By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
Where to your want to point your RV in 2012?
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For many of us, the holidays are an excellent time to plan for the days ahead when the weather warms up. Have you thought about where you want to go and how to get there?
Envision Spring -- Travel Time Ahead
Those of you who use your RV to hop between the homes of parents or to impose on your kids and grandkids in distant states, you have an obvious starting point on your planning.
Over the years we have crossed paths with lots of people who travel with a checklist at their side – “We want to visit all state capitals … visit the highest peak in each state … go to a different music festival every weekend … etc.” Snowbirds will be packing up in two to four months to head north, ready to resume their alter-personalities on solid ground. The point is, you may soon be on the move, heading for destinations.
Here’s our recommendation: Don’t just look at Point A (where you are now) and Point B (what you want to get to). Think outside the box – or more appropriately off the ribbon of interstate that can get you to Point B the fastest. We suggest that you route yourself through at least one state park or national park on your way to your ultimate destination.
Monique and I are journey folks. We set our sights on destinations, but we always look at optional paths to get there. It’s important for us to factor in flexibility.
For instance, we were driving through the most uninteresting parts of Texas when we pulled into the Texas State Park at Balmorhea [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/balmorhea/]. We were on our way to Arizona, but as soon as we hopped out of the truck in Balmorhea, we both knew that this was far too interesting to just stay one night. The McDonald Observatory is nearby and we found more unexpected attractions in the park. We decided to stay five days … until three days later unexpected cold winds blowing sand drove us to hitch up and move on.
Since we hadn’t made reservations in Arizona, stopping there and then deciding to head west again was no problem. But even if we had reservations, there is usually some way to changing them, although it might involve an additional fee.
Over the years, we heard from many RVers that the Black Hills of South Dakota were worth visiting, so we set that as a destination. It definitely was a glorious experience, but adding to the uniqueness of the trip were stopping-off points along the way, some tourist meccas; others, natural.
On another cross-country jaunt we set our sites on staying along the Atchafalaya River in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country. Beautiful, interesting and Lake Fausse Pointe Campground was all that we hoped for, plus we were immersed in the bayou country for several days before and after.
You don’t read a John Grisham novel just to marvel at how he won his case; it’s the intricate paths he weaves that keep you from putting the book down until well after midnight. The same principle applies to getting to destinations. Adding twists and turns with unexpected experiences keeps the journey exciting.
Now let me share a few of the destinations on our 2012-2014 lists, beginning with visiting my hometown, New Orleans, for Mardi Gras next February. Monique has been to New Orleans but never encountered the revelry of Mardi Gras, despite the “You’ve got to go” advice from many friends. That’s our destination, the stopping point, after 2,000 miles of being on the road.
I certainly look forward to showing her Mardi Gras – and, as a matter of fact, we’ve signed up with an RV caravan company to assure her a safe, good time with a wide variety of experiences. However, I look forward almost as much to taking two-lane roads through several states, including Oklahoma and Arkansas, to get there.
Back to the list at the beginning of this article: No. 1 for us is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A few more places on our three-year list: The National Parks of North America are fantastic, always awe-inspiring. We have been to 46 of them so far, with three more on our “wish list”: Acadia in Maine, Shenandoah in Virginia and Big Bend in Texas.
Add to our list Washington, D.C. We have both been there, but as incidental tourists, and we both love the Smithsonian and monuments in our Nation’s Capital. Since we haven’t been there as RVers with time to explore and savor the beauty, that’s very high on our list.
In Wyoming, there’s the Devil’s Tower National Monument that we have somehow missed to the north and the south. Arizona’s “must-see” sight is the Antelope Canyon area in northwestern Arizona, which may be the first stop on our way to New Orleans.
When we were headed toward Chaco Canyon in New Mexico on one trip, we changed course, diverted by warnings of the many miles of washboard dirt road. Many people have told us it’s not that bad and the historic sight is worth the effort; it’s on our destinations list.
As you look through Trailer Life or Motorhome Magazine or other travel-related journals, be open to the destinations that appeal to you. Once you’ve put them on your list, begin the creative task of making
One of Our First RV Camping Stops
your journey the best part of the trip. That’s the key to being “never-bored RVers.” We’ll see you on down the road.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
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lookinforhome
We are retiring in June. I am already jealous of all of your adventures and appreciate all the ideas. We live in the middle of this wonderful country and are trying to decide – do we go east or west? Thanks all for the wonderful ideas.
marianj`
We plan to visit Washington in June. In the
fall we will head to Rio Grande Valley for the summer.
steve hansen
We plan to travel the Pacific Coast Hwy from washington state to san diago this next summer. This has got to be a fantastic trip. has anyone done this? could you rate it? anyone wanting to travel in a group let me know. steve
MrOAK
Where to start? I loved the comments about all the places. We have been to many of them and echo the sentiments about the places we have been to.
First the Black Hills, wow we loved the whole area. Custer State park was great (I agree better than Mount Rushmore in terms of holding our attention). After Custer state park drive the Needles highway, it’s a must see if you are in the area, (you can not take a large RV or trailer through the highway, low tunnels and very narrow roads) at the end of the Needles highway walk around Sylvan (sp?) lake. Very nice. Don’t forget to visit the towns in the area. Deadwood was a blast. We visited it on several different occasions. Take the cemetery tour after the museum. What a fascinating history of that town. Devils tower is not very far away and it was unique and cool. The rock climbers are interesting to watch.
MOAB Utah! Is this town really in Utah? How do the Mormons let it exist? It is a beautiful and fun town. We spent several days in Moab visiting Arches and Canyon-lands NP. The scenic wonder come right down into the town. The restaurants and bars (yes there is a bar in Utah) were great.
I could go on and on but I will make one last comment about New England. That is where we have called home and I have been to all the tourist areas. If you have never been check out Boston and the freedom trail, etc, etc, etc. I think Vermont is the prettiest state in the United States. The coast of Maine is really cool. My main recommendation is to get out and drive (not in your RV) the side roads in the less built up areas. I go on Retired Bikers lunch every Tuesday and the rides through the MA, NH, and ME countryside is awesome. I will never get tired of it.
Now for our snowbird plans. We will be going south to retrieve our RV in Gulf Shores AL after the holidays. The general plan is to spend the winter wondering along the Gulf coast. We need to visit friends and relatives in FL. Then we will be driving back along the panhandle to Gulf Shores. We really like that town and area. Gulf Shores state park is my wife’s favorite RV park in the country and its in my top three RV parks. As a frame of reference for that recommendation we have been across the country twice, been in all 48 lower states in our RV and for the last 3 years have spent about 40% of our life RVing. Well back to the trip plans, we will drive through MS (Biloxi may beckon my bride) and on to New Orleans. New Orleans is our favorite city to visit. Don’t miss the WWII museum, it’s surprisingly good. After New Orleans we will wander along the LA coast and try and see a Cajun or two. Then it’s on to TX. We have not been to Galveston or Houston before. Our main objective is Corpus Cristi and Padre Island. We have been there before and the beaches and birding is great. After recharging our batteries with a little winter beach music we will head off to our last objective Big Bend NP. How we missed this park in the rest of our touring I don’t know. Along the way we will check out the TX Hill country. It will likely not be spring yet but it makes more travel sense to go on the way out to Big Bend than to swing that far south on the way back to New England after Big Bend.
Jim
Jerry X Shea
Leaving California on March 8th and will not be back until 2014. Going to check out all the East Coast states and the South. Should be a fun 2 years.
Drew
1. Lake Havasu
2. Monument Valley
3. Lake Powell / Page / Glen Canyon
4. MOAB, Utah
5. Route 66 (four corners area)
Steve Putnam
Robert & Gayle,
I don’t know when you are scheduled to hit Maine late Spring or early Fall is probably the best. Any place along the coast is beautiful but Camden and Mount Desert Island are must sees. Mount Desert Island is packed during the summer. There is a State Camping Area just outside Camden. Make sure you eat a lobster on one of wharfs. The interior is beautiful no matter where you go but would suggest you camp on one of the lakes such as the one near Winthrop and on the South Arm of Richardson Lake. I also enjoy visiting Coos Canyon and Screw Auger Falls but there are many others.
If you follow Rte 2 back into New Hampshire, there are many National Parks along the route. In addition, you might want to take the Cog Railway up to the top of Mount Washington. Just take a warm coat up with you. 🙂
Happy Trails,
Steve
Larry Nutter
Hello from sunny Florida, really enjoyed reading the article in “Trailer Life”
Thanks
Art Steebs
Gary, I just thought I’d let you know, as I drove it last year, the road into Chaco Canyon hasn’t changed since you drove it last!
Liz Bard
If you are in Ringe, NH, go to Cathedral of the Pines. It is an outdoor, non-demonition church in a field of pine trees and overlooks a lake. There is a Carillion tower that is dedicated to women in the military, Red Cross nurses, and other women volunteers. It was dedicated by a family in 1973 to acknowledge the women who cared for their son who was injured in the war. My husband and I (at the time we were engaged when we saw it) wanted to get married there but being in the military in Massachusetts it was impossible. I later spoke to someone from the city when I was in DC for the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
We also want to spend at least a month to explore all the new museums in the DC area. Especially the new Air and Space Museum and the new WAC Museum at FT Lee, VA.
Robert & Gayle Madden
Gravatar did not function – so maybe this time you can see our coach.
Regards
Robert & Gayle Madden
Robert & Gayle Madden
Yes, we have a very long wish list. We are two retired Australians here for a year trying to travel through all the 48 states. We arrived in the USA on 29th October and started our adventure in our American Eagle at the top of Indiana early in early November. We are doing Route 66 down to Las Vegas then going onto San Diego across the bottom to the Gulf. Then over to Florida – zig-zagging up the east coast via Tennessee, the Carolinas all the way up to Maine then across the top to Washington state. Then down the west coast to California, where we will put our coach on a ferry and have it delivered to Australia. We highlighted our desired route in Rand McNally – clocked the miles on MapQuest and it calculates to approx. 50 miles per day. So if you pass two Aussies cruising the byroads, give us a wave. So our wish list will hopefully be complete by the end of October 2012.
Rob & Gayle Madden
catchesthewind
You want washboard I give you washboard-I-40 through Oklahoma. My nomination for the worst road in America. We drove that road our heads doing the bobblehead imitation trying to keep rythm wit the washboard rd. Best I could manage was 55.
Kathy
Antelope Canyon is an absolute must-see!
Chaco Canyon is worth the washboard ride; we’ve been there twice without trailer. If possible, drop your trailer in Bloomfield or Farmington, NM, and proceed to and from Chaco without the trailer. Camping at Chaco is primitive and, as another commenter said, there is no water and no food. Take your lunch if you don’t take your trailer.
Custer State Park in the Black Hills is a beautiful, peaceful place with lots of wildlife. We enjoyed this for a longer time than we enjoyed Mt. Rushmore. It was less crowded and offered much more to see.
George
Ralphie, I agree. We haven’t left Canada yet, but Dec 17th is fast approaching. We will be golfing by Xmas day and not heading home from Yuma until early April. Hopefully the weather is nice as we plan to drive through Page, AZ on our way home. I’ll be sure to stop and see Antelope Canyon. It looks gorgeous.
Glen Jones
Any place out of this damned city, and where i do not have to hear about or listen to the occupy protesters that do not speak for those they claim to speak for.
Hope to do a lot of caming all over Oregon and do some snowbirding next winter
as long as the economy does not go complety bust, my wife has already lost $90,000.00 on her 401k.
Gary
The road that we traveled to Chaco Canyon was a true washboard for about 19 miles or so. Now, mind you it has been many years, but, it is somethimg that, regardless of the road conditions is not to be missed. Take your time, it’s easier that way, button-down the hatches and enjoy all that there is to see. And there is plenty. When we went there was no water so check carefully and be sure all holding tanks are dry. If I remember correctly, there where no dump stations nor other facilities. But, you must go…… It will be well remembered !!!
Ralphie Boyo
I read where you said “Snowbirds will be packing up in two to four months to head north…” and it sets me to wondering. We haven’t left Montana yet for AZ. Did I miss something?