First 2 weeks in Dec. heading from VA to TX any tips?

There are lots of RV Parks near or in Harlingen that rent park models. At this time of the year nobody wants them. The info below is taken from their web site. They are in San Benito near Harlingen

Fun-N-Sun Park Model rentals include one bedroom with queen size bed and sofa sleeper for guests.
For reservations less than 90 days, contact the property for availability at (956) 399-5125


Full bathroomFull size kitchen appliancesTV/DVDTime Warner cableDinetteConcrete parking spaceLinens and towelsDishes and cookware. Paver patioPicnic tableOversized pull through with extra parking space

Sorry to hear about the folks. FWIW, it's more common then what many would think that aren't snowbirds yet. Part of the reason I like the road so much. It's hard to see good people/neighbors age that are older then you. Hearing stories of how one spouse forgets how to brush their teeth adding that to the list of things the other spouse has to do is heartbreaking.

Harlingen airport is a great little airport to fly in and out of. For some odd reason hotels seem to be expensive in Harlingen. Lot of hotels on SPI that would be at a discounted rate that month and the weather should be nice. Would be a 45 minute drive though to Harlingen.

You could fly and spend only two days traveling. A quick look at Expedia shows Roanoke to Harlingen cost around $520 round trip.

Demopolis Alabama have two really nice Corps of Engineer campgrounds. We've stayed a number of times at Foscue Creek COE, with full hook-ups, last year over Xmas with no temperature issues. We stayed at the KOA in Lafayette, but this year we plan on staying at Frog City Campground in Duson, LA which is just west of Lafayette.

streaminhope wrote:
Ah...these are great tips and I would love it if we could take our time like that! However, we only have two weeks and we are trying to make the most of it. The purpose of the trip is to visit my very elderly parents who live in a cottage in one of the RV Parks...
... planning a two week long trip taking our trailer was the best we could do. Sort of frustrating knowing though that six of the fourteen days will be spent driving.

You can cut that in more than half by leaving the trailer at home. We find a trip like this much more enjoyable by not taking the camper. It adds an element of stress to the trip.

Ah...these are great tips and I would love it if we could take our time like that! However, we only have two weeks and we are trying to make the most of it. The purpose of the trip is to visit my very elderly parents who live in a cottage in one of the RV Parks. They gave up full time RVing a year ago, but they loved this RV park so much after 17 years of snow birding there that they decided to buy a cottage and live there.

The negative factor in all of this is that neither me nor none of my siblings live anywhere close to Harlingen, and well, since dad is 90 and mom is 86 and has dementia, its a big concern that none of us can check in on them other than by phone. So, planning a two week long trip taking our trailer was the best we could do. Sort of frustrating knowing though that six of the fourteen days will be spent driving.

John& Joey are absolutely right about the trip. We have lots of fun on the road. Once we get to our destination it's the same old thing every day. Drink coffee in the Am, golf, go out to eat and cocktail party, go dancing, go home go to bed. Get up the next morning and repeat. Terrible!! But I love it!!

streaminhope wrote:
...Thinking about winterizing first week of November? Is that too early? Should I just wait and winterize after the trip in December? We will be back on the 20th...

If it was me, I would pull the low drain plugs, open up the HWH tank, and drain the fresh water tank. Open up all the faucets (don't forget the outside shower if you got it.) Also take a look to see if you have any water filters that might be an issue. That should all take about 20 minutes and will give you peace of mind in November prior to your trip.

BTW, KYDale gave you some good RV camping snowbird stops along the way. Been to all of them. I also would not drive non-stop unless it's really your thing. You may find out like so many others of us that the very best part of snowbirding is the on-the-road part. The destination sometimes does not live up to the hype.

I guess I'm different. If I was faced with 23 hours behind the wheel that would take a week or more to do. We are in Louisville Kentucky and we also been going to the valley for 11 years. We leave here go to Tunica, Mississippi, stay at Sams Town at least two nights, from the to Vicksburg Mississippi, Ameristar, one night. Then to Coushata in Kinder, La. stay there 5 nights. Then on to San Antonio for a week of relaxing, the RiverWalk, and eating. Then on to the valley. And I agree with what everyone is telling you about Houston, avoid it.

joebedford wrote:
Heck, I'd de-winterize in Virginia where you're starting.

Those were my thoughts, but I wasn't sure. Thinking about winterizing first week of November? Is that too early? Should I just wait and winterize after the trip in December? We will be back on the 20th. I live in southwestern VA and we get freezes by December, but not usually night time temps in teens until January.