Fort Casey April dates rescheduled to Oct 5-8, 2020 Gathering

[mimie]

With true regret, salted with a tad of “reality”, I have canceled my reservation for Site 21, Oct 7-9. The cross-country trip I had been aiming at, which I sure hope will be do-able in the not-too-distant future, is more than I can manage this fall.
Hoping someone else might be able to pick up those nights and join in the non-rally that you are having (or should I say “the rally you are not-having”?!).
Enjoy every moment, all of you who are able to make it to that wonderful spot!

[Bobbie54]

Sorry, Mimi! Would have been fun!

I'm trying to get a vague count on who will be coming (assuming the smoke blows away and they don't just keep extending the bad air alert!). I have this list.

New October Fort Casey rally

Bobbie, Escape 15A, site 25
Mike and Karen, Escape 19, site 13
JKCoug, Escape 19
Killercook, Escape 21, site 24
Karen H. Escape 15A, site 26
Jinny, Escape 17b, site 15
Papsm2, Escape 21, site 35
Jeff Thoelke, site 23
Garyjohn 1, site 22

I'd like to get a closer count and know which trailers are two (or more) people. (We might have some goodies and would not want to miss anyone!)

[garyjohn1]

Hi Bobby, I actually have site 22 for the upcoming October gathering. I believe I have reserved sit 23 for the April '21 gathering. Thanks.

GJ.

[Bobbie54]

Oh, good, probably my mistake. One person or two?

[garyjohn1]

Bobbie, this time I'll be respective enough to spell your name right!

There will be two of us, Gary and Selina Johnson. Thanks.

GJ.

[tukwilma]

Jeff Thoelke, 21NE, Site 23, 2 people, one dog
We're still planning on it! We're out on the south WA coast right now, trying to stay away from some of the smoke. It's a mixture of marine layer and smoke here, but breathable. We are working our way around the peninsula, aiming to be home in time to clean up the trailer before heading to Ft Casey.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

[Jinny]

Planning on coming. One person, one dog Dana.
At Sakt Creek this week, just west of Port Angeles. Can see the Strait but not across to BC.

[KarenH]

From Bobbie's post #122. Let me know of additions or corrections.

[Bobbie54]

Thanks, Karen. I'm waiting on a correction from Ed and Jane who said #33 (non-existent!)

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Thanks, Karen. I'm waiting on a correction from Ed and Jane who said #33 (non-existent!)

Duh, blame it on the smoke. 33 is one of the inside ones. They are always booked so I never think about them!

[Farmgirl]

Hi Bobbie!
.

I have site 9 for 10/5 to 10/9. Just me and my dog, Cody, in my 2019 E19. This will be my first camping venture with the trailer and I am looking forward to meeting other owners and getting advice on handling the unexpected quirks that will show up on first use.


And, more important, I want to participate in the Escape community which I have enjoyed so much on the forum.


Eleanor. Cody and Sheep (aka Great White Hope)

[Bobbie54]

That's great, Eleanor! And a good way to get started when there are lots of people around who know how everything works. I'm hoping to have my new 17b, too.

[KarenH]

Updated...

[Bobbie54]

I hope we can all make it and the weather decides to be perfect (ie, not like today or yesterday.). For those coming from Port Townsend, you may want to get your reservations now. You can cancel up to 5 PM the day before but daytime slots have tended to fill quickly. For those coming up through Seattle no reservations are taken for the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, just fcfs.

We have a list of people and sites but if you can let me know days (PM if you don’t want it public) I’d like to get that list, too.

We are going to have to be physically distanced but I hope we can socialize to some extent and stay safe.

Some suggestions to help this happen:

Put up a sign with your names (first is fine) on or near your trailer. It will be obvious which of us are with the Escape group! But knowing who someone is is an icebreaker.

If you enjoy visiting, put one or two “guest chairs” a safe distance from your own. Put them away (fold up or move) if you don’t want to socialize. That way you can set the limits, but we’ll all be encouraged to do some visiting.

Mask up! If you are just out walking alone maybe you don’t wear it, but if you have one along it allows for stopping to talk to other people safely. And respect the six foot distance when you do stop to chat.

If you want to show someone your trailer, use your own level of comfort to guide you. For me, I’d be comfortable with you stepping in to look at it when I’m not in it (and neither is Oliver) and I have the Maxx fan venting out, and you are wearing a mask, and you avoid handling anything besides the handrails- and preferably when I’m going to be out of it for awhile. (Just a few conditions!) If you don’t want to show yours, we’ll all understand that, too.

The State Parks request gatherings of no more than 5 people outside your immediate family, which means no big group dinners or campfires. Also currently there is a level 3 burn ban (no campfires or charcoal grills) though I think that will change as it already has at Rasar (which has much higher fire danger).

In the next post I’ll give some suggestions about things you CAN do. i'm sure i've forgotten a bunch of things so feel free to add your own suggestions.

[Bobbie54]

I will have Self-guided tour maps of the fort. (They can also be picked up up in the park office.) There is a fairly steep trail up to the fort from the campground or you can drive up and park close by.

Callen’s Restaurant has eat in, deck dining, and takeout from Wednesday-Sun. (Closed Monday and Tuesday.) It’s right by the ferry dock.

Coupeville is a short drive away, as is Fort Ebey state park and the Ebeys Bluff trail. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/w...ey-bluff-trail. If it is a nice day this is a spectacular hike. Greenbank Farm is about 15 minutes down 525 (south) and has off-leash trails through the meadows and a great view-from the top you can see the water on both sides of the island. Biking is good around Fort Casey if you bring bikes. And if you aren’t from that side, the ferry ride over to Port Townsend is a nice thing to do. Further south (about 25 minutes) is Double Bluff beach which allows dogs off-leash to run on the beach (after the marked on leash area.)

While it is safer for all concerned if you can bring whatever you nee in the way of groceries from home, the Red Apple market is in Coupeville and has the basics.

The schedule will be released next week, but often there are Growler jets practicing carrier landings at nearby OLF (outlying field). You’ll see (and hear0 these from the campground, but if you want to get a closeup, bring your earplugs and drive up to check them out. The “Touch and Go” landings are really fascinating to watch but the sound level is very high, so you may want to keep car windows rolled up tight. Do not park along highway 20. If you go up Keystone Hill (off Wanamaker) you can park nearby and watch. For those who hate noise- luckily our Escapes do a pretty good job of cutting the level down at night.

[Patandlinda]

Wish we could go ! Even have new grand baby haven’t seen . Have fun and maybe next time . Pat

[garyjohn1]

Hi Bobbie, Selina and I will be arriving on the 5th and departing on the 8th. Already have our PT ferry reservations in hand. Looking forward to meeting the gang!

GJ.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Wish we could go ! Even have new grand baby haven’t seen . Have fun and maybe next time . Pat

We'll miss you Pat and Linda.

[Sailingmiker]

It doesn’t look like we (Mike and Karen Reed) will be making it. Hopefully we’ll make one post Covid.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Sailingmiker

It doesn’t look like we (Mike and Karen Reed) will be making it. Hopefully we’ll make one post Covid.

Sorry to hear it, but yes, hopefully one day soon we will all be able to come.