us! We filled the table and filled our glasses with tasty beverages. 

After a chilly night we all convoyed down to the Rally entrance where we were greeted by a whole flock of chickens!!! 

The superb parking crew had gone all out with their costumes and despite the cold morning air soon had us parked in Full Hook Ups in their usual friendly and highly efficient way.

 Once set up we wandered down to the registration desks in the Old Pueblo Hall and there to great us where our old friends Marty and Peggy McCauley. We got checked in, sorted thru the welcome bags and in walked Matt and Carol Matheson, followed by Bruce and Sue Herriot. These last 6 all are, or have been, Shanty Shakers who we haven’t seen in a while.

Carol and Matt M

We had Tacos and Hot Dogs provided by Sky Med at the Cantina which is the onsite restaurant then retired to the rigs to warm up. 

Sue & Bruce 1st couple on the left
Peggy and Marty 1st couple on the right

Sunday and we met up at 9 to sign up for the crafts etc, more Shanty Shakers arrived and were parked not too far away from the early arrivers. The Marketplace opened and the Row. Time to get all the freebies! Especially the Shade Pro hats which are exceptional this year. 

It finally started to warm up around 11am so an impromptu Happy Hour broke out before we joined the free Pizza Party put on by La Mesa RV. The day ended with the opening ceremony, door prizes and entertainment in the Thurber Hall.

Monday started at Old Pueblo again with more shopping and freebies plus coffee and donuts from the CARE supporters. Cards were played by some, as others attended some of the many, many seminars.

 Barbara and I went to the Sky Med presentation so we could thank them for the outstanding service we had from them after my huge vertigo attack in Yuma last year.

Entertainment for us was of 2 entirely different kinds! First was a Scottish/Irish style band called the “Devils Brigade”. The second was mopping up water from the floor of the rig after the P Trap under the sink broke while Barbra was washing dishes!

Tuesday saw Barbara and I posting on the Escapades board asking for the loan of some giant wrenches to dismantle the sink, dashing down to Old Pueblo for pictures with all our Shanty Shaker friends, then out for 2 trips to Home Depot (because some genius got all the wrong parts for the sink). Eventually the sink emergency was resolved and we settled in for another chilly night, thank goodness for full hookups! 

Wednesday started early for Barbara and I as we attended a seminar on International Travel. It was very interesting and though we were pretty informed about RV’ing overseas the presenters brought up several points that we didn’t know. We also attended a Full Timer social for the kick off of a new BOF (Birds Of a Feather) group. Super fun and lots of new friends made.

Dave H teaching about Ham Radios

A rally isn’t a rally without a Shanty Shaker Pot Luck and despite continued cold weather this one was great! Afterwards we strolled over for the daily door prize drawing and entertainment.

 

Ron G, door prize winner

Thursday was the last full day of the rally, where did the time go? They say “time flies when you are enjoying yourself” and it has been true this week. Dip a Chip for Care has replaced the Chili Cook Off. People who wished to enter their home made dips filled the tables with their dishes. Voting was done with dollar bills, whoever got the most won the prize and CARE received all the proceeds. 

Closing ceremony came much too quickly but some of the Stats revealed that 1400 people attended and $5000 was raised for CARE.

A final Shanty Shakers Happy Hour (for which it thankfully had at last warmed up!) was followed by the “Big Social” for those that cared to attend.

Friday, always a little depressing. Having to pack up and wave farewell to our friends Barbara and I had an extra day at the fairgrounds and we had found a company to fix 3 foggy windows in the rig. Afterwards we went into Tucson and had lunch at a really nice Indian Restaurant followed by a couple of hours shopping at Lee Lee’s International Market. Now the rally was over it was 82 degrees! Finally it was Saturday and time for us and the few Shanty Shakers remaining to hit the road. Only a 90 mile trip for us to Casa Grande where we winter. 

Thanks to all our Shanty Shaker friends for the great company. It’s always good to see you.

Love ya!

BnB (aka Brian and Barbara D)