RE: United or Alpen Rose in Durango?
Why not go to Silverton and stay at Silver Summit? You will see why I suggest it every morning when you get up and look out the window.
RE: good CG to explore Glacier National park
If you want to explore GNP, and Waterton Lakes, it is best to stay on the east side. Yes, it's windy at times, probably cooler than the west side, but has dynamite scenery and you are much closer to Two Medicine and Many Glacier valleys. There are two private parks near the east entrance, both are nice. The St Mary's KOA is in the valley near the river, so you look up to the mountains for scenery. Johnson's RV is up high and looks down across the valley, also a great view. We stayed at Johnson's when we had a smaller rig, but now stay at the KOA. Johnson's is a little tight for us.
RE: Lassen Pines RV Resort vs Rancheria RV Park
It has been nearly 8 years since we stayed at Rancheria. While I don't recall a lot of specifics, I remember feeling it was a nice place to stay and would stay there again.
RE: Is it too early to head to the Grand Canyon
I'd go (to SR)unless there is an active storm. A little snow on the ground just enhances the photos, I think. We've gone in January and enjoyed it. Sedona doesn't usually get much snow, so I would go there, too.
RE: stop over in Salt Lake area ???
Hate to disagree, but we have stayed at Park City RV park several time and never noticed highway noise. We like that park enough to keep going back. Snowbird, in Little Cottonwood Canyon, also has a zip line, alpine slide and other attractions each summer. Several campgrounds just off I-15 would be convenient to Snowbird.
RE: Are you a tourist or traveler?
We are RV'ers, or Motor Homers, not campers, not tourists, maybe "travelers" fits, too. Started RV traveling in 1979, still can't get enough of it. Have RV'ed 49 states, all provinces but one...most of them multiple times. Lived full-time in the motor home for 6 years, travel about 7 months total each year now. The label doesn't really matter to me. We stay as long as we like in an area and go back as often as we like. Some we get to know well, others we haven't yet but will, still others don't interest us that much. None that I regret going to, however. I'll keep doing this as long as I can drive, and may hire a driver after that.
RE: Ga.to Mystic Conn. Places not to miss
Washington, D.C. is a great place to visit, and very educational for kids. Mine loved it when they were early teens, especially the museums. Unless you want to visit New York City (a good thing to do, but not necessarily with children), you may want to drive through PA and avoid the metropolitan area.
When I stopped at the Coast Guard Academy some years ago, there were no tours or visitation, except for a visitor center that took about an hour. The Nautilus was moored nearby and available for tours, and Mystic Seaport is a fun stop. Have you considered stopping at West Point or Annapolis? Both those academies have much more for visitors to see.
RE: Places to stay in Ouray or Ridgeway State Park?
Everybody who stays at Ridgway SP seems to love it. I prefer the convenience of being in town, so always stay at eith 4J or Timber Ridge. Sites in both have plenty of space, in my experience. TR is next door to the hot springs, 4J is walking distance to ice cream. Take your pick.
RE: Thinking about Savannah, GA....??
I used the Hardeeville RV park, which is about as convenient as it gets. Seeing everything in Savannah takes a few days for me, including lots of walking around town, visiting Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski, etc. It's a great town and deserves your attention. Hilton Head is a nice stop, but I think it is too far from Savannah for the number of trips to town that I take. I think one day in HH was enough for me. Bluffton is a nice little village, too.
RE: Bend OR - campgrounds and sights- suggestions
If you like waterfalls, there are several in the area: Paulina Falls, Tumalo Falls and a couple of real beauties in the McKenzie river. Great hiking, too, and some beautiful lakes.
RE: Acadia National Park in September?
Septemberweather was great for us a few years back. Don't know if it's always that good. However, the absence of crowds will compensate for any cooler weather you may experience. The parade out of there on Labor Day is a thrilling spectacle.
RE: Texas Blue Bonnets
In my experience, the blue bonnets are in bloom the first or second week of April. Lady Bird Johnson Park in Fredericksburg is a good base camp for driving to nearby areas where they grow profusely, like the Willow City Loop. Maybe some of the Texans will tell us whether there is any chance for early bloom.
RE: Looking for campground in Dubuque, Iowa
Stayed at the marina one May. Nice park, and a lot of fun being parked near lots of big boats still out of water for the season. It won't be that way in July, I'm sure, but it's a good, convenient place for visiting the area. Nice town, too.
RE: How much time in Zion and Bryce National Parks
If you want FHU, Ruby's is the place for Bryce Canyon. The other alternative is the NP campground for dry camping. One day will allow you to see all the overlooks and do some short hikes.
Zion has lots more to see and do. There is the main canyon with several stops and hikes both short and long. The best hike for me is the Narrows, where you are actually hiking in the Virgin River. You must walk a mile each way to reach the river access point, then go as far as you like up the river. The scenery is wonderful. It doesn't sound like you want to do the longer hikes, but the hike to the overlook that starts at the east end of the tunnel is not too long with a big payoff. Also Emerald Pools, at least the first and second pools. There are other short hikes.
The east area outside the park is another beautiful spot and has some hiking if you like, also might see wildlife (Bighorns, deer, etc). West of the main park is the Kolob Terrace Road, beautiful scenery especially late in the afternoon. Finally, the Kolobs Canyon section off of I-15 is a good drive. The hikes there are mostly long. Also nearby, the ghost town of Grafton, where Butch Cassidy was filmed. There is a nice commercial campground in Springdale, right next to the park, called Zion Canyon. The Watchman campground in the park is popular, has some electric.
Down around Kanab and toward Page, AZ are lots of things to do, either hiking or driving back roads or both. Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Coyote Buttes, Cottonwood Canyon, Johnson Canyon and Skutumpah Road are the highlights.
RE: Motorhome Basecamp in Smokeys 3 days early April?
Unless you are absolutely committed to GSMNP (and I love it and its waterfalls), there is a wonderful place not far south of it that you would enjoy. Tellico Plains is the village, with a KOA that is lovely (and I'm not usually partial to KOA). The Tellico River Road is 18 miles of non-stop scenery. Big waterfalls and small, cascades and rapids. There are other waterfalls within driving range that are beautiful and have hikes from short to long. After doing this for several days, you could drive across the Cherohala Skyway (not fast but doable in your rig) into NC at Robbinsville. You can find lots of photos of this area in the Tennessee section of my photo gallery (link below).
RE: Help on timing for Bryce and Monument Valley and N Rim
I think April is a great time to visit Zion, Bryce and MV. If there is any snow around, it will be a bonus. If there is still a lot of snow, Bryce may be only partially open, but still worth a visit. North Rim, not a chance that early in the year. Still, there is so much to do around Kanab and/or Page, I wouldn't worry about the North Rim.
RE: Michigan or Wisconsin Trip ideas???
I've always wanted to visit Door County, Wisconsin. For various reasons, haven't done it yet, but I think it would be nice.
