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Old 01-07-2012, 12:11 PM   #1
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Looking for Trip Suggestions

We are going to be driving our Motorhome from Seattle, WA to Miami, FL to go on a Cruise in mid April. I am looking for suggestions of interesting places to stop and things to see on the way there. Return trip is another story for another post later.

The Wife and I are both limited in mobility, (wheelchair and blocked arteries) so long strenuous hikes are out of the question. We have made a number of trips to and through Southern Idaho, Utah, and Nevada, so we are not looking for info in those states, but all others are fair game. Here are the things I now have on my list.
  • Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
  • New Orleans Area

Not much of a list, that is why I am looking for suggestions from people that have made a similar trip, or live some where near or on the route I will be taking. Texas is one HUGE question mark on the most interesting route. I will also use these suggestions to decide when to start the trip. I know when I have to be in Miami, FL for the Cruise, so I will work backwards from there to set a departure date based upon the things/places we want to visit along the way.

Looking forward to lots of good suggestions.
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Old 01-07-2012, 12:42 PM   #2
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To get the cruise out of Miami you may have a problem parking your motor home someplace. We usually leave out of Ft. Lauderdale and since we live in Florida do not have to worry about where to park the motor home. We leave it at home and drive the car. We leave the car at http://www.pnf.com It is a short distance to the pier and they pick you up and take you to the ship and when you return they bring you back to the car. If you go to their web site they have a listing for Miami and a phone number. At the one in Ft. Lauderdale I did see a class C parked in the lot, but don't know if they will accept a larger motor home. Just so you know the docks in Miami are not in the best of areas.
Also in April, the weather is pretty good (not overly hot), but if you have food in the fridge, you are going to need to be plugged in someplace. And as a heads up you may run into some "lovebugs". Make sure you have Rain-X on the windshield and the front of the motor home waxed. They do not come off easy.
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Old 01-07-2012, 02:14 PM   #3
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Thanks Roger,

At this point we have no options on the departure location as the Cruise is booked and we have done a bit of looking on where to leave the Motorhome and then just have our toad to worry about at the port.

At this time we think our Daughter and Grandson are going to fly out and baby sit the MH in a campground while we are gone (if we can find a spot near or on a beach), then travel with us out to Key West and up to Orlando for a week or so after the Cruise.

Good tip on the "Love Bugs", I have read a little on here about them and will get ready for them.

Looking at Casino's in MS to visit at the moment. No I am not a big gambler, but I do collect Casino Chips and Slot Tokens.
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Old 01-07-2012, 04:53 PM   #4
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If you don't mind staying a little north of Miami in Ft. Lauderdale ( about 1/2 hour drive to the port of Miami) look at http://www.broward.org/Parks/TopeekeegeeYugneePark/Pages/Default.aspx
This is a very nice park ran by the county. Lots of things to do in this area and about a mile or so from the beach. Level paved sites, all hook-ups, fishing lake, water park, pool, jogging walking trail. And it is a secure safe place to stay. Hard Rock is a couple of miles away also if you are so inclined.
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Old 01-07-2012, 05:29 PM   #5
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Depends on how many stops you want to make.. I would go through the Titons if you haven't been through them. Mt. Rushmore, Crazy horse monument, two Presidental Library's, Eisenhower and Truman are both on your way depending on what route you want to take. Branson Missouri is great and they have shuttles to all the shows from the RV parks....any tons of other things, just depends on what you like.
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Old 01-07-2012, 05:43 PM   #6
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Hi Mochisme,
You could be a bit late in not already having started! My wife is also limited in her mobility. All of the following should be okay for you. The suggestions by no means is complete. Some stops might be better for your return trip. Consider:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim in Arizona
Williams, Arizona (retro 60's town)
Meteor Crater National Monument, Arizona
Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
Memphis, TN (Stay at Tom Sawyer's in West Memphis, ARK. right on the Mississippi river) See Elvis' place.
Nashville, TN (The Grand Olde Opry)
Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, TN (See the Smokey Mountain Opry + other shows.
Concord, NC (Near Charlotte) All things NASCAR.
Charleston, SC (Civil War, Patriots Point, All Things Southern)
St. Augustine, Florida (Oldest City in ??) Quite A Bit Of History)
Cape Kennedy, Florida (All Things NASA)

PM me or post here if you need CG suggestions. I've been across the USA several times. Also, there is a lot to do in California. The Redwood National Park is an outstanding place to stop.
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Old 01-07-2012, 06:20 PM   #7
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GaryKD has some great suggestions. I would add Davis Mountains State Park in West Texas. It is about 9 miles from the McDonald Observatory which we found very interesting. The park is very nice as well. It is very scenic country out there.

I might add that my wife is in a wheelchair and we went to Carlsbad Caverns and were able to take an elevator down to the bottom and end up seeing about 2/3 of the caverns. The walkways are asphalt with handrails and wide enough for people on both sides and not steep. The elevator stops at a concession area and this is the big room which meanders for a while. We were in it for at least 1 1/2 hours.

Note. The caverns are about 25 miles from the city of Carlsbad. There is an RV park close by but I don't remember the name. We stayed at a KOA on the north side of Carlsbad because we didn't know any better. We were about 35 miles from the caverns.

Have fun on your trip and your cruise.

Don
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Old 01-08-2012, 12:17 AM   #8
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Some outstanding suggestion coming in here, thanks and keep them coming.

We own a Timeshare in Las Vegas (or did until this month) and have spend many very enjoyable weeks there. Also have taken part in a Poker Tournament at the Orleans Casino for people that play togther with DD Poker Software on-line every november for the last 6 years. Have been to Hoover Dam, but did not have time in Nov to go see the new Bridge, but that is scheduled for Nov with the Poker Tournament.

Most other places are on the todo list, but for this trip I have tentatively planned to pass through North Eastern Oregon, Southen Idaho, I-15 through Salt Lake City, then over to Price, UT, through Moab, UT to Cortz, CO and then down to El Paso, TX, back north and east to catch Carlsbad Carvens (I saw talk about an Elevator, your experence is great additional info).

Now how to cross Texas? Dallas/Fort Worth, or south through San Antono and Houston?. I have been exploring Casino Info from LA, MS and FL all evening and finding lots of neat sounding places (Casinos and RV Parks) to stop at. I kind of plan to stay near the coast where I can, unless someone comes up with a compelling reason to head inland, and go down the west coast of Fl, then cut across in the Everglades.

I have spend a little time on the East Coast of FL back in 2003 when I was loaned out to help work on the USS John F. Kennedy in Mayport. I fell in love with St. Auguestine and spend many of my free hours there and I had a Timeshare in Fort Lauderdale also.

I will save the rest of my trip for a later post because right now I am trying to see when I need to leave on this trip to see and do all the neat things and make it it Miami by April 13, 2012. So much to do and see I could zig zag back and forth for ever, but this trip will also be seting up for future trips (I hope).

Thanks again for the great suggestions.
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Old 01-08-2012, 12:34 AM   #9
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At carlsbad we stayed in White City, which is right there. As I recall, been awhile, it was not advertised in Trailer Life but in Woodalls. The NAS at Pensecola has a great museum. Savanah, GA and Charelston, SC are great tourist cities. Be sure and take the city tours.

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Old 01-08-2012, 05:41 AM   #10
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Be careful of the snow in some of the spots they are talking about. Might get a little slippery in January.
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Old 01-08-2012, 05:49 AM   #11
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"Now how to cross Texas? Dallas/Fort Worth, or south through San Antono and Houston?. I have been exploring Casino Info from LA, MS and FL all evening and finding lots of neat sounding places (Casinos and RV Parks) to stop at. I kind of plan to stay near the coast where I can, unless someone comes up with a compelling reason to head inland, and go down the west coast of Fl, then cut across in the Everglades."

Just a thought...staying in New Braunfels (outside / North of San Antonio) may be worth a day or two. Not only are the Alamo & riverwalk worth your time, but the local area of NB is also full of places to visit, as well as Austin being close by.

Houston, actually the Baytown area (East side) is worth the time to stop at the San Jacinto monument & the battleship Texas (co-located).

If you decide to stay near the NB area let me know as I spent 20 months there as a full timer and can recommend at least one park right along the river with easy access and great neighbors.

Houston makes a nice day trip on your way through LA with the casino's.

Best of luck on your trip.
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Old 01-09-2012, 10:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvjimmy View Post
Be careful of the snow in some of the spots they are talking about. Might get a little slippery in January.
Should not be a problem as I am not starting this trip until after the 1st of March. Yes I know there could still be snow in some areas, but not as bad as January...
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Old 01-15-2012, 06:37 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mochisme
Thanks Roger,

At this point we have no options on the departure location as the Cruise is booked and we have done a bit of looking on where to leave the Motorhome and then just have our toad to worry about at the port.

At this time we think our Daughter and Grandson are going to fly out and baby sit the MH in a campground while we are gone (if we can find a spot near or on a beach), then travel with us out to Key West and up to Orlando for a week or so after the Cruise.

Good tip on the "Love Bugs", I have read a little on here about them and will get ready for them.

Looking at Casino's in MS to visit at the moment. No I am not a big gambler, but I do collect Casino Chips and Slot Tokens.
Mochisme,

I am thinking about a trip soon down to Key West. How are the RV Parks in the Keys? Is Key West RV friendly?

Hootie-Owl
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Old 01-15-2012, 08:46 AM   #14
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Mochisme,

I am thinking about a trip soon down to Key West. How are the RV Parks in the Keys? Is Key West RV friendly?

Hootie-Owl
Sorry, I can not give a knowledgable answer to your question at this time. I drove a rental car from Jacksonville down to Key West and back in 2003, this will be my first experence with a MH there, but I am going to do it.

I am reasonable sure it is ok as there are RV Resorts/Parks all through the Keys and I now have a confirmed reservation to the small US Coast Guard RV Park in Marathon.
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