RE: Kerville Schreiner Park
Its all about funding and management. The Texas Parks and Wildlife department does an outstanding job of running our state parks. We take it for granted because 99% of the time, everything is all good at the state parks. This is an example of what happens when you don't properly fund and properly run a park. Nothing against the people there doing their job...
Support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department!
-Chris
RE: Texas to Yellowstone - Two Questions
Howdy. I just made that trip last year from Austin, Texas. Great trip - lots of miles but a great trip. I am "planner" so I am happy to share our detailed agenda. Below is a link to a PDF. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
CO-WY-MT-Trip-Agenda (PDF)
-Chris
RE: Kerville Schreiner Park
We camped there about a year ago... The sites near the river have a lot of road noise. The ones across the highway are more shady and quieter. Entire place needed some maintenance.
RE: Pioneer RV Resort 120 Gulfwind Drive Port Aransas, TX ?
We stayed there back in 2008 with our first RV (travel trailer). I was not impressed. Very tight spots, the people with the golf carts will run over you.
As for the beach itself, it was horrible. I grew up going to Florida beaches, but this beach was not good. Tons of seaweed on the beach, the water was so cloudy you can't see your feet even in a few inches of water, tons of wind all the time. I love Texas but not Texas beaches....
RE: I10 new Mexico to Austin tx
South Llano River State Park in Junction, TX is nice.
Also as you come over to Austin, exit at US 290 and head over to Fredericksburg Texas. It is a neat little town with a great WWII museum.
-Chris
RE: things to do in Austin
Don,
I live in Austin and can give you some good suggestions.
As far as a place 2 stay, I have two recommendations:
If you like RV Resorts check out La Hacienda RV Resort
http://www.lahaciendarvpark.com/
It is about a 1/2 mile from where I store my RV and I use there dump station from time to time. A little pricey but very nice and a great location.
If you like more remote stuff try McKinney Falls State Park south of Austin.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/mckinney-falls
Beautiful place and a good location as well.
Now as far as fun things to do in Austin:
Bob Bullock MuseumTour the Texas Capital BuildingTexas Natural History MuseumZilker ParkWatch the Bats from Congress Bridge6th Street
Now here are some other activities near Austin (day trips):
Gruene Hall & the GristmillFredericksburg (shopping and WWII museum)Enchanted Rock ParkSan Antonio River Walk
Lots to do and many great restaurants!!
If you have questions, send me a PM and we will be glad to help.
RE: Route advice for next summer's trip
Yup, planning on doing the Durango-Silverton train ride. We did the Royal Gorge train ride 2 years ago and loved it.
-Chris
RE: Route advice for next summer's trip
Wow, thanks for the info on US550. I'll do a search and spend some time reading. It sounds like I need to modify my route to the following:
From Durango take US160 to Cortez, CO. From Cortez take Colorado 145 across the mountains and through Lizard Head Pass to Placerville, CO. Just past Placerville, take Colorado 62 to Ridgeway, CO. In Ridgeway, take US550 north to Montrose.
Seems to me like sound advice.
I70 getting into Denver from Breckenridge sounds interesting... I had forgotten there was a tunnel. I assume this stretch is RV friend as long as you take it slow and let the engine brake do the work on hills. Right?
Thanks,
Chris
RE: Route advice for next summer's trip
Are you comfortable with mountain roads? 6/7 percent grades both climbing and downhill. Some of the roads may have several switchbacks.
US 550 north of Durango might not be a good choice. You might want to read other posts on this road.
The suggestions for Aspen and Leadville will require leaving I-70. And Aspen itself is not very RV friendly. Highway 24 from Minturn to Leadville has some steep grades and turns.
But there is things to see in the Leadville area. You will pass Camp Hale north of Tennessee Pass which was the WWII training area for the 10th Mountain Division. At the top of Tennessee Pass at Ski Cooper is a large monument to the 10th Mountain Division. Leadville has a rich mining history also the National Mining Museum. Only two commercial campgrounds and some forest service campgrounds. The two highest mountains in Colorado, Mount Elbert and Massive are just west of town. Colorado 91 goes over Freemont Pass and connects back to I-70. Steep in a few places but a good 2 land road.
In Breckenridge you have one choice for a campground. Tiger Run RV resort. Not cheap and you best have a reservation in July.
I-70 east bound from Grand Junction no steep sections until you are east of Vail. Glenwood Canyon is very scenic. Vail Pass is about a 8 mile climb with 6/7 percent grades. Then downhill to Copper Mountain. Frisco east has a steep downhill to Silverthorne then a 8 mile 6/7 percent climb to the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels at 11,158 ft under the Continental Divide. 12 miles of mixed downhills to Georgetown. The Georgetown Loop Railroad is from the mining era and only takes a few hours to ride it. Idaho Springs also has a lot of mining history. The Argo Mill is an interesting tour.
The rest of the trip to Denver has one 3 mile climb, Floyd Hill. The Genessee downhill is about 5 miles so watch your speed.
CM - Thanks for the feedback. I have done some mountain driving the last 2 years. We have been up to Estes Park, CO, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. How does that compare? I generally just take it nice and slow.
As for US550 north of Durango, why is that not a good choice? Do other RVer's avoid that route? I don't see an alternative route from Durango to Montrose that is not really out of the way.....
Again, thank you for your comments and assistance!
Thanks,
Chris
Route advice for next summer's trip
I am looking for some route advice for our summer trip next summer. We are going to spend the last week of June and the first two weeks of July in New Mexico and western Colorado. We will be towing or 38 foot 5th wheel Montana.
Here a few of the routes I am considering, if you have any comments or advice on them please share it:
US285 from Fort Stockton to Carlsbad, NM
US285 from Carlsbad, NM to Santa Fe, NM
US84 from Santa Fe, NM to Pagosa Springs, CO
US160 from Pagosa Springs, CO to Durango, CO
US550 from Durango, CO to Montrose, CO
US50 from Montrose, CO to Grand Junction, CO
I70 from Grand Junction, CO to Frisco, CO
Colorado 9 from Frisco, CO to Breckenridge, CO
I70 from Frisco, CO to Denver, CO
We are planning on staying in the following towns for the trip and are also eager for any feedback on places to stay and things to do:
- Carlsbad, NM
- Santa Fe, NM
- Durango, CO
- Montrose, CO
- Breckenridge, CO
Thanks,
Chris
