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RE: 2011 Trip West
Good itinerary for 4 weeks time. I agree that the Black Hills should be included (1-2 days sufficient for the Badlands, but allow 3-4 for the Black Hills if possible. Lots to do there.) RMNP or Glacier are good inclusions, but not both in that timeframe. Allow a week for Yellowstone & Tetons combined.
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kknowlton
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09/08/10 08:06pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Cross USA Trip Suggestions for must see sights
Just be aware that many (though not all) CGs in the northern states (along I-80, for example) close for the season by mid-October and don't reopen until late April or May. That will limit your choices.
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kknowlton
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09/08/10 06:31pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Upper Midwest trip
If you're going to stay in MI or WI state parks for more than a night or two, be sure to buy an annual sticker - it will save you $$! (Also stick to I-80 around Chicago to connect to I-55 - faster than US 30, etc.
MI and WI both have beautiful SPs, though you won't find any hookups besides electric, and on weekends, you may not find many sites at all (due to reservations). Straits is a nice one. If you want the Mackinac area with more hookups, St Ignace KOA is nice and not terribly big; Mill Creek CG is HUGE and some of the FHU sites are a parking lot (albeit with a good view of the bridge). DO NOT MISS a day trip to Mackinac Island!! If you're staying farther up on the U.P., Tahquamenon Falls SP is nice and is close to the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point (very interesting place). If you're interested in the Soo Locks area, Aune-Osborn CG (county-run) is ok with a very nice new bathhouse and an unbeatable view of the passing freighters. Elec & water hookups there.
North of Wausau is Council Grounds SP - heavily wooded, so a really large rig might not fit, but if it's in full color it is simply gorgeous! Bright golds & dark pines mixed - fantastic! Some elec sites there.
Near Mpls, perhaps 15-20 miles east of the Twin Cities in WI is Lake Wissota SP. Nice wooded sites that are pretty private. Fairly quiet park (though may be full on weekends). Some elec sites.
Petoskey KOA is good, though the sites for bigger rigs are out in the open in fairly tight rows. Very nice clean facilities.
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kknowlton
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09/07/10 06:27pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Something pretty cool at a campground
We've seen that at a few others, including at KY Horse Park last year. Interesting.
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kknowlton
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09/06/10 08:15pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Anderson, Indiana
Haven't been there for over 30 years. Hopefully someone else has been more recently. :) We were tenting then and not too fussy about our CGs. The mounds were interesting, as I recall.
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kknowlton
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09/06/10 08:13pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Wisconsin. Dells campgrounds
If you like more "back to nature" type accommodations, try for a site at Devils Lake or Mirror Lake SPs. Reservations are taken 11 months ahead, and are NECESSARY, as WI SPs are popular. Electric hookups or dry camping only; both CGs have showers.
If you want lots of amenities for the kids, and to be close to town, Wis Dells KOA is nice. Ask for a site on the upper level - that way you won't be quite as close to the train. :)
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kknowlton
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09/06/10 08:11pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Campgrounds in Boise and Twin Falls, ID and Salt Lake City
Have also been to the SLC KOA and it's not bad at all. Conveniently located (even on a city bus route, should you want to use that kind of transportation). Big CG, crowded when full, but decent. When we were there, the satellite bathhouse was cleaner than the one in the main bldg, mostly due to pool users getting the floor of the main one wet. Big staff. Didn't find the area that "questionable" at all - definitely not rural, but it's fine.
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kknowlton
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09/06/10 08:09pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Boston Area
Ditto Normandy Farms. Nice CG - but reserve early, or you get dumped in the not-so-nice "Safari" sections. :) A few miles from a commuter train, or 30 minutes from the "T" elevated/subway system, which takes you right into the city. The staff at the CG have directions to both. By far the best way to see Boston!! :)
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kknowlton
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09/06/10 04:55pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: weight and size question
Probably it will work fine, though I'd prefer a little more "distance" between the tow rating and the trailer's GVWR.
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 07:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Ideas for the American South East (and Disney World)
Charleston is delightful, and so is Savannah. Highly recommend Patriots Point, across the Cooper River from Charleston in Mt Pleasant; plan to spend all day, as there is much more to see there than just the Yorktown. Definitely visit the Battery area of Charleston - park and walk around. Beautiful city. Savannah has a good hop-on, hop-off trolley tour and is also a beautiful city, but very different in character from Charleston. Tybee Island has some good spots, including, I believe, a state park. (We camped outside of town at the KOA - not bad but tight spots; at least there was plenty of shade.)
St Marys GA has a delightful little submarine museum, by the way. Right on the coast, close to the FL border, along I-95. Charming little town.
Try some of the FL SPs. At least some of them have FHUs and are very reasonably priced. (The one we visited isn't on your route, being close to Pensacola, but if it's any indication, they're nice!!)
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 07:26pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Water at dump stations
Most places we've been don't have the hose fitting that allows us to use the flush, so we only do it a few times a year - taking advantage of it where it's offered. Surprisingly, two of the places we've found it are at 2 state parks (different states) near our home. Actually, the 5-gallon bucket method sounds pretty good too. :)
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 10:12am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Does a new camper need to be aired out?
Ours still outgasses some when it's been closed up (vents included), and it's 3 1/2 years old. Airing out will help, as will the more use the better. :)
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 10:08am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Park Near Great Lakes Illinois
As camperpaul pointed out, IBSP is the only place open all year. When are you visiting? That will make a difference; most of the CGs in the area close around mid-October.
Agreed on the place in Bristol WI - way overpriced too, IMO. ($40/night for a tent site, no utilities?!?!)
The KOA in Union IL is decent, clean facilities, tight quarters. At least an hour drive to Great Lakes, given traffic, stoplights, lots of twists & turns, etc. Haven't been to any other private CGs in the area; most are older & full of seasonals.
I really recommend IL Beach - definitely closest!! (Don't drive thru Waukegan to get to the base; go west from the park to US 41 & then south. Much faster, maybe 1/2 hour or less.)
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 10:07am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: SE Mi. to Salem SD in early Nov.
Like you said, weather could be a factor. Going on 90 thru Chicago will net you lots of tolls to pay; I'd advise sticking to 80 and turning north later on. Take a weather radio along with you. No telling what it will be like; as you know, being from MI, November can be in the 70s or in the 20s with snow.
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 09:59am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Carpenter Ants Inside Walls of Newer TT
Winter won't kill them, just slow them down.
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kknowlton
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09/05/10 09:56am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: New member, first trailer.....
Congrats! :)
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kknowlton
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09/04/10 04:49pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Annapolis to Denver -- I-70 High Quality Kid Friendly CG’s
KOAs and Jellystones are virtually always kid-friendly, and almost always have pools. Bear in mind that it is now after Labor Day, so there is a chance that a CG's pool could be closed. You may want to check with the CGs first.
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kknowlton
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09/04/10 01:32pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Yearly Maintneance
Winterize for sure, and if you can't plug the camper in for extended periods during storage, you may want to remove the battery and keep it on a "battery minder" charger indoors at home. Otherwise, it may go dead over a winter of no use - there are just enough small drains on the battery (LP gas detector, etc.) to do that. If you have taken any long trips with the camper (i.e. 3000 miles or more), you should also have your wheel bearings serviced - at least greased, and if you have put a lot more miles on the camper, then have them inspected as well.
It should be obvious, but before storing for the winter take EVERYTHING out of the camper that is perishable, liquid (or gel - whatever could freeze, swell and cause damage when it thaws), or paper products - anything that could attract mice.
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kknowlton
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09/04/10 01:28pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Banking on the road
We're planning to use a credit card from our credit union to basically pay for everthing on the road. Then using our laptop, I'll transfer funds each month to pay off the card, avoiding any interest this way. We'll also have our ATM cards for cash. Don't care much for the 'BIG' banks.
We don't fulltime, but we do go for extended trips of a month or more, and this plan (above) works for us. ATM cards can be used almost anywhere, though there are fees if it's not your bank's "network." Ask your credit union if they have one of those big-interest-bearing checking accounts; ours does, and I believe one of the provisions of that account reimburses you for ATM fees, up to a certain amount per month.
Be sure, if you plan to set up for online banking, to make sure your virus programs and firewalls are up to snuff, especially if you'll be using CG Wifi, which is usually unsecured.
Good luck!
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kknowlton
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09/04/10 01:22pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Covering the RV: What happens with the spouts
We use old socks to cover our spouts - tie them on (tightly) with string. Works great, and protects the cover well.
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kknowlton
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09/03/10 06:03pm |
Beginning RVing
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