OK Bob and Cindy,
You have gotten lots of advice, but there are some things missing.
Are you planning to travel with a computer??
If no, start thinking about it today.
- Get an inexpensive laptop and a little inverter so you can run it underway.
- Get either Street Alas or Strips and Treets - either will do. - Best if you can borrow both from friends and decide which you like better. Get the GPS to go with. Now you have a road map that is big enough to see (not like a dashboard GPS - you can have on of those too) that has a "You Are Here" arrow.
- Go to the Discovery Owners sight and collect any overlays that might interest you:
MAP OVERLAYS
- If you do not have internet underway (like with Mifi or a smartphone tether, it just means that you have to start thinking in the morning, but with the number of fastfoods and such that have free access, you don't really need it.
- If you don't know how to work GasBuddy, find out now. It can save you a small fortune. There are places where crossing a state line can save you $0.10/gal.
- There are lots of sites that have campground information. If you do not need want FHU (Full Hook Up), you can be much more flexible.
- The RV park at Casino Queen (St. Louis) may be closed for the winter, but it is a great place to flatspot (that is free) and while you are there, do not miss the Museum of American Expansion under the Arch. You can do the Arch too if you are not claustra- or acro-phobic. Parking for the Arch is along the river.
- There is a great rest area on the south side of I-40 in Amarillo. It had Wifi - many Texas rest areas do.
- If you want to run any of Rt-66, get the book EZ-66.
- Weather will probably not go bad on you during the time you are planning departure, but always be ready. Keep Fuel (both) water and food on board in case you have to hold up a day.
Want to have an actual discussion?
Send me a note at mattcolie at Gmail dot com with a best time to call. I am down by DTW and well tuned to the issues at hand.
Good luck with your first (of many) excursions.
(Adventures - Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" Billo Baggins - the Hobbit)
Matt
The second try will hopfully be a success.
Well, long story, pull up a comfortable seat.
We had planned to leave on December 26th, Michigan to Las Vegas. The week before we had bought a tow dolly from a Demco dealer in Michigan, a Kar Kaddy SS. We were going on a Saturday to make sure the coach, the car and the Kaddy were all going to work well together... 
Bob was driving the coach and I was following him in the Chrysler 200. I left a few minutes after he did figuring I would catch up quickly as we have about four miles of dirt road before we get to a main road. Bob phoned me on our cell and was just turning onto pavement and there is an immediate entrance ramp to Interstate 75. He said the coach was not riding very good and he is thinking we should head home or to a shop to find out what the problem is. I caught up with Bob and he was on Interstate 75 again he calls me and I am only a few car lengths behind him, with no one between us. Bob is not happy and doesn't want to go any further and tells me he is pulling over and we can call for road assistance. Just about then I here a loud pop and I think Bob blew a tire. Then I see parts bouncing out and sparking from under the coach.
I was thankful that a county truck was behind me and had turned on their lights and stopped traffic to pick up the parts and bring them to us. We waited at the roadside about an hour and a half for the tow truck. As we were waiting we phoned the company that had checked the rig before we made our August 2012 purchase. They explained that Bob and I should have let the rig run for sometime and let the Air Ride build up. We know that was not the case, as we had let the coach run for 45 minutes before we moved at all. 
Yellowstone Lake 6-1-2012
Linear Mode
