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RNextPhase · 06-07-2015, 09:20 PM

I am retired and my wife retires next June. We are planning a long trip around the states, starting in Oregon and making a wide circle with various trips to cities we have not been to. We are thinking of taking 9 months to year for this venture. My wife's two brothers along with their wives and RVs will be joining us on this venture.

We have been RV'ing for 20 plus years and usually have only been gone three to four weeks in the summer, so this will be a journey. We have been talking about this trip for years as it is number one on our bucket list.

Our current rough itinerary is Yellowstone, Little Big Horn, Black Hills, Niagara Falls, Boston, NY, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta and Key West and then back across the southern U.S. This is where the specifics are weak. We weren't sure if we will winter in Florida or some other southern state.

We know we need to start picking specific spots especially on the East Coast and are using Allstays app for most of our planning purposes.

Any hints, comments or helpful tips and ideas would be appreciated. I am expecting a couple.....if you have questions feel free to ask.

PeaceOwl · 06-07-2015, 11:46 PM

Sounds like a wonderful trip. We are in Yellowstone right now. A lot of miles to cover if u plan on seeing all of Yellowstone. Please read up on the passes you will drive on, and we suggest, one full day or two in each area, as it is too large running back and forth trying to cover too much per day. Also a gorgeous drive to Cody from Yellowstone. We are heading for Colter Bay, highly recommended campsite in the Tetons, another beautiful must see.

Big Dude · 06-09-2015, 09:56 AM

Don't know if you've been in the southeast but Charleston, SC is one of our favorite places and if you don't mind detouring inland between DC and South Carolina, you might enjoy a visit to the Smoky Mountains, near which I live. Also if you travel across the southern part, a stop in NOLA would definitely be in order.

Jim T. · 06-09-2015, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNextPhase

I am retired and my wife retires next June. We are planning a long trip around the states, starting in Oregon and making a wide circle with various trips to cities we have not been to. We are thinking of taking 9 months to year for this venture. My wife's two brothers along with their wives and RVs will be joining us on this venture.

We have been RV'ing for 20 plus years and usually have only been gone three to four weeks in the summer, so this will be a journey. We have been talking about this trip for years as it is number one on our bucket list.

Our current rough itinerary is Yellowstone, Little Big Horn, Black Hills, Niagara Falls, Boston, NY, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta and Key West and then back across the southern U.S. This is where the specifics are weak. We weren't sure if we will winter in Florida or some other southern state.

We know we need to start picking specific spots especially on the East Coast and are using Allstays app for most of our planning purposes.

Any hints, comments or helpful tips and ideas would be appreciated. I am expecting a couple.....if you have questions feel free to ask.

You should explore up the west coast of Florida. Pensacola Beach FL has beautiful sugar-white beaches. Gulf Shores AL also. Biloxi MS, Bay St Louis MS are nice. If you do go to NOLA, be very alert after dark. Same with Mobile AL.

Jim & Shirley & Abbie (Scottie)
2013 Newmar Canyon Star 3911
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

twogypsies · 06-09-2015, 01:59 PM

It sounds like a great trip. However, unless you really like big cities there are more scenic places to explore in the U.S.

If you do go to the cities your might want to consider staying outside of them at parks that offer a tour of the city. They will touch on the highlights and give you an orientation of where things are in the city. Then if you want to go back another day for more in-depth touring it would be a lot easier. We did a small van tour of San Francisco and highly enjoyed it.

For your winter you could choose a place in Florida for a month or two, then move to Texas, Arizona and southern California for a month. Even moving around those winter states to different snowbirding areas within each state and staying by the week or two will give you more ideas. Then you can get a feel of where you might want to go each winter! Sometimes when you stay somewhere for a month or more you begin to feel like it really isn't the place for you. Have fun with your planning!

BillL · 06-09-2015, 05:41 PM

Don't forget to spend some time in the Mid-west. We don't have the mountains or oceans, but we've got a lot of small cities and towns that have much to offer. If you're into history, you could do the President's libraries in St. Joe, MO, Springfield, IL, and in Kansas (having a senior moment, and don't remember the town).

Have a great trip. Planning is at least half the fun. Keep us all posted as your journey progresses

RNextPhase · 06-14-2015, 09:51 PM

Thank you for all your ideas we will add them to our list of places to visit. Hard to get it done in one major trip. Looking forward to many trips to visit places we did not get to this time around.

MRUSA14 · 06-14-2015, 10:16 PM

Ditto on Colter Bay. It is a lovely campground in a perfect location but it fills up and you must make reservations many months in advance if you hope to get in. Ditto too on Charleston, SC which is a gerat walking town with loads of history, beauty and fine restaurants. To visit DC, stay at Cherry Hill campground which has easy mass transit to the heart of DC. Key West has very few places for RV's and NO boondocking, so be sure to have reservations. The most convenient place to stay there is Boyd's campground. If you are able, do not miss the Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta which is held the first week in October. Camping is right at the ballon grounds, and reservations sell out many months in advance. Hundreds of hot air ballons will fill the air all around you and come gliding right over your RV.

Don't confine yourself to the USA, as Canada is a great place to visit. I especially enjoyed Ottawa, Victoria, and the Canadian Rockies which are truly awesome. Quebec City feels like you are in France, and Nova Scotia is wonderful.

In addition to great destinations, there are great drives. The miles driven in the Canadian Rockies are pure joy, as are highways 24 and 12 between Tropic and Hanksville in Utah. This is a drive that you will wish would not come to and end.