2025 Travel goals?

[Ddmo]

Nevada (Valley of Fire), Lake Havasu, Cottonwood AZ, Lost Dutchman this winter.

Eastern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming this summer.

 

[Buster]

We just arrived in TX a couple of days ago and will spend the next 3 months mostly throughout the state with a week in NM and a week in OK before heading home for spring.

Won't be able to traverse the whole state but have stops planned in Caddo Lake, Waco, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Ft Stockton, Big Bend, Ft Davis, Carlsbad, Roswell, Amarillo and Oklahoma City. Planning on some day trips to nearby areas as well.

Won't be as warm as our trip to FL last winter but hopefully will have some new and different experiences.

 

[bpaikman]

We need to make a trip to the mothership for a couple of minor jobs but we want it done by Newmar. Then we would like to cruise across the top of the US to Vancouver Washington where daughter lives. I'm the trip planner - wondering when the earliest reasonable date to be in that part of the country. (We're on the Texas coast - 2 weeks of winter. Summer begins March 1)

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

We just arrived in TX a couple of days ago and will spend the next 3 months mostly throughout the state with a week in NM and a week in OK before heading home for spring.

Won't be able to traverse the whole state but have stops planned in Caddo Lake, Waco, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Ft Stockton, Big Bend, Ft Davis, Carlsbad, Roswell, Amarillo and Oklahoma City. Planning on some day trips to nearby areas as well.

Won't be as warm as our trip to FL last winter but hopefully will have some new and different experiences.

Where will the home base be?

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

We need to make a trip to the mothership for a couple of minor jobs but we want it done by Newmar. Then we would like to cruise across the top of the US to Vancouver Washington where daughter lives. I'm the trip planner - wondering when the earliest reasonable date to be in that part of the country. (We're on the Texas coast - 2 weeks of winter. Summer begins March 1)

Winter starts tomorrow in the Hil Country.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We need to make a trip to the mothership for a couple of minor jobs but we want it done by Newmar. Then we would like to cruise across the top of the US to Vancouver Washington where daughter lives. I'm the trip planner - wondering when the earliest reasonable date to be in that part of the country. (We're on the Texas coast - 2 weeks of winter. Summer begins March 1)

Crossing the mountains, I suspect, will be the main factor in choosing a date. Montana is should be snow free by late April or early May . I'm not sure about the Great Plains but I'm guessing they would be snow free earlier. Late spring can be a nice time to visit the Rockies and even if it does snow, it doesn't usually last long nor does it usually affect road conditions much. I would personally choose late May or early June as the temps would be more inviting for outdoor activities. The road sides would be a lot greener and more attractions would be open.

Safe travels

Darrell

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Winter starts tomorrow in the Hil Country.

I love winters in Hill Country. They are far more hospitable than anything in Canada (unless you love snow and cold)! Plus I love Texas BBQ!

Darrell

 

[Buster]

Where will the home base be?

No single home base for this adventure. I probably didn't phrase it well, but we'll stay anywhere from 5 to 10 days in each location (except for 2 in Ft Stockton) I mentioned and move along to the next one. We'll use each of those as a temporary base to explore the surrounding area. Hoping to see a lot but realize it's only a slice of what TX has to offer. Darn big state for sure.

We're off to visit Jefferson TX today.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Check the McDonald Observatory website and see if you can get tickets to the "Star Party". Its amazing to view the planets and galaxies through their big telescopes. Davis Mountains State Park is awesome.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm a native Texan who has traveled all over the state.

I'm glad you are going to Caddo Lake and Jefferson is a step back in time. Hopefully, they will still have the Christmas lights up.

The Mission Trail and the River Walk in San Antonio are fun.

This is a must in Amarillo, get your free streak at the Big Texan Steak House and visit Palo Duro Canyon.

 

[bpaikman]

Crossing the mountains, I suspect, will be the main factor in choosing a date. Montana is should be snow free by late April or early May . I'm not sure about the Great Plains but I'm guessing they would be snow free earlier. Late spring can be a nice time to visit the Rockies and even if it does snow, it doesn't usually last long nor does it usually affect road conditions much. I would personally choose late May or early June as the temps would be more inviting for outdoor activities. The road sides would be a lot greener and more attractions would be open.

Safe travels

Darrell

Yes , we're leaning toward early May

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

We're leaving 62 ℉ in the Texas Hill for Zion and Bryce in the morning. For a change, I want to photograph these two favorite parks in the winter. The first overnight stop will be in Brownfield, TX, followed by an Elks Lodge in Albuquerque, Kaibab Paiute RV Park, and Watchman Park in Zion.

I filled the diesel tank at Buc-ees, New Braunfels, TX this morning - $2.72 and praying the Open Roads Card will work for the trip. Every time I try to log in it gives a bad l bad log-in message and locks me out for 60 minutes. I reboot my phone and it usually then works. Technology!

 

[Buster]

Check the McDonald Observatory website and see if you can get tickets to the "Star Party". Its amazing to view the planets and galaxies through their big telescopes. Davis Mountains State Park is awesome.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm a native Texan who has traveled all over the state.

I'm glad you are going to Caddo Lake and Jefferson is a step back in time. Hopefully, they will still have the Christmas lights up.

The Mission Trail and the River Walk in San Antonio are fun.

This is a must in Amarillo, get your free streak at the Big Texan Steak House and visit Palo Duro Canyon.

Just added the Star Party and the Big Texan Steak house to out list. The others are on it already. I'll start a TX trip report thread in the next few days and list out our itinerary along with periodic updates. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Neal]

Have to start planning soon for the summer travel. How are reservations looking for hot spots about? I'm hoping to head in the direction of Glacier first. My guess is getting reservations shouldn't be as difficult as recent years' past. What are you all seeing for those already seeking reservations?

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

We are leaving for the NKK Rally in Washington DC at the end of March. After the rally, we're going to the Adirondacks for a few weeks and then to Traverse City, MI for 2 weeks. We will be visiting friends in Fargo, North Dakota in early June. We will leave the motorhome at their farm and fly home for 2 weeks in June.

We have to be in Bismark on July 4th for a wedding I'm officiating. Then going to Glacier since my wife had never seen it even though we were there last August when it snowed so hard we couldn't see anything but the snow plow in front of us. We want to spend some time in Washington, Oregon, and northern California.

I'm not planning to make a reservation for any place until a day or so before arrival. We plan to use Harvest Host, Elks Lodges, Walmarts, etc when a park isn't available or needed.

 

[sheridany]

Some places are already pretty full. One I checked was Hearthside Grove. Some spots available but not a lot to choose from. I am seeing a pretty hefty increase in the price for a standard pull through out here in the west even at places like KOA which was over $100/night depending on location. I have seen some premium places like sun resorts pushing towards 150/night but that could be seasonal or holiday pricing for Presidents’ Day weekend.

 

[sheridany]

@Texas Clodhopper I have heard a lot of positive comments about Elks lodges. You just need a sponsor, fill out a membership form and get approved correct? I am thinking of joining as they are plentiful here in the west.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Yes, you do need a sponsor.

 

[BGMAC]

Have to start planning soon for the summer travel. How are reservations looking for hot spots about? I'm hoping to head in the direction of Glacier first. My guess is getting reservations shouldn't be as difficult as recent years' past. What are you all seeing for those already seeking reservations?

We were up on east side of glacier 2nd week in June. The highway to the sky road was closed due to a sudden snow storm. The KOA was pretty high in cost, but we stayed at Chewy Blackbones. Not the fanciest, but friendly and not to many people there.

 

[newmarokie]

Sheridany, the two closest lodges to you are Alameda and Richmond. Just google California Elks lodges and call one of them. Getting a sponsor is usually quite easy. Most lodges are always looking to grow membership (extra dues).

 

[sheridany]

I am actually in Indio and there an elks lodge very close to my place. I’ll go over next week and check it out. One of my neighbors said he would sponsor me. I think it’s a great option if I can fit into their lots even if they don’t have power.