A year of planning for the perfect family trip!

[tragusa3]

There's another thread discussing the cycle of life that hits most of us right in the gut. I'm a 43 year old husband and father of two 8 year old boys. We've got the same dreams as many of you, to make memories with our families in the RV. I'm all too aware of how fast the kids are growing and recognize that my window of making these dreams a reality is at most about 8-9 years longer.

We've spent our lives to this point being as "wise" as we can to prepare for the future. However, this philospohy of "windows" that are open for short periods has become real. You either "DO" something like this at a certain age, or it doesn't get done.

In the last two years, I've gone back to school and am making a career change. I'm going to be a middle school teacher. There were many reasons for the change, one of which is freeing up summers for family time. Realistically, we should be able to a trip each summer that puts us on the road for weeks at a time. I think we would have a maximum time of 6 weeks, but that might change.

We live in South Carolina and would like to have at least two of these trips. A southwest and a northwest one. We'd like the first one to be the southwest trip. I have been working on it on google maps and thought why not get the input of the EXPERTS! 🙂

This thread is meant to be a tool for me to use over the next year. It will be busy at times and at times be shelved. If any of you are willing to work through this with me through the next year, please join in. Your experiences travelling the country would be so valuable.

There's got to be a better way to collaborate with google maps, but I can't figure it out. It's not exactly user friendly. So, for now, here's a link and a quick screensnap of what I've got in mind so far.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211628587478009914116.0004de6c8e9b3ecd4fb1b&msa=0&ll=37.788081,-89.384766&spn=27.533419,62.226563&iwloc=0004de6d42d43368b1d88




We aren't very interested in visiting urban areas, so I basically tried to tie together as many National Parks as I could. However, I know nothing about the roads themselves. I don't want to drive randomly, but certainly would prefer to be on a known scenic road rather than an interstate.

**** I'VE USED UP ALL MY TIME THIS MORNING TO POST, BUT WILL FINISH THIS THOUGHT LATER TODAY

[padredw]

The route you mention in your last posting is known as the Peak to Peak Hwy. It is a beautiful drive and very doable. Some climb coming up from Central City area.

Do not go thru Central City IMHO ....gets you into town and crammed. Take the 6 to the 119 to 72 to 7 to Estes.

I think I commented on this route "Peak to Peak" in an earlier response on this thread. I won't take time to find it, just say, "Yes." to the above, including the advice to take 6 and avoid going through downtown Central City. It will be slow enough out on the highway.

However, I think I did say, and will say again: The "Peak to Peak" is the route we usually take to Estes Park from I 70, but it is very curvy and many ups and downs. It is a route to be enjoyed, not to make good time. Allow extra hours for the enjoyment.

[Allworth]

We spend as much time as possible in the high country between Silverton and Ouray. Lots of 4x4 trails. Lots of old mines (Be VERY VERY careful.) Panning in the creeks, etc.

You may hit snow in the passes above about 12,750 into July. We have had to backtrack on Ohio and Engineer at the end of June (different years).

P.S Someday the State of Colorado is going to discover this thing called "gardrail".

[Lauren]

And FAR more severe dropoffs! But I love the Blue Ridge Parkway! Used to drive it and run it a lot.

[tragusa3]

I've been dropping the little yellow guy on google maps and from the few dozen spots I chose, it looks like roads in the Rockies are generally less twisty than roads in the Appalachians. Longer climbs, but straighter roads.

[tragusa3]

Thanks much. Will take a day off of the RMSP visit and an extra day fit in for St. Elmo. Will make the change to the driving route.

[Lauren]

We love the area down around Buena Vista; in fact, spend most of our CO time in that area now.

See www.LaurenBarbara.com and go to Wanderings link on left to CO to BV area. St. Elmo is definitely worth the visit. I love Rocky but would suggest an extra day in the BV area if you can.

The route you mention in your last posting is known as the Peak to Peak Hwy. It is a beautiful drive and very doable. Some climb coming up from Central City area.

Do not go thru Central City IMHO ....gets you into town and crammed. Take the 6 to the 119 to 72 to 7 to Estes.

[tragusa3]

I just reread through the entire thread, and many of your suggestions make more sense now that I've researched a bunch.

One area that I missed fitting in was this post from 4runnerguy:

Also, consider some 4x4 activities in the Salida area. Particularly fun is to leave the "ghost" town of St. Elmo, go over Tincup Pass, past Mirror Lake to Tincup. Then head south over Cumberland Pass and start up Hancock Pass. Part way up the pass, take the left to the Alpine Tunnel. You'll be driving along an old railroad grade that you'll be amazed that they constructed back in the 1880's. Then return to the junction, go over Hancock Pass and back to St. Elmo. A great day of 4x4, sight seeing, and plenty of places to stop for the kids to poke around old mining areas. Link

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I sort of boxed myself in and allowed only 2 driving days from Ridgway to RMNP. I should have given a day in there for this loop. I could take a day off the from of our RMNP reservation, leaving us with 4 nights there. Advice? thoughts?

[tragusa3]

A quick scan on Google earth shows it to be a nice ride and doesn't look steep or too curvy.

[tragusa3]

19 DAYS!

When entering Estes Park from the east, I want to avoid Denver and Boulder. What is the route like that comes into Estes due north from I70? Roads, 119 to 72 to 7. Don't mind if it's a little slower if it is more scenic. Although, don't want to add hours of steep grades.


Oil changed, tires rotated.

[lbrjet]

Very smart move on lengthening the trip home.

[Lauren]

Although CO Springs is a great stop, I think you are wise not to cram your trip home when you will be tired.

Enjoy. Be safe.

[tragusa3]

Glad to hear that. Thanks. We got one of only 4-5 left available. Hope there wasn't a reason it was last to be taken. Looks fine from the picture, and has a nice view. It does have public water right behind it. Maybe lack of privacy.

For now, we've decided to eliminate Colorado Springs from the end of the trip. I think we'll be exhausted by this 6th week, and plan to use 5-6 days to get back across the country instead of "making time" like we are on the way out.

Leaving 3 weeks to the day now! Can't sleep at night!

[2gypsies1]

Glacier Basin is a very nice campground and yes, it will be cool at night. We volunteered there.

[Lauren]

THAT is very good and very important!

[tragusa3]

Oh, forgot to share some of the biggest news! We found someone to watch our dog! Don't like the idea of her at a kennel, and don't want to spend the hundreds it would cost. She ended up with a friend that has two little girls that she will love being with.