First Trip! Need advice

[overlander64]

Greetings Sodbust!

Originally Posted by Sodbust

Only problem taking a 2 lane like 36,, is at this moment farmers are going 200mph trying to get crops in.. ,, ( well 5mph)

Your going to have to deal with fertilizer tanks,, seed trucks,, tractors pulling large planters and other hazards that are only active a few weeks a year.. Like right now..

Sodbust,, NW Kansas

As of August 16, 2010, US 36 became four-lane throughout Missouri, and it is four-lane throughout much of Illinois as well (a large part of US-36 provides the roadbed for I-72 through Illinois). Even in Kansas, I never had any real problems with the two-lane streches . . . of course, I enjoy traveling KS-18 its entire length . . . . the traffic on Kansas secondary highways is relaxing compared to what we have East of the Mississippi. I lived in Natoma, Kansas for many years and learned to enjoy traveling KS-18, US-24 and US-36 . . . so much more relaxing and interesting than the Interstates.

Kevin

[overlander64]

Greetings Tartimisl!

Originally Posted by Tartimisi

That helps tons. About how long does it take to go to KC from Benton on the US 36 route

For me, the travel time from Benton to KC was approximately 6.5 hours . . . that is with Airstream in tow. When I am on vacation with the Airstream, my maximum highway speed is 55 MPH. When traveling the route sans Airstream, I generally cut about an hour off of my travel time. When making the trip, I usually left home so that I could enjoy lunch at one of the KC area White Castle Restaurants when not towing the Airstream.

Enjoy your adventure!

Kevin

[Beer Snob]

Make sure you bring a spare set of keys....car AND Airstream. I also recommend a weather radio, especially where you are traveling. We have a little "crank" model we like.

Best place to get gas: Taco Bell.

[wxbuoy]

Originally Posted by Tartimisi

Thanks for the suggestions- we will be packing the liquor and humor first! I think I will lay off of the beans and broccoli. What are you trying to do? Kill me! I already know it is tight quarters. Is "Next Exit" an app for the phone? I will keep a journal. I think we have a lot to learn- But the good news is... I hear that the Airstream people are really nice and helpful! Thanks Again

Next exit is a phone directory type book with interstate highways. Just look up you highway and find the exit and it tells you what services are there and if they are RV accessible.

I use the all stays Camp and RV APP. It does basically the same thing. You can search a destination of your current position. It has filters that let you delineate what you are looking for. Has everything from walmarts to national parks. Just touch the icon and the phone number and website come up. There is nothing better than to see your curent location with what's around you. A must have for smart phone users!

The book is a better look ahead for planning stops for the day, the app is a better tool for finding things and researching them.

[jimlawther]

Dear Tartimisi, Go to LongLongHoneymoon.com | Videos, tips, and information for Airstream / RV travelers. It is a blog by Sean & Kristy Michael . They too live in Birmingham,Alabama they have a great e book called Living Large in a Small Tin Can. This is a e book for only $2.99. I met Sean and Kristy when they were camping at a Wal Mart in my home town of Moundsville,West Virginia and have become good friends with them.I hope you have enjoyable and safe trip. Jim Lawther

[Sodbust]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Sodbust!



As of August 16, 2010, US 36 became four-lane throughout Missouri, and it is four-lane throughout much of Illinois as well (a large part of US-36 provides the roadbed for I-72 through Illinois). Even in Kansas, I never had any real problems with the two-lane streches . . . of course, I enjoy traveling KS-18 its entire length . . . . the traffic on Kansas secondary highways is relaxing compared to what we have East of the Mississippi. I lived in Natoma, Kansas for many years and learned to enjoy traveling KS-18, US-24 and US-36 . . . so much more relaxing and interesting than the Interstates.

Kevin

Kevin,,

Your in our area,,, or were.. My wife came from Natoma area.. McNeal...

But the farmers do have the 2 lanes plugged up around here at the moment,..

Sodbust

[overlander64]

Greetings Sodbust!

Originally Posted by Sodbust

Kevin,,

Your in our area,,, or were.. My wife came from Natoma area.. McNeal...

But the farmers do have the 2 lanes plugged up around here at the moment,..

Sodbust

Denzil McNeal taught English and was Yearbook Sponsor when I taught Business Education and was Concession Stand Sponsor and Co-Junior Class Sponsor in the mid-to-late-1980s at Natoma High School.

I remember planting season very well . . . always enjoyed seeing the activity in the fields . . . the only time I every worried about travel was during the wheat harvest when the combines could kick up some thick dust which wasn't conducive to my usual mode of driving around with the top down on my convertible. I still have particularly fond memories of my years in Natoma and the little home that I owned South of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Kevin

[bbqmama]

1. A spare tire
2. Spare fuses

Then you're golden! Have fun!

[Tartimisi]

Originally Posted by bbqmama

1. A spare tire
2. Spare fuses

Then you're golden! Have fun!

Well thanks. We have the first 100 miles under us and no problems so far. We planned to leave yesterday, but messed around and didn't get off.

[Tartimisi]

Originally Posted by maccamper

Southern Illinois is my home town area, too. Overlander64 is right. True Southern Illinois is not at all like the landscape just 2 or 3 hours north from the southern tip of the state.

We'll be at Little Grassy Lake Campground this weekend. When we're not at Little Grassy, our two favorite RV Parks are Whittington Woods near Benton, IL (and near Rend Lake) and Marion Campground and RV Park at Marion, IL. Both are easy access to Interstate 57. We've become good friends with the owners of both. Either would be a comfortable stop if you need any assistance with resources on your first outings.

Whittington Woods is less than half a mile down (or up) the road from one of our favorite local wineries.

Interstate 57 has several construction spots on it especially at Marion, West Frankfort, Mt Vernon, and Effingham. Sometimes you can get through without delays -- and sometimes not. At Effingham they are in the midst of a massive reconfiguration of the Interstate in the area where 57 and 70 combine. We've found the Google Maps Traffic feature to be a pretty accurate indicator of traffic problems around there. If you see a sign that says, "Expect Delays" then believe them -- especially if they suggest taking an alternate route.

Good luck and enjoy your outing . . . hope to see you down or up the road one of these days.

Nancy Mac

Whittington Woods Campground -->> Whittington Woods Campground at Benton (formerly Benton Best Holiday Trav-L-Park)

RV Park Reviews -->> RV Park Reviews :: Whittington, Illinois ( IL ) - RV Parks and Campground Reviews

Marion RV Park and Campground -->> Marion Campground

Pheasant Hollow Winery -->> Home

Little Grassy Lake and Campground near Carbondale, IL and Giant City State Park -->> Home

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail a little further south than Benton, IL -- >> Home | Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

Well do far so good! We are about 30 min from rend lake and so far. No troubles! Keep your fingers crossed for our first hook up. Thanks for all your great ideas. We come through here often and we will for sure try some things out !!

[maccamper]

Fingers are crossed for you for a smooth hook up. Where did you decide to stay? Hope the storm that rolled through didn't cause you any problems.

Nancy Mac

[Tartimisi]

Originally Posted by maccamper

Fingers are crossed for you for a smooth hook up. Where did you decide to stay? Hope the storm that rolled through didn't cause you any problems.

Nancy Mac

We went through a rough storm in KY. We were going to flip a coin to see who had to get out and connect all of the stuff. But beautiful skies now! We are staying T Fitzgerald state park. Have a great weekend and I will send a message if I need good advice! Thanks for your help.

Treva and Dennis

[maccamper]

We saw on the radar that areas of Kentucky were getting some weather. Glad you made it through. It is clear down here now and chilly.

Remember you have friends within an hour of you if you need help.

If you see lots of motorcycles heading south, could be for Sunday's Annual Blessing of the Bikes on Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass. Blessing Of The Bikes - Bald Knob Cross of Peace

Nope, that's not why we're down here this weekend.

Enjoy your evening and drive through Illinois.

Nancy

[Tartimisi]

Originally Posted by maccamper

Fingers are crossed for you for a smooth hook up. Where did you decide to stay? Hope the storm that rolled through didn't cause you any problems.

Nancy Mac

I think our first little glitch is there is no water. We have water in our holding tank though. Surely that will last one night. Don't u think?

[Tartimisi]

Originally Posted by maccamper

We saw on the radar that areas of Kentucky were getting some weather. Glad you made it through. It is clear down here now and chilly.

Remember you have friends within an hour of you if you need help.

If you see lots of motorcycles heading south, could be for Sunday's Annual Blessing of the Bikes on Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass. Blessing Of The Bikes - Bald Knob Cross of Peace

Nope, that's not why we're down here this weekend.

Enjoy your evening and drive through Illinois.

Nancy

If we head out tomorrow and go 36 to KC. Do you know of any campgrounds. With the full hook up?

[maccamper]

Is your holding/fresh water tank full? If so, you should be good for the night. Whittington Woods Campground right near you has full hook ups if you want to stay in the area. Mary and Reed will welcome you with open arms.

We haven't stayed in any campgrounds on 36/72. We did stay at Lazy Day Campground in Montgomery City, MO a couple of years ago when we were doing something in Columbia, MO. However, it's off 70.

Do you know about RV Park Reviews website. It's been a great resource for us and we do post our reviews there. RV Park Reviews :: Park Map

Sorry we can't be more help on campgrounds around 36/72. Most of our travel west is over to Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Nancy Mac

[bbqmama]

Originally Posted by Tartimisi

Well thanks. We have the first 100 miles under us and no problems so far. We planned to leave yesterday, but messed around and didn't get off.

Lol! That sounds familiar. Did that just last week-aimed at departing Thursday and left Friday afternoon. Ah well... I'm hoping to be more 'on time' next week when we depart friday as we pick the kiddo up from school!

Crossing fingers it's a smooth trip for ya! Glad to hear so far so good.... We did our maiden voyage over Easter weekend and ended up having an eventful journey/first evening due to a blown tire (a new one, and no spare) and then when we finally arrived, blown fuses so no electrical. An adventure that I wouldn't trade but have def learned my lesson!

[maccamper]

What route were you planning to take to get from Benton to 36/72 ? There's lots of road construction on 55 between St. Louis and Springfield. We came through there just last week.

[overlander64]

Greetings Tartimisl!

Originally Posted by Tartimisi

If we head out tomorrow and go 36 to KC. Do you know of any campgrounds. With the full hook up?

There are several nice campgrounds along the route:

• There are several in the Springfield, Illinois area
  • Riverside Park Campground is one of my favorites, but it can be a bit noisy on the weekends when it is very popular with families.
• Quincy, Illinois has a campground that I have enjoyed on two different trips.
  • Driftwood Campground . . . it is located along the Great River Road and there are a number of historical points of interest nearby.
• At least two that I know of in the Hannibal, Missouri area
  • Mark Twain Cave and Campground is my favorite, and I have always enjoyed my stays there . . . you should be OK at this time of year but once school is out it is hard to get a spot without a reservation.
  • Injun Joe Campground is a second campground that I have used when the one above is full. The front part of this campground is pleasant, but the rear of the campground is not pleasant and I would ask to see the assigned spot before agreeing to stay.
• Macon, Missouri has one campground that I have considered utilzing, but have never stopped there.
  • Long Branch Campground . . . it is on Long Branch Lake, and I hear that it is a beautiful setting.

Good luck and enjoy your adventure!

Kevin

[hissilver]

I suggest a check list of "your steps" to hitch-up and unhitch. Follow this check list until it becomes a natural flow of ordered steps....modify the steps as you fond a better way. Finally, I do a "dummy" walk around the trailer to make certain all is ready to roll...I especially look under the trailer and at the hitch point. Enjoy!

Hissilver