mmiley
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Re: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
@4runnerguy - No worries, I am completely aware of any and all pet rules for the parks. This is not my first time visiting some of these parks and I have always traveled with my dog(s). @lauren - Thanks for the info regarding handicap tags. I will have that since my in-laws require that so that was very helpful info. @Wet Coast - We have since revised our trip to not include Vegas, but thank you for the info!1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
@kohldad - For the most part we will not be doing much hiking since my in-laws will not be able to do that. Gentle walks maybe. So if my husband and I can get a hike in here and there, they can watch the dogs. No worries! We love our animals and would never put them in harms way!1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
@Lauren - I took a look at all your pictures on your website and they look amazing! I can't wait to see all these sites myself. 10 years ago we did the upper tier of our upcoming trip and so I've see Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Black Hills and Badlands already and I don't think you could ever tire of seeing any of these, most especially Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I cannot wait to show my in-laws. This time I have a very good camera with me and can't wait to take pictures either. I have a question though, where did you stay when you were camping at Lake Powell? @kohldad - As for staying 4 nights without power, we have a generator, so maybe. This will actually be the first time we are camping with a generator. We have a class c this time and prior to that our dry camping involved only battery with our Springdale trailer. We will be doing a couple of dry runs with our camper a couple of weekends before our big trip to just try things out. We literally just got it about a month ago and haven't been able to use it yet due to crappy weather here in NJ. @dan-nickie - Thanks so much! I'm getting so excited! Everyday I plan a little bit more for the trip, whether it is just reading about certain things, or putting lists together of things to bring...it all just makes the anticipation grow!1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
@2gypsies - Thanks so much for the input, especially with the road closings. I was wondering why my google maps route would not let me choose that portion of the road! @4runnerguy - Thanks for the info as well...I've been told the Page area is beautiful and not to be missed, but I will play it by ear as to how long to stay once we get into that area. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. It has made planning this trip so much easier. And I really do feel much better about what we are looking at doing. And hey, if a day is too much driving, then we will just stop somewhere. Again, thanks! Maria1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
Hi All, I discussed all your comments with my husband and a few other points and we have decided to make some major changes. We are eliminating Nashville, Texas and Las Vegas area freeing up quite a bit of time for the other things. Here is my tentative itinerary which I feel pretty good about, but would still appreciate any comments as I did this late at night. May 13th Depart New Jersey May 14th Arrive Chattanooga, TN some time during the day (meeting my brother here so a definite stop) May 16th Depart Chattanooga, TN in the afternoon head to Memphis May 18th Depart Memphis and startw heading west to Grand Canyon via 40 and Route 66 area along the way taking our time and enjoying the road. May 23rd Arrive at Grand Canyon (possibly day before) May 25th Depart Grand Canyon head to Monument Valley May 27th Depart Monument Valley head to Page, AZ area May 29th Depart Page area and head to Zion May 31st Depart Zion and head to Bryce June 2nd Depart Bryce and head to Canyonlands June 4th Depart Canyonlands and head to Arches June 6th Depart Arches and head to Grand Tetons June 9th Depart Grand Tetons and head to Yellowstone June 14th Depart Yellowstone and head to Cody, WY June 16th Depart Cody and head to Custer, SD June 19th Depart Custer and start heading towards NJ via Badlands area June 23rd Arrive NJ I've added 50% more driving times to anything Google Maps told me that driving times would be since I know with a Class C, people and dogs, traffic, stops etc that my driving time will be longer. If I've over compensated then all the better. I've tried to allow a couple of days between driving for the most part, but some days it will be unavoidable, mainly driving out and back. I really want this to be more of a leisurely trip with out having stress of having to be at a particular point at a particular time. The only place we needed to have a definite reservation is if we ant to stay within Yellowstone. The dates are guidelines depending on our driving times an where we end up at the end of the day. But it's a start. So how did I do this time?762Views0likes0CommentsRe: 6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
Hi All, Wow thanks everyone for all your opinions. I am revisiting our trip route and will definitely be cutting back on some things. I have already eliminated the Smoky Mountains and Texas with the exception of driving through the northern end near Amarillo, coming from Memphis. One of the main reasons for heading to TN is to see my brother in Chattanooga. And since we are there decided to do Nashville and Graceland. However, I am going to share all these thoughts with my husband and see how he feels about certain things he is willing to give up and save for another time. I totally get the driving times and confinement in a small space for large amounts of time and I do not want that to become a problem. In my revised trip routes/times I have added 50% more drive time to the "google map" suggested times so that I am allowing for stops, traffic, etc. With that in mind I am cutting back on other things. I would rather get there earlier than later because I have not allowed enough time and enjoy my time without rushing through things. I will re-post a revised trip in the next day or so for another review. I truly appreciate all your comments and suggestions!!761Views0likes0Comments6 week trip itinerary - but I have some specific questions
Hi All, I am looking for some suggestions for an RV trip we are taking in mid May through nearly the end of June (6 weeks). I'm really wondering about the Bryce/Zion/Mesa Verde/Canyonlands/Arches leg of the trip. For example, how much time do I need in each place to get a good idea of what there is to see. We are traveling with my in-laws so there will not be a lot of strenuous hiking involved. Any hiking would have to be easy and short. I am very flexible with my days/times as the only place I plan to have a reservation at is Yellowstone area. This is my tentative schedule. May 13th - Depart NJ 7am drive to Bristol VA area (approx. 10 hrs driving, we may decide to stop sooner) May 14th - Depart Bristol VA 7am area arrive Great Smoky Mountains (approx. 3 hrs. driving) May 15th - Depart Great Smoky Mountains 10am arrive Chattanooga, TN (approx. 3.5 hrs driving) May 17th - Depart Chattanooga, TN 12pm arrive Nashville, TN (approx 2 hrs. driving) May 18th - Depart Nashville, TN 3pm arrive Memphis, TN (approx. 3 hrs. driving) May 19th - Depart Memphis, TN 3pm arrive Arkadelphia, AK area (approx. 3 hrs. driving) May 20th - Depart Arkadelphia, AK 7am arrive Austin, TX (approx. 7 hrs driving) May 21st - Depart Austin, TX 2pm arrive San Antonio, TX (approx. 2 hrs. driving) May 23rd - Depart San Antonion, TX 8am arrive Amarillo, TX (approx. 8 hrs. driving) May 24th - Depart Amarillo, TX 8am driving on Rt. 66 as much as possible taking our time to arrive in Holbrook, AZ area by the next day (May 25th) May 26th - Depart Holbrook, AZ 10am (or earlier) arrive at Grand Canyon south rim area (approx 3 hrs. driving) May 29th - Depart Grand Canyon area 12pm (or earlier) arrive Boulder City/Hoover Dam/Lake Mead/Las Vegas area (approx. 4 hrs. driving) We are thinking of staying at an RV park on the strip near the Circus Circus casino. But not positive since we would like to see hoover dam and maybe rent a house boat for the day at Lake Mead. (SUGGESTIONS ON THIS LEG OF TRIP APPRECIATED) June 1st - Depart Boulder City/Las Vegas area 8am arrive Zion/Bryce (approx. 3 hrs. driving) June 3rd - Depart Zion/Bryce area 7am arrive Mesa Verde (via Monument Valley (approx 7.5 hrs. driving) June 5th - Depart Mesa Verde 8am arrive Canyonlands/Arches area (approx. 2 hrs. driving) June 6th - Depart Canyonlands/Arches area 7am arrive Grand Tetons/Jackson area (approx 9.5 hrs. driving) June 10th - Depart Grand Tetons 7am arrive West Yellowstone (approx. 2 hrs. driving) June 15th - Depart Yellowstone 9am arrive Cody, WY taking our time arrive some time in the afternoon. June 17th - Depart Cody, WY 8am arrive Custer, SD (stopping along the way to see Devils Tower) sometime around 3:30pm June 20th - Depart Custer, SD 8am drive thru Badlands (driving approx. 10 hrs. this day stopping somewhere overnight) June 21st - Driving to NJ drive around 9 hrs. June 22nd - Driving to NJ drive around 8 hours arrive HOME. I am allowing an extra day to get home (that Sunday if needed). I am not set in stone with any dates with the exception of Yellowstone. I may have wiggle room around the specified dates if I have to, as long as there are reservations available. My biggest questions are as follows: 1. How much time do I need at Zion/Bryce/Canyonlands/Arches/Mesa Verde? I want to drive through Monument Valley and not sure how long that would take to see those sights. I am also guessing I am going to have to drive around or through Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument to get to Mesa Verde? Also, is driving through that area ok with an RV? Twists-turns? Steep grades? 2. When in the Las Vegas/Boulder City area am I better off staying at the RV park on the strip? How accessible is it to go to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead from that base point for day trips? Especially driving an RV. 3. When staying in San Antonio, is it an RV friendly city or would we be better off renting a car for a few days? I want to do the River Walk. 4. What are some good things to see along the route 66 area between Amarillo, TX area and Las Vegas area. This leg of the trip is supposed to be leisurely. 5. I want this trip to be somewhat spontaneous with driving times and days but at the same time have a general idea of the direction we are heading. Are we trying to fit too much in? Should I eliminate something along the way? Are some of my days too long to be driving? We did a similar trip about 10 years ago with our kids but did not hit the southwest. Some days we really drove a lot, sometimes 12-14 hours. It was too much at times and I would not want to do that again. That is why I tried to keep driving to a somewhat doable amount per day. The first day and the last days would be longer. Other background: We will be renting a car in Yellowstone to do daily driving around the park. Our RV is a 31ft. Class C motorhome. We are not pulling anything and I am traveling with my in-laws in their mid 70's and two dogs. Any help/suggestions on this itinerary would be awesome!! As well as suggested sites along the way. Thanks, Maria11KViews0likes39Comments
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