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RE: Update on Elk Meadow CG in Estes Park
Personally, if in Estes Park, my thought would be Spruce Lake at this point. Thunder Mountain would be a good source of info if he jumps back in here; he lives right down the road from both of them.
I am very reluctant to recommend any other private park in Estes. If you do not need hookups, then head to the Park.
The next closest town would be Loveland and Loveland RV Park. But it is about 45 minutes from there to RMNP if traffic is reasonable.
I would not recommend staying on the west side of the Park at Grand Lake - but that is a whole other subject.
Feel free to PM or email me at LaurenH517@gmail.com if you would like Estes info.
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Lauren
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11/28/09 07:15pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: CO-Glenwood Springs to Colorado Springs bypassing Denver
THAT is also good advice; keep your options open.
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Lauren
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11/28/09 02:36pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: CO-Glenwood Springs to Colorado Springs bypassing Denver
There are length restrictions on Independence Pass and, even if not, that is not a real good road for an RV. Busskipper has good info once again.
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Lauren
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11/28/09 01:35pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: 2010 vacation ideas
I would kinda agree with my friend, busskipper. Head to CO now that you have done so many other good places. And Fliposo hits it right as well.
OK, been to Ridgeway. Head to Rocky Mtn NP in Estes Park. Lots to do there and all around the area.
Otherwise I would head to BV - Buena Vista. That is also a great area.
Be safe. Enjoy each day.
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Lauren
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11/28/09 01:29pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Silverton or Ouray?
Like I say to DW - move on to Plan Q or Plan R ................ :-)
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Lauren
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11/28/09 10:28am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Length limits
Before I offer an answer, let me address your purchase.
Teton is an excellent unit for sure.
But is the 39 feet the "sticker" length or the actual length from pinbox to back of ladder? Our last trailer was a "36 foot" HR Prez which measured just under 39 feet by a couple of inches from pin to back of ladder.
And Teton is a heavy unit which will mean a big tow vehicle.
I remember when we bought the Prez. The dealer also sold Teton and we were trying to figure which to buy. He said that if we planned to go and sit places a long time the Teton would be fine, but if we planned on - which we did plan on - moving around and seeing places that we should go with the HR. So we did.
And I don't know how familiar you are with towing a 5er. They are a breed unto themselves! They do not track like a towable trailer or drive like a moho with a toad. They are similar to driving an 18 wheeler. You need room to maneuver.
So the point of all this is? The point is that don't worry about the restrictions placed as to length (and you will be too long for a good deal of those govt places) but can you find places that the Teton and your TV will fit? And roads to get it there without tight bends, etc.
We have been to over 150 rv parks in the 11 western states - all but a few private ones. And FHU so this generally means for larger units. And you would have an issue in a great portion of them.
I don't want to discourage you from your purchase but alert you, as honestly as possible, as to items you may or may not have considered.
My friend, Ron, is exactly right. Many, many places were built long before the large moho's and trailers.
Good luck.
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Lauren
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11/28/09 06:52am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Prior to entering Zion NP
Another vote for Zion Canyon in town. Stayed once at Zion River and would not spend another penny with those people (can email or PM me for details if you would like - ethics issue).
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Lauren
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11/27/09 08:41am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Update on Elk Meadow CG in Estes Park
I would agree with the KOA except for two things - they are on a hillside and right next to the largest stable in Estes (best hope the wind is not coming from the prevailing west - we lived about a mile west of the KOA down near the lake).
They do not have pullthru sites and I think it is quite tight for larger rigs.
I am NOT a KOA basher by any means; we use them a lot. Thank you, TankerDude, you might very well be right for a lot of people.
And, if people do not want / need FHU's my first recommendation is to stay in the Park.
Be safe.
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Lauren
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11/27/09 08:24am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Update on Elk Meadow CG in Estes Park
As Thunder Mtn and others know from the past, I have long been an advocate of Elk Meadow - goes back many years when it was Blue Arrow and I lived in Estes and stored there.
We have been there the last two summers and have seen it go to hell in a handbasket.
The WiFi has never been improved as promised, the roads and sites and lousy, etc. The hot tub rarely works.
But the main thing was the disregard for even keeping it up - tall and many weeds growing in the pool area, etc.
Of major concern was a lack of a public phone and cell phones rarely get out. And not directions posted anyplace as to who to contact in case of emergency.
I brought this to the attention of the person who told me the manager had left; she gave me the owner's rep in Loveland to contact. I talked to him a few times; he could have cared less about anything. Then told me to email him so he could respond. He never even acknowledged receiving the email so I sent it again - still no response.
The Manager / her husband and 2 other workkamp couples walked out about July 4th last year - fed up.
So, TM, they may improve the roads but that is a long way from getting back to where it was. Maybe the new, local gal who was the manager when we left is doing something but she can only do what the owners allow.
That being said, and this is the saddest part, it is still the best place in Estes. Does not say much about the rest of them! Spruce Lake is good but tight - same owners as EM.
We do not anticipate going back to Estes for a long time. As much as we love it.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 08:37pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Silverton or Ouray?
Yup, skip Canon City. And, yes, if you have a 9' camper, do not worry about rv'ing issues on Red Mountain Pass. Just be careful of the nuts who feel their half of the road is in the middle.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 10:07am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Sedona, AZ Road Construction
Yes, the Hwy 179 out thru Village of Oak Creek is done and very, very nice; it is just those last couple of miles into Sedona that is a mess. Thank you for your reminder to people to just practice patience in construction zones!
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Lauren
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11/26/09 08:29am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Camp Verde / Sedona
I would agree with the above; it can be tight with a big moho. We have always stayed in the pull thru sites and never had a side to side issue.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 08:23am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Sedona, AZ Road Construction
We have just spent 4 days up in that area again.
The road construction on the last few miles coming up Hwy 179 and across the bridge into town remains ungodly! (This is one of the reasons we stay at Distant Drums in Camp Verde - a great place - and drive the TV up there).
We LOVE Sedona for the photo ops, hiking, etc (well, except for all the red dust!) but do NOT recommend you take an rv up Hwy 179; and you can't take a large one down Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89A) from the north.
Hwy 179 is orange cones, narrow, twisty, lane shifts and a general disaster on the south side of Sedona. And flag people and construction people and equipment.
And slow moving as such as well.
And it will be this way for at least another couple of years.
See Sedona area for sure but with your tv or toad.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 07:16am |
Roads and Routes
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Camp Verde / Sedona
We just spent another 4 days up there. Was 27 degrees yesterday morning at Camp Verde! (Lots of frozen hoses!)
We stay at Distant Drums in Camp Verde and the tow vehicle over to Sedona - I will be posting Sedona traffic issue on Roads and Routes.
Distant Drums - which is not far from Sedona - is a great place. Has probably the cleanest laundry / shower / bathroom facilities we have ever seen. Certainly in the top 3 (and we have been to more that 150 rv parks in the 11 western states and BC). The grounds are well maintained and the staff is all great. I highly recommend Distant Drums - and no, I am not being comp'd or receive any compensation for my comments.
We love coming up to that area. I will be posting new pix on www.laurenbarbara.com when I get a round tuit. If anyone has questions they can email or PM me.
Be safe.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 07:06am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Arizona....for the 1st time!
Just spent 4 days at Camp Verde (Distant Drums) and Sedona again. Great area to visit. Was 27 degrees yesterday morning there. Many people out plugging in their hair dryers at the pedestal to thaw out frozen hose connection, etc. :-)
rocmoc has a point - if toys and boondocking are your thing, go for it to some of those places.
Thanks, rocmoc, for the plug on the www.laurenbarbara.com When I get a round tuit I am going to add pix from Sedona just taken.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 06:56am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Hwy 93 from Kingman AZ to Las Vegas
Hwy 93 over the dam can be a short stop or a long stop. You never really know. And there are some tight switchbacks on the LV side with rock outcroppings.
For that reason we changed years ago and go over thru Laughlin to Hwy 95 when going up and back.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 06:48am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Silverton or Ouray?
Ouray for sure - been there several times and also have visited Silverton many times.
Hwy 550 (Red Mountain Pass) has been discussed many, many times on Roads & Routes section. Suggest you read some of it. It is a matter of personal choice but I do not recommend it for rv travel; just depends on your comfort level. (I am an experienced mountain driver).
In Ouray we stay at Timber Ridge - the KOA north of town would be our second choice.
Be safe.
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Lauren
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11/26/09 06:46am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: "You can't stay here, your trailer is too old."
Hey, rsherrie, you know the dump for sure! Turns out we traded and bought another trailer a year later from same dealer and they wanted to send us there a second time! We suggested, for their own business image, they quit doing that giveaway. They did quit.
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Lauren
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11/25/09 05:09pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: "You can't stay here, your trailer is too old."
Our best experience is when we got a new trailer we got a free weekend at a membership park in CO - I will be kind and not mention the name. Of course they tried to sell us something.
But the best part was they parked us next to a guy living there and it was a dump for an RV, a broken down jeep with flat tires, junk all over the yard.
We did not stay the weekend. And when they asked us about buying we told them to go look at the guy next to us and that should answer their question.
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Lauren
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11/24/09 04:04pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: "You can't stay here, your trailer is too old."
Ah, Bears Den brings up another subject that has been touchy in the past. Sandi might bring out her friend again here soon. I don't have a moho but, even if we did, I would not stay in a moho only park; something about that just does not sit well with me. IMHO.
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Lauren
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11/23/09 07:56pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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