American road trip

[corconx]

Just had this by mail

it might be interesting for anyone going over the pond




Link Removed

 

[wilsonofthewizard]

First thing I'd do is ditch that compass and get a new one. The next place west of Los Angeles is Japan

But in the right direction, there's the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Painted Desert and Los Alamos. And maybe Roswell .

You beat me to it Autojimmy !
And Connecticut is way East

 

[The Coops]

Meteor Crater............and I quote *you have driven all this way to look at a hole in the ground!* Enjoy the road trip the hardest part for us 10 years ago was just getting out of California . A travel tip buy a yearly national Parks Pass its far cheaper than paying up front at the National Parks and Battlefields and if you get chance do the Blue Ridge Parkway its stunning..........

 

[March Hare]

Your trip sounds amazing!

We did a trip around the "Grand Circle" a few years ago which was fantastic - from Las Vegas, and including (on no particular order) both the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Delicate Arch NP, Mexican Hat - all we're fabulous!

Moab is a great town - near Arches NP. We were wondering why it was such a prosperous town and then noticed the name of the street we were parked on which was "Uranium Avenue"!

Btw, if you find yourself on the road towards Mexican Hat, that has the following sign:

No RV's
Towing
Vehicles
Lorries

We can confirm that this means no RV's *and* no towing vehicles.

My OH and I disagreed on what the sign meant, but by the time we were committed, we had no choice but to proceed down the incredibly steep road with innumerable hair pin bends with no barriers! Fortunately we were in a small'ish motorhome and it was late in the day so no-one else around to hold up! Not again though!

 

[PeteH]

As is Pima air museum near Phoenix

Home - Pima Air & Space

Experience 400 iconic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Plan a visit today to explore our 6 hangars & 80 acre airfield of aviation history.

pimaair.org

Look Out for the "Stealth Cactus".

Look at spending two or three days in Toombstone, 40 miles east of Tucson. It is worth going to and there are RV 2 campsites in the town. In Tucson, go to the place where all the old western movies were made plus the place where the USAF has over 2000 planes on standby. It takes over 30 minutes to go round the place in a guided tour bus. It will be an experience of a lifetime. Good luck.

They "do" the "Gunfight @ the OK" two or three times a day!. Tucson Is "interesting", especially when someone in an car, starts shooting, outside the R-V park at 10pm!.

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[Graydo]

Almost forgot about Monument valley.

If you do get there, go to John Ford point where a native American Indian will guide you on his horse for a photo shoot at the end of the point.
They had a sign saying that "this is the best $5 you will ever spend"
and he was right !

This part of America is amazing, You're going to love it.

Other highlight are horseshoe bend, the slot canyon's and Rainbow bridge (Boats from Wahweap marina on Lake Powell).

Graydo

ps if you go to Vegas, check out the Hoover dam it's not far.

 

[Gaston aires]

Just a quick update. We collected the Winny from storage yesterday.
After commissioning it, taking the sun screens off, connecting the batteries, finding out where things were, it was time to insert the ignition key. Fingers crossed and hey presto, the V8 started first time. Believe me it’s better than sex, not sure my the ladies would agree but the fellas will.
Not much to say as we went on to a local campsite in Jurupa valley just to check it all out. No nasty surprises at all thanks to our Aussie friends Doug and Jackie Makean who left us everything you could want.
Tomorrow we head of to Vegas for 3 days for some fun until the real trip starts. Photos will be sent, and some real travel will ensue.
Phil. upmetank.

 

[Mikey RV]

You can’t beat the sound of a V8. Happy travels.

 

[Silver-Fox]

There was someone on here looking to do a four or five way buy of an RV in the States.

Did the idea get shelved or is it still live.

 

[Gaston aires]

Hi y,all.
Sorry for the lack of posting, for good reasons, I had a terrible cold in Las Vegas, so bad I thought I had Coronavirus, also Vegas was only for fun and it’s not exactly different from Blackpool, oh yes it is, it’s tacky trash with flash.
Yesterday we started our travels properly, firstly to the Hoover dam and lake mead staying on a casino site for free, Boon-docking, as the Americans call it, wild camping as we say. Then today Route 66 to Williams on the way to the Grand Canyon. The part of Route 66 we drove is the longest straight rd in the USA, virtually no traffic all the 90 miles and straight as an arrow across the Mohave desert. Fabulous brilliant sunny day, but very cold at night, typical desert weather. It would be pretty bad news to have a breakdown on parts of this road.
Turned up on a free campground in the middle of nowhere and was greeted by a guy with no teeth, a bottle of something, and the others looked much the same, I started thinking about the film Deliverance so we moved on to a regular campsite in Williams, on the road to the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
To be fair, most of the Americans we have met have been more than helpful I probably misjudged Forest Gump and his mates.
Hopefully plenty more to follow WiFi permitting.
Phil upmetank.

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[Mikey RV]

Great post. I went to Williams town about eighteen years ago. Had to go there because my surname is williams and I wanted to go on Route 66 being into my hot rods and American cars. Had the best steak I have ever had in a bar there. The whole place was car themed even the toilet doors were car doors Still got a fridge magnet from there but stuck it up in the motorhome. Hoover dam and Grand Canyon are awesome.

 

[The Old Man]

Just a quick update. We collected the Winny from storage yesterday.
After commissioning it, taking the sun screens off, connecting the batteries, finding out where things were, it was time to insert the ignition key. Fingers crossed and hey presto, the V8 started first time. Believe me it’s better than sex, not sure my the ladies would agree but the fellas will.
Not much to say as we went on to a local campsite in Jurupa valley just to check it all out. No nasty surprises at all thanks to our Aussie friends Doug and Jackie Makean who left us everything you could want.
Tomorrow we head of to Vegas for 3 days for some fun until the real trip starts. Photos will be sent, and some real travel will ensue.
Phil. upmetank.

Reporter to Kimi: "Lewis Hamilton said that winning his first race felt better than having sex."

Kimi Räikkönen replied: “Maybe he never had sex."

 

[The Old Man]

I'll also add, the Alabama Hills and Lone Pine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Hills
Loads of movie location markers.

Lone Pine bars, hotels and restaurants have loads of movie memorabilia.

Manzanar is close by.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanar

 

[Gaston aires]

After having no service for 5 days I can resume.
We have spent the last 5 days in the Grand canyon and monument valley, I can tell you its beyond awesome, photos don't really capture the scale of it all but I will try.
Campground at the south rim is brilliant, 7.5 dollars as seniors with a national parks pass, essential if you want to see everything, is the American equivalent of our national trust. We walked, toured, and took in the breathtaking views for two days and left only when the van couldn't really cope with the extreme cold at night, we were freezing up on the inside, and you know what, there were people camping in tents all around us, made of strong stuff.
Headed off to monument valley, just as amazing in a different way, so vast, so empty. Put it on your bucket list. Today headed off to meteor crater.
We are using campgrounds, campsites, and boondocking too where we feel safe. Some sites are 50 $ plus, some free, at the end I will summarise costings.
Phil

 

[Graydo]

If you have plans to go to Bryce canyon beware the temperatures there.
I booked a Tee-pee but quickly changed it to a local hotel when we arrived, as it was -20.

Drive straight to the top and stop at the viewpoints on the way back down.

Graydo

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[Gaston aires]

Will send more when I get WiFi

If you have plans to go to Bryce canyon beware the temperatures there.
I booked a Tee-pee but quickly changed it to a local hotel when we arrived, as it was -20.

Drive straight to the top and stop at the viewpoints on the way back down.

Graydo

Bryce canyon is off the list for this trip due to closed roads like grand canyon north rim. That's for another trip.
Phil

 

[Mikey RV]

The Grand Canyon is awesome, we were there all afternoon and at sunset, fantastic colours. Keep the pics coming.

 

[PeteH]

You can’t beat the sound of a V8. Happy travels.

Or better still the V10.

Before Bryce we camped in Zion N-P. then went on to Bryce, After we left Bryce, (O`buma had closed all the parks) we went towards Utah. Going down Devils Canyon in a snowstorm, was to say the least an"experience". Salt lake city is worth seeing. We spent 2 days in the Mormon Heritage centre Tracing our ancestry!.

 

[peterc10]

Back in 2004 we did a road trip starting and finishing San Francisco. Use a hired car and hotels. We went to the South side of the Grand Canyon and stayed for a couple of nights. It is truly awesome, the first look over just took your breath away. But even that late in the year the North side was still closed because of snow.

I can recommend Death Valley, which is another National Park, There is a hotel and campground there. Try the swimming pool, it is fed by natural warm springs and it is the temperature of a bath.

We can also recommend Sequoia National Park. Yosemite is also good, but we could not go and see the Valley because there had been a major flood that had washed out the roads. We could not get to top of the valley to look down because those roads were still closed because of snow.

You must visit San Francisco, which is my favourite American City by far. Golden Gate bridge is fantastic, we hired a bike and rode across it (much fitter then) and then got the ferry back. And you also have the tram cars, Alcatraz, the waterfront, the Castro District (great restaurants) etc. And then drive South on the Pacific Coast Highway through Monterey (worth a couple of days stop to for the sites and the sea otters), Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Ventura and then on to Santa Monica. Make sure you have the West Coast sounds blasting out on the radio. Stop at McWay Bay, which is South of Big Sur, and take a walk to see a very pretty bay with white sands and the McWay waterfall tumbling onto the beach. Took a photo that I still use as my screen saver.

I am really jealous, but hope you have a good timer.

 

[Gaston aires]

Back in 2004 we did a road trip starting and finishing San Francisco. Use a hired car and hotels. We went to the South side of the Grand Canyon and stayed for a couple of nights. It is truly awesome, the first look over just took your breath away. But even that late in the year the North side was still closed because of snow.

I can recommend Death Valley, which is another National Park, There is a hotel and campground there. Try the swimming pool, it is fed by natural warm springs and it is the temperature of a bath.

We can also recommend Sequoia National Park. Yosemite is also good, but we could not go and see the Valley because there had been a major flood that had washed out the roads. We could not get to top of the valley to look down because those roads were still closed because of snow.

You must visit San Francisco, which is my favourite American City by far. Golden Gate bridge is fantastic, we hired a bike and rode across it (much fitter then) and then got the ferry back. And you also have the tram cars, Alcatraz, the waterfront, the Castro District (great restaurants) etc. And then drive South on the Pacific Coast Highway through Monterey (worth a couple of days stop to for the sites and the sea otters), Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Ventura and then on to Santa Monica. Make sure you have the West Coast sounds blasting out on the radio. Stop at McWay Bay, which is South of Big Sur, and take a walk to see a very pretty bay with white sands and the McWay waterfall tumbling onto the beach. Took a photo that I still use as my screen saver.

I am really jealous, but hope you have a good timer.

Lots of your places are off the list for this trip due to snow. It's snowing where we are in in Flagstaff tomorrow so we will head south again. South is good right now. No particular plans so Tucson and cowboy country beckons. Tombstone on the list too.
Walnut canyon was wonderful today, meteor crater yesterday also brilliant.
Phil

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[The Old Man]

https://harvesthosts.com/rv-camping/rv-camping-sierra-nevada/

 

[Gaston aires]

Today,

because of a pending snowstorm in Flagstaff we headed south on the 89A through oak canyon to Sedona. Once again an amazing shortish trip down the canyon until Sedona where it was noticeably warmer. Sedona, for all it’s tourism is nestled nicely among the red rocks which overlooking the town are majestic to say the least. After we headed thro Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and up to Jerome, an old mining town, a shabby sheik place definitely worth a visit. The climb was so steep I reckon the old RV was doing 4 mpg, still on the way back you make up for it. We have just turned up at camp verde and will probably stay a couple of days for some well earned R & R and a large bag of washing.
Now I have some proper wi fi I will try a few more photos.
Phil

 

[KiwiKampers]

I am a very green Kiwi who is enjoying touring the USA vicariously.

 

[lorger]

looking forward to following your posts, we’ve done a couple of US road trips in the car and would love to do in an RV, spent some time in Williams and Flagstaff a couple of years back as our daughter studied in Flagstaff.

 

[PeteH]

Where you stopped?. We stayed 2 nights on the car park of the Casino?. It`s not too far from Montezuma Castle. (Rock Dwellings) Do you plan to go back North to I-40 or South to Tucson/Phoenix?. IF you go back North, I-17 is the better route, Unless you feel adventurous?. If so, the road North out of Sedona. Is more "interesting". A collection of ever tighter Hairpin Bends, up to the Lookout!.

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[Gaston aires]

Where you stopped?. We stayed 2 nights on the car park of the Casino?. It`s not too far from Montezuma Castle. (Rock Dwellings) Do you plan to go back North to I-40 or South to Tucson/Phoenix?. IF you go back North, I-17 is the better route, Unless you feel adventurous?. If so, the road North out of Sedona. Is more "interesting". A collection of ever tighter Hairpin Bends, up to the Lookout!.

Now heading South to Phoenix,Tucson, Tomstone, and Bisbee. No particular hurry. Last two weeks in Palm Springs,Hemet, to be exact,CA for some well earned RandR
Phil

 

[PeteH]

Look Out for the "Stealth Cactus".



They "do" the "Gunfight @ the OK" two or three times a day!. Tucson Is "interesting", especially when someone in an car, starts shooting, outside the R-V park at 10pm!.

Found it!: Pima A-S-M. Stealth Cactus:-

 

[Gaston aires]

We spent a couple of days at Camp verde a much more interesting place than it first seemed. Old injun settlements where the locals were expert in living in the desert until after 800 years climate change changed everything ( yes it happened in the 12/13 centuries too) and they just disappeared.
Catalina state park campground was full but the managed to fit us in so much needed dump off and take on took effect. Prairie dogs were everywhere, I thought they were Gophers until the locals enlightened me, about the size of a squirrel. Phoenix was much too big and sprawling for us, it took hours to drive out of the place and not too soon. To be fair I think we got it wrong here.
Bioshere 2 is a truly amazing place, spent hours here, it really makes you think. Look it up on google if your. Interested. Stayed on BLM land overnight, one of the most beautiful stopovers and free. Met a great couple from Wisconsin, just us four in the middle of nowhere , much drinkin took place.

The last two days we have spent in Tucson, loved it, so much to see and do here, the old town, Congress hotel, amazing Mexican food, friendly people. Stayed on a Walmart car park, boondockin, free and safe at night. Nightlife is brilliant too but we seemed to knackered by ten to indulge. Tomorrow we’re going to Saguaro state park for a few days to see old movie sets, giant cactuses, or cacti if you prefer. The loco in the photos was last used in the movie Oaklahoma.
Phil

 

[Sabino]

We love Tucson, ever since I was forced to go by work in 1999. Been so many times and have many friends now over there.
If you are going out to Old Tucson studios as you say. It is worth visiting the Desert Museum which is much more a small desert zoo. It is worth it for the Hummingbirds alone
Also, in town the Botanical Gardens have a fantastic Butterfly area in the Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion. And if you get the chance watch the sunset up "A" Mountain. It can be spectacular.

 

[Gaston aires]

We have been in the Tucson area for 5 days. Love it here. The old Tucson film town, where most of the old westerns were shot, high noon, gunfight at the OK corral, true grit, most of the Howard Hawks John Wayne movies, etc etc. I know it’s touristy but so enjoyed the day. Stunt men, saloons, tours, great fun. Today at the Arizona Sonora, desert open air museum, fascinating and very informative. Found plenty of places to boondock as well as official campgrounds thanks to a freecamp app. Wikicamps USA good as well. Heading off to Tombstone tomorrow for more cowboys antics.
Phil

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