RE: Road Biking
One of my favorite places is Tellico Plains, TN. The KOA caters to bikers there, and the Cherohala Skyway starts right outside. On the other end of the Skyway, you can quickly reach Tail of the Dragon. I'm not a biker, but plenty of your brethren use these roads, which are especially pretty in the fall. I go there for the waterfalls, if that is an interest. The 18 mile River Road is one pretty stretch, just off the Skyway about 5 miles from the Tellico Plains KOA.
RE: Need advice camping in Tetons!
Several years ago we were in your same situation and stayed in Victor, Idaho (Teton Valley RV). I don't recall how far it is, but it's doable. The RV park isn't fancy, but it gave us a place with FHU.
RE: Check my Florida itinerary, please.
I don't think Florida passed a law about parking at WalMart. What I had said was that some communities, maybe all, had done so. For example, Punta Gorda passed such a law way back, not because they dislike RV'ers but because of pressure from campgrounds. Now, the local WalMart was happy to have RV's spend the night, but they would probably get a ticket (at that time). The whole situation may have eased now, and you are welcome to take your chances. I believe the FHP has relaxed their enforcement of rest stop overnight prohibition, due to so many truckers needing to stop. Give it a try, they will likely just ask you to move if they even notice you there.
RE: Apache Trail
A friend did it (by mistake) in a motor home, said "Never again". I did it in my Pilot and didn't think it was that bad. I would recommend the paved highway to Roosevelt Lake. (Route 188 north of Globe)
RE: Zion and Bryce NPs
If you have time while in the area around Bryce, while driving up Highway 12, stop and take the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. I think it's about 3 miles one way, but it isn't difficult and the waterfall is special.
RE: Check my Florida itinerary, please.
Sounds pretty good. Can't help on dive operators, we take a boat when diving. Just a few comments. Most (maybe all)Florida towns prohibit parking overnight at WalMart or similar locations. Not even rest areas. You'll need a campground each night. Hope you have reservations at Bahia Honda, you need them there. Pennekamp may be OK, I'm not sure about it. I agree with using US 41 across the Big Cypress and Everglades, rather than the toll portion of I-75 (Alligator Alley). There are a couple campgrounds off US 41, but only one with electric (Midway). There are some private parks on Chokoloskee Island. I recommend a stop at Shark Valley, part of the NP. There is a 15 mile round-trip trail through the swamp, great for biking. You'll see tons of alligators up close, also birds. If you are interested in birds, Ding Darling Sanctuary on Sanibel is a great place, and you can bike around their 5 mile or so trail.
Have a great trip.
RE: Planning trip out west
We stay mostly in private parks, so I won't try to comment on your campground questions. On the question of how long it takes, let me say that three months will give you a good view of the west. We go out every year for 3-4 months, and we still haven't seen it all. I personally would not leave my rig in storage, since there are many other opportunities during the year to use it. Plus, the trips back and forth are great opportunities to see areas along the way. For instance, Cajun Country in LA. Or, the Hill Country of TX. Every state has something to offer that helps make the long trip enjoyable.
RE: Gila Cliff Dwellings, NM
Route 15 from Silver City has a length limit. I forget the number, but I could not drive my 27 foot MH on it. I went east on 152 to San Lorenzo, then took Route 35 north-west to join up with Route 15. This route is also very twisty and steep in places, but I was able to do it in the 27 footer. Not sure about your rig. Must go pretty slow, if at all. The cliff dwellings are nice, give you a chance to go into them, and it's a nice hike. We stayed at the Gila Hot Springs RV Park. They had hot and cold running water. This was in 1995, so things may have changed.
RE: Zion and Bryce NPs
There is plenty to do near both places. Many great hikes at both Zion & Bryce, get info from the VC. My favorite at Zion is to hike the Narrows, where you are walking in the river most of the time. There are also great drives near each park. At Zion, be sure to visit the Kolob Canyons section off I-15. Few people go there. Even fewer drive Kolob Terrace Rd, which starts near Virgin. It is best late in the day. The road out the east side of the park is beautiful.
While in Bryce, drive Highway 12 to Boulder, one of the prettiest drives you'll find and good hiking in many places. Red Canyon, near Bryce, has pretty formations and great hikes. Down near Kodachrome Basin is Skutumpah Rd, a great scenic drive as long as it's dry. There are several hikeable slot canyons, such as Willis Creek and Lick Wash. Cottonwood Canyon Road is a scenic delight and has many good hikes. It comes out near Kodachrome Basin.
I could go on, but this should keep you busy.
RE: Rock Crusher Canyon - Crystal River, FL
I never heard about what happened at Salt Springs and probably don't need to know at this stage. We have stayed there a couple times and had good stays. There are lots of things to do and the park is well kept. Again, I don't normally use pools, bathrooms, club houses, etc, so I never know about their condition.
RE: Rock Crusher Canyon - Crystal River, FL
We were there in November and enjoyed it. Didn't use all amenities, but it looked in good condition. We have stayed in elite Resorts Salt Springs and enjoyed that park. It is puzzling why Elite let it foreclose and the way they handled it. Anyway, if one of the site owners says it's back up to snuff, that would encourage me to use it again.
RE: Pittsburgh PA to the Grand Canyon
With 2000 miles just to GC, I agree it is too far for the time you have. Even with no kids along, 400-500 miles is a long day for us, and that's when we have no interest in stopping to see things along the way. You could figure on 10 or more days driving, to GC, and Yosemite isn't a good idea at all. Why not consider some closer destinations, say Michigan, Wisconsin, Ontario or even New England. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are great spots in July. Even the Black Hills or Colorado Springs would be much closer.
RE: Chaco
We stayed in Bloomfield to Visit Chaco Canyon. There is a very small rv park there called Angel peak. Nothing fancy at all, but FHU and nice folks trying to run it in preparation for retirement. I'd stay there again, if only to help these nice folks. There are other things nearby, as well. Aztec National Monument has interesting ruins, too, just smaller. Angel Peak is worth a visit, and there are numerous arches that have easy hikes to reach. The people at Aztec NM can provide directions. If you are into hiking and photography, Bisti Wilderness is within reach and has a wonderful moonscape. Check the New Mexico section of my photo gallery for pix of all these places.
RE: Summer Vacation Yellowstone/Tetons/Badlands Job Loss
I would stay as close to the parks as possible, in YNP if you can deal with no hook-ups. Colter Bay does have hook-ups for a stay in GTNP. There are long distances required to see the parks, so extra miles getting to the park will reduce your time inside. If you need hook-ups, Grizzly RV in West Yellowstone is a good park. You and the girls will love the town, too.
Out the NE gate of Yellowstone is a road called Beartooth Highway. It is a high mountain pass with beautiful scenery. Do not try to pull your trailer there, but drive it if you can.
Bear in mind, you are pretty early in the season for that area, there may still be considerable snow around, and you may get fresh snow. Because of temps at these elevations, I would recommend electric hook-ups to assist in heating your unit.
Your girls will love this trip. We did a similar trip when my boys were at that age. Thirty years later, they still have fond memories of it.
RE: favorite campground in colorado
I would not choose based strictly on how nice the campground is, but on how much there is to do withing reasonable driving distance. For me, Silver Summit in Silverton is a place I could spend three months and not run out of things to do. Lake City is also a possibility. If you are more interested in city activities, somewhere on the outskirts of Denver, Boulder or Loveland might be good, or possibly Colorado Springs.
RE: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon....where to stay?
For Zion, I would stay at Zion Canyon RV Park in Springdale. It's next door to the park and you can grab the park shuttle right there. Watchman Campground inside the park is good if you can get by with electric only.
I would then drive to Bryce Canyon (going thru the tunnel)and stay at Ruby's (if FHU desired) or the park campground if you want to dry camp. Shuttle takes you to all the viewpoints.
In Page, Wahweap on the lake is nice (FHU) or the Page-Lake Powell Campground in town. I suspect your rafting guide will pick you up either place.
At Grand Canyon (South rim), the Trailer Village has FHU, Mather Campground doesn't. I believe you can catch the park shuttle either place, but a lot of stuff is within walking distance.
These places are not only great to visit, they are easy.
