Planning a trip from Va to St Lo then onto S Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, NM
Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:32 AM
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Planning a trip from Va to St Lo then onto S Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, NM
We'd like help in planning a trip from VA to St Lo then on to S Dakota, Utah, AZ,Wyoming, and the areas, NM for the Balloon Fest Oct 4 and back down south and back home to Va. We are traveling in RV which may present a problem due to it's length. No idea of what to see and where to stay that would accommadate us. Help is greatly appreciated..We have about 6 weeks available to travel more or less. Planning on Sept-October travel dates, What would you recommend?
Jul 22nd, 2012, 06:07 AM
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There are several places where you can park an RV here in ABQ but if you want to be near Balloon Fiesta Park ,you may be too late. Is that the only vehicle you'll have or do you tow a car too? With a car, you would be able to stay further out and then drive or take bus in to BFP.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/rv-information
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/rv-information
Jul 22nd, 2012, 01:58 PM
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Your RV park doesn't show up in a Google search.
Are you just planning to be here October 4th for the Balloon Fiesta, or do you plan to stay a little longer? Sometimes the mass ascension is canceled due to weather, so it's good to be flexible with your time.
I've posted trip reports on our recent trip to Zion National Park in May and our Yellowstone/Grand Teton visit in June 2010. Click on my screen name and you'll find them.
Lee Ann
Are you just planning to be here October 4th for the Balloon Fiesta, or do you plan to stay a little longer? Sometimes the mass ascension is canceled due to weather, so it's good to be flexible with your time.
I've posted trip reports on our recent trip to Zion National Park in May and our Yellowstone/Grand Teton visit in June 2010. Click on my screen name and you'll find them.
Lee Ann
Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:49 PM
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St. Louis
See The Arch
Perhaps The Botanical Gardens
About an hour away is Tom Sawyer House in Hannibal, MO
Eat at Pappy's Smokehouse, Ropers Ribs, or Crowns' Candy Kitchen. Missouri Bakery located in Little Italy on "the hill" is great. other italian restaurants in that area too.
S. Dakota
Stay in Custer State Park
See Mount Rushmore
Wind Cave
Jewel Cave
The Badlands
Crazy Horse
See The Devils Tower on your way to Yellowstone
All the parks in Utah are great. I would be tempted to add in Mesa Verde/Durango or Canyon De Chelly to your plans.
Buy a national park pass for $80 and save money. If anyone is age 62, then you can buy a senior pass for $10 to get you in all the parks.
How much hiking does the group want to do? How adventurous/strenuous do you like things? Up for any horseback riding, rafting, etc?
See The Arch
Perhaps The Botanical Gardens
About an hour away is Tom Sawyer House in Hannibal, MO
Eat at Pappy's Smokehouse, Ropers Ribs, or Crowns' Candy Kitchen. Missouri Bakery located in Little Italy on "the hill" is great. other italian restaurants in that area too.
S. Dakota
Stay in Custer State Park
See Mount Rushmore
Wind Cave
Jewel Cave
The Badlands
Crazy Horse
See The Devils Tower on your way to Yellowstone
All the parks in Utah are great. I would be tempted to add in Mesa Verde/Durango or Canyon De Chelly to your plans.
Buy a national park pass for $80 and save money. If anyone is age 62, then you can buy a senior pass for $10 to get you in all the parks.
How much hiking does the group want to do? How adventurous/strenuous do you like things? Up for any horseback riding, rafting, etc?
Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:51 PM
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I assume you've seen the Grand Canyon before, since you don't mention it.
I think you need 3-4 days in Yellowstone and 2 or so in Tetons. If you do much hiking you will need more. We never hiked on our visit there. You can see a lot from your car/ close to the road at Yellowstone. It is truly a complete park. Amazing place.
I think you need 3-4 days in Yellowstone and 2 or so in Tetons. If you do much hiking you will need more. We never hiked on our visit there. You can see a lot from your car/ close to the road at Yellowstone. It is truly a complete park. Amazing place.
Jul 23rd, 2012, 06:34 AM
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I assume you _really_ like RVing because that's a 5000+ mile trip.
Assuming you get 10 or so MPG, you are talking about $1825 in gas alone at $3.65 a gallon, to say nothing of campground fees, tolls, etc. So I hope you are not doing the trip this way to save money. If it is the trip itself, then have a ball!
Assuming you get 10 or so MPG, you are talking about $1825 in gas alone at $3.65 a gallon, to say nothing of campground fees, tolls, etc. So I hope you are not doing the trip this way to save money. If it is the trip itself, then have a ball!
Jul 23rd, 2012, 04:47 PM
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Spirobulldog,
You have the knowledge and I assume you have been on many adventures. Loved your pictures. I appreciate it so much as I know by your posts you have been to these very areas and the help/knowledge is needed. I have only, on a one day trip with my siblings and mom, been to the southern rim of the GC. Would love to see the north rim too. We would like to hike a bit.
I am out of shape but am willing to try. It is a long trip and it will be very expensive with the RV but this is the one and only time I beleive we'll be able to do this. I am retiring soon and we arn't getting any younger. So we are going to take our time and crunch the expenses as best we can. Thank you all so much for the great advice. I am still seeking anything more you have to offer.....
You have the knowledge and I assume you have been on many adventures. Loved your pictures. I appreciate it so much as I know by your posts you have been to these very areas and the help/knowledge is needed. I have only, on a one day trip with my siblings and mom, been to the southern rim of the GC. Would love to see the north rim too. We would like to hike a bit.
I am out of shape but am willing to try. It is a long trip and it will be very expensive with the RV but this is the one and only time I beleive we'll be able to do this. I am retiring soon and we arn't getting any younger. So we are going to take our time and crunch the expenses as best we can. Thank you all so much for the great advice. I am still seeking anything more you have to offer.....
Jul 23rd, 2012, 04:57 PM
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Elendilpickle,
I'll have to look up the name of the campground. We chose by the blogs not to go near a highway. This must be out further. My grandfather was buried in Albuquerque years ago. I would love to see his grave site. My family is from Mo and this is why we'll stop there. I don't know them anymore as we've lived in Va all our lives. What would you recommend for an RV place to park and drive around? I appreciate your response...thank you.
I'll have to look up the name of the campground. We chose by the blogs not to go near a highway. This must be out further. My grandfather was buried in Albuquerque years ago. I would love to see his grave site. My family is from Mo and this is why we'll stop there. I don't know them anymore as we've lived in Va all our lives. What would you recommend for an RV place to park and drive around? I appreciate your response...thank you.
Jul 23rd, 2012, 06:44 PM
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Lee Ann and I both are local, so I hope you will find our info helpful and accurate.
That RV park is quite a distance from Balloon Fiesta Park. It is located on the east side of the Sandia Mountains. You would have to drive into ABQ and then up to Balloon Fiesta Park.
How big is the RV? Have you driven one before?
I would suggest, if that is where you are going to park the RV that you take advantage of the Park and Ride to get to BFP.
The lot at Coronado Mall would be the closest place to park and catch the bus. It would take you around 30 minutes to get to the lot. You need to be there very early to get to the launch field so that you can see the balloons go up.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/park-ride
And you do realize the Fiesta doesn't start until October 6th, right?
That RV park is quite a distance from Balloon Fiesta Park. It is located on the east side of the Sandia Mountains. You would have to drive into ABQ and then up to Balloon Fiesta Park.
How big is the RV? Have you driven one before?
I would suggest, if that is where you are going to park the RV that you take advantage of the Park and Ride to get to BFP.
The lot at Coronado Mall would be the closest place to park and catch the bus. It would take you around 30 minutes to get to the lot. You need to be there very early to get to the launch field so that you can see the balloons go up.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/park-ride
And you do realize the Fiesta doesn't start until October 6th, right?
Jul 24th, 2012, 01:24 PM
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If it's not against forum rules, I suggest visiting www.rvparkreviews.com for good reviews on campgrounds around the US.
Don't let the gas prices give you sticker shock- don't forget all the money you'll save using campgrounds vs. hotels, plus you can cook all of your own meals. I've researched several trips and the cost of flying/car rental/hotels is always more than using our RV, even with the gas prices being what they are.
Happy Travels!!
Don't let the gas prices give you sticker shock- don't forget all the money you'll save using campgrounds vs. hotels, plus you can cook all of your own meals. I've researched several trips and the cost of flying/car rental/hotels is always more than using our RV, even with the gas prices being what they are.
Happy Travels!!
Jul 24th, 2012, 01:29 PM
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I totally disagree with your statement Tonia(and that's even if you own the rv). I've consider doing this very thing and it has never made sense/cents to me yet.
However, if a person wants to rv and that type experience, then of course, do so.
However, if a person wants to rv and that type experience, then of course, do so.
Jul 24th, 2012, 03:25 PM
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DebitNM, Thanks for the info. I will park at the Coronado mall. We have a truck to pull as well. Our RV is 45' and we bought it in CA and drove it back to VA. We don't go much as was working all the time. Now..... I have time. Any suggestions on what to see the 4th and 5th? I know it will cost a fortune but this is a one time expense and experience. I hate the high cost of the gas/diesel but I probably won't be doing it again. Tonia, thanks for the info as well. I am going to check the site out....Spirobulldog, keep up the great suggestions. I certainly loved your adventure and pictures. We live close to the coast near VA Beach, in VA.
I have time. Any suggestions on what to see the 4th and 5th? I know it will cost a fortune but this is a one time expense and experience. I hate the high cost of the gas/diesel but I probably won't be doing it again. Tonia, thanks for the info as well. I am going to check the site out....Spirobulldog, keep up the great suggestions. I certainly loved your adventure and pictures. We live close to the coast near VA Beach, in VA.
Jul 24th, 2012, 03:49 PM
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There is a KOA in Bernalillo, which is just north of Albuquerque. http://koa.com/campgrounds/albuquerque-north/ It would be closer than the East Mountain RV park.
Lee Ann
Lee Ann
Jul 24th, 2012, 04:03 PM
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The campground that Lee Ann mentions above is very nice; we get our BBQ propane tanks filled there. It would be better to park there, but then I would suggest using the Park and Ride at Cliff's Amusement Park as it is closer to Bernalillo.
There's lots to see and do here for the 4th and 5th. What are you interested in?
http://cabq.gov/visiting
The cultural centers are both excellent [Hispanic and Native American].
There's lots to see and do here for the 4th and 5th. What are you interested in?
http://cabq.gov/visiting
The cultural centers are both excellent [Hispanic and Native American].
Jul 25th, 2012, 03:15 PM
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I would love to visit the cultural centers...what is their location? Would you think the KOA in Bernalillio be better peaceful place? Any idea how I could locate a cemetary in Alburquerque where my grandfather is buried? I will check for more info here to see if it is familiar to you...again many thanks....Shar
Jul 25th, 2012, 03:42 PM
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Bernalillo is better positioned to get to Santa Fe if you wanted to go up there for a day. There are local restaurants, shopping/grocery stores etc close by. The first location is pretty remote.
Use that link from yesterday to find the cultural center websites and all the things to do in ABQ.
I have no idea how you would go about finding the cemetery. Do you know the date he died, obviously his name. Maybe googling will help.
Use that link from yesterday to find the cultural center websites and all the things to do in ABQ.
I have no idea how you would go about finding the cemetery. Do you know the date he died, obviously his name. Maybe googling will help.
Jul 25th, 2012, 05:27 PM
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Sharlene,
Last fall we made a 5 week, 5200 mile trip in our RV from the Florida Panhandle to the Black Hills/Badlands, Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons and through the western side of Colorado before heading back home across upper New Mexico, Texas, etc. Absolutely loved it.
If you aren't already familiar with the following RV specific websites I suggest you check them out. We've had our RV just under 2 years and have found the people at these sites to be friendly, helpful and willing to share their knowledge about campgrounds, routes, and anything RV related.
www.irv2.com
www.rv.net
www.rvforum.net
Gas averaged about $3.60. At 45' you're probably diesel so it runs higher, but your MPG may be better than ours. We're 31' and pull a 4WD, 4 door Jeep Wrangler. Our philosophy on the cost is that we both worked hard, and now that we're in our 60s we intend to enjoy ourselves while we still can.
For those debating the cost of RVing vs. "conventional" travel - it can be cheaper, more expensive, or pretty much the same. Too many factors to go into here, but for that 5 week trip of ours, we came out well ahead by using the RV. In the 2 years we've had ours we've discovered that the longer the trip (in days) the more cost effective it is to use the RV. A trip that takes less than a week generally costs us more than it would to take our car and get a motel room.
Last fall we made a 5 week, 5200 mile trip in our RV from the Florida Panhandle to the Black Hills/Badlands, Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons and through the western side of Colorado before heading back home across upper New Mexico, Texas, etc. Absolutely loved it.
If you aren't already familiar with the following RV specific websites I suggest you check them out. We've had our RV just under 2 years and have found the people at these sites to be friendly, helpful and willing to share their knowledge about campgrounds, routes, and anything RV related.
www.irv2.com
www.rv.net
www.rvforum.net
Gas averaged about $3.60. At 45' you're probably diesel so it runs higher, but your MPG may be better than ours. We're 31' and pull a 4WD, 4 door Jeep Wrangler. Our philosophy on the cost is that we both worked hard, and now that we're in our 60s we intend to enjoy ourselves while we still can.
For those debating the cost of RVing vs. "conventional" travel - it can be cheaper, more expensive, or pretty much the same. Too many factors to go into here, but for that 5 week trip of ours, we came out well ahead by using the RV. In the 2 years we've had ours we've discovered that the longer the trip (in days) the more cost effective it is to use the RV. A trip that takes less than a week generally costs us more than it would to take our car and get a motel room.
