LAKE OF THE WOODS - ESCAPE CRUISE
A Message from your Commodores
Al and Patti Halfaker
Dear Fellow Boater
We'd like to introduce ourselves. We're Al and Patti Halfaker, Commodore and Co-Commodore of the Escape XXVII. It's a priviledge for us to organize and promote this year's Escape events and perhaps we can interest you in joining us for this year's Escape. (Exciting, Scenic, Camping and Powerboat Excursion) cruise!
It's very quiet on both the US and Canadian sides of the lake at this time of year. With spring on the horizon, our thoughts are centered on the 2001 Summer Escape on Lake of the Woods. We're hoping you'll join us with your boat for a fun-filled four-day cruise.
Here's the Deal!!
If you, your spouse and/or your children spend July 5,6,7 and 8 with Escape Cruise on Lake of the Woods, seven good things will happen.
- Your spouse will love you more because you're breaking out of routine and venturing out to try something new and exciting.
- You'll be using your boat more, which helps justify the expense of owning it.
- You'll be able run enough gas through your boat in four days to get rid of the old gas stored in your boat after the fishing frenzy.
- You'll finally get far away from the Blinker, South Shore, North and South Buffalo and travel into the northern two-thirds of Lake of the Woods where 14,662 beautiful Islands are located.
- You'll discover for the first time what a fantastic lake you boat on! It contains 6500 miles of beautiful, pine-treed, rocky shorelines with gorgeous Islands to explore, secluded bays to camp in, sand beached to swim at and you'll have the opportunity to visit three of the many fantastic resorts on the lake.
- You'll meet many Canadian and American fun-loving boaters who have years of experience on the lake and many, just like you, who have little lake experience and are just becoming acquainted with Lake of the Woods. In other words, you will make new friends with a common interest.
- Hopefully, after four days and 170 miles or so of sightseeing and socializing, the passion for exploring this great lake will be ignited.
Fact of Life and a Problem
For years most boaters in the Warroad area have had a fear of Big Traverse Bay and the fact that you can't see land to the North and Northeast... so they stay close to home. The bay can be intimidating, but it's across this bay that a whole new world awaits you!
The Solution to the Problem
In 1975, Hank and Virginia Henderson from Warroad spearheaded the first annual summer cruise on Lake of the Woods. They along with other knowledgeable boaters from the Canadian end of the lake, organized what's known as the ESCAPE. (Exciting, Scenic, Camping and Powerboat Excursion) Cruise. One hundred boaters met at Flag Island, travelled to Kenora, Sioux Narrows and then home to Canadian or US shores in four days. There has been and annual summer cruise every year since then with up to 300 people from Canada and the US taking part.
From 1975 to the present, members of Escape who have been travelling the upper two-thirds of the lake for many years have acted as guides, using their knowledge and detailed maps covering the lake. No one gets left behind or lost because this large flotilla is broken down to divisions. Each division usually has 10 boats and each division has a division leader and a "tail end Charlie" (last boat in line). Every boat should have a Marine Radio and each member of the respective divisions is on the same channel. NOBODY GETS LEFT BEHIND! Travelling around all the Islands is done in a single file. You follow the bubbles of the boat in front of you. To a first time participant, this si quite exciting being in a line of 10 boats and communicating back and forth. Your division leader will be very knowledgeable about the route you are taking to the next resort or the next beach or bay you will be stopping in for a swim or a snack. He will be informing you by radio what is coming up around the next corner as far as dangers or beautiful scenery. Your safe passage and having an enjoyable boating experience is their number one priority.
My wife and I remember our first Escape three years ago with great fondness. Like you, we were worried about what to expect and we had a wonderful time. You'll find that all of the seasoned Escape members will be more than willing to share their experiences and tips for better and safer boating with you. Lake of the Woods is such a gift and that gift is best enjoyed when shared with others.
This year's excursion will start Thursday morning, July 5th from both Kenora and Warroad. There will be other boats leaving from other locations for Sioux Narrows where we will rendezvous with the rest of the Escape members. You will be given a contact in your area when you sign up. Friday night we will be docked at Wiley Point and Saturday night at Oak Island. On Sunday morning we will be returning as a group to home ports making sure no one gets left behind.
There will be a limited number of accommodations available on shore at each stop, however if you decide to sleep at the resort, it is important to make your reservations early as this is prime tourist season.
We'd be happy to answer any of your concerns or questions you may have. Please call us. Our home phone number is 218-326-0278 and business number is 208-326-0211.
We hope you decide to join us on the Escape 2001!
Sincerely
Al and Patti Halfaker
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