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royl's avatar
royl
Explorer
Nov 18, 2013

End of full timing may be soon

Had planned to full time until I died but didn't plan on my cancer returning so soon so we may be near the end of our adventures. I plan, as soon as they get my medications stabilized and warm weather arrives, to make my next trip from the Florida panhandle up through Ohio to visit old friends and then on to Niagara Falls, then over to Mt Rushmore. Then I am going down to the Grand Canyon or maybe over to Yellowstone Park and then down to the Grand Canyon. I know this sounds like an ambitious trip at this time and my health problems but these are the places I promised my wife I would get her to while we fulltimed and can not disappoint her. She is my rock, the love of my life and is being a real trooper about my health issues. She tells me that I am going to be ok and be around a long time but I know the truth. The reason I am writing this is to ask for any pointers, sites to see, problem roads or mountains and so on. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. I want her to never forget this trip.
  • AJMom's avatar
    AJMom
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    I have no advice, as I'm very new to RVing, and haven't been to Mount Rushmore or Yellowstone for 30 years, but just wanted to wish you both the best of luck with your health issues and the wonderful trip you're planning for her. Your wife is a very lucky woman.
  • RoadLife's avatar
    RoadLife
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    Don't give up. They are working miracles these days with cancer treatments. Your trip sounds fabulous...After Niagara Falls stop by Mackinaw Island in Michigan. It is a fun outing and you can take a horsedrawn carriage around the island to see the sights. Good Luck, we'll be thinking healthy thoughts for you.
  • crickeydog's avatar
    crickeydog
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    Hang in there. You're not alone. Just get mad at it again and refuse to let it win.

    As for the trip? My thoughts would be to not plan a darn thing. Just get in and go. I'm betting that it just might end up being the best trip y'all have ever had. Good luck.

    Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)
  • lj2654's avatar
    lj2654
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    Don't be too tight on your planning...just head out and wing it....enjoy the travels with your wife and love and cherish each other every moment of the trip! Wish I had some pointers for you but still have 5 years before we hit the road!
  • ricklord2001's avatar
    ricklord2001
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    First of prayers sent for your healing roadlife is right keep your spirits up they have and still are doing a lot towards fighting cancer. You said waiting for warm weather, so I'm assuming your talking May or later. I would kind of reverse your trip. I'd start out on rt 10 to 20 to 40 going to the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest (if your over 60 stop and get a Sr national park pass for like $10 gets free entry for life in all national parks). Then to Grand Canyon South Rim (they'll give you a handicap pass so you can drive everywhere the buses go) you can either stay near train station and take the train. Stay inside the park or there's a nice RV Park just before the entrance with full hookups. I'd then go to the Hoover Dam and tour it and into Vegas for a stay. Then up to Yellowstone, Ohio, Niagra Falls then home. I went in late Feb one year and it's cold and snow in the Grand Canyon so you really couldn't get to appreciate the Grand Canyon fully. Good luck beating the Cancer and have a great trip
  • richardwise's avatar
    richardwise
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    My brother (bone cancer) and his best friend (brain cancer) were insepartable their last year, fulfilling their bucket lists. Sometimes when my wife could, as I was still in a wheelchair from an accident that busted up my leg and hip, she would take me with them. They had the time of their lives, and had t-shirts that read "FIGHTING CANCER AND ENJOYING LIFE" This sounds like what you are doing. Don't let anything stop you. If you have time in Ohio, try the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton. Very worth while trip. The Sr71 blackbird and the B1 bomber will blow you away (no pun intended). Keep up the fight.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2013
    http://www.rvcruzer.com/ystonervroutes.php

    I don't know how to make a clicky for this site, but there is info on all the roads, directions into Yellowstone and which ones are steep, curvy or which way is the easiest route. Depending on your mountain driving skills, you may find one of these routes to be more to your liking.
  • royl's avatar
    royl
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    Thanks guys and no I will not give up,just trying to be realistic. I want to do the trip in the order I said because I plan to end my trip in New Mexico and probably stay there. I feel a lot better there in the dry warm weather. I will try and take in all the sites mentioned but have already did the Vegas, Hover dam thing. I have also already been to the Air For e museum in Ohio. Thanks anyway. I will not be in any hurry so I really won't plan too much, just don't want to miss anything good along the way. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, I can use all that I can get. I try and not let it get me down but it is hard sometimes. I am only 59 and really planned on being around much longer.

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