25' FC travels to MT in fall

[gypsydad]

We just took a trip from San Diego up through Tetons and Yellowstone, going to our cabin in MT last week. Took our time and stayed in Mesquite NV, Lava Hot Springs Idaho, Signal Mountain camp ground in Teton's. Lucked out as not many travelers camping along the way so no issues finding a spot each night. Signal Mountain was closing Sunday for the season so few campers and got a nice site with electric just above Jackson lake. It got down to 26 Thursday night; we wanted to save propane so we used the heat pump part of the night till it got too cold and stopped working, around 4am. We turned on the portable electric heater on medium which kept the dog warm, and when sun came up at 7:30, we turned on the AS heater to take the chill off. Once sun was up, it warmed into the mid-50’s pretty fast. We stopped in at the Signal Mountain Lodge for breakfast as I was out of coffee in the AS...but what a surprise! Great dining room overlooking the lake and Grand Teton's, and quite a breakfast menu also! We were surprised at the quality and quantity of food we were served for ~$10/each! Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

The drive up north on Hwy 15 is much better after you get out of CA! Even though the speed limit goes to 80 in many spots, we were happy at 65-70 most of the way...leaving highway 15, we took highway through 30 in Idaho up through Alpine and Jackson...very pretty drive. Once inside Teton and Yellowstone, we enjoyed taking our time stopping and viewing the waterfalls, buffalo's, elk, deer, all with very few people on the road to contend with. The weather worked for us, but now it’s surely cooling down. We will head back to San Diego sometime next week; not sure which route to take yet…depends on weather, but would like to come in through Oregon and Northern CA to stop by AS Northwest and perhaps see the “custom kitchen lounge” aftermarket upgrade they are advertising.

The 25’ FC FB Twin has performed pretty well over the past 1.5 years since we purchased. We do have a slight “occasional” water leak by hall closet/shower. Likely the refrigerators drain hose some have reported on in other posts. Other than that, this unit is very comfy for just us 2 and Dakota, our boxer. (Wife still thinks we need a little larger unit; go figure!)
The 2012 Echoboost F150 has had no problems this trip and now has 71K miles on her. Actually, only issues we have seen over past 4 years have been in extreme heat (110+) going up the steep grades between Las Vegas and Needles...had a little overheating at 65 twice....but went away when I slowed to 55. No issues this trip as it was only in mid 90's during that stretch last week!

[eliset123]

We did both parks in July and Had a great time in both parks. Had lunch at jackson lodge next to another couple in an older Airstream from the Bay Area. The food was really good in the Tetons and not so much in Yellowstone. Loved the nice new showers at signal mountain and will try breakfast next time. Can't wait to get back to The Tetons. We loved Dornan's as well. So sad it's such a long way from Rhode Island. It may be time to move. Oh and we did the trip in 16ft . Thanks for the report.

[PKI]

The first of Sept, we did both parks - kind of. They say you never see all of Yellowstone and that's got to be the case for the Tetons as well. We went straight to Fishing Bridge and used that as our base camp. Took the TV down through the Tetons on day one. Oh, what a view both ways. Then we went up the Bear Claw and over to Red Lodge before coming back through the East gate in time to get caught by a Bear jam. We passed through all of the gates and traveled all of the major roads in the park.

If you have dogs, don't miss the North Rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. You can take them with you on several of the overlooks, which is not the case elsewhere.

We enjoyed our time in YS, but Fishing Bridge was the most expensive and the worst CG we stayed in on the trip. We were lucky to be in the lower loops where the roads were recently paved. The other loops are in sad need of maintenance. We expected the sites be close, but not with gravel that needed to be leveled, holes that collected water, and trees that needed dead branches trimmed.

We met several very nice Airstream owners and generally found the folks camping to be quite nice. Understand there was a group of ASs over on the West side of the park while we were there, but we did not see them.

We found that day trip park visitors were clueless as to the impact their driving had on others. Bear and Bison jams are not fun. Folks stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. When they pull over it is often not at pull outs, but rather anywhere close to where they see an animal. All quite dangerous.

The weather was cold and we had the water freeze overnight once. Glad it did not snow as was forecast.

We saw squirrel, bison and elk, but no deer or bear. The lake, river, and waterfalls were fantastic. The damage from the fire is still very noticeable, but recovering.

We are very happy that parks like YS are available for folks to enjoy. Pat and Nancy

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by PKI

We found that day trip park visitors were clueless as to the impact their driving had on others. Bear and Bison jams are not fun. Folks stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. When they pull over it is often not at pull outs, but rather anywhere close to where they see an animal. All quite dangerous.

Wildlife viewing the the #1 reason people come to the magnificent Yellowstone. Yes it can be annoying to hit a jam when people are looking at, what for you, is the umpteenth buffalo. But for them it may be the first they've seen. I ,like you, am glad they are getting the opportunity to enjoy it.

It would be better if the wildlife hung around pullouts but they just don't get the concept.

What I find to be the most dangerous thing is cars trying to barge through the traffic or wildlife on the road. I know many people have to use the park roads not for experiencing the park but just to get from point A to point B. But first and foremost, it's a National Park. Everyone needs to relax and enjoy the viewing.

[moxie t. moto]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

We just took a trip from San Diego up through Tetons and Yellowstone, going to our cabin in MT last week. Took our time and stayed in Mesquite NV, Lava Hot Springs Idaho, Signal Mountain camp ground in Teton's. Lucked out as not many travelers camping along the way so no issues finding a spot each night. Signal Mountain was closing Sunday for the season so few campers and got a nice site with electric just above Jackson lake. It got down to 26 Thursday night; we wanted to save propane so we used the heat pump part of the night till it got too cold and stopped working, around 4am. We turned on the portable electric heater on medium which kept the dog warm, and when sun came up at 7:30, we turned on the AS heater to take the chill off. Once sun was up, it warmed into the mid-50’s pretty fast. We stopped in at the Signal Mountain Lodge for breakfast as I was out of coffee in the AS...but what a surprise! Great dining room overlooking the lake and Grand Teton's, and quite a breakfast menu also! We were surprised at the quality and quantity of food we were served for ~$10/each! Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

The drive up north on Hwy 15 is much better after you get out of CA! Even though the speed limit goes to 80 in many spots, we were happy at 65-70 most of the way...leaving highway 15, we took highway through 30 in Idaho up through Alpine and Jackson...very pretty drive. Once inside Teton and Yellowstone, we enjoyed taking our time stopping and viewing the waterfalls, buffalo's, elk, deer, all with very few people on the road to contend with. The weather worked for us, but now it’s surely cooling down. We will head back to San Diego sometime next week; not sure which route to take yet…depends on weather, but would like to come in through Oregon and Northern CA to stop by AS Northwest and perhaps see the “custom kitchen lounge” aftermarket upgrade they are advertising.

The 25’ FC FB Twin has performed pretty well over the past 1.5 years since we purchased. We do have a slight “occasional” water leak by hall closet/shower. Likely the refrigerators drain hose some have reported on in other posts. Other than that, this unit is very comfy for just us 2 and Dakota, our boxer. (Wife still thinks we need a little larger unit; go figure!)
The 2012 Echoboost F150 has had no problems this trip and now has 71K miles on her. Actually, only issues we have seen over past 4 years have been in extreme heat (110+) going up the steep grades between Las Vegas and Needles...had a little overheating at 65 twice....but went away when I slowed to 55. No issues this trip as it was only in mid 90's during that stretch last week!

nice pictures! very brave [foolish] person walking in buffalo herd. did he survive?

[VT Wanderer]

We spent the month of August in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We live in VT and have been to both places many times. We actually worked 2 summers at the Yellowstone Institute in the Lamar Valley way back when, pre Airstream days. Every time we go back to YS and GT it's like going home. I'm getting that homesick feeling just thinking about it, and we have only been home 1 and a half months. Note - now-a-days we do stay at Fishing Bridge just for convenience - central location. Yes... it's cramped - lousy roads - but the electric, sewer, and water work well, and we are out early every morning and come home for late suppers. In GT we always stay at Colter Bay RV Park, right next to Jackson Lake = georgous!!!!!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by moxie t. moto

nice pictures! very brave [foolish] person walking in buffalo herd. did he survive?

Actually, there were 3 fishermen, walking through the heard to get to the river....yes, we thought; "pretty stupid!" also! Obviously, they are not aware of the danger a buffalo can present....there were young calves there feeding with their mothers...we couldn't believe these guys...likely from Alberta! (Just kidding!)

We enjoy the drive through Yellowstone and Tetons each year, but did enjoy this trip with less traffic. We try to camp in Glacier and Sealy/Flathead area for extended periods during the summer months. Driving through Yellowstone and Tetons in September is just plan beautiful but crowded! This was an unplanned trip to MT to take care of something's at our cabin...it was 21 out this morning and Elk hunting season started...lots of gunfire at dawn. The AS is "chilling" in the front yard...oil heater plugged in to electric, water heater on....although we slept in the cabin, it was cozy in the AS this morning and no issues I could find...leaving Monday and heading through Oregon and Northern CA on way back to San Diego...will post trip details along the way.