ESCAPE SUMMER CRUISE 2002

JULY 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th-2002

Questions and Answers for E.S.C.A.P.E Boaters

First a quick explanation of how the ESCAPE works. You start by making the decision to head out on a fantastic experience on Lake of the Woods. Fill in the registration form and send it back. You are asked what type of boat you have and the speed at which you like to travel. Once we have all the information back from everyone, we will break up the large group into smaller units called Divisions. The Divisions are based on the size of boat and the speed at which the group wishes to travel. Each Division has a Leader and a Tail End Charlie. It is the Division Leader’s job to get his/her group of boats safely from one location to the next. The Leader will also provide you with facts about the area; explain some of the dangers on the lake; decide which routes to take; where to stop for lunch; and in which order the boats should follow. The Tail End Charlie will follow the group and stay with or help anyone in the group that has problems, such as a mechanical breakdown. The other boats in the group follow the Division Leader in a single file at a safe distance behind the boat in front of them. The Tail End Charlie will keep an eye on the group from behind and will let anyone know if they are straying off course and possibly putting themselves or others in danger.

The group will meet at Ash Rapids Camps for day one of the event. The official registration will take place at Ash Rapids Camps where you will be given your name tags; advised in what division you will be traveling; and meet your Division Leader as well as the rest of the ESCAPE members. If you are not comfortable traveling to Ash Rapids Camps on your own, please let me know. I will be making arrangements with one group from Sioux Narrows, one from Kenora and one from Warroad to act as guides to Ash Rapids Camps on Thursday July 11th and I will let you know what time these groups will be heading out. There will be the “Commodores Get Acquainted” cocktail party at 5.pm on Thursday, followed by dinner. Those staying in the Lodge should check in as soon as possible after arriving.

Your Division Leader will let you know what time in the morning he/she wishes to leave. Please try and be ready to leave at that time. You will stop on the lake somewhere for lunch. Lunch is usually a potluck type affair with all of the boats in your division. If the weather is warm, the lunch break will usually extend long enough to enjoy a casual swim in the lake as well. You will then continue on until you come to the next Lodge. We will have dinner there and, again, your Division Leader will advise you when he/she wishes to leave in the morning.


The second day is pretty much a repeat of the first day; get up, have breakfast, head out, stop for lunch, swim, cruise some more, stop, eat. It’s a tough life!

There is one special event that takes place either Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather. This is known as “The Games People Play”. This is a set of games that the Vice Commodores arrange to help people get better acquainted. It is designed for fun and should not be taken too seriously. You will realize what I mean by that once you experience it. The dinner on Saturday night is known as the Commodore’s Ball. It sounds stuffy, but it’s not. There are no long dresses or tails. There is usually, however, a theme and this year it is a Masquerade Party so let your imagination run wild and have a great time.


After breakfast on Sunday the group will break up and everyone will either head for home, or take a few extra days to enjoy the natural beauty that is “Lake of the Woods.”


There now, with that out of the way we will try and answer some questions that we know have come up in the past.

Where will we be staying?

Those with sleeping accommodations on their boats will usually sleep aboard. For those traveling in boats without accommodations, rooms will be available at the Lodges where we are stopping. You must make these reservations yourself. Please do so as early as possible, as rooms are limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Ash Rapids Camp 807-543-4025
Wiley’s Point Lodge 807-226-5275 1-800-668-6836
Obabikon Bay Resort 807-488-5812

When will we be back home?

You will be heading home on Sunday July 14th. The Canadian group will head back towards Kenora and the U.S. group will head towards the Angle or Warroad. Traveling across the Big Traverse can be interesting if the forecast is calling for moderate to high winds. Plan on an early morning start before the wind comes up, or a late evening run for Warroad, if necessary. Experienced Escape boaters leaving for Warroad know when it is safe to cross the lake. You’ll be with them on your way back to Warroad.

Where will we get gas?

The run from Warroad to Oak Island is 32 miles, which is the longest potential run between gas stops. All of the resorts we will be visiting have gas. Obabikon Lodge has advised that their gas will be expensive, as it is for their own use and they do not, as a rule, sell to the public. However, they will make it available to anyone who is running low.

What should we bring?

A cooler, ice (also available at resorts), beverages, food, swim suits, shorts, tennis shoes, soap, warm clothes, credit card, cheque book, cash, (Obabikon does not take credit cards), VHF Marine Radio, jokes, humour and a desire to enjoy some of the most spectacular boating in the country.

How do we register for the most exciting time we’ll have on our boat this summer?

Complete the registration form on this site HERE

How big a boat do we need?

You should have at least an 18 foot boat with a VHF marine radio.

How about showers?

Facilities are available at all three resorts.

If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Doug Biggar, Commodore - home 204-864-2609 during the evening
or at work 204-632-4092 during the day
or

Gary Shipman, Vice Commodore – home 651-786-0642

Please return your completed registration form by May 31, 2002, to ensure space is available. If you need a room at any of the three resorts, please make the reservations as early as possible, otherwise space may not be available. When you do make your reservations, please mention that you’re with the ESCAPE. This is important as these resorts do not usually book one night lodgings in July.

ESCAPE XXVIII – JULY 11-14, 2002
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 11th

Ash Rapids Camps
2:00-5:00 pm. : Registration, Division Assignments, and Socializing.
6:00-7:00 pm. : Commodore’s Get Acquainted cocktail party (cash bar)
7:00-9:00 pm. : Dinner $25.00 Canadian; $16.50 US

Friday, July 12th

7:00-9:00 am. : Breakfast $10.00 Canadian; $7.00 US
9:00-9:30 am. : Short business meeting in Lodge
9:30-4:00 pm. : Cruise on the lake with your division. Cruise ending at Wiley’s.
4:00-5:30 pm. : The Games People Play
5:30-7:00 pm. : Time to socialize and get ready for dinner
7:00-9:00 pm. : Dinner $35.00 Canadian; $20.00 US

Saturday, July 13th

6:00-9:00 am. : Breakfast. $8.50 Canadian; $5.75 US
9:00-6:00 pm. : Cruise on the lake with your division. Cruise ending at Obabikon.
6:00-7:00 pm. : Commodore’s Farewell Cocktail Party – Passing of the Flags
7:00-9:00 pm. : Commodore’s Ball $35.00 Canadian; $20.00 US

Sunday, July 14th

7:00-9:00 am. : Breakfast $16.00 Canadian; $10.00 US
10:00 : Depart for home ports. Care will be taken to ensure that first time ESCAPE members have someone to help guide them back.

The cost of meals is approximate and does not include taxes.

Please note: you must make your own room reservations.

For more information, contact this year's Commodore at:

So who's coming on the Summer Escape?

To date the following have registered:

Bill and Jeannine Balicky
Doug and Nora Biggar
Greg and Jan Boynton
James and Carol Chaput
Wes Christie and John Irwin
Pam Diesing and Ned Luecke
Roger and Madeline Downie
Stan and Mac Ericson
Alan and Barb Finstad
Rolf Gretschmann and Marla Winning
Alan and Patti Halfaker and Jeremy Braulick
Rhett and Joan Haugen
Hank and Virgina Henderson
Dave and Diane Holmstrome
Karen Houston and Dan Shaul
Tim and Kathy Hughes
Luther and Larae Kaushagen Larry Kehler and Sharon Penner
Syver Kolden and Travis Kolden
Bruce and Julie MacCallum
John Mang and Sue Wood
Douglas Marshall and Joanne Frost
Murray and Debbie McDonald
Richard Mckenzie Tracy Fischer
Jack and Noreen Mckenzie
Norm and SharonMiller
Larry and Loretta Pittman
Marty and Agnus Redmond
Gary and Patti Shipman
John and Deb Stone
Royal and Karen Rivard
Gary and Sue La Coursiere
Stan Newman and Barb Henry
Charlie and Rose Dowling
Ian and Sandra Mcleod

EMAIL


View the Escape photos by clicking HERE

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