oscarpower

On our way north, we have always taken the west side by-pass. Last Sunday afternoon, coming south from the UP of MI, we thought "it's Sunday, let's go thru downtown". Bad choice!! Especially when I was silly enough not to have "open" my Google map on the phone! There were three accidents! When I turned on the phone, the red marks of traffic alert appeared too late for us to take a different route. At that moment, it took us west of downtown and connected to I-85, then South I-75. Wasted almost an hour. My suggestion? Turn on the smartphone maps app before you ran out of exits! Jocelynn Wirshing-Power Gainesville, FL 28' Coachmen/Concord with tow

Just last week I had to call Good Sam R.A. twice. It was a bad experience and a good one.... well sort of! First time: we were at Straits ST PK at the town of St. Ignace, on the upper penninsula of Michigan. A tire was loosing air, so we called for help. The guy that could come wanted us to pay $20 for bridge toll fees. I objected for two reasons: first, there had to be someone that could fix it at the upper penninsula w/o having to cross the MacKinaw bridge and second.... no way!! I told the operator to find someone else. After what seemed like 20 minutes, she said Good Sam was paying the toll and that the guy would come in about 45 minutes. Well, two hours later, the tow truck came, the delay? traffic.....really??? from the campsite we could see the bridge and there was no traffic at all.....anyway, the young man did check and found the problem: a loose valve. Later, driving around St Ignace, we saw 2 tire repair services on main street and surely, there had to be a tow truck service around there! Second time: two days later, we're going South on I-75 and the motor stopped running. We were on the right lane, so thank God we just had to sway to the side. Again I called GSRA. the operator could send a tow but the mechanic they found at the next town could not fix the problem until the following week. Again I asked if they could call someone else, cause we could not stay "stranded" at the side of a busy road for a week. She called someone else that said they could check it when we arrived (it was already almost 4 pm) and would fix it the next day. Thus a tow truck was to arrive in one hour. Tom, with Ostego Lake Towing Service from Gaylord, MI arrived in half the time, and in 20 more minutes we were off to Complete Truck and Trailer Repairs, also in Gaylord, MI. Chris, the owner, checked the RV, and next morning (yes, we slept at our RV among many trucks waiting to be fixed) they received a new gas pump. Even thou they had to empty the full gas tank and lower it, and install the new one...we were out of there 24 hrs. later. Chris, the owner and Cory, the mechanic that fixed it, plus all the other guys there, could not have been more attentive! Thus, I would say overall Good Sam got the people to help us both times (tow trucks) and problems fixed....one sooner than the other.... but, why both times I had to ask the operator to try find someone else to do the job? Automatically the operator should have tried to call someone else . I wish Good Sam would answer this question! Jocelynn Wirshing-Power Gainesville, Florida

Thank you all! I took notes of all and look forward to our trip!

Hi! We just spent a weekend at Salt Springs ST PK, in the Ocala Forest. It is on SR 19, north of SR 40. Beautiful park, delightful springs and full hook-up. From October to April you can stay all the time.... for summer the limit is 2 weeks. Should you have a senior federal pass.... it's half price! Highly recommended!

Okay, Dave, I think we'll go for two days for sighttseeing, thanks!!!

After spending a week at the Mt. Rushmore area, we are planning on going North to North Dakota's Roosevelt Nat'l Pk., from there codntinue East on I-94 stopping 2 nights at Bismark. We like to go around scenic drives in our tow car , no long hikes or big cities. No rush rush.... My questions: -- what is a "not miss to look at" at the T.Roosevelt park? Should we stay a week like at the sister park in S.D.? -- is it worth the time/gas to go North to the scenic route by Canada? --any other "do not miss" ? Continuing on I-94 up toFargo, ND.... there, we are considering 34E/200 route to Duluth, w/o stopping (4-1/2 hr) crossing MN , UNLESS there is something really nice to see.. Then cross Wisconsin to reach Michigan upper penninsula (stay one wk) before heading south on I-75. Ideas will be most welcomed! Thank you! Jocelynn and Quico Power Gainesville, FL 28' Coachmen/Concord with tow

We are considering campgrounds near T.Roosevelt Nat'l Pk. Notice only two with hook ups in the Medora area, one is Red Tail. Has anyone stayed there or know of a better one? We are looking into a couple of days as of July 18th, to visit the area. Recommendations on days to stay and what to visit? From there, we will go to Bismark and continue East. Thank you, Jocelynn W Power 28' Concord/Caravan with tow.

Good! Enjoy your stay at St. Vrain's. You leave on a Saturday, we arrive the next Tuesday. From there, we will be going to Ft. Collins, then the Badlands of South and North Dakota, the continue East and back home to FL. Safe Travels!

Hello! If it is the first time that you come over to Florida for the winter, may I suggest that you don't stay in just one park all winter? There is so much to see and do! Of course, it all depends on what you like, or don't like to do, and if you are or not, on a budget. Do you like history? the beach? nature? You have time to get Tour books at AAA or FL tourism. However, may I suggest some areas: - stop by Pensacola Air Naval Station museum, takes at least one day. On some Wednesdays, you are able to see the Blue Angels practice. - a few days at the St. George Island ST. PK at the panhandle. There is a unique little town with great seafood restaurants and the beach is beautiful. - Rainbow Springs ST PK at Dunnellon, FL their waterfalls, garden and trails full of flowers is one of the most beautiful springs on the west coast of FL. - Turtle Beach, at Siesta Key, Sarasota FL is a very small (40 sites) full hook-up park just 50 feet from the beach. Sunsets are awesome! Just be sure to call 6 months to the date ahead of your arrival date. It is very popular park. Divide your vacation time in three portions, North, Central and South. Stay at one park in each area and visit the small towns and hundreds of springs around them. Enjoy Florida! Jocelynn W Power Gainesville, FL

Thank you ALL for your replies and advice. It seems I will forget about the "cargo" caddy and have contacted "Howde" directly to get their used bike rack. Ha! Another "fringe" benefit of FMCA.... Thank you FMCA Jocelynn W Power

Hello Howde: Yes, we are interested in knowing a little more of your Swagman bike rack. 1. Did you have it installed between the RV and the tow car? 2. Was it a "pain" like Greg 126 said, to stow and unstow the Blue Ox? Is that the reason that you bought a different one? 3. Style # ?, 1-2 or 3 - bike rack? 4. how much you are selling it for? and yes! a photo would be great. You may write to me directly at: jmwirshing@gmail.com Thank you, Jocelynn Wirshing-Power

Need advice! Our motorhome is a 28' Coachmen/Concord that has a nice bay window and thus, it is without a ladder at the back to hang bicycles. We also have a Blue Ox tow bar for our Hyundai. It is not comfortable to have the bicycle rack at the back of the tow car. The bikes are in the way every time we open the trunk. A few days ago an RV passed ("flew") by ours and they had the bikes hooked up between the RV and the towed car. Can you advice on the best way to do this? I've looked at Camping World catalogs and have not seen any samples. Of course, if I could have the best of all worlds, I would place a 19" cargo caddy that we use when not towing and on it we would carry the cooler and my bike! :-), and then the Hyundai. All three!! Am I asking too much? Thank you, Jocelynn W. Power Gainesville, FL

Hello! If you need a site to just "park" overnight or a couple of nights, and you are away all day...there is full hook up at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, in Longmont. Just a few miles from Boulder. We have used it a couple of times, as we have family in Longmont. It is not an RV park with the perks, it's just a fairground. However, there is St. Vrain St Pk also at Longmont, just 6 miles from I-25. This just recently opened again after the floods. We will be staying there from July 1 to the 6th. Half hour north is a North Ft. Collins KOA, that seems to be very nice, too. Safe Travels! Jocelynn and Oscar (Quico) Power 28' Coachmen/Concord w/ tow Gainesville, FL

Considering (from N.Dakota) a visit to Adam Lake Provincial RV Park at the Turtle Mountain National PK of Canada and then travel thru Winnipeg and up to International Falls at the border of Canada and Minnesota. Has anyone travel this route in an RV and towing? How are the roads in that area of Canada? This trip "might" be in August, on our return trip from Colorado to Florida. Suggestions, anyone?? Thank you, Jocelynn and Oscar (Quico) Power 28' Coachmen/Concord w/ tow

Thank you for the suggestion! We might!

We're planning our yearly summer trip to Colorado and would like to know if anyone has gone from Aspenglen Campground/Estes Park on SR 34, connecting to SR40 and getting to Springboat Springs. Is it a safe road for a 28' RV towing a car? We have been at Moraine Park campground and loved the Rockies. Would love to go back and was considering the above. Any better suggestions? Thank you, Jocelynn Wirshing-Power Gainesville, FL

It's not Christmas, but I hope to enjoy Pine Mountain as much as you have. We will visit FDR ST PK after the Perry, GA ralley and visit the sites you mentioned. Thanks for the info! Jocelynn Wirshing-Power Gainesville, FL

I agree with Bill. Always travel thinking that you will be able to visit again, don't try to see all in one shot.... but do enjoy where you go. I guess you are used to driving so many hours on a day, but believe me, you are going to be exhausted! The vacation should be for you too, not just for the kids, so take it easy and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Definitely you need more time in Cody, it will be fun for the kids. So is Yellowstone. Close to Mt. Rushmore are a couple of caves that seem very interesting. We are going this summer. Jewel Cave is the second longest in the world and Wind Cave the fourth. I've heard that night laser lights show at Mt. Rushmore and Crazy horse monument are great, And there too is a 1880 Train ride and lots of bison to see. Research: TRAVELSD.COM. I usually go to the tourism website of the states I plan to visit and request the free maps and brochures that they have on their "vacation" sites. Drive safely, rest!

Hello fellow Floridian! We did a very similar trip two summers ago. Of course, it all depends how long you have for the trip, since you mentioned you are still working...and also the size of your motor-home, since not all campgrounds accept large rigs. I agree with all mentioned by Bill Adams. We went to most he mentioned between our 3 month trip in 2012 and again last year for another month. On our first trip we: -- stopped at McKinney Campground, north of ATL. A little winding road to get there, but nice to relax and swim at the lake beach. -- then we continued north to Chattanoga, TN and stayed at Racoon Mtn Caverns and RV park, visited the caverns, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mtn, etc. -- on our way to Illinois, we side-tracket to an Amish town: Marion, Kentucky where you can have the best donuts! -- from there crossed to IL on a river barge and arrived at Cave in the Rock, where we had a quick lunch and visited the cave before continuing. -- at SW St. Louis we stayed at the Edmund Babler St PK and from there we went to the arch in our tow car. -- while crossing the central plains, be sure to have plenty of games for the kids... it is long and boring! -- If you continue to CO on I-70, and go north at Denver, you have to go to Moraine Park at the Rocky Mtns. It is beautiful!! -- continue north on I-25 to Cherokee, Wyoming.... about 7 hrs NE is Mt. Rushmore, (we will go this summer the week after July 4th) or go west and a must visit is Cody, WY. At least 3 days. -- we used the east entrance to Yellowstone. We stayed at Grant campground which was sort of in the middle. Stay at least 5 days and then go south to the Grand Tetons (unless you want to go farther north to awesome Glacier Park!!!) -- Stay another couple of days at the Tetons and go south to Utah. and yes, Moab is very nice and other national parks are nearby. -- If you go to Glenwood Springs, CO (west of Denver on I-70) like Bill suggested, there we stayed at Glenwood Canyon rv resort. -- If you go to Mesa Verde, NM close by is Durango and a good train ride. Truly, there is so much to see, I would suggest you go west twice. "cut" the map in half, visit north of Colorado and I-70 on one trip and south of CO and I-40 on the next. Enjoy the trip! Jocelynn and "Quico" Power Gainesville, FL 28' Coachmen/Concord and tow car. Be sure to have a couple of books, such as National RVCampgrounds; State RV Campgrounds, Corp of Engineers RV c/grounds and then either on the internet or books, the Good Sam, Passport America and Koa campground guides. If it is a quick overnight stopover, we would use a service station or Walmart, then we would look at those above and check prices. Do remember some c/grounds are "dry" and you have to alternate dry camping with full hook-ups.

Hello! Definitely stay a minimum of 2 nights at Cody, WY. Of course, it depends on your pace and energy! We stayed at the Absaroca Bay campground, with full hook up. It is a Good Sam member. It is not a fancy place, but we were all day away, so for stop overs is just perfect and at the entrance of town. Jocelynn and Oscar (Quico) Power

Hello Lauritzens! Quico and I stayed in the summer of 2012 at Portchartrain Landings RV PK in New Orleans, LA and it was a little challenging to get there, but "we made it". Be sure to use the GPS coordinates on their site, when you look it up in Google Earth. It is a large marina and RV park. The sites were very close one to the other and not too much shade, however, everyone was very nice and accomodating. Our 28' Coachmen Concord look very tiny among the large class A's :-). Definitely we would visit again. Jocelynn and Oscar (Quico) Power

No H Mullins, you will not "be replaced" LOL... you'll just get another plastic card full of red flowers, like my husband got! LOL Jocelynn and Quico Power

Thank you TButler for the info of Shore Power Tech. I will add them to our "good to know list" for our future trips. And PatriciaGwinn, what is the name of the RV club that you say you pay $3.00 a night.... is that with electricity??? I bet the annual fee is $$$. Thank you

This summer will be our third trip from Florida to Colorado. When on interstates, we try first the truck stops if we arrive "early" before all of the trucks fill the spaces. They are a little noisy at first, but once they settle down, you just hear the hmmmmm of their trucks. Second choice are the Walmarts close to the interstate. We have never seen the guards mentioned above and I (not my husband) feel "unsure", so if there is another motorhome parked, we try not to be too far away from them. Once we stayed at a Crackel B. but parking was rather "tight" and our M/h is only 28'. Safe travels!

Hello Everyone! Back in Florida! We finally stayed at Boot Hill and it was very nice. We then went to Carlsbad Caverns and stayed at a Koa c/ground. Very spacious and friendly, even when we decided to stay one more day, they were 98% full but were able to accommodate us. Thank you for your comments. Jocelynn and Quico Power Gainesville, FL