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03-19-2017, 07:14 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2017 28' International
Raynham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 28
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From Atlanta to Hill Country Texas
I am traveling from Mass to the Hill Country Rally in Johnson City on April 7. I am visiting a friend in Atlanta, and from there I have seven days to get to the rally. Any suggestions of routes, campgrounds, must sees along the way? I would prefer to drive some off of the interstates but don't want to go on really poor roads either.
Boondocking in BLM or state parks would be nice for a few nights, or some nice campgrounds. I don't need or use any of the amenities of a resort park.
This is my first trip in my new International 28'. I'm traveling with my dog Gracie, and after the rally I'm headed to West Texas and then on to Arizona.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Don and Gracie
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03-19-2017, 07:24 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Sunset Valley
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 744
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Howdy,
Caddo Lake State Park on the TX/LA border is pretty fantastic.
After the JC stop, consider Garner State Park and definitely Davis Mountains State Park. Texas is mostly privately owned with the exception of the many parks, so not a lot of boon-docking.
Ian
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03-19-2017, 09:15 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2001 30' Classic S/O
Leander
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 189
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Balmorhea State Park in west TX on I-10 is nice. Guadalupe Mountains is a nice area. And close by is Carlsbad Caverns. There is no BLM land in Texas, but we have great state parks and a couple of national forests in the eastern part of the state. There are backroads to travel in the east, but as you get to the western side, there are fewer secondary roads east to west.
If you're driving through the DFW area on I-20 toward Johnson City, go west of Ft. Worth and take Hwy 281 south. From I-10, take Hwy 46 at Sequin to Hwy 281. This route misses San Antonio.
If you come in on I-10, take 46 to 281 to Johnson City. After the rally, take 281 north to I-20 west to Pecos. Head north on hwy 285 to Carlsbad, NM. West on 62 to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mtns to El Paso. This will get you off the interstated for a while.
From Far West TX and living centrally,
John
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03-19-2017, 11:38 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1966 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 259
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From Atlanta consider cloudland canyon state park near Alabama border. It will require you to head s little north but worth it. You could head south from there toward Birmingham and stay at oak mountain state park or one of the Corp campgrounds between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa- maybe Deerlick. From there head across Mississippi toward on I-20 and either stay in Jackson or Vicksburg. There is a state park near Jackson that gets good reviews - Leflours Bluff - and some casino rv parks in Vicksburg. From there you have to decide if you want to cut south in Louisiana or wait for Texas. If you want to see plantation country you could go down to Natchez and even to St Francisville north or Louisiana.
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03-19-2017, 12:10 PM
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#5
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,500
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Texas has some US Forest Service land that allows dispersed camping. My unit camps at LBJ National Grasslands near Decatur pretty regularly. In addition, the Forest Service lists Caddo National Grasslands and Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston National Forests.
You'll have the check with the other 5, but I know that LBJ National Grasslands allows camping without reservation or permits for individuals and small-to-medium groups. It's worth checking the website about and/or checking with the individual facility for current information about maintenance... for example they're doing a controlled burn in part of the LBJ Grasslands this weekend, so it wouldn't be a great choice for camping today.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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03-20-2017, 01:09 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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A whole lot of I-20...
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-20-2017, 01:24 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2016 28' Pendleton
Currently Looking...
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 111
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So 1-10 is the most direct route to TX from Atlanta if you want to travel along the Gulf of Mexico. We went from Austin to Atlanta last summer and stayed at Grand Isle State Park in LA. It's the furthest you can go south but not hard to get to. Beautiful place right on the Gulf. Also spent one night at Fort Pickens State Park south of Pensacola FL. If you do go, try to get a site facing the water. Wish we could have gone to the rally but will be in MN to meet granddaughter number 7 who arrived on St. Paddy''s Day. Have a fun trip!!!
__________________
Don't look back, you're not headed there anyway
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03-20-2017, 01:37 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Laredo
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,342
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+1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iansk
Howdy,
Caddo Lake State Park on the TX/LA border is pretty fantastic.
After the JC stop, consider Garner State Park and definitely Davis Mountains State Park. Texas is mostly privately owned with the exception of the many parks, so not a lot of boon-docking.
Ian
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+1 for Caddo Lake SP and Davis Mtn SP. Two of my favorites!
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03-20-2017, 03:23 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Bay Area
, West Coast
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dont45
I am traveling from Mass to the Hill Country Rally in Johnson City on April 7. I am visiting a friend in Atlanta, and from there I have seven days to get to the rally. Any suggestions of routes, campgrounds, must sees along the way? I would prefer to drive some off of the interstates but don't want to go on really poor roads either.
Boondocking in BLM or state parks would be nice for a few nights, or some nice campgrounds. I don't need or use any of the amenities of a resort park.
This is my first trip in my new International 28'. I'm traveling with my dog Gracie, and after the rally I'm headed to West Texas and then on to Arizona.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Don and Gracie
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What Rally are you headed to? we're in Hill Country right now and did not notice an upcoming rally
__________________
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03-20-2017, 04:56 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Uvalde
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 11
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As a resident of Uvalde County. Which is county were Garner Park is located. I strongly recommend not going to Garner Park. It as with all parks near major cities is totally over crowded. The visitors treat it as their personal cow manure patch. Imagine 10 children familes. With drunk parents.
There are good private rv parks. Look at Kerrville, Fredericksburg, see the wild flower farm between your RV meet and Fredericksburg. Drive via HWY 90 to Alpine tx. See the sites of Pecos river, Sanderson river bed, buffalo. Alpine is gateway to many sites.
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03-20-2017, 05:22 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari
Signal Mountain
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 450
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Be very careful going around Tuscaloosa on I-20. Just south of the Mercedes-Benz plant there is construction. The lanes have been narrowed and squeezed in between New Jersey barriers. Absolutely no room for error with a wide body Airstream in tow.
__________________
Don
'06 Safari 25 LS
'18 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Allison
TN,”Greenest State in the Land of the Free”.Davy Crocket
" America is not a place;it's a road." Mark Twain
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03-20-2017, 05:45 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Bambi
2012 23' Flying Cloud
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Bandera
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 786
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We did this route at Xmas last year, bringing home a 23D acquisition. I likely can't help with the SPs and BLM properties, as we stayed at commercial properties, BUT, once you get to Johnson City, you are at the start of the Hill Country Wine Trail. Some 30 wineries, second only to Napa, between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, as well as a bourbon distillery in Hye, Texas (first bourbon distillery nation-wide since Prohibition, and the first such in Texas.....tours and tastes!). We have stayed at Peach Country RV in Stonewall, and Lady Bird Park (a city owned property) in Fredericksburg, and both are fine. Going West to AZ, a nice stop I use leaving Kerrville is Fort Stockton RV.
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03-20-2017, 08:39 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Madison
, Alabama
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 172
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If you decide to run I85 from ATL to I65 in Montgomery, you can go to I 10 in Mobile. Jump off N of Mobile & run S to Summerdale AL where SKP RV Club has the great Rainbow Plantation CG. I 10 is straight N only a few miles from there.
Don't know how many miles a day you can do, but ATL to Mobile/Summerdale is a long, hard day or 2 easy ones. You can get there via BHM & overnight & then hit Rainbow Plantation.
I have made 1,000 miles/day in my Coach House. Usually, 200 miles towing a trailer is about it for me...300 miles is possible, but very tiring & usually requires a mid-day refueling.
Have a great trip.
Let's Roll !
Wolf
__________________
Wolf Alaska
M.S./CFI/IR/ME/CP
FMCA SKP GS GPAA NRA USN (Ret)
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03-21-2017, 08:09 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 40
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WW II Museum
If you have 7 days, one or two at the WW II Museum in New Orleans is time very well spent. There is a good State Park across the river from the museum, Bayou Segnette. If parking your TV is a problem, call the museum. They let us park under the raised highway in their buss parking lot, in the shade, for no cost. It's about 100 yards from the entrance of the museum.
The reason I say two days is there are two parts to the museum; the Atlantic Theater of Operations and the Pacific. They are separate parts of the museum. Each is worthy of a minimum of 4 hours which is about all I can handle in one day.
On your way to New Orleans, the Pensacola Naval Air Museum is also very close to I-10 and definitely worth an afternoon.
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03-21-2017, 10:13 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Sunset Valley
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 744
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Garner...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Retawc
As a resident of Uvalde County. Which is county were Garner Park is located. I strongly recommend not going to Garner Park. It as with all parks near major cities is totally over crowded. The visitors treat it as their personal cow manure patch. Imagine 10 children familes. With drunk parents.
There are good private rv parks. Look at Kerrville, Fredericksburg, see the wild flower farm between your RV meet and Fredericksburg. Drive via HWY 90 to Alpine tx. See the sites of Pecos river, Sanderson river bed, buffalo. Alpine is gateway to many sites.
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We've had great (dumb?) luck at Garner. Plenty of sites to pick from and so many different areas to tuck away in. I understand that it is the busiest state CG in TX, but we have yet to be disappointed. The area is so nice as well and a treat to drive through on the way to west TX.
Best of luck on your travels,
Ian
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03-21-2017, 01:14 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
1966 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 259
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I've driven I10 to Houston and then down Austin in a car and it wasn't bad but so many people complain of it causing problems towing that I assumed you would want a more northern route. If you do decide to take I10, then I recommend Maeher State Park just outside downtown Mobile on the causeway or to PM me about courtesy parking. Pensacola is great but a decent detour to the east. Summerdale is also to far out of the way for any savings and puts you dealing with beach traffic in summer. Heading west from Mobile, there is Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs (federal) and Buccanner State Park near Waveland, Miss.
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03-22-2017, 08:54 AM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2001 30' Classic S/O
Leander
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 189
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I'd come in on I20 after stopping in Hot Springs, AK. Go through D/FW. Go south on hwy 281 to the rally in Johnson City. Later, stop at Guadalupe River SP. Head up to Boerne, Kerrville and Fredericksburg in the Hill Country. Then Leakey, Concan and Uvalde (leaving the Hill Country). Take hwy 90 to Del Rio, then to Big Bend area and Davis Mtns. Take hwy 90 to Van Horn and I 10 to El Paso. Or go north on hwy 67 to Balmorhea and past Pecos to Carlsbad, NM. Take hwy 62 west to Carlsbad Cavern, Guadalupe Mtns and Hueco Tanks SP(world class climbing). Then El Paso(my home town).
I would stay in Las Cruces, NM rather than EP. Great New Mexico style restaurant in Mesillas. Just ask around.
Just remember. The next fill up is at least 60 miles away once you get west of Del Rio. And they close early!
John
2001 30' Ann. Ed.
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03-23-2017, 06:00 AM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2017 28' International
Raynham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 28
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Thanks everyone for the great information you've provided. I have yet to digest it all but will be spending some time studying my route in the next few days. For now I have been very busy getting prepared for my departure Saturday morning. Four stops along the way to Atlanta, and by then I'll have my route to Johnson City figured out. After that I'm off to Lubbock to visit a friend and then on to Ft Davis and beyond. Getting Excited and a little anxious...
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06-28-2017, 01:14 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2017 28' International
Raynham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 28
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I finished my maiden voyage with my new 28 International. From Johnson City I went on to Davis Mountains, Big Bend and finally Arizona..seven weeks, 27 states, 9000 miles. Now for a few short trips to NY and ME, then on to Michigan UP and NE Minnesota mid August. Any tips on these areas , especially MN, would be appreciated. One stop is Bear Lake State Park at Ely. Looks like the deep North Woods of Maine.
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06-28-2017, 01:46 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2008 23' Safari SE
Oklahoma City
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dont45
Attachment 288342I finished my maiden voyage with my new 28 International. From Johnson City I went on to Davis Mountains, Big Bend and finally Arizona..seven weeks, 27 states, 9000 miles. Now for a few short trips to NY and ME, then on to Michigan UP and NE Minnesota mid August. Any tips on these areas , especially MN, would be appreciated. One stop is Bear Lake State Park at Ely. Looks like the deep North Woods of Maine.
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Glad you made it home safe and sound. It was a pleasure meeting you at the rally as well. That's a beautiful truck and trailer combination you have. the Salsa red, gotta love it. You took off before me and my wife could say goodbye.
Mike
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