2009 Great American Road Trip

[Chief]

One week from today and it's "blast off" time. I couldn't let Moosetags (Brian) leave NW FL and have all the fun......so, watch out all you Westerners.....you've got two Florida drivers headed your way.

After six months of planning (some would say I'm a wee bit anal), the reservations are made, the trailer is prepped, the Dodge TV serviced, and the swine flu masks purchased. My binder with all the data for each stop (including overhead Google Earth shots) has attacted some ribbing from friends.....I've attached a couple of photos of my trip binder.....now, do you think that it's "over-the-top?"

We're headed first to Airstream of Arkansas for some mods/repairs, then on up through Kansas to Denver, over to Grand Junction, down to Bryce and Zion, to Vegas, Williams, Albuquerque, Carlsbad, and San Antonio. All total 4,529 miles in 30 days, with an average camping cost of $23.61 per day. Most driving days are under 300 miles, with the longest being the 460 mile leg from Carlsbad to San Antonio. As previously mentioned, the plans for this trip have been in the works for six months.....so, what did we do today (seven days out).......we changed a major portion that eliminated Yellowstone. We were just there in 2007, so "she-who-must-be-obeyed" decided that the weather forecast wasn't looking so good for Floridians. Now, we're spending a couple of days touring the area around Grand Junction, CO instead.

Oh, BTW, did I mention that I'm no longer employed? After 30 years in the Air Force, and 15+ as a corporate whore, I decided it was time to drink coffee and watch the sunrise in the morning.....and let the rest of the day just sort itself out. There was no big retirement "date" set, I just woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and decided that I didn't want to play the game anymore.....went to the office and filled up the old Staples box, turned in the badge, keys, passwords, resignation letter, etc......and, walked out the door to freedom......always wanted to do that, and I gotta tell you it felt as good as anything you can do with your clothes on!

So, if you see us on the road during the next month.....buy this poor unemployed brother a beer (or, maybe I'll buy you one just to celebrate).

Keep the shiny side up!
Chief

Every man has to have a plan!

[Minnie's Mate]

Congratulations on your retirement and happy trails on your adventure. I look forward to following your trip via this thread. Hope you have safe travels and no blow-outs along the way.

I envy you being able to take this trip. I'd love to be able to take my boys on one such as this, but work and/or finances one would prevent a month long journey for this, still, working stiff.

Oh, and BTW, I'm impressed with your organizational skills.

[Lily&Me]

Sounds like a great trip, and congratulations on your retirement!

[Roadtoaster]

Anal? Maybe just a little. I'll bet behind one of those tabs is a list of every rest area and probably a list of potential gas stations based on price . Enjoy the trip and keep us wannabees pictured up!

[Boondocker]

I used to do the same kind of planning. Now, I research & plan until the cows come home knowing the plan wont survive the first mile of the trip. Having said that, the research pays off because I know where the cool stuff is. All I loose is the schedule.

My summer trip kicks off in six days- starting off at Padre Island NSS for a bit then hitting the southern rockies- with my only must do of the summer being a meeting in Indianapolis at the end of July. Hmmm I could do a coast to coast to coast trip.......

[gypsygirl1]

Good for you, and enjoy your trip. We are on day 102 of our 4-month voygage.. and have enjoyed every bit of it. We have done 13 states (some twice), and over 4000 miles so far. We still have to get back to Ontario (currently in New Orleans for the Jazz Festival). Carlsbad Caverns are great and a must-see. Safe travels, and keep the rubber down.....

[Mike Leary]

We just got back from a 7000 mile six month trip; I'm ready to start over! Happy trails.

[CaddyGrn]

Have a really great time, please post pics and tell us of all your favorite spots! If you ever make it out here to the "real west" (CA, OR and WA) let us all know and we can give you lists of our favorite places!

Have loads of fun and great memories!

[yankeemomto3]

Jeez, you Airforce guys are so anal Make that 3 headed West from N.W. Florida. We're in Memphis (Millington Midway R.V. camp on base) and hope to be in N.M. by Wednesday. Has anyone camped at White Sands?

This retired Navy family has no reservations, no set plans, no time-line, nothin'. We are living day to day and we're not going to worry about the swine flu hype.

We still love our vintage rig as much as ever but have spent more time doing repairs than we had hoped. With all the rain this week, we have found a leak around one of the vents which seems to resist repair.

See you soon in Zion! (Which campground are you staying in there? I can't decide what to request.)

Lisa
elizamars.wordpress.com

[HiHoAgRV]

All Right! another virtural trip for us workin' class folks...
A thought and a suggestion -
If ya overnight in the Jackson to Vicksburg MS area, send a PM, I might be able to stop by and spring for a beer
When heading west on I-20 and you get to Edwards MS, try to get in the left lane until you cross the Big Black River. It's only a couple of miles but the right lane is brutal with the concrete sections bouncing the crap out of the truck and trailer.

Have fun and keep us 'Posted'

[tksbaskets]

Originally Posted by Chief

One week from today and it's "blast off" time. I couldn't let Moosetags (Brian) leave NW FL and have all the fun......so, watch out all you Westerners.....you've got two Florida drivers headed your way.

After six months of planning (some would say I'm a wee bit anal), the reservations are made, the trailer is prepped, the Dodge TV serviced, and the swine flu masks purchased. My binder with all the data for each stop (including overhead Google Earth shots) has attacted some ribbing from friends.....I've attached a couple of photos of my trip binder.....now, do you think that it's "over-the-top?"

Over the top??? Certainly not says the women who has a spread sheet for trips to Disney~ Looking forward to sharing your adventures vicariously though your thread. Hubby and I are looking for our own 25' FB now and you are getting me even more excited.

TK

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by yankeemomto3

Has anyone camped at White Sands

No camping is allowed at the monument, but plenty of o.k. campgrounds in the area. Join the KOA club, they have a cool map of their locations. Camping and Campgrounds - KOA Kampgrounds of America, Inc.

[yankeemomto3]

Thanks Mike -

We military types are privy to "on base" camping options in that area. I'll definitely keep KOA in mind if the base doesn't work out.

Lisa

[Chief]

Lisa....we're staying at Watchman Campground in Zion for two nights, arriving Monday/25 May. Watchman has electrical hookup only.

HiHo Silver RV.....thanks for the brew offer. We're overniting at the Ameristar Casino RV Park in Vicksburg next Saturday nite (9 May). Come on over and we'll share one, or two.

To those that are interested, we will try and post some of our ramblings (I know that's a pun), along with some uncensored pics, when we have wifi access.

Chief

[Gene]

Cheif, it isn't only retired air force that are anal, retired lawyers are the same way. Nonetheless, I'm letting go of some of that (a little).

In summer Grand Junction is often 100˚ and that can happen by the end of May. Colorado National Monument, a few miles south of GJ, is a good place to stop and I believe they have campgrounds there. the KOA just east of town on US 50 seems to be full or close to it a lot of the time—full of permanent residents attached to the oil and gas development. There's a very nice state park at Ridgway, about 75 miles SE of GJ on the way to Ouray. Crawford State Park (75 miles from GJ) is also nice and a few miles from our house (we're on the road for most of May). In GJ you are only a few hours from Moab and Arches National Park. A small campground in the Park and several nearby around Moab. You're also close to Canyonlands NP. Sounds like from there you'll be going to Capital Reef NP, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP. Natural Bridges NM is also in southern Utah, though a bit off that route. By June, Utah and the GJ area are very hot. There's so much to see in southern Utah you could spend months there.

You said Carlsbad—also very hot in summer and very crowded. The cave is wonderful, the crowds are not. There are some primitive caves there too, not nearly so crowded and well worth seeing.

You're going to be covering a lot of ground, something we also do. We find that we often have to drive hard for several days to get a couple of thousand miles and then we are so tired, we have to give ourselves some time to recover—we don't like that, but we aren't 20 years old anymore. I know you have figured all this out, but try to give yourselves some free time to relax and enjoy the rest of the time. Now that you are retired (congratulations!), you can come back next Fall when it's quieter and cooler and see what you missed.

Gene

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

No camping is allowed at the monument, but plenty of o.k. campgrounds in the area. Join the KOA club, they have a cool map of their locations. Camping and Campgrounds - KOA Kampgrounds of America, Inc.

There is a nice article in the last issue of Airstream Life that talks about the camping in the White Sands area. Rich does a good bit of hiking in that article and talks about how to prepare for hiking in the desert in the heat. Great article BTW.

[Chief]

"On the Road Again".........just can't seem to get that tune outta my head! Short 350 mile liesurely drive today, from home to Vicksburg, MS. Took some secondary roads through the Mississippi countryside, just to enjoy the freshness of Spring (and avoid the Interstate around Jackson).

We're spending the night at the Ameristar Casino RV Park.....great little park with about 64 all pull-through spaces, with pads, full hookups, cable, and wifi for $22.50 per night. Plus, you receive two free coupons for the breaksfast buffet. Speaking of buffets.....this one is really great....the crab legs are almost, maybe even, better than the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. Jennifer and I ate ourselves into a coma this evening.....had to do a couple of laps around the park just fit back into the Airstream. The park has a free shuttle to/from the casino.....where I took one pull on a machine and won $10.....figure that, coupled with the free breakfast buffets just about makes our stay free.

See ya down the road.
Next wifi won't be for a couple of days.
Chief

Photo #1 - Pre-departure, all shined up and ready for the love bugs to splatter (some of you definitely know what I'm talking about)

Photo #2 - Our site at the Ameristar Casino RV Park

[yankeemomto3]

Happy Trails Chief. We are finally out West! We entered Mountain Time yesterday evening and are camped at a N.M. KOA.

We'll miss you in Zion, we'll be there from 5/20-5/23.

Tomorrow we need to decide whether we'll brave the heat of White Sands or skip it and head up towards Santa Fe.

Cheers!

[Chief]

Day 2 dawned with the expectation of a great Mother's Day (free) breakfast buffet at the Casino.....bad news.....as good as the previous night's dinner was, the breakfast was on the opposite end of the scale. The morning was not a total loss....decided to risk $5 of my previous days winnings of $10 and pocketed another $50 on the third try.....time to leave before they realize I'm ahead.

After dodging some interesting weather in Southern Arkansas, we arrived at our digs for the evening......parking lot of Airstream of Arkansas.

Day 3, and the great crew at AS of AR started on the mods and repairs bright and early. A new skylight was installed, new tail lights, and a set of rock guards was added to the rear to cut down on the heat and provide more privacy. We were on the road to Branson, MO by 1:00 PM. We'll spend the next day touring Branson, and maybe catch a show and dinner.

Chief

Pic #1 - Airstream of Arkansas
Pic #2 - The guys working on our new Rock Guards
Pic #3 - The finished project...let's hope I don't enjoy too much Jack someday and try to hitch up the wrong end
Pic #4 - Arkansas countryside on the road to Branson, MO

[Roadtoaster]

Looks great. Seems they always do a good job. Glad you made it out ok, what with the flamingo and all ...............