NC --> Seattle --> NC in 5 weeks ?

[KenZ71]

OK - so here is my "Am I crazy for thinking about it" post

Planning a trip starting from Myrtle Beach June 1st, 2023 to Seattle - drop wife off to meet her parents for a cruise I go camp & telecommute to my day job for a week then drive back home. Planning about 2 1/2 weeks drive time out, another 2 1/2 home.

Will have our 4 dogs that usually travel with us. I tend to walk all 4 on my own often. Been there, done it. No problem. Leaving the puppers home is not an option.

We prefer Walmart for a one night turn & burn, Harvest Host for a longer rest, campground for more than one night and dump / refill tanks. So having said that here is my tentative plan - please offer alternative stops. I'll start trying to book the campgrounds in next few days.

1 Sams Club, Clarksville TN
1 Bodega Winery (Harvest Host) Glenwood IA
3 nights Custer State Park, Custer SC
4 nights St Regis MT
8 nights Blue Sky RV Park, Issaquah WA
6 nights Gros Ventre, Grand Teton NP, WY
1 Walmart, Laramie WY
2 nights Praire Oasis, Henderson NE
1 Walmart Fulton MO
1 Sam's Club, Clarksville TN

Crazy? Fun? Alternative ideas?

Thinking if time allows stop at Mt Rushmore on way out but will see how it goes.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by KenZ71

.....
Walmart, Laramie WY....

I was headed east to visit family and thought I would overnight at at a WY Walmart. It was crazy. After fueling and shopping, I was thinking it must be the only Walmart for 200 miles.

Oh wait...

In SD make a quick visit to Wall Drugs and the Badlands. First visit was in 57 with my grandmother. Also took my wife to the Corn Palace on one trip as a joke. Then I heard her telling the church ladies how great it was.


While in Seattle, take a ferry someplace around sunset and come to the night lights of the city. Spectacular if it is a clear day and you can see Mt Rainier.

[KenZ71]

Thanks @followingsea Corn Palace sounds interesting although Google Sat view looks like it's in the middle of a city so no RV parking.

A lot of this will be flying by the seat of our pants to keep it fun.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by KenZ71

Thanks @followingsea Corn Palace sounds interesting although Google Sat view looks like it's in the middle of a city so no RV parking.

A lot of this will be flying by the seat of our pants to keep it fun.

Interesting is relative. In SD the Corn Palace may only rate driving by if RV parking is too far away.

Before the interstate, there was Burma Shave signs. Wall drugs was more than an attraction off the interstate. Off course the Bad Lands is a loop off the interstate and a great place to enjoy a picnic. Remember there are no rules in a knife fight.

Farther off the interstate is Devils Tower in WY. It is assume. My son said it has spiritual presence. Went there in 71 while in the navy and back twice more to awe the kids. Before and after the movie Close Encounters.

Anther spot I was going to recommend where I parked the MH next to the Yellowstone is now closed due to the flooding.

So flying by the seat of your pant is skill with the weather. Worked for Duke Power and we would visit our son in Washington state. Trip planning started avoiding by avoiding tornadoes and included lightning in the Black Hills.

[TravelSolo]

I'll second Devil's Tower. It's really neat for an overnight if you can get there early enough to hike the mountain during the day and then hit the road again in the morning.

Some of my extended family owns Bond Brewing in Laramie. Good place for craft beer.

Craters of the Moon in Idaho is neat and might be sort of along the route from Seattle to Tetons depending on the way you go. Might even find a campsite that your rig can fit in. Maybe you can park the MH and take the toad to explore for the day. Campsites are limited and most will not fit a larger rig. There is an RV park in nearby Arco I believe called Mountain something (forgive me it's been 6 months since I drove through there)

Buffalo Bill Ranch/Museum or if you are really into trains there is the Golden Spike Tower. Both in North Platte, NE

A quaint little campground at T.O. Fuller State Park just SW of Memphis is only a little out of the way. I only stayed there one night 1.5 years ago but was scheduled for a week until I broke my hand the night before arriving. It's near Graceland and downtown so there are things to see, do, listen to and eat.

[TravelSolo]

And no, not crazy.

I was doing CA-AZ-NM-TX-LA-MS-AL-TN-MS-KS-CO-UT-NV-CA over 6 weeks until my broken hand in TN at week 4.

I just did CA-UT-ID-MT-WY-SD-WY-CO-UT-ID-OR-CA over 4 weeks.

Have fun, acknowledge when you are tired and be safe.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by TravelSolo

.....

Craters of the Moon in Idaho is neat and might be sort of along the route from Seattle to Tetons depending on the way you go. ....

Second Craters of the Moon.

Was stationed in Idaho Falls in the 70s and had the opportunity to camp in a 16' Aristocrat Lowliner.

Visited again 3 years ago and stayed in the Big Lost River Rest area.

[Toby Dog]

Sounds like a great trip to me. Only thing I would add is to be mindful of tornado warnings as you travel thru the mid
west as that is season for them.
Have fun!

[KenZ71]

Originally Posted by Toby Dog

Sounds like a great trip to me. Only thing I would add is to be mindful of tornado warnings as you travel thru the mid
west as that is season for them.
Have fun!

I think my wife might have a pair of Ruby Slippers

[Bobertgoes]

Are u asking about what stops to make and what things to see or about the physical drive?

I drove from Atlanta to Reno in 3.5 days solo, so you have plenty of time to make a drive.

It domes down to what you want to see. See along the way, or see at your destination?
Stops along the way will burn up time fast.
I tend to plan so I get to spend days in one location rather than new location each day.

There is no right or wrong answer to your trip plans.

[Marine359]

Cracker Barrels preferable to Walmart until you get out west where you won’t find them. Many Loves truck stops will allow you to overnight for free. Some have paid elec. Just stay out of the way of OTRs. Try to find a spot near the entrance. But any overnight at truck stops tend to be spicy all night. Also out west try to get casinos on the route. Pretty quiet and free. It’s pretty exhausting to cover that distance and not stop to settle for a few days, but can be done if you’re young, have a supply of Monster drink, and can hold your whizz for more than 200 miles.

[KenZ71]

Originally Posted by Bobertgoes

Are u asking about what stops to make and what things to see or about the physical drive?

Mostly looking for ideas on where to stop for a a 2-3 days.

Originally Posted by Marine359

Cracker Barrels preferable to Walmart until you get out west where you won’t find them.

Dear Wife prefers Cracker Barrel however I prefer Walmart for 3 reasons
1) This monster RV of ours at 45 feet does not always work with Cracker Barrell - if we get in and out after business hours OK. But stop at 5:00 PM - no way!
2) Walmart is combination rest and resupply groceries
3) Walmart has much bigger lots usually but still low trees is a problem sometimes

I've slept in rest areas, truck stops (Loves, TA, Petro), Church on a weekday, Grocery store - not picky

[rfg9585]

Just made part of this journey from NC, but just to Yellowstone....

We 1st stopped at Nashville Shores, which is a nice park beside the lake and has a waterpark. But good location close to I40 and the outskirts of Nashville.


Stopped at a Love's around Bates, MO, just east of KC, that had water and ELEC hookups for RV. There's another one up on I90 that maybe on your way.

Add Menard's to your list of possible stopping places, They allowed us to stay overnight in Mitchell SD where Bass Pro would not (weird).

Also definitely do the Badlands Wall for a night or 2. pretty cool. But don't go if its wet, VERY slippery.

We stopped in the Bighorn mountains for a night at one of the campgrounds. Very beautiful drive toward Cody. Seem most moose of whole trip (3).

Sorry if rambling, just putting down thoughts that related to our trip your might utilize.

[KenZ71]

Thanks for the comments. Right now I'm thinking we push aggressively to Iowa then slow it down. Will revisit the stuff closer to home on shorter trips.

But who knows, plans cast in Jello as a YouTube commenter has said