RE: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
Worth a visit, though I've only been in the summer, March would see a bit on the iffy side still.
I've often wondered about the wisdom of naming a park after technology (Kodachrome). Sure, I get it because I've used the film in my youth. But to my kids? Dad, what's Kodachrome? But I guess its ultimately no different than places like Steamboat Springs, etc.
RE: best campgrunds from ca to montana
Once at Glacier, your desire for trees and privacy is at odds with hookups. The best sites in terms of trees and privacy, and incredible views are in Glacier itself.
Found Apgar, (west side) being on the lake to be ideal for our 2004 stay. This last summer, we stayed at Many Glacier on the east side. Neither has hookups, but both have restrooms, and Many Glacier does have showers and laundry. If hookups are something you could do without, I'd recommend in Glacier itself.
RE: When is a good time to go to Washing DC?
Took the family in mid June 2008, right after school was out. Yes, it was still VERY warm, but not as bad as it gets in July/August. Crowds were manageable. If we weren't constrained by taking our school age kids, we would have done April/May or Sept/Oct.
Go to both Air & Space museums. Heck, see all the Smithsonian museums.
Thought the Spy museum was quite good, if you're into spy stuff, be it real or just Bond. If you can't do the museum, at least enjoy the gift shop.
Holocaust museum is very good, if you have any interest in the topic. Combine it with your visit to the Mint, as it's next door.
We did the whole DC visit (except Udvar Air and Space out by Dulles) via the Metro. The whole national mall and museums are well served by Metro stations. We didn't rent a car until the final day, so we could visit Udvar A&S. Picked a hotel built on top of a Metro station, quite useful on the rainy days (or hot/humid days)
Didn't get a chance to tour the White House because my congressman didn't get back to my request, even though it was sent in 3 months in advance. If you know your dates, contact your rep. Also, reserve tickets for the Washington Monument before you leave, as early as you know when you want to visit.
Mount Vernon has an excellent exhibit on Washington (the man) now. The house and grounds are worth a visit, but what really impressed me was the exhibit. Get there early, as the lines get very long.
Is your visit just DC or the surrounding region as well?
RE: Washington DC Trip
DC was a fly in for us in 2008, so can't help on the campgrounds (though I will keep the Greenbelt in mind when my retirement trips come around)
We stayed on the outskirts of DC, at a hotel with a Metro station beneath it. Very helpful. DC isn't a place I'd suggest driving around, especially if you're trying to visit the Mall. The Metro will drop you off closer than you could hope to park. We ordered a 7 day Metro pass for everyone before we got there, didn't rent a car until we were ready to drive south.
RE: Great Basin NP
Indeed, didn't want to imply at all that the OP should take his 40' rig up to Wheeler, though he should take his toad up there, as there are some great hikes up there, including a couple from the campground.
We overnighted there in July 2006, on our way home, on a lark. Didn't know the park existed before our trip (and we had traveled across Nevada many times before). Just had an extra day after Zion, and looked north and saw a green patch on the map. Was frankly shocked how nice it was there, a welcome alpine experience in the middle (north/south wise) of Nevada.
But it is in the middle of no where. Not only do cell phones not work, but the nearest hospital is a couple hours away in Ely (I know this from personal experience back in 2006)
RE: Great Basin NP
"The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is narrow, winding, and climbs an 8% grade in 12 miles. Single vehicles and trailers in excess of 24 feet in length are NOT permitted on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive beyond the Upper Lehman Creek Campground."I've done that drive twice now, last time this June, in a 24'C. The drive is very scenic, challenging for a large vehicle.
We've stayed at Wheeler both times, would highly recommend it if your rig is small enough, sites aren't all that big and there are plenty of tight turns. But the views and the campground itself are some of the best we've seen. At an elevation of almost 10K, it's one of the highest campsites I can recall, you really notice the altitude, especially for us coastal persons.
Granted, the weather was a bit cold (low thirties and light snow for our June 14th visit)
Our 2006 site
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/IMG_0276.jpg
2009, before the light snow
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/IMG_0263.jpg
RE: Williamsburg, VA to Monticello- best way? good brkfast spot?
Have lunch at Michie's Tavern, just before Monticello. Great food and reasonable. Pronounced "Mickie's" like the mouse.We stopped at Michie's for lunch after Monticello in June of 2008. Can't say I agree with that recommendation, but maybe it was my expectations were all wrong about the tavern. It's essentially a buffet of warming trays for lunch, had a cafeteria feel to it. Hardly what I expected in a historic tavern, felt more like a visit to a Disneyworld restaurant, than a tavern. Later in the trip, we had some excellent meals at taverns around Gettysburg to the north, dinning experiences we were expecting at Michie's.
RE: Alaska or Maine is the ???
Tough call.
Been to both just once, just a two week tease for each, and still want to do both when I have more time.
Alaska is pretty much a pure nature excursion. Maine is rugged coastlines AND maritime history. Depends what you're looking for.
Maine can fit into a shorter trip, so if this is your only 8 week trip for quite some time (ever) then go with Alaska.
When I think of Maine, I also think of the Canadian Maritimes. I'd suggest at least as much time in eastern Nova Scotia as you do in Maine, and if you can fit in Newfoundland, even better.
RE: Campground Recommendation - Oregon Beaches
We're looking for campground on/as close as possible to the beach with good views of the beach/ocean. Full hookups would be nice, but we could get by on less. I've been reviewing the Oregon State Park website, but the PDF brochures don't offer any real photos of the park.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org
Most of the Oregon State Park pages have a "SEE MORE PHOTOS" link to the right, under the photo. I was doing a bunch of planning this summer before I saw the link, surprisingly easy to miss.
That, combined with Google Maps/Earth should give you a feel for which sites have views.
We stayed at Nehalem Bay State Park this July. Nice campground next to the beach, but no ocean views from the campsites because of a protective sand dune (berm) between the beach and campground, but the access is very good.
RE: Camping in the Bighorns
Few more pics of Tie Flume, could have fit a pair of 24'C RVs at our site, with room to spare.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/255_5566.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/104_0454.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/104_0449.jpg
RE: Camping in the Bighorns
I'd second Tie Flume. Enjoyed our stay back in 2006, a couple picks from an earlier post
Stayed at Owen Creek back in 2004, enjoyed that too, but when we returned in 2006, all the trees were gone, and decided to look around a bit, which is how we stumbled upon Tie Flume.
I wouldn't hesitate to return to the Bighorns and Tie Flume specifically for an extended stay.
The sites were very roomy, both in length and in space between neighbors.
The boys loved the stream, and the granite outcrops to climb on. I still use this picture as my screen background, over three years later
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/katleman/256_5667.jpg
RE: LP gas and tunnels
The Baltimore Harbor tunnel, NO PROPANE...If you know that you are going to be going thru a tunnel and are not sure, call ahead, (Tunnel Authority, Police)It's worth the call, the fines are heavy.
Not quite true for Baltimore.
http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/TollRates/rates.html
It's propane in excess of 10 lbs is prohibited.
But yeah, you gotta check with each darn tunnel or bridge you expect to cross as each is governed by different rules. And yes it's a pain.
It generated a pretty heated thread a few months back
RE: From Florida, Yellowstone or Yosemite?
We're lucky enough go to Yosemite a couple times each year, usually in May and then October. Have gone in July/August just once, and that was enough for me, too hot, too crowded, and the falls are dry. Yes, the scenery is still stunning, but we've come to enjoy the valley when it's dry more in Sept/Oct, once the crowds are gone. If this was your one shot to see Yosemite, then I'd go, but if you expect you can travel earlier or later some year, then put it off.
I've been to Yellowstone for a week three times in the last 5 years and I'm already itching to go back in a couple years. The region just has so much to see and do.
So if your travel months are July/August, I'd go with Yellowstone, leaning towards early July or late August, if possible. Any way you slice it, Yellowstone will be busy those months, so get reservations, especially if your rig is large.
RE: Coastal route to Crater Lake
I'd agree with the other suggestions on the route to CL 38 to I-5 to Roseburg to 138) We took that route to CL this last July, after spending the night on the coast in at a National Forest site outside of Yachats.
There are plenty of locations on the coast a hour north or south of Reedsport. Start from there, then head over using the above route, looking for NF campsites in Umpqua NF.
Then head up to CL, weather permitting. Both July visits we made to the rim had plenty of snow still on the sides of the road, so I'd think you'd need a bit of luck to have access to the rim this late in the year.
RE: Looking for Glacier NP camping advice
We've stayed at Many Glacier this year, and Apgar (west side) back in 2004. Both are worthwhile if you want to break up your stay, but if you only want one location, go with Many Glacier.
Regardless of which side you stay on, take a couple days to visit the Canadian side (Waterton).
As to comments on needing a pool, etc to entertain the kids. Nah, little ones are just as happy taking short hikes, tossing stuff into a lake or stream. We took our kids camping (tent) from when they were a year old. They just loved the outdoors.
Is it as easy traveling with kids under 5 as it is with older children or just adults? No, of course not. The same restrictions you have with your young children at home is what you have on the road. As long as you accept your endurance is limited by theirs, you're fine. It's the parents that try to push their kids beyond their limits that you see in parks having meltdowns.
RE: Yellowstone
The "backup" was caused by the road construction between Norris and Madison..and it didnt matter where you stayed..in or out of the park...if you drove that section...you got backed up!!!
As far as the "drive into the park"...from the Grizzly to the park entrance is approx ONE MILE...:E...and from the Grizzly to the grand loop is 15 miles of very scenic country.
The backup I encountered and have pictures of was in the West Yellowstone to Madison section of the road, well before Norris/Madison section, and was worse than any of the construction delays.
Even without traffic, staying in West Yellowstone will cost you a hour each day, with longer delays with traffic. I just want to go through the delays of West Yellowstone once per trip.
But really, if you want to stay outside in West Yellowstone, please do so. Makes it easier to find places inside the park for those who want to.
RE: What length RV to rent in Alaska
We've rented RVs for our family of 5 three times now, none in Alaska though. First time was when the kids were 5/8/10, and the last was when they were 10/13/15. Each time we rented a 24' Class C for four weeks. I prefer something nimble and a size that will fit just about anywhere and we didn't have space issues, not even the last time around.
As to Alaska, I've spent two weeks up there, with my dad in his RV (also 24') I recall a few spots we camped where only something small would fit, as well as parking just about anywhere. Doesn't mean we probably could have found an alternative to fit something bigger.
We stayed in Denali, both at Teklanika and Riley. Both are nice, with my preference towards Teklanika, but with little ones, you might want to stick with Riley, as there are more facilities near by. Tough call, cause Teklanika is special.
Is a 30' RV big enough? Oh yeah. Personally, I'd downsize it. And we're not small folk either. My wife and I are both 6', and for our most recent trip this summer in a 24'C, both boys were over 5' and my daughter is 6' tall as well.
RE: lassen national park
Our family has been up to Lassen in early July 3 times, including July 9th this year. Bumpass trail was closed one of those years because of snow, and every year we've gone in July, there is substantial snow piled up in the Lassen Peak parking area.
So I wouldn't go much earlier than July if you want to see the whole park.
We also visited in mid August one year, much warmer, and Summit Lake was quite nice, kids loved swimming in the lake.
Do check out the new visitor center on the south side of the park, a very nice upgrade over what was there 4 years ago.
Lassen is a nice alpine experience, without the associated crowds that you get with Yosemite.
RE: Anyone watch Ken Burns, Nat. Parks on PBS
... while the NPS is supposed to make it accessible. Too often, the BLM is given responsibility simply because there is no budget. The inevitable outcome is limited access.
I see many places in this beautiful land of ours that could/should be National Parks. Having more parks would certainly relieve the pressure somewhat on existing parks, and give some of us new opportunities. In many cases, the land involved is already federally owned, so the main obstacle is funding to carry out the needed improvements.Indeed, I'm deeply disappointed that the NPS budget is a mere 2.7 billion for 2010, in light of the 12 billion a month spent in Iraq or the economic bail out of Wall Street.
But that seems to be how it's always been for the NPS, managing the wonders of our country the best they can. Heck, didn't Mather purchase Tioga road for Yosemite out of his own pocket?
Back on topic, I found the 4th night to be spot on, as effectively, the birth of the RV via Mather's loop road and the car campers of the 1920s. I feel so jaded, when I visit a national park, as I've generally seen videos, photos, etc, about the park, and I'm still in awe of the parks during my visits. Those folks from the early days would have at best read stories or seen a few b&w photos. Just to have experienced the parks for the first time, after such limited information, I can see why many had life changing, religious like, experiences.
RE: Hwy 97 southbound from Osoyoos BC to Northern California
I've taken it from north of Osoyoos though to northern Oregon and picked it up again in CA. It's the best alternative to the interstate.
And I'd rather take 97 than head closer to Seattle.
Sure, you go through towns, but in my book, that makes for a more enjoyable drive.
