thejsofa
philadelphia pa
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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Hello,
We are doing a 3 month loop of the West , starting in May 2009, leaving from Philadelphia .
A planning question.
If we take the North route first, we will arrive at many of the popular national Parks a bit before high season, a big plus, but would travel the Southwest in July, a hot ticket.
If we take the Southern route , the southwest may be a bit cooler but the NW parks will be busy when we arrive.
We travel in a "B" an with two dogs.
Any comments from those who have experience?
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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Haven't done the full loop, but I would think - especially with the dogs along - you may want to chance it with the crowds up north, and go south first. If nothing else, the furkids may be happier that way.
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Eurocamper
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Joined: 03/04/2008
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Easy. Hit the south while it's cool, head north when it gets hot.
Ron
2008 Fleetwood Evolution E1
2007 Nissan Xterra
1992 Isuzu Trooper
Ex 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan Camper
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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I would do the south first too. How big is your loop and which parks are you planning on visiting? Depending on the elevation temperatures can vary a lot.
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alfredmay
West Milford, NJ
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Joined: 05/18/2002
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South first...... remember winter hangs on late up north and you can have snow in June and July in the mountains.
Alfred May
2005 Excursion V10 4.30 4x4
2002 Cedar Creek 30RBS TT by Forest River
Reese Dual Cam
Tekonsha Prodigy
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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I agree. Definitely do the South first. Heat in July/August is a pain.
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avan
Sioux Falls, SD & Livingston,TX
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Joined: 11/02/2002
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We've FT'd nearly 11 yrs now with many tours criss crossing the country and we never make reservations. Over big holidays like the 4th of July we will find a cg a couple of days early and stay over the holiday. Otherwise, we find our campground when we get wherever we plan on stopping. We may call our favored cg selection on the cell when we're an hour away but that's the most we would do. Some things we don't do however are check in during the evenings nor on a Friday. We have lots of time (as you should with a 3 month trip) so our travel days are short, quitting by 1 or maybe 2 pm, and in the summer we don't travel over the weekends - checking in on a Thurs. We also would probably look for reservations if we wanted a long term stay, say for a month or more, but even then we'd pull into the area first and see the alternatives before committing to that long of a stay. We also would make reservations for event specific reasons such as wanting to be in the Black Hills during bike week or we want to be at a specific place at a specific time such as a wedding etc.
Weather would be my guide, not fear of cg availability. For a 3 month trip, flexibility will be an asset.
Click for more pics of our FT home, our snowbird digs and our summer trips
The puller - International 4700LP (530E) - Wiers Towmaster; Trailer-Saver Air Hitch
The pusher - 40' Travel Supreme Fifth
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smkettner
Southern California
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If you are visiting the south deserts such as Death Valley go there first as it will already be 100F. Along the coast is nice anytime.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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If you were to go North first the chances of hitting snow are increased 80%. I have seen snow still in the campgrounds at the end of May in many places at higher elevations.
Donn
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xpropilot
FL
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Joined: 01/21/2005
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If fuel prices keep going up like they are, you won't have to worry about crowds. 
BBA
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