Palinpalooza: Hundreds wait to catch glimpse of the 'maverick'

Vickie Harris couldn't contain her excitement when she saw Sarah Palin climbing into an SUV on Wednesday after the only Utah stop on the former vice presidential candidate's national book tour.

"Good luck," Harris cried out across the parking lot of the Salt Lake Costco store where Palin had autographed copies of her new book, "Going Rogue" for more than 800 people.

Palin, wearing a plaid suit, smiled in Harris' direction and gave the Highland homemaker a quick wave. "Thanks guys," the self-described political maverick said, continuing to wave as her convoy sped off.

"She's very engaging," a beaming Harris said. "Just the way she waves. She's not aloof. She's open."

Harris wasn't the only Costco customer wowed by Palin, seen as a GOP contender for the White House in 2012. Palin was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2008 and resigned last summer as Alaska's governor.

"I think she's incredible," said Emily James of Holladay, who was still waiting to wheel her 2-month-old son Samuel out of the cold and into the store when Palin arrived at noon for the nearly three-hour book signing.

"She's very real," James said of Palin. "She hasn't sold out. She's got a lot to offer. She's not like what's going on right now. … She's a mom. She doesn't act like she's ahead of anyone else."

The first person in line to meet Palin, Shirley McClay, a 62-year-old real estate agent and registered nurse from Logan, arrived at Costco at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Armed with a sleeping bag, McClay was ready to spend the night outside in sub-freezing temperatures for the chance to see the woman she says she supports because "we need someone today who'll go against the establishment." Costco, though, let McClay and others stay inside the front doors after closing Tuesday night and escorted them into the store about 4 a.m.

Holding her printed ticket with the number "1" in bright red ink, McClay said she was there to tell Palin to "continue the good work and we'll support you … as long as you continue your conservative ideals." The overnight campout to attend an event was her first since her younger days in California, McClay said, when she waited to see the Beach Boys and other bands.

Several military men in uniform were also eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Palin, including Utah National Guard Army Staff Sgt. Tai P Ho'o, who had to get permission from his commanding officer to leave his post for the book signing.