We just returned after 38 days; 4,107 miles through seven western states (Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah). Our (new to us), 2012 Nexus Phantom 23P Class C performed perfectly beyond my wildest expectations. We consistently had 10+ mpg on the highways and averaged 9.5+ for the entire trip.
Leaving as late as we did (August 25th), we knew we were pushing the weather envelope going north but we hit it good to great just about everywhere we went. Other than a little rain crossing the Cascades in Oregon and 2 days of cold rainy (mid to low thirties), weather in Utah nearing the end of the trip we hit it perfect everywhere we went.
After spending two weeks in northern California (Lassen National Park, Burney Falls SP and 10 days in Nevada City (at our friends beautiful 6 acres with full hook ups), we headed out to Fort Bragg and up Highway 1/101 along the California and southern Oregon coast. Turning east at Florence we spent a couple of days along the McKenzie River east of Eugene. Heading across Oregon we passed through Sisters and Bend stopping at Burns. On up to Idaho and Sun Valley where we spent several days including two nights right on the Big Wood River. Here we were alone in the CG except for the Elk and mountain lions and the post 9/15 rate was $5 a night... but with our Geezer card we only paid $2.50.
We pressed further north over the Galena pass at 9,407โ and on to Redfish Lake and Stanley. From Stanley it is a 60 mile Scenic Byway along the Salmon River down to Challis. The Challis Hot Springs were amazing, two pools - one 98 degrees the other 105, this along with one of the nicest CGโs we have ever seen and right on the Salmon River to boot. The Big Horn sheep grazing along the ridge line just added to the fun.
From Challis (our most northerly stop), we headed southeast to Lava Springs and east to Soda Springs where we enjoyed the geyser before heading out into the boondocks of the Idaho/Wyoming border. The Gravel Creek CG was 5 miles up a mostly dirt road deep into the gorgeous Aspens and the CG was empty. The ride across the Wyoming border and down to Utah was some of the most beautiful country we have ever seen.
Utah provided a huge but empty CG at Bear Lake. We continued south ahead of the approaching cold weather to Deer Creek SP (Jordanelle Resevoir). A severe wind advisory covering the area chased us out and we hurried down through Orem and Provo to Yuba SP, right off I-15 (4 miles), and right on the lake. BTW: Driving a Class C in 35 gusting to 50 mph wind is NOT, repeat not much fun. The rain turned to snow on the surrounding hills and temps hovered in the 30โs for a two days but it was nothing a decent campfire could not handle.
We crossed briefly through a corner of Arizona and then back into Nevada on our way to the Valley of Fire SP (about 50 miles northeast of Vegas). We left by the back road through the National Park along Lake Mead coming out at Henderson. It was an easy drive down to Laughlin from there and we took a site at the RV park directly across the street from the Edgewater Casino. Yep, we played, won and had the best Prime Rib dinner in many a year. Ahead $300 we took the money and headed down to Buckskin Mountain SP on the Colorado River just below the Parker dam. We enjoyed swimming in the still warm (77 degree), river and look forward to going back. Drove home to Tucson this morning, just under 6 hours.
I gave up waiting for my knee to heal from the two replacement surgeries and just made the best of it. My buddy in Nevada City gave me his recumbent exercise bike and a rack for the back of the C to mount it on. Rode that sucker darn near every day and am finally making some progress. As noted in earlier posts... get out and go folks. This country is just too damned beautiful to not enjoy. :B
Too many great pic's to share but here is a shot of the road leading into the Gravel Creek CG 4 miles further up this dirt road right on the Idaho/Wyoming border:
Leaving as late as we did (August 25th), we knew we were pushing the weather envelope going north but we hit it good to great just about everywhere we went. Other than a little rain crossing the Cascades in Oregon and 2 days of cold rainy (mid to low thirties), weather in Utah nearing the end of the trip we hit it perfect everywhere we went.
After spending two weeks in northern California (Lassen National Park, Burney Falls SP and 10 days in Nevada City (at our friends beautiful 6 acres with full hook ups), we headed out to Fort Bragg and up Highway 1/101 along the California and southern Oregon coast. Turning east at Florence we spent a couple of days along the McKenzie River east of Eugene. Heading across Oregon we passed through Sisters and Bend stopping at Burns. On up to Idaho and Sun Valley where we spent several days including two nights right on the Big Wood River. Here we were alone in the CG except for the Elk and mountain lions and the post 9/15 rate was $5 a night... but with our Geezer card we only paid $2.50.
We pressed further north over the Galena pass at 9,407โ and on to Redfish Lake and Stanley. From Stanley it is a 60 mile Scenic Byway along the Salmon River down to Challis. The Challis Hot Springs were amazing, two pools - one 98 degrees the other 105, this along with one of the nicest CGโs we have ever seen and right on the Salmon River to boot. The Big Horn sheep grazing along the ridge line just added to the fun.
From Challis (our most northerly stop), we headed southeast to Lava Springs and east to Soda Springs where we enjoyed the geyser before heading out into the boondocks of the Idaho/Wyoming border. The Gravel Creek CG was 5 miles up a mostly dirt road deep into the gorgeous Aspens and the CG was empty. The ride across the Wyoming border and down to Utah was some of the most beautiful country we have ever seen.
Utah provided a huge but empty CG at Bear Lake. We continued south ahead of the approaching cold weather to Deer Creek SP (Jordanelle Resevoir). A severe wind advisory covering the area chased us out and we hurried down through Orem and Provo to Yuba SP, right off I-15 (4 miles), and right on the lake. BTW: Driving a Class C in 35 gusting to 50 mph wind is NOT, repeat not much fun. The rain turned to snow on the surrounding hills and temps hovered in the 30โs for a two days but it was nothing a decent campfire could not handle.
We crossed briefly through a corner of Arizona and then back into Nevada on our way to the Valley of Fire SP (about 50 miles northeast of Vegas). We left by the back road through the National Park along Lake Mead coming out at Henderson. It was an easy drive down to Laughlin from there and we took a site at the RV park directly across the street from the Edgewater Casino. Yep, we played, won and had the best Prime Rib dinner in many a year. Ahead $300 we took the money and headed down to Buckskin Mountain SP on the Colorado River just below the Parker dam. We enjoyed swimming in the still warm (77 degree), river and look forward to going back. Drove home to Tucson this morning, just under 6 hours.
I gave up waiting for my knee to heal from the two replacement surgeries and just made the best of it. My buddy in Nevada City gave me his recumbent exercise bike and a rack for the back of the C to mount it on. Rode that sucker darn near every day and am finally making some progress. As noted in earlier posts... get out and go folks. This country is just too damned beautiful to not enjoy. :B
Too many great pic's to share but here is a shot of the road leading into the Gravel Creek CG 4 miles further up this dirt road right on the Idaho/Wyoming border:
OK, a couple more pics....
Here is Burney Falls (SP), in northern California. The falls are 129' high and the SP is very nice as well.
Here is the creek flowing into Bear Lake (taken from our site), in northeastern Utah:
This is the geyser at Soda Springs in southeastern Idaho, 70' high every hour on the hour:
More to follow.... :B
Here is Burney Falls (SP), in northern California. The falls are 129' high and the SP is very nice as well.
Here is the creek flowing into Bear Lake (taken from our site), in northeastern Utah:
This is the geyser at Soda Springs in southeastern Idaho, 70' high every hour on the hour:
More to follow.... :B
