From Oregon to Florida

[Scooterfan]

You don't say what kind of rig you have nor do you list your starting point or how you like to travel. It would be easier for us to know a little more info so we can be a little more precise. We like to travel about three to four hours a day. We full time so rarely are we in much of a rush. We will travel further if we are trying to out run some weather but more often, we would just stay put until a storm passes.

Anyway, this was our route south from the west coast starting in Oregon. Without a doubt, one of the nicest places we have stayed is the Winchester Bay Resort located just a little south of Reedsport Oregon....but since you live in Oregon, you are probably aware of it. In Crescent City we stay at the Lighthouse Cove RV Park. It is nothing special but we like overlooking the ocean and they have long pull throughs so for us, it's an okay overnighter. If we plan to visit friends (or see the city of SF) our next stop is usually the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah. Again, nothing special but a good overnighter with pull throughs. If heading to I 5 we used Green Acres in Redding. Again, just because it is close to I 5 and has good pull throughs. Our next stop on I 5 would be Flag City RV Resort near Lodi. A resort it is not, but again, convenient and a pull through. In Bakersfield the only place we stay is the Orange Grove RV Park. Without a doubt, in our opinion it is the nicest in the area plus, one gets to harvest some Oranges right off of the trees in season. From there we use Lake Cahuilla Regional Park near La Quinta in the Coachella Valley. It is a bit off of I 10 but it's also not along the expensive strip. If we arrive during the week we spend two days here just to take a break. It is warm and the place is not too busy so it's quiet and reasonably priced compared to the strip. Next is Desert Gold about 15 miles east of Quartzsite just off of I 10. It is clean, quiet and not crowded like everything else around Quartzsite. There are lots of opportunities' to boondock in the area but we find them to be busy and a bit on the dirty side. In Tucson, we stay at Gilbert Ray Campground. There is lots to see and do in the area. Very close by is the Sonoran Desert Museum (a bit of a zoo and botanical gardens) as well as Old Tucson which is a movie set used to make Westerns etc. The Pima Air and Space Museum is also worth a look. We stay at a friends place in Wilcox but there are RV Parks in the area. If you do stay near by and if you like wine (this is Arizona's wine country) DON'T try any!! We went for a few tastings with or friends and were very disappointed (but we didn't tell them that .

We have never "just" traveled I 10 through New Mexico and Texas. We have always side tracked to see the sites so if you are just dead heading to Florida you are on your own but if you plan on being away for the winter, there are just so many sites to see along the way, one should really take in some. White Sands, Roswell (okay, Roswell is pretty hokey but at least you can stroke it off of your bucket list) and Carlsbad Caverns is an interesting side trip. Hill Country in Texas is a must in our book. San Antonio and Austin are worthwhile side trips. Lots to see and do in New Orleans. We stay at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego. It's close enough to the Quarter but also other attractions like Jean Lafitte Preserve (to see gators). So much history in the area we have been back a number of times.

This is getting a bit long. If you would like specifics for along the gulf I can let you know where we have stayed but for the most part we just wonder. We have six months before we have to be back in Canada so we kind of just go where the wind blows us. I don't like to be in any one place for more that a week or two.

If I can offer any thing more, I am happy to oblige. safe travels!
I have added a Google Earth screen shot showing our travels over the last 7 years of full time traveling.
View attachment 28062

Darrell

I agree on your assessment of Winchester Bay. It's an awesome resort. Blessings

 

[RollingManCave]

Thanks for the reply. "White collar gang bangers???" Haven't heard of this.

Just remember Scott, you asked. IMHO the two political parties have been taken over and are now just two White Collar Gangs. I could never figure out why 2/3 66.6 % of the voting population continue to vote these same people in decade after decade. My theory is because they are members of the two gangs. I am retired after 25 years of working for a Government entity that has gone through the same transformation. I also see it in the corporate world as well as education. So when you travel through the country just be aware. Of course if you are one of the White collar gang bangers, you can ignore this message and continue to do as you please

They are ok on fire engines and school busses, but I wouldn’t want all that extra equipment on my class A. Too much other stuff that could get damaged. Work vehicles yes. Recreational vehicles no. Except maybe some Super C’s. Easier to just avoid snow.

You could be right, but they put them on a lot of vehicles and I have not read of any problems like that. Maybe because of how they are deployed. One has to do one's own research, for sure.

 

[ScottGese]

Brownsville looks a pretty nice neck of the woods! Lucky you.

The big difference between an A and a C is storage. From a 1 ton Van Chassis to an F53 (small gas Class A or to a Diesel Pusher. An A will get you a lot more outside storage plus you sit up higher so you get a better view of your surroundings. We have gone through two Cs and we are on our second A. Both of our As have been F53 gassers. Our first gave us 14 years of great service. We have only had our latest A for just over a month now.

If you are planning to be traveling for 6 months I would definitely go A. Make and model are important but I believe FLOOR PLAN is the most important. Most coaches are built on Ford's F53s so drive train isn't that important. You can check different model forums to see what owners find good and bad about their rigs. Are you planning on towing a vehicle? We would not be without our Jeep for running around.

If this will be your first outing for 6 months it will also give you a bit of an idea of what full time will be like. Obviously, we love our lifestyle but it is not for everyone. You get to know your partner real well. Prior to retirement most people only spend a few hours a day with their spouse. Full timing means you are together 24/7/365 in around 300 to 400 sqft. One learns the meaning of compromise real quick! We have met a number of people that have given up after about 6 months. Some made it a year. The vast majority go back to a stick and brick. We are fortunate in that our interests are very similar. We like history and there are so many interesting places to visit. We tend to stay away from big cities as most seem to be alike. We like nice scenery. We do some hiking but age is creeping up on us so no more vigorous long walks anymore. We have e bikes that help us get to some of those distant places (where they are allowed). We have our Jeep that lets us get to some of the less visited Ghost Towns, old mine works etc. There are exceptions to visiting some big cities. There are those that are worth seeing. San Fran, LA, St. Louis, Independence/Kansas, Dodge, New Orleans, Memphis, Old Quebec City, DC, and a number of others. We have our 2 year old Miniature poodle that keeps us on our toes. "I" tend to travel on my stomach. My wife does a good job of holding me back to keep my wait somewhat in check. It seems every area has a food that is their specialty and I gotta try em all. I love BBQ and every state has a different flavor. I love sea food so visiting any coast is great for me.

One of the big drawbacks of full timing is missing good friends and family. We spend our winters south so it will be at least 6 months before we return to our home base territory. We try to visit everyone we can and maybe stick around for a moth or two but then the urge to travel hits again and we are off. We will try to get back again before heading south again but sometimes it just doesn't happen.

Anyway, we were kind of disappointed when visiting the Alamo but seeing San Antonio's River Walk made up for it. Oh and when in Texas, you gotta stop at Luckenbach for a long neck....just because!

I'm sure you are going to love your journey.

Darrell

Darrell
Thanks for the info. I have my eye on a Newmar Bay Star.

https://www.rvuniverse.com/listing/for-sale/238604559/2017-newmar-bay-star-2702-gas-class-a-motorhomes

We won't be towing anything now but I know how convenient that would be.
I've been to S.F. I have a son who lives there and a sister who lives in San Antonio. The river walk is awesome.

 

[ScottGese]

Just remember Scott, you asked. IMHO the two political parties have been taken over and are now just two White Collar Gangs. I could never figure out why 2/3 66.6 % of the voting population continue to vote these same people in decade after decade. My theory is because they are members of the two gangs. I am retired after 25 years of working for a Government entity that has gone through the same transformation. I also see it in the corporate world as well as education. So when you travel through the country just be aware. Of course if you are one of the White collar gang bangers, you can ignore this message and continue to do as you please

You could be right, but they put them on a lot of vehicles and I have not read of any problems like that. Maybe because of how they are deployed. One has to do one's own research, for sure.

Ha, not one of them. I'm just a retired guy trying to enjoy what's left of my life.