getting ready for trip

[Maxtor]

Ok,,, out of the hospital for two weeks, and doing good. Have the truck in the garage resting for the trip.
We will be zig zaging across the USA to hit every state. We plan on a 6 to 9 month trip.
Questions are:
What are the do not pass up places in each state?
What campgrounds have you found to be the best?
Which ones should we avoid?
We have no special place to go except we want to get east as far as Maine and Florida, and west to Washington. We will be going into Canada at some point, probably around Michigan. Right now we have on our list
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, Bronson Missouri, Fort Worth Texas, Nashville Tennessee. Yellowstone park, Zion park, Niagra Falls.
Any other places special to you guys?
Thanks.

 

[whatabudro]

Caddo Mills, TX
KAO camp ground
May 18-20 2007

North Texas Power Stroke Association 2007 Rally

It's a great time!

 

[JLDickmon]

http://www.i-500.com/

oh it's da I-500 dat we come to see..
da biggest event in da whole Yoopee...
we stand around and pour beer in our face
at da I-500 snow machine race...

better getcherass up here, though.. thing is run on Feb 3rd...

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

If you are going into Canada from Michigan there are three places, the blue water bridge in Port Huron off 94 is in more open country, the tunnel and the Embassador bridge in Detroit off 75. The best campgrounds in Michigan are in the U.P. You could drive that SD and camper through the Woodward dream cruise, which takes place August, it could take you all day to get from Pontiac to Detroit, but people will sure wonder what a camper is doing in the cruise.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

If you are going into Canada from Michigan there are three places, the blue water bridge in Port Huron off 94 is in more open country, the tunnel and the Embassador bridge in Detroit off 75.

Don't forget the bridge in Sault Ste. Marie

The best campgrounds in Michigan are in the U.P.

Some of the state parks I like best are Indian Lake, Lake Gogebic, Van Riper, Fort Wilkins and Mc Clain. Info on all the different state parks and state forest campgrounds can be found HERE. Some cool things to see in Da U.P. include: Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mtn Nat'l park, Brockway Mtn & Ft.Wilkins (during summer) in Copper Harbor. Kitch-iti-kipi is also really neat to see. Two state parks I'd recommend staying away from are Baraga and Twin Lakes, they're right on the highway and rather noisey because of it. If you are going to spend more than 4 nights total combined in Michigan state parks, it's best to get an annual vehicle sticker. After 4 nights, you're money ahead. Camping fees are extra.

A lot of folks like going to Mackinaw Island. Ferry service is available from either St. Ignace or Mackinac City which are on opposing ends of DA BRIDGE. We've got more than enough casinos to go around too if you like to stop and get some of that action. The ISLAND RESORT & CASINO west of Escanaba has it's own RV park.

The Country Village RV Park & Campground is a nice area to stop for a break or if you are having mechanical issues with your truck or Rv. I has a lot of area support businesses, restaurants, movies, bowling, oil filter & lube service, pizza delivery, laundrymat and an adjacent RV dealership in case you have RV related problems. I've also heard that RV dealer has the best parts department in the entire state. There is also a pretty decent Ford Dealer about a mile away should the need arise.

 

[spindrift]

Snuggle up to your computer and start reading the "Campground" section of RV.net

 

[seawolf]

Are you hauling or towing? For the last decade or so, I have enjoyed the Oregon coast. Great storms now and the state campgrounds have winter discounts. A lot near towns with wonderful seafood etc. If your interested, I can fill you in on some of those from Newport South. Also, Silver Creek Falls is interesting with lots of falls on a short or long hike and near Salem.

 

[BamaSixGun]

i know you already mentioned it maxtor, but niagra falls is nice, the grand canyon is cool, gotta go across the hoover dam, golden gate bridge is awesome.

maybe the space & rocket center in huntsville, al

drivin across the cheasapeake bay bridge is pretty awesome too.

hey, just have fun and keep gettin better on that new hip.

 

[Maxtor]

hauling or towing

Thanks for all the great info. We are from Northern California, so we have been to most sites in Oregon. There is some great camping there. This trip we want to see the other (46) states. We will be buying a trailer or 5th wheel, but do not know which one now. We will be leaving around April 07. We have had trouble finding a 5th wheel tall enough for our truck, so probably will get a trailer. We have seen some nice Komfort and Cougar trailers as well as 5th wheels. I would prefer a 5th wheel, so we are hoping that the 07 units are taller for our truck. I am having trouble using the computer now, because I just had a new hip replacement and it hurts while sitting here, but I will check from time to time for all the good tips on places to see. About 5 minutes is all I can stand right now.
Any tips about which units to buy would be appreciated. We want to stay in the low $30,000 price range.

Thanks

Maxtor

 

[seawolf]

Oh yes, I'm an old ball bearing OR nurse and have scrubed many of those total hips. They are the best joint to have done.
On the matter of 5th wheels, we started out with a 17' x 7' MeToo and a Datsun four banger. In the Good Sam mag, they just had a write up on Heartland's Sundance. It looks like a lot of bang for the bucks. Most trailers can be adjusted for the new body style. On my second 5er, I had to flip the axles to go from a Plymouth Arrow to a GMC 1/2 T. The off season is the best time to buy. There are more RV dealers up here than illegal alliens, well, almost. At least one 16' slide makes a world of difference. I have a 10 year old Jayco Eagle to match my 10 year old Ford and the 10 year old house with garage for both. I might get another trailer but the truck and house are staying longer than me.
By the way, Good Sam club has great road side service and I just had a buddy sign up for their RV and truck mechanical service and not long there after lost his Allison TX. Didn't cost him a cent.