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Freqz · 06-10-2018, 01:25 PM

No...2018. Yikes!

I was supposed to go backpacking with my son's Boy Scout troop at Philmont this summer...well, it's on fire so they cancelled our trek. Sigh.

Mrs Freqz, however, has agreed to a family road trip. Less than 6 weeks out. She's not the no reservations, boondocking type and the stress of figuring that out in peak season was daunting for me anyway.

First thought was Estes Park: I'd really like to spend more time in RMNP. No dice, just couldn't make it work. I did, however, manage 4 nights in Ouray, CO. On the river...woohoo! We'll manage some hiking and fishing in paradise, I guess. (&#129312

One night in Amarillo on the way up, then Santa Fe, then Mesa Verde NP for a day (and dinner with a dear uncle I haven't seen in years in Durango), then Ouray via the "Million Dollar Highway" (no one tell Mrs Freqz about that one...I'm giving her a Xanax and a benedryl for that leg, I think) Then Cañon, Co, back to Amarillo, then home to Dallas. Longest days will be Dallas--Amarillo and there's really not a better way to break that up.

With all the talk about full campgrounds and whatnot I'm amazed we managed to make all of this work. It's taken some flexibility but the only nights I don't currently have nailed down is Amarillo on both ends since I've been working from the middle out. (And I don't foresee much trouble there-- it's a town geared to the passing through RVer).

Don't have many more summers left with both boys: it'd be a shame to let one slip by because of some dumb wild fire. [emoji4]

Our parks for the trip:
Santa Fe Skies RV Park - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Ancient Cedars | Mesa Verde RV Park
Ouray RV Park & Cabins – Camping and RVing in Ouray
Mountain View RV Resort

Can't wait.

JFXG · 06-10-2018, 11:34 PM

If you want to split the Dallas - Amarillo leg, try a stop in Vernon- almost exactly halfway. A nice little town, Waggoner Ranch, Great Western Cattle Trail, etc. We spent a couple of nights there about a week ago. We stayed at the Rocking A RV Park (next door to Walmart). I would go back again. While in town we visited the Red River Valley Museum, an interesting couple of hours. And on the way you can stop by Electra, TX, the Pump Jack Capital of Texas!

Jake21 · 06-11-2018, 01:54 PM

We have stayed at that same park in Vernon. not bad at all. But if you get an early start, Dallas to Amarillo isn’t that bad. Once you get out of the DFW metroplex, I find it is an easy drive. I can recommend Amarillo Ranch RV park. Also, if you have it in you, there is a great rest area at the NM border to overnight at.

Freqz · 06-11-2018, 02:06 PM

I've done that stretch from Dallas to Amarillo at least a half dozen times...it is indeed a really easy drive. 4 lane most of the way and typically pretty light traffic.

Vernon is a tad close in and Electra...well, pump jacks have lost their novelty by now. I'd actually like to be pretty far away from the closest oil well for a few days

UTTransplant · 06-12-2018, 07:00 AM

My son and his family had reservations at Morraine Park inside RMNP for August. They just found a major conflict with the kids schedule, and now will take vacation in mid-July. To put it mildly, there aren’t many things available at late notice for one of the most popular summer weeks! They had to write off RMNP, and they called us for some other ideas. Looks like they have a few days each at a couple of places along the Cache de Poudre north of RMNP. They are tent camping, and that makes things much more doable.

Freqz · 06-12-2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTTransplant

My son and his family had reservations at Morraine Park inside RMNP for August. They just found a major conflict with the kids schedule, and now will take vacation in mid-July. To put it mildly, there aren’t many things available at late notice for one of the most popular summer weeks! They had to write off RMNP, and they called us for some other ideas. Looks like they have a few days each at a couple of places along the Cache de Poudre north of RMNP. They are tent camping, and that makes things much more doable.

Yep! It takes some, er, a lot of flexibility.

We're pretty much down to take the dog vs leave her with my mother for 10 days.