Things learned on first cross country trip
This was our first long trip with our new 2014 35' Flagstaff Classic Super Lite trailer. We went from Connecticut to South Dakota, Black Hills area and back. Before we left, I replaced the original ...
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Our "get up and get going early" means try to be out between 8:30 and 9:00. I use MapQuest, but also our GPS and we try to keep the driving to around 6 hours + gas/food stops, so 7 - 8 total. By then, we've had enough fun, want to park it, fix a cold beverage, put some dinner together and relax. I've done the thing where you try to cram as much food in the frig as possible so we don't have to make as many stops...bad idea because the frig/freezer won't work as efficiently. With just the 2 of us, I plan menus for most of the trip, but only buy for maybe 4 - 5 days tops. You know there is a Walmart right around most any corner. Clothes? DH is much worse at packing than I am. That is what the laundry at the campground is for. We take for about 5 days and then hit the laundry...you meet some really fun folks there! We can run a couple of loads, chat a bit and be back to Rocky within a couple of hours.
Re the Chicago thing....we were dreading towing through all the toll booths, not to mention the cost factor when towing...they charge extra for that. DH set the GPS to "avoid toll roads" and it was a snap. I honestly think we made better time than the ones stopping every few miles to contribute. The alternate roads were not bad at all and several places we were parallel to the toll road for some distance. And came out money and nerves ahead.
We've never been ones to just get going at 5:30 or 6:00 and drive 12 hours or more. The older we get the less time we drive....so it takes us an extra day or we find something really great to stop at. It's part of the trip. BTW, if you happen to be stopping over in Amarillo, allow yourself a "wind day". I had added a down-day to our CO trip with the intention of it being at the campground with our best friends from CA....instead we woke up during the night to the trailer bumping back and forth. In the morning we checked and there was a wind advisory with 45+mph gusts from the south. Didn't seem prudent to tow in that. Fortunately the campground had our same spot open so we just stayed over, did a load of laundry, checked out THE most awesome gift shop, enjoyed their free Wi-Fi, and in the morning all was quiet again. The locals told us it was like that all the time and to allow for it. The return trip was fine.
On our trip to the UP a few years ago, I just didn't allow enough time to do all we wanted to, so strongly suggest you allow a day here and there with nothing planned because something great will pop up and you'll have the time. My major screw up was at Mackinaw....we ran out of time and never got to the island, let alone my long desired lunch at the Grand Hotel. In Detroit, The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village was high on the list....1 day won't do it, allow 2. If you're prone to stopping at every winery sign you see, allow a day to fill up the time you'll lose tasting and enjoying visiting.
Re the Chicago thing....we were dreading towing through all the toll booths, not to mention the cost factor when towing...they charge extra for that. DH set the GPS to "avoid toll roads" and it was a snap. I honestly think we made better time than the ones stopping every few miles to contribute. The alternate roads were not bad at all and several places we were parallel to the toll road for some distance. And came out money and nerves ahead.
We've never been ones to just get going at 5:30 or 6:00 and drive 12 hours or more. The older we get the less time we drive....so it takes us an extra day or we find something really great to stop at. It's part of the trip. BTW, if you happen to be stopping over in Amarillo, allow yourself a "wind day". I had added a down-day to our CO trip with the intention of it being at the campground with our best friends from CA....instead we woke up during the night to the trailer bumping back and forth. In the morning we checked and there was a wind advisory with 45+mph gusts from the south. Didn't seem prudent to tow in that. Fortunately the campground had our same spot open so we just stayed over, did a load of laundry, checked out THE most awesome gift shop, enjoyed their free Wi-Fi, and in the morning all was quiet again. The locals told us it was like that all the time and to allow for it. The return trip was fine.
On our trip to the UP a few years ago, I just didn't allow enough time to do all we wanted to, so strongly suggest you allow a day here and there with nothing planned because something great will pop up and you'll have the time. My major screw up was at Mackinaw....we ran out of time and never got to the island, let alone my long desired lunch at the Grand Hotel. In Detroit, The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village was high on the list....1 day won't do it, allow 2. If you're prone to stopping at every winery sign you see, allow a day to fill up the time you'll lose tasting and enjoying visiting.
