I am going to apologize in advance for being a first time poster and perhaps will ask some seemingly simple questions. I am changing duty stations from Camp Pendleton, CA to Quantico, VA. We have an 8 year old, a 4 year old and a Harlequin Great Dane that are going to be extremly intollerable if we do not stop at some RV parks or campsites that have some activities for them to burn off energy.
We do have to pass through San Antonio, TX to visit family, but other than that, we are wide open to suggestions on the route and locations to stop.
As adults we know they would appreciate places like the Grand Canyon when they are older and have pictures of when they were there, I just don't think that will soothe their energetic souls at this age OK OK mine either!
It is times like this that I get to completly unwind without having to prepare for another deployment, take care of other Marines etc. So we are truly looking forward to this trip!!!!
Any and all suggestions and comments are welcomed. I haven't set up the signature block but...
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4x42006 20'Eclipse Lightning with my wife driving a Jeep Cherokee with the screaming kids. Not that I don't want to have the kids in the truck, but I guess I smell or something, they "want to ride with mommy." hahaha
If a route including the scenic mountains is suggested, I can assure you I will be calculating the almost $4 a gallon it will take to tow that TH up the scenic mountain, but if it is a must see, then I'll just shut one eye as the MPG reading laughs at me
Hi Scott,
last summer we made the move from southern California to Raleigh, NC. We have 2 kids, 11 and 12 at the time. The best place that I can recommend is Pigeon Forge, Tenn. It is like Las Vegas for families. It is off of the I-40 on the eastern part of the state. We were fairly rushed in our trip and didn't get to stop as much as we have liked. Good luck and drive safe.
Trevor
Depending on the timing of your trip, I really would recommend going through Colorado, if you haven't done that already. Yes, it will be a little harder hauling through the mountains, but oh my, what scenery!! Some of the CO SPs are beautiful, and you might do a search for posts about them on this site.
If you're traveling in the summer, staying at private CGs with pools, at least from time to time, will be great for the kids. KOAs are often good for this (but do check on the KOA website, as not all have pools), and Jellystone Park CGs are usually geared for families with younger kids. Neither is inexpensive, but for an overnight every few days, could make good choices. Also make sure to check rvparkreviews.com when you have your route set; that's a pretty good site to check on CGs and what people who have stayed at them think of them. Could save you from some disappointing CG experiences!
Oh, and thank you for your service to our country! Much appreciated.
ToyShlep,two questions: When do you have to go? and how much time do you have to make this trip? The answer to these 2 questions will be of help in determining attrations for your kids. Since you also stated at a stop in San Antonio, Tx. is a must stop for visiting family.
OK since I don't know how to reply to individuals, I am going to do a big wrapup thank you hahaha
Alpineduner, thanks for the quick lines and thank you for your thanks. I know if you ask most of us veterans, we never ask for thanks, but it does feel good hearing it. I still thank the older vets when I meet them, I guess it was just the way I was raised. Thank you again.
Tony and Karen, thank you. I am on the link now and will save it and see what it will help with, I am assuming no free gas !!!! but it could help me avoid some pitfalls or bad experiences at minimum.
Trevor, Tennesse was on our short list. We went through Bristol on the move from MD, picked up the rest of the family in NYC and headed out here. Quite the trip, but there was a small RV park I can't remember that had a family "Vegas" look to it, and the park we stayed in had a waterfall right on the river that the kids loved. It could have very well been Pigeon Forge. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC a couple of times, so I have made my way through Raleigh a time or two, beautiful up there.
KKnowlton, again, thank you for your recognition of my service, it is always good to hear. I just do it because I am too lazy to look for a real job at this point. I am at 22 years and don't know if I should retire yet or not, the body will tell me when to say "uncle." You are right, a CG with a pool will be a must at least every other campground. Thanks for the rvparkreviews site. I will poke around it and do my homework before making any reservations. Thank you again.
C.traveler2, I am from South Texas so of course I have to stop in the Lone Star State, if nothing else, to stock up on some good brisket and perhaps a cord or two of mesquite. I will depart here mid-June when school lets out for my kids and I have until mid-July until I have to show up at Quantico.
I actually have 5 acres of land on the north side of Canyon Lake off of 306, so I have to go peak at what I have been paying taxes on and dream of the home I will have to build when I retire from this gun club.
If you are going to San Antonio, TX you can go northeast to I-20 and stop at Vicksburgh, Mississippi. The oldest will enjoy the battlefield. You can then take the Natches Trace into TN. That's a nice drive but may be out of your way. If you do not want to go that way just stay on I-10 and then go to Atlanta. You can then go on to Knoxville and Piegon Forge if you want to go that way. Interstate 40 east of Knoxville may have some construction on it and one lane traffic up in the mountians. Enjoy the trip.
Jesse & Karen Norris with Kirby our chow-chow
2005 HitchHiker II LS 29.5 LKTG
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel
Martinez, Georgia
Unless you are just dead-set against going to Grand Canyon, you might want to consider staying in Williams, AZ, at the Grand Canyon Railway Resort. They have a full hotel resort with a large RV park in the back. You can ride the train up to the canyon in the morning, hang around for a few hours,take pix, eat some lunch(we brought our own picnic!) then ride the train back to camp. They do a very cool cowboy show before you head off and on the way home the train gets waylaid by some "robbers" on horseback--very fun for 4 & 8yo kids! My DD14 even thought it was amusing.
Williams is a cute little town on Route 66. You can get a great steak at Doc Holiday's over at the Holiday Inn near the interstate.
On other notes--skip the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest for now. *I* loved it, but DD14 was bored to tears.
There is a KOA in Grant, NM, that has old lava deposits on-site. I wouldn't consider it a destination, but its a good overnite, clean and convenient. My kids could not get over all the lava--its everywhere and some of it is huge!
We also went to Carlsbad Caverns. It is very interesting and not claustrophobic at all. It's just huge. If you're going to be in that area, consider seeing it and stay for the sunset when the bats fly out of the cave (especially if your kids are into bats.)
Can't help you much with San Antonio--the only thing DD liked was Six Flags Fiesta Texas. She wasn't all that impressed with the Alamo, although DH & I thought it was very well done, and quite awe-inspiring. The boat ride through River Walk perked her up, though.
Good luck planning your trip. Don't underestimate your kids. You might be surprised at how flexible and interested they'll be.
"Those who dwell...among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."--Rachel Carson, environmentalist, 1956
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OK OK mine either!
