I drive over to the Escapees Club’s North Ranch for the purpose of doing laundry and taking a shower.
I stuff my clothes into two washers and walk into the office to present my membership card. That’s when I learn I’m not welcome to use the facilities. After a series of questions the office lady informs me, “We can’t have BLM people coming over here using our showers and laundry.”
“Even if they’re an Escapees member?” I ask, stunned.
“No. You can use the dump station but it’ll cost you $10 and you can buy propane, but you can’t use the showers or laundry unless you’re camped here.”
At that moment a man walks in and hands the lady a ten dollar bill.
The lady writes a note “Non-member dump” and attaches it to the ten dollar bill before placing it in the cash register.
“Let me make sure I understand you correctly. I’m a member of Escapees – I paid the first-year annual fee of $75 — but I have no more privileges than a non-member.”
“Well, you can stay here,” the office lady responds, her feathers ruffled a bit. She frowns. “Did you use the dump station?”
“No.” I’m surprised by her question. I don’t even have the Best Little Trailer with me.
“Well, why were you parked over there?” she asks suspiciously.
“Oh, I filled a few gallon-jugs with water,” I explain.
The lady informs me I owe $5 for the water.
I pay the $5, and say thank you with a smile. The office lady says, “Go ahead and finish your laundry but don’t use the shower.”
While loading the wet clothes into the dryer, I realize I’m going to fester about this situation. I walk out to the PTV, grab my tote bag, go over to the door with the sign on it reminding me I’m not welcome, and take a nice, long, heavenly shower . . . surely the most expensive shower of my life.
Escapees got the better part of that bargain!
Escapees provides wonderful, well-maintained places for those who enjoy rv-park living, and if that describes you, great. It’s not meant to be a place to drop in for a shower or to use the laundry.
NOTE: When I wrote this post, I had no intention of causing an outpouring of criticism toward Escapees. In looking back, I realize my writing was inflammatory. I apologize to the Escapees organization, to the people of North Ranch, and especially to the office lady whom I hope remains anonymous.
My blog is an account of my experiences. One of my purposes in telling my day-to-day story of fulltiming in my Casita is to help, not hurt, people. To that end I have revised the above account. I ask my readers to understand my motive in doing so. Again, I apologize to the people of North Ranch and Escapees. I am truly sorry.
Tomorrow the crew and I break camp and head further north.
The permit granted us by the BLM rangers expires tomorrow. We’ll look for a boondock in Prescott National Forest. If it’s still windy, I’ll wait another day. I’m sure the rangers will understand.
The cattle came by and peeked in the windows again.
No sign of the horses today.
It’s been windy and overcast all day. This afternoon I noticed the batteries struggling to stay charged (as indicated by a red flashing light/zero amp hours on the controller), so I started up the PTV and let it run for about five minutes. That made the controller, the batteries, and me happy again!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 