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Mac1 · 04-26-2007, 04:40 AM

Well classes are almost over for the semester and next week is finals week followed by graduation and I will be singing "Schools out for the Summer".

Linda and I have been planning a "Lap around America" since last Fall. I have been gathering information here on the forums as well as through my local ENCU club. The trailer is just about packed, all systems are a go. I have done some modifications in the back of my truck for storage and mounting of the generators (2-eu2000i) so they can operate on a moments notice. I have strapped them down and locked them in as well as a portable gas tank to supply them.
I have my Garmin, OnStar, AAA Trip Tik Travel Planner Road, Travel, and Financial Services - AAA
We have arranged for mail to be forwarded, house to be checked and watched by neighbors.
I have checked my lists (thank you Fourum members), have to pack the wheel bearings and have the truck checked over and serviced and then we will set off on what will be approximately a 10,000 mile trip which will take us to: the Airstream factory for a tour; the Tin Can Tourist Rally in Milford, MI; the Upper Penninsula; Wisconsin; Minnesota; ND; Mt Rushmore; back door to Yellowstone; Jackson Hole; Pocatello, ID; Bend, OR; Crescent City, CA; Auburn and 10 days camping with son and grandsons; NorCal WBCCI Caravan to Perry that is going I40 with stops in Laughlin, NV; Williams, AZ and Grand Canyon; Gallup, NM; Santa Rosa, NM; Amarillo, TX; Oklahoma City; Ft. Smith, AR; Memphis, TN; Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Perry and the WBCCI; stop by home, then head to Lake George, NY for a short stay and then to Bar Harbor, ME before heading home before classes start in August.

Can anyone think of anything else to be done?

Thanks and we hope to see you down the road.....

Mac and Linda

jdalrymple · 04-26-2007, 05:23 AM

What an epic journey. Take notes and pics! Have Fun.

**moosetags** · 04-26-2007, 05:29 AM

Wow, Mac, quite a trip! We wish you safe travel and good weather. We are also getting ready for our big trip. We are taking off in about two weeks for Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier.

Brian

Happycampers · 04-26-2007, 05:31 AM

You will really be able to fill you map in then. Have a great time.

Mac1 · 04-26-2007, 05:35 AM

Moosetags,
That is one spactacular area you are heading to, safe travels and warm weather to you.

CanoeStream · 04-26-2007, 06:01 AM

Whew! That's a mouthful!! Nice ambitions though.

I don't know how much time you have planned for your northern tier. Da U.P. is mellow and laid back. Munising & Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore are cool. Grand Marais. Indian Lake/Big Spring. Fayette State Historic Park. Tahquamenon Falls. The Porkies. If you see a small town restaurant advertising pasties (Cornish pasties), go around the block and stop for one of the heartier lunches going!

Westbound out of da UP through Ironwood takes you across the northern tier of NW Wisconsin. It's worth a swing up to Bayfield, WI and sights over the Apostle Islands; stay near the lake thru Port Wing and Cornucopia, heading toward Duluth/Superior. Highways throughout this area are easy towing. There aren't a lot of direct highways between Duluth & Fargo, but it's easier than cutting back down to the Twin Cities to catch I-94. Connect with I-94 westward at Fargo if you like.

Minnesota? How much time do you have and what are your interests?

Stream 1529 · 04-26-2007, 07:06 AM

What a trip you're going to have. If you have the time, and you may not looking at your itinerary, stop in Cody, WY on your way to Yellowstone. Cody is a neat place with a great meuseum and western bar complete with an old fashioned gun fight with desperados. Take an extra day for a drive on the Bear Tooth Hwy just north of Cody. This will be one of many highlights of your trip. It's very scenic. You travel up the mountains above the tree line with alpine meadows where you will find snow alongside the road, and snow melt streams cascading down the mountainsides.

Have a great time and post lots of pics.

________Tom

Mac1 · 04-26-2007, 10:58 AM

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, we have a timeline to try to meet so we can spend time with our grandchildren before we have to catch the caravan back east. We are so looking forward to seeing more of God's creation, even though this trip it is just a drive through it. Next trip will be after retirement and no time line. We are looking at spend a night around Brainerd, MN. Any suggestions on a campground in that neighborhood? Also we are going spend the night in Buffalo, WY and will be going through through Cody on the way to Yellowstone.
We will post pictures and comments as we go (does anyone know a quick and easy way without having to go into photoshop and edit?)

Mac and Linda

CanoeStream · 04-26-2007, 12:01 PM

These are the public campgrounds that I'd probably look at. This all is about an hour north of me. I stayed at Crow Wing State Park a year ago and was satisfied. The Brainerd lakes area has been heavily developed for private residences and some private campgrounds are available -- many old private resorts have gone condo and I can't keep up.

Probable quickest passing through campground, Corps of Engineers Gull Lake site 10 mi NW of Brainerd: here and here

Also nice but further from Brainerd to the NE; Corps of Engineers: Crosslake

Just south of Brainerd: Crow Wing State Park. Historic pioneer ox trail crossing of Mississippi R; abandoned townsite. Weekend evenings can have dirtbike race track noise 1/2 mile away; quiet by 10:00PM. Electric hookup, hot showers, dump station. Easy access also.

Any of them should serve you well even for a one night stay. All the shopping is in the Baxter "suburb" on the west side of Brainerd, including Lewie's RV on 371 in north Baxter. Best Airstream-specific maintenance? Probably former dealer Hart Trailer Sales in Long Prairie about an hour SW of Brainerd.

Best wishes!

Mac1 · 04-26-2007, 12:33 PM

CanoeStream,
Bob, Thank you for the information. I appreciate it very much. Does anyone have additional local information along our trip route?

Mac and Linda

Stream 1529 · 04-26-2007, 12:53 PM

Mac,

Two parks in Cody that are nice. Ponderosa Campground is "downtown" and very near the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. The other is about 15 miles west of Cody on the way to Yellowstone; Green Creek Inn & RV Park. Green Creek is a smaller park, but it was a Passport America park so the cost is 50% off for members if it still participates. Cody can get crowded in the summer so I'd call ahead for availaility.

I wouldn't recommend the KOA in Cody.

________Tom

Stream 1529 · 04-26-2007, 12:58 PM

Mac

You should check your brakes before you leave. The highway mountains in Wyoming and Idaho can be a tough tow, even with your Duramax. Steep grades up and long, steep grades going down. You may want to invest in two books: Mountain Roads West, and Mountain Roads East that describe specific highways by State.

CanoeStream · 04-26-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stream 1529

Take an extra day for a drive on the Bear Tooth Hwy just north of Cody. This will be one of many highlights of your trip. It's very scenic. You travel up the mountains above the tree line with alpine meadows where you will find snow alongside the road, and snow melt streams cascading down the mountainsides.

Tom, I absolutely love the Beartooth highway, however it is one of the toughest roads this side of Mount Everest. There are few roads that show as much alpine tundra as up on top of the pass. The D/A could handle it if anything could. Would you recommend Mac actually pull his 31-footer thru all the switchbacks to get up there? Will it be open in May? I'd love to do it again and maybe stay nearby but the prospect scares the bejeebers out of Susie. Has anybody stayed at Eagle Creek or Threemile campgrounds near Cooke City?

Last month I was talking to a fellow from Red Lodge, MT. He spoke about the boom business done by local garages on all the tow vehicles that bombed going up there... Eyes wide open, Mac.

The very best restaurant in Montana is at Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT, off the highway just north of the Mammoth Hot Springs entrance to Yellowstone...

Reservations necessary -- weeks in advance for weeknights too!

Mac1 · 04-26-2007, 02:36 PM

Stream 1529,
Thanks, will do. I had all four on the trailer put on new last summer. Not even 1500 miles on them yet.
Thanks - I don't think we will be going up Beartooth highway unless we happen to park the trailer at a campground and just take the D/A up.

Mac

Mac1 · 04-27-2007, 07:05 AM

Does anyone have any recommendations for campin/fishing around the Auburn area. We are looking at a day or two at French Meadows. Does anyone know which campsites would handle my TV and 31' TT?

Thanks,
Mac

Aria · 04-27-2007, 10:51 AM

Mac1, How nice. I will be out College May 8th my last day. That is only half of the story. My Advertising Agency still needs me.

We will be taking short trips for now. Have fun.

WayWard Wind · 04-27-2007, 07:35 PM

Hey mac , if your travels bring you thru Duluth, Mn and you're in a need for a spot, there is a real neat spot in Cloquet, Mn. It's run by the city and is on the St. Louis river. Also we are located just 25 miles North of Brainerd, Mn and can host you with a spot for some local interests. We're in the Wally directory, if ned be. Have a safe and fun travel.
Best,

Mac1 · 04-28-2007, 03:09 AM

WayWard Wind,
Thank you for the info and it looks like we will be going through Duluth and are planning on stopping in the Brainerd area overnight. We have a directory and will give you a call if it looks like we will be on schedule and have time. We are scheduled to travel 524 miles that day (Sault Ste Marie to Brainerd). How is Rt 210 for towing, speed limit, etc. Thank you for the offer.

Mac and Linda

Mac1 · 04-28-2007, 03:44 AM

WayWard Wind,
Do you have the address/directions of/to Spafford Park in Cloquet?

Thanks,
Mac and Linda

Mac1 · 05-01-2007, 05:06 PM

Finals Week....Yee Haw!
We are leaning hard on GO!
I got my double lipped seals and spare outer wheel bearings from P&S Travel Trailers yesterday. Hopefully I can repack the bearings in the next day or two, get the truck serviced, have the breaks checked, get the finals graded and posted, plan a Bon Voyage party, celebrate Mother's Day with my Mother in Law and my wife and hit the road.

Mac and Linda