Side Effect's 1st Retirement Adventure

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Hi Bill,

It was lovely meeting you & Nancy at the Mississippi River Rendezvous.

Hope that your trip is everything you've hoped for. Looking forward to traveling along with you here.

All the best, Lorraine

 

[WillyB]

Looks like a minor change of plans because of Rafael. Cancelling our 4 days in Gulf Shores 11/6-11/10 to head a bit northeast to Millers Ferry Campground to wait it out before heading to Ft Pickens.

Scratch that! No Cancellations at Gulf State Park allowed so we are going to make an adventure of it. No Pain - No Gain.

 

[riskman]

Congratulations on your retirement. I hope it's long, healthy and happy.

I just retired at the end of July and have had a few short camping and motorcycle adventures, but planning a big one across Canada and down the east coast next June when my wife retires.

Good luck on your adventure.

Scott

 

[WillyB]

All set up at Gulf State Park Campground in Gulf Shores, AL with misty rain and storms on the horizon.

We ain’t scared!

 

[WillyB]

A little short beach day today. Water was not friendly for swimming.

 

[WillyB]

Waves of Rafael

 

[Mike G]

A friendly tropical storm. It waved at you!

 

[WillyB]

We ran into a nice couple from Pensacola here at Gulf State Park (Molly and her husband??? Geez, my old brain) while our dogs were introducing each other. After a bit of conversation Molly said "Oh, you're the ones with the Escape. They happen to be considering an Escape 23. They are also looking at the Bigfoot 25RQ but that would require them to keep using their F250. I think he wants a Tundra.

It's funny, like us when we were looking, they knew all of the small details and like the same things that drew us to Escape. He is 6'-3" and wasn't sure if the 21C bath height/size would work but when he stepped in he felt it was manageable.

Does anyone know if the ceiling height in the E23 bathroom is higher than in the 21C?

We gave them the full tour and hopefully put them on a path to a new Escape.

Good Luck Molly and your husband John Doe!

 

[WillyB]

Update! I just ran into Molly and John Doe.

John Doe = Scott

 

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Hello again Willy,

If you run into Molly & Scott again, you might confirm that they've looked at a 5.0. Though smaller horizontally, more than one tall man has found the extra ceiling height worth the tradeoffs. Just a thought.

So happy to see that your first big trip is going well!

 

[WillyB]

We made it to Fort Pickens Campground but only had time to take this picture then meet with family.

 

[WillyB]

It’s been an uneventful and rainy trip here to Ft. Pickens so far. Cross your fingers that the rain will stop today.

This is our rainy day view out of our back window. We need a set of windshield wipers

 

[WillyB]

We found the Dog Beach for Mr. Shoji.

Outside of me holding him for this picture he just laid on the sand and watched the waves roll in.

 

[WillyB]

Matt & Mary (Mfschu) in their 21 NE and Bill & Nancy (Willyb) in our 21C are hosting the 1st Annual Fort Pickens Escape Rally on Santa Rosa Island.

Well, we are in a different campground loop but I’m still counting this as an official St. Louis Area Escape rally!

Safe Travels!

 

[brroberts]

WooHoo!

 

[Mike G]

We found the Dog Beach for Mr. Shoji.

Outside of me holding him for this picture he just laid on the sand and watched the waves roll in.

Not sure which of you has the grander looking fur!

 

[WillyB]

Finally! After all the rain and windy weather we got to enjoy a great evening under the stars with an “almost” full moon.

Oh! We have not met them yet but a 19 came in at sundown to take part in the 1st Annual Ft Pickens Rally.

 

[WillyB]

Davis Bayou Campground for the next few nights. Small but nice.

The gators are right there!

 

[Mike G]

I was there in March. At the 4 way stop in the Davis Bayou campground, the road going east has a couple of short trails into the town itself. I rode my ebike both of those routes and went along the beach, then when the street turns NE and goes over a little humpy bridge, I turned to the left and found a way down along that canal with the boats. It's worth an explore.

BTW, you missed Dauphin Island.

 

[WillyB]

I retired from sales 17 days ago but it must still be in my blood or owning an Escape is just a great conversation starter.

The day before yesterday Gina from Georgia (Casita Owner) stopped by with her husband and asked the question; “How do you like your Escape?”. Of course we gave them the full tour.

It appears Gina spent that evening doing more research and peddled back by yesterday. She wanted to confirm some details so another tour was in order. I think she’s hooked on the 21C.

She is a member of Sisters of the Fly and I believe she is going to go to the Florida Egg Rally. Be sure to say hello to Gina from Georgia if you see her.