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RE: Big Bend Nat'l Park, Texas
Not sure that I can add anything new to the discussion other than to reenforce several other comments.
BB is BIG! Remember, it is in TX.!! Have full fuel tanks before you head in. The entrance is 75 miles south of 90 and then another 25-50 miles to the visitors center and Rio Grande Village. Same with food.
LOTS of driving to get around inside the park but worth it. The night skies are spectacular. Only complaint I have is never having sighted a javalina!
See our blog and pictures to see what your in store for.
Enjoy your trip.
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Ron Butler
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03/11/12 09:03pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Do you have a favorite National Park
Well, here's our picks - I know you wanted favorite - but these are all top on the list.
Yellowstone; Bryce; Acadia NP; Rocky Mt. NP, followed closely with Yosemite during a shoulder season!
State Parks - Ft. Stevens SP on Oregon coast, south of Astoria. We use any excuse to go there!
Kodachrome SP in Utah has been on our bucket list for a long time and this spring heading north from AZ. that will be taken care off. Just east of Bryce so if it is anything like that, will join the list of favorites.
Say, join us on the Northwest RV Rally thread. Some great people there and we get together several times a year.
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Ron Butler
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03/11/12 08:57pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
Not sure where everyone else has been doing - except for those of you getting your rigs fixed! - but we have had weather in the mid 70's to low 80's and more on the way!! Been out to the pools enjoying the sunshine, playing tennis, learning things in the Silver Craft club and picking our riping oranges and lemons! Haven't even made it over to any spring training games yet!
Bigdog - I want to see you drink that "Dog Plop" or whatever it is in the beer before it foams over! You will have to demonstrate it at the rally!
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Ron Butler
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03/11/12 07:15pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
David,
Murphy raised his old ugly head 2 weeks ago with my trip down to Yuma!! Didn't even need any rain for that $2500 bill(s)!!
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Ron Butler
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02/29/12 04:03pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
Sorry to hear about all of the water leak problems some of you are experiencing. Just a suggestion - you wouldn't have that problem down here in the sunny southwest during the winter!! :B:B:B
Got brushed by a low yesterday and today - only hit 64 - however, climbing back into the mid 70's and hitting low 80's this weekend!
This weekend is also the opening of spring training games.
Life is great - no water leaks, sunshine and warmth and spring training - Mariner hope springs eternal!! :B
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Ron Butler
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02/28/12 08:35pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
It just dawned on me that I hadn't mentioned my jeep ride with Bob and some of his group when I was down in Yuma. Had a great time and got some good pictures. Will let you know when I get them posted to our Picasa site.
That was one expensive week for me. Had to replace the rear wheel that was new last summer ($400) and a new start battery ($125 - which I knew that I needed) before I even left Sun City. The Sat. coming back, engine stalled out on me on 101 next to Phoenix Stadium. Since it was late Sat. afternoon, had it towed to the house, about 18-20 miles. Thank goodness for Good Sam Roadside Assistance. Monday morning towed over to a local garage and mechanic. Fuel pump, relay and complete tune-up @ $2k!! Thank goodness I didn't have to pay for either of those 2 tows!
Still working on getting up there for the rally.
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Ron Butler
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02/23/12 04:16pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: yellowstone camping
Not sure this was addressed, as I skipped several of the postings! :(
Keep in mid that Yellowstone is BIG and you will do a lot of driving. For that reason alone, I would recommend staying in the park. We spent 5 days there in late Sept. while coming south and we put on well over 250 miles on the care inside the park.
See our Picasa album website to see our great wildlife pictures from this last trip. It was great. Enjoy, it truly is one of the wonders of the world.
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Ron Butler
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02/12/12 08:24pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
I didn't say that I might not buy some washington wines there. And yes,I do know where there are several wineries between here and there and back. There are a couple in Rapid City and a couple around where #2 son lives.What I'm looking forward to is that we'll be going thru La Mars,Iowa,the ice cream capital of the world and the home of my favorite,Blue Bunny Ice Cream....
Have you put on a BIG freezer?!? :@ :B
Do remember the Big Red wine from that winery up the river and canyon outside of Moab.
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Ron Butler
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02/10/12 06:52pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
I'm not sure about the wine tour as we're gonna be hitting the rally on the way back from our trip to Iowa and I either won't be able to afford any wine tasting,or I'll already have a MH full by the time we get there.
Wow, Bigdog, you must know something about midwest wine that I'm not aware of!! Choosing it over any Washington wine?!? :@:B
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Ron Butler
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02/09/12 07:53pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
David,
We are starting to put together our tentative route back to the wet side of the mountains from the sunny south. Since the rally is in eastern WA. I think we may make it. I can handle eastern WA. that time of the year, but not the wet side yet!! IF we make it, we would be very interested in the wine tour. I'm surprised that Big Dog hasn't jumped in for it.
Carolyn is up in Fed. Way - her son underwent neurosurgery to remove a tumor from his spinal cord on Mon. (Everything is looking good so far) I will talk to her about the rally and tour when she gets back and attempt to get more specific about our committment.
I'm currently down in Yuma. Going out tomorrow (Thur.) with Tradewinds on one of his patent jeep runs in the desert! Looking forward to it.
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Ron Butler
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02/08/12 08:38pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
Tradewinds - are you around? Give me a call. Plan on coming down to Yuma Mon. for the week.
Carolyn flying home this afternoon. Her son has a benign tumer on T-3 and scheduled for nurosurgery on Mon. Has lost sensation and feeling in legs.
Sorry folks, but have to add this - clear, sunny, mid to upper 60's today, getting into low to mid 70's for weekend and next week!!
Good to hear from Mopargo.
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Ron Butler
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02/03/12 12:41pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Planning 2012 trip ND, MT, WA, OR, ID, WY, SD
As one other person has said, you need to figure out when you will be in Oregon & Washington ASAP!!! Parks reserve way far ahead and your choices will already be limited. You may still be able to get spots if you don't want a weekend, but I'd hurry. Oregon has many more State Parks on great beaches than Washington. You may want to consider just seeing the Oregon coast. Take time to smell the roses and not cram too much into the trip.
RVcrazy is right on. You probably can still get in on mid-week dates, but need to get on top of it right away.
Being a Washingtonian I hate to say this, but the Oregon coast is much more rugged and picturesque than ours. Beside, there's greater public access to the Oregon beaches and coast than the Washington coast. The Oregon State Parks along the coast are unbeatable for location and access to the beaches as well.
As already stated, 3-4 weeks is far too short of a time to fit all of it in. Prioritize what you really want and then start from there. There's a LOT of mileage and distances to cover out here! It really does depend upon how much you want to smell the roses or just take pictures through the truck windows as you drive through just to say you were there!
See our travel blog and Picasa photo sites for many of the areas that you are interested in visiting. Maybe that will help you as well.
Have a great trip.
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Ron Butler
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01/21/12 10:02pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Campground near Rocky Mountain National Park
Have to agree with mtnman about Moraine campground. Stayed there for a week and loved it. Of course, we don't mind no hookups and always prefer the campgrounds within the national parks over the commerical parks. Great views and deer wondering through all the time. I could also be the great deal on our Senior pass as well!
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Ron Butler
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01/21/12 09:47pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
I know that this is a day late, but here is Fridays weather and activities from Sun City!
Me: dropped off with bike for a computer class in the morning. Biked up to Bell Center to watch the experts cast the sterling silver for my projects in the lost wax casting class in the Silver Crafting Club and Carolyn was doing a ceramics class, biked back over to where we do our water aerobics that afternoon with Carolyn, then biked home to meet back up with her to go out for a great Mexican dinner. Total biking distance for the day - 10.25 miles plus an hour of water excersize all the while in shorts and t-shirt! :B
BTW - this was all done in clear blue skies, sunshine and 71 degrees!! As Tradewinds would say j- "life is great!"
Hope those of you up in the rain, sleet, snow, grey skies and 40 degree weather are surviving!! :B
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Ron Butler
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01/21/12 07:34pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Madison Campground Yellowstone 33' Class A
We were at Madison campground this last Sept. with our 33' class A and tow car. They gave us a spot big enough. As suggested, make your reservation on the phone and they should match you up with a spot.
Have a great time. We got some great wildlife photos the last time. You can see them on our Picasa site - just click the hotlink.
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Ron Butler
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01/15/12 10:13pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
100 is a real achievement and hope that I can be in that good of shape when I hit it!! We lost Carolyn's mom on her 96th birthday.
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The sun is back and climbing back into the high 60's again! Stepson and his family here for several days before they head over to his dad's place in Long Beach on the 24th. Great to have the 2 granddaughters and their youngest one already wants to retire to Sun City!!
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Ron Butler
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12/21/11 09:20am |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Yellowstone
I would like any and all input on the campgrounds in YELLOWSTONE. THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY. I AM TRAVELING THERE NEXT SUMMER WITH MY WIFE IN OUR 25FT TRAVEL TRAILER. THANK YOU
Well, lets see what I can offer here!
First - if your going to be there during the summer, you will need reservations. Make them as early as you can. Be willing to to use one of the dry camping campgrounds. They will still have water that you can fill your tanks with and dump stations.
Second - if there during the summer, there will be lots of traffic and traffic jams - a sure sign of wildlife along the road! Yellowstone is huge, so you will put lots of miles on your car.
Third - Incredible natural wonders with the largest collection of geysers, hot pools, etc that you will find.
Fourth - Plan on at least 4 or 5 days for exploring the park and you will only scratch the surface. Part of that is because of its size and the slow moving traffic you will have to deal with. Just sit back and enjoy it - don't be in a rush.
Yellowstone NP is one of top favorite national park. See our pictures and travel blog of our past visits there. Have lots of memory cards for your cameras!
Enjoy your trip and Yellowstone!
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Ron Butler
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12/19/11 07:27pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Colorado Springs, CO, where to stay, what to do
Cheyenne Mt. SP without a doubt. We were several weeks in the CS area and didn't see a private RV park that could come close to it. Big spaces, fantastic views from every spot, full hookups, wildlife coming through the campgrounds regularly, clean restrooms and laundry. What more would you want?
Easy drive to just about anything in that area. By all means head west into the Rockies and take in several of the old mining towns and take a mine tour. Olympic Training Center is a great visit as well. If your a rodeo fan, the National Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame is there as well.
See our blog and pictures for more information about the CS area.
I also agree, take in Rocky Mt. NP if you have the time. One of our favorites. You will need reservations for both the state park(s) as well as the np.
Enjoy your trip.
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Ron Butler
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12/19/11 07:06pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012
John,
There is a battery place down on the tide flats in Tacoma that make them. I would suspect that they make "big rig diesel" batteries as well. I would get their big golf cart 6 volt batteries for my house batteries on the sailboat. Also my start battery but was only for a Yanmar 2 banger diesel!! They were much less expensive and higher rated than others than I could find. I can't pull the name of out but should find it on google in Tacoma on the tide flats.
Good luck
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Ron Butler
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12/05/11 06:29pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Bar Harbor Maine
We love Acadia NP - one of our top 3. We stayed in the national park campground and had no problems. No hookups as I remember, but they do have a dump station and fresh water. Some sites are snug but if your under 35-36' you should fit in most/many of them.
Enjoy the lobsters and seafood. It's great. The harbors of Maine are just like the Nat. Geo. pictures show them! Have lots of memory cards for the cameras.
See our hotlinks for more information about Acadia. Enjoy your trip.
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Ron Butler
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12/04/11 07:39pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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