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RE: Where to go (west) after San Antonio, TX
Lots of good suggestions here - DesertHawk is usually spot on with recommendations for the types of activities we enjoy - scenic and minimal crowds. ymmv. Take Hwy 90 out of San Antonio down through Del Rio on on to Big Bend NP. Overnight at one of the primitive sites on Lake Amistad NRA and/or at Seminole Canyon SP (take the guided tour). In Big Bend NP, spend at least one night at the Rio Grand Village campground (not the RGV resort located across the street) and take your canoe back into Boquillas Canyon. On the west end of BBNP, stay at the Cottonwood campground (you'll have to forego the genset use) and explore Santa Elena Canyon with the boat. Dinner at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua - the menu will suprise you. Lots to see in BB especially with the 4WD truck you have. When leaving, take the river road to Presidio and then north.
Second the suggestions others have Carlsbad Caverns (highly recommend the Lower Cave tour and you will need reservations for that). Sitting Bull Falls in Lincoln NF, Guadalupe Mtn NP (TX) and you're still in eastern NM. This is just a great area to visit - have fun.
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huachuca
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11/16/09 11:58am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: OBX
Camp Hatteras will be open and maybe Frisco Woods. The NPS campgrounds are defintely closed until Easter.
Manteo / Nags Head: Fort Raleigh, NC Aquarium, Jockey's Ridge SP, Wright Bros Memorial, Attend a wolf howling (check Aquarium for details), public docks, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center when the charter boars return, kayak tours in the sound
Avon/Rodanthe: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Buxton / Hatteras: Lighthouse closed for climbing but still worth a visit; Easy to find a spot on the beach or the sound with no neighbors, take the ferry over to Ocracoke. Museum
Ocracoke: Crab & Swiss omelet at the Pony Restaurant, rent a bike and tour the village, take a tour over to Portsmouth Village (awesome and the bugs should be nil) ATV tours available but make sure they allow time to walk into the Village
One of the better times to visit in our opinion.
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huachuca
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10/28/09 07:47pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Texas, Public lands
In Guadalupe Mtn NP, I'd suggest the Dog Canyon campground over Pine Springs. A bit more isolated but thats what we like. Also some great boondocking spots in Lincoln NF in that area.
Al
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huachuca
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10/21/09 06:09am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Tent Brands
What type of camping will the kids be doing and how many are there?
We're a couple of old (60+) backpackers that have used Eureka's Pinnacle Pass 3XTA for the past few years. Great three season tent for our use.
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huachuca
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10/16/09 06:27am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Campground Suggestions Request
For a unique experience, consider Cape Lookout National Seashore on the NC Outer Banks. I don't know of anywhere else on the east coast where you can drive along the beach until you find that perfect spot and set your tent up without a neighbor in sight. No charge for camping but it'll run you around $100 for the ferry service over and back for the two of you.
This is a link to a previous post I made on our Memorial Day visit.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22801884.cfm
For more info
http://www.portsmouthislandfishing.com/
http://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gImrYWAGayc
Enjoy your trip - sounds like fun.
Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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10/02/09 05:46am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Interior Height for Small Trailers
I'm around 6'3" and have to duck a bit in our 02 S16 Scamp, especially around the AC unit, but its not been a problem in over six years of ownership. 13' Scamps produced in the past couple of years (post fire) have the same interior height as the 16'. Check out www.fiberglassrv.com and www.casitaclub.com to find a rally near you and then see for yourself. Both Scamp and Casita have referral programs for owners - give em a call to find out if there's one near you.
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huachuca
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10/01/09 01:34pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Looking for Blue Ridge Parkway Info
In addition to the NPS campgrounds along the Parkway, I'd suggest stays in Pisgah and Nantahala NF while in NC. Both offer a variety of camping options. More info at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/connections/carolina_connect_03.pdf
I'd also highly recommend the purchase of the Forest Service maps ($5 or so) for these. They provide detail of the FS roads, many of which are great drives.
Al
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huachuca
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09/30/09 11:34am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Winter camping
Take a look at the North Face Dolomite
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/dolomite-bx.html
Its a 20 degree rectangular bag available in a 'long' size weighing a bit less than 4 lbs. We've used a pair of these since 05 for year round camping including a couple of nights on the South Rim of Big Bend NP in snow with temps in the teens.
For sleeping pads, we have the Thermarest Trail Comfort in the long size. http://www.trailspace.com/gear/therm-a-rest/trail-comfort/ I think these have now been replaced by the Trail-Pro series but the specs look similiar.
I'm on the plus side of 60, 6'4" and not too many lbs behind you but have found this bag/pad combo to be fairly comfortable. That my wife still camps with the same setup should also tell you something.
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huachuca
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09/30/09 07:29am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Cape Hatteras Campgrounds
I doubt you'll need it for the bugs this late in the season but we've had rain for three of the past four weekends. If its not too much trouble, I'd bring it just in case.
Unless you're planning to spend a lot of time in the Manteo / Nags Head area (and there are a lot of neat things to see and do there), I'd suggest driving the additional forty miles or so and camp at Frisco. Oregon Inlet is an open field where Frisco is located in the dunes. Site P61 has the best view. P68 is good also if the site directly in front of it is unoccupied (it also has a good sheltered area in the rear to set up a screen room). Can't remember which but P55, P57 or P59 also has a well sheltered spot for a screen room back in the vegetaion. B13 is another of our favorites. You shouldn't have a problem getting a nice site this time of year.
We're heading down Friday for the weekend. Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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09/28/09 06:45am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Heading east instead to Carlsbad Caverns
Lower Cave tour (3+ hrs) was great. As was the bat flight and Living Desert State Park. Highly recommend them all. Sitting Bull Falls in Lincoln NF is another attraction in that area which we like. Several nice hikes in Guadalupe Mountain NP.
Never stayed at KOA so no input on that but Brantley Lake State Park has full hookups for $18/night (IIRC)and we found it to be quite nice. Normally when we're in that area we camp at Dog Canyon campground in Guadalupe Mountain NP. No hookups and a bit out of the way but a great base for exploring the area. Would not recommend the Park's Pine Canyon campground - mostly a parking lot.
Have fun - wish we were there.
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huachuca
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09/11/09 01:37pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Bass Pro Shops and Cabella's brand tents - quality?
First, congratulations on your profession. We need all the good teachers we can get.
As to your tent question - I see you also have plans for a pup or small travel trailer in the future so I'll throw out what works well for my wife and I.
We have a small camper (16' Scamp), a decent medium quality tent (Eureka Pinnacle Pass 3XTA @$150) and a large 12x12 screen room (Pahaque). Most of our camping is in the Scamp but we also overnight backpack and car camp five or six times per year. The Pahaque is our living area when in the Scamp or car camping. Its large enough to fit over a picnic table and still leave room for our chairs. The screened sides offer protection from bugs (big issue on the NC Outer Banks)and the drop down sides are great for rain and/or cold weather.
The tent is large enough for the two of us to sleep in even with our packs. Its easily setup by one person in less than five minutes, light enough for backpacking and has stood up well over four years of use. This past weekend we had nine inches of rain in two days with constant 20-25 mph winds while camped on Portsmouth Island and we stayed completely dry.
I'll try to edit and add a photo later.
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huachuca
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09/10/09 12:05pm |
Tent Camping
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RE: Campground Raleigh east on 64
If a WalMart will do, I'd suggest going another twenty miles east to Tarboro. the WM there is much easier to get into and out of than the one on Rocky Mount and I'm certain overnighting is permitted (We welcome all possible sources of revenue).
As others have noted, there's just not much along 64 in this area to choose from. Its a two hour drive from Tarboro to Nags Head without pushing too hard.
Al
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huachuca
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08/31/09 06:40am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Question about Scamper trailers
The molded fiberglass trailers aren't for everyone but we've had our 16' Scamp for six years now and couldn't be happier (We were long time tenters as well). There's a Scamp group on Yahoo and you may also want to visit www.fiberglassrv.com for more info on Scamps and other 'eggs'.
Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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08/31/09 06:23am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Air Compressor
Don't get too caught up in PSI ratings - anything over 65 lbs is seldom needed by most rv'ers. And, as a general rule, CFM (volume) and duty cycle (12V models) are more important measurements.
Lots of options here; it just depends on what kind of use you expect and how much you want to spend. I've got around $500 tied up in the engine driven on board air system on my Wrangler but it has enough air flow to reset the bead on a complete flat and run any of my air tools.
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huachuca
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08/24/09 06:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: thermarest vs. cot vs. airbed - opinions please
I'd suggest making a few trips with one of the 6-8" inch queen size inflatable mattresses before investing a lot of money on gear. Then, if it looks like something you'd enjoy long term, buy the best bags and mattresses you can afford. We've used two of the Therm-a-rest Trail Comfort series along with North Face Dolomite bags for several years and have been well satisfied with their peformance. These provide a good tradeoff between weight and comfort should backpacking become an option. If you have a REI nearby, they'll let you try things out in the store before making a purchase. Congratulations on wanting to spend time with your daughters camping.
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huachuca
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08/10/09 07:21pm |
Tent Camping
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RE: 1984 Lite 17' Travel Trailer BEFORE & AFTER pics
Nice work! Now take that sweetie camping and post some pics of her doing what she was meant to do.
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huachuca
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08/08/09 04:57am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Small trailer for 3 and mini van.
Check out www.fiberglassrv.com Lots of folks there towing 13'-17' Scamps, Casitas, etc. with minivans.
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huachuca
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08/04/09 01:16pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Linville Falls, N.C.
Do you need hookups; Is dispersed camping an option; How big is your rig? What type of activities do you enjoy? Kids? If so, ages?
There are several NPS and USFS campgrounds in the area but hookups are not available at most. If you really want to get away and can handle single lane dirt roads, the USFS has some nice dispersed spots.
In that area, there are places to stay and things to do that would satisfy most everyone.
Great time of year to visit - the leaves won't be changing but the crowds aren't there yet either and the nights should be crisp but not too cold for sitting around a fire.
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huachuca
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07/30/09 04:36pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: From tent to PUP to HTT to tent
Is there anyone out there who prefers tent camping to an RV? Specifically, is there anyone out there OVER THE AGE OF 50 who prefers a tent? (So far we have had no serious offers for our HTT so this may not even be an option.)
I'm over 60, the wife isn't and we'll leave it at that. For us, it depends on where we're camping. Some places we can't get to with the Scamp (South Rim of Big Bend NP) and for others its too much of a hassle (Beach camping on Portsmouth Island, Cape Lookout NS). These are exceptions and most of our trips are in the camper but we still make a few tent outings each year and enjoy doing so.
Al
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huachuca
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07/22/09 10:17am |
Tent Camping
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RE: black water (and grey) on small TT ?
The specs for our 02 16' Scamp are 26 gl gray water, 9 gl black water and 13 gl fresh water. More info http://www.scamptrailers.com/ Also check www.fiberglassrv.com if the molded fiberglass trailers hold any interest for you.
We mostly stay in National Parks and Forests with no hookups and these have proven to be adequate for up to a week.
I am guessing that you use the CG showers and facilities most of the time.
And you'd be guessing correctly for the most part. Fresh water is generally readily available in most areas where we camp so the real limiting factors for us are the gray and black water capacities. We sleep in the camper but during the day we're usually hiking, biking or driving with access to other facilities. Plus, as long time tenters and backpackers we're accustomed to conserving water.
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huachuca
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07/20/09 07:08am |
Travel Trailers
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