2014 Camping Season

[moosetags]

Happy 2014!

We are planning our camping season. We travel a little differently that most Airstream folks. We have an Outfitter Pop-up Truck Camper on a one ton Chevy long bed. We tow our 2012 23FB with the truck camper rig. We set the Airstream up as a base camp and head out into the back country for a couple of days at a time.

We are planning several major trips this year. Our first will be an exploration tour of Florida. We live in the Florida Panhandle and traveled the state extensively during our working years. It's amazing how much you miss when traveling on business. We plan to visit the small hamlets away from the main travel routes intermixed with forays into the Osceola and Ocala National Forests. There is not a lot of back country left in Florida, but there are still bits here and there.

We will also make at least one major western swing. We will hit our favorite spots in Wyoming. We usually do the Bighorn National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. These are some of our favorite "Moosing" spots. We will also save time for some back country exploration in Utah. We would also like to hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

We will also make a northern trip to explore the back country of northern Minnesota. There are so many lake settings, that it is hard to choose where to go.

Either from Minnesota, or as a separate trip, we will make our annual trip into the back country of northern Maine and New Hampshire. This is something that we do every year in pursuit of Moose. We are wildlife aficionados with a particular interest Moose viewing.

Being that we are now free to travel any time we want, we are like kids in a candy store. We hope that we have enough time left to "eat all the candy".

Brian

[Silver Otter]

Well, Brian, we can all look forward to entertaining and educational pictures and descriptions from your travels. Like you, we love the Northern West: Tetons and Glacier. Have great travels.

[Lily&Me]

Have a safe and happy traveling season.

Will watch for your stories from the road.


Maggie

[Florida 55]

The stories of your travels on Airforums helped inspire us to buy our Airstream in 2011. It was one of the best decisions we've made. We look forward to the tales of your 2014 travels.

[LFM]

Stop in, drop your trailer (semi home) , and explore.
https://www.facebook.com/Laurel.Farmers.Market

Greg & Les
Laurel, MT

[moosetags]

Thanks for the tip, Greg and Les. I went on the Laurel Farmers Market Facebook Page. That's very well done and makes us want to put Laurel on our list of places to visit on our western swing. When we're out in the Bighorn National Forest, we usualy camp at Ranchester, Buffalo, and Lovell, Wyoming. I just looked on Streets abnd Trips, and I see that Laurel is only 75 miles from Lovell.

Brian

[Luigi123]

A friend of mine, Dan Ziles, WBCCI member for 30 years, tells me by ordering my 2014 30ft AS, may speed up our full time retirement. My AS arrives this month, feels like my first date!!

[weirdstuff]

Your plans sound exciting!

Reminds me that I've got to get on the ball and start planning our much-anticipated cross-country trip. So many places to fit in!!!

[aceflys]

If you are coming to PA. I have parking for you just south of Pittsburgh. I'm a host of the Bash at Coopers Lake in July. It's a great laid back rally on the 4th of July. You will really enjoy western PA if you haven't been here before.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f290/bash5-109208.html

Ace in PA

[weirdstuff]

Not sure if that invite was for me or for moosetags. I'm gonna assume it's for both of us!

So, if I'm out your way, you'll hear from me!

[moosetags]

We have toured all of Pennsylvania over the years. We refer to Pennsylvania as the "big surprise" as it has some of the nicest scenery in the whole United States. Much of the countryside is like pictures from a travel book.

Brian

[aceflys]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

Not sure if that invite was for me or for moosetags. I'm gonna assume it's for both of us!

So, if I'm out your way, you'll hear from me!

Yes that was for you and any other Streamer's coming to PA or coming to the Bash. My driveway is always open. I have power and can fill your water tank. I'm not far off of Int. 79 Just south of Pittsburgh.

Ace in PA

[Hittenstiehl]

Acefly that is a beautiful aerial of your setting, (driveway).

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We will also make a northern trip to explore the back country of northern Minnesota.

Brian,

- Consider staying at the Minnesota Airstream Park in the St. Cloud area. Excellent sites and community. While the park operates mainly on a lot purchase basis, there are a number of open lots right now which are available for daily rentals.

- One of my favorite places to stay in Northern MN is the county campground at Little American Falls. It's 5 rustic campsites, no water, electricity, fees, or attendant, with steps leading down to a picturesque rapids on the Bigfork River (or one of it's tributaries, I can't remember). http://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/dept....%20%20Map.pdf - Can use nearby Scenic State Park as a base camp

- I'm increasingly coming to the conclusion that the Minnesota State Parks are a poor deal for the RV traveler. In recent years they've moved from a first-come, first-served basis to having a highly functional online reservation system, which has increased the popularity of camping at the parks. Rates have gone up and it is difficult to get sites with electricity; in general, the state parks do not provide water or sewer at the campsite (with a few exceptions). County, municipal, CoE, and private parks are often a better deal

- Many state/national forest and wma roads and trails previously open to vehicles are now posted closed with no off-road travel allowed on any of these lands, making boondocking a dicey proposition. Substantially all parking areas near boat launches, scenic overlooks, and trailheads are posted "no overnight camping."

Happy camping

[aceflys]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Acefly that is a beautiful aerial of your setting, (driveway).

Thanks Hittenstiehl

But I'd would rather be in your state right now. The weather here has just been no fun. Tonight they are calling for freezing rain and snow Just glad my Caravel is safe and dry in my hanger.



Ace in Cold PA