February, 17 2012 - We've been working on our plans to visit the Northwest part of the country for sometime. We'll leave here (Mission, TX) on March 1 and not arrive in Ohio (our former home) until late summer or fall. After traveling over 7,000 miles. This is our biggest travel year since beginning full-timing. We doubt we will return to Northwest area of the country in the foreseeable future, so we are trying to squeeze everything in and not miss anything. An impossible task that we will surely laugh about later.
This is a 'bare-bones” outline of our intended route that may change significantly as we travel. We've listed just a few of the things we want to see it the states we'll pass through. No dates or time limits on where we will be when. We'll take it one stop at a time. Hope fuel prices don't get outrageous.
2012 TRAVEL PLANS
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Leave Mission March 1 arrive in Del Rio, TX
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Fort Davis, TX – McDonald Observatory
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New Mexico- Deming: City of Rocks
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Tucson, AZ – Justin's Diamond-J RV Park, San Xavier, Mt. Lemmon, Saguaro NP, Pima Air Museum, Davis-Monthan AF Base, Tubac, Organ Pipe NM, Sonora Desert, Sabino Canyon, Kitt Peak, Gates Pass, Santa Catalina Mnts, Trader Joes
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Goodyear, AZ – Baseball Spring Training - Cleveland Indians (west side Phoenix)
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Usery Mountain or Silver Spur Ranch (east side Phoenix) – Superstition Skies, Camelback Mnt, Apache Trail, Tonto NF, visit with nephew Dave Jr. and family, Organ Stop Pizza, Skies Bar & Grill, Tortilla Flat
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Nevada - Las Vegas/Hoover Dam/Pahrump, Bullhead City, Oatman (donkeys), Lake Mead
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California - Yosemite NP, Sequoia NP, Redwood NP, Ave. of Giants, San Francisco, Sacramento, Death Valley, Wine country
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Oregon - Coastal Area, Crater Lake, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Winchester Bay, Silver Salmon Restaurant, Mount Hood, Columbia River Gorge, Hells Canyon, Wallowa Mountains
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Washington - Coastal Area, Seattle, Olympic NP, Boeing Factory tour,
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Canada - Victoria, BC, Vancouver, Canadian Rockies, Banff NP, Lake Louise, Calgary, Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump
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Montana - Glacier NP, Hiawatha Bike Trail, Fort Peak Dam, Little Big Horn, Louis & Clark Park
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South Dakota - Little Big Horn, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, Crazy Horse, Needles, Deadwood, Corn Palace, Chapel in the Hills, Custer SP, Missile Silo, Rapid City, Beartooth Highway, Keystone, Needles, Sylvan Lake, Hill City, Spearfish Canyon,
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Iowa – Des Moines, Iowa City
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Illinois – AVOID driving MH in Chicago traffic (but maybe drive car to see the city)
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Indiana – Amish Country, RV Hall of Fame,
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Ohio – visit family & friends, see our doctors, and escape before the SNOW falls.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
we might just cross paths during items 2 thru 10 as we go west ourselves...
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like you are going to have an enjoyable year! I look at your path and wonder if we will ever cross paths. Of course, for us, it depends on when the house sells. (that is after we finish and get it on the market!) Since we are heading into warmer weather, we will have to remain right here to mow and weed.
ReplyDeleteAnother Tiffin owner......yay! Looks like an awesome trip! We did the Oregon coast twice and loved it. Lots to see. Banff and Jasper National Parks will knock you socks off.
ReplyDeletewww.phaetonplace.ca
Safe travels.
John and I were talking about your trip from Iowa to Chicago area. We did that last summer. We dropped off the interstate and went south of Chicago area and stayed at Indiana Dunes St. Pk. Just outside the park is the train station that you can jump on a train (no parking in Chicago then) and go into Chicago. Taxis are a great way to go in Chicago. (all this is for what it's worth - just thoughts)
ReplyDeleteWonderful itinerary! Hope to meet up with you one of these days! We should have a Tiffin mini rally with all of us who read each other! :-)
ReplyDeletePS. How did you do your map with the numbers? Very cool!
ReplyDeleteWow what a neat trip hope the price of fuel doesn't get out of hand.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a trip you have planned. Hey, I didn't see North Ranch in there anyware....lol We went to Washington-Oregon on the way to Alaska, really want to go back and spend more time in that area. The Escapees Co-op in both states are really nice and in areas to sightsee out of. Hope to see you in March
ReplyDeleteSince this area (your western travels) is all well known to us, I really enjoyed reading your route. You've identified many beautiful and interesting spots. I'll be keeping an eye on you!
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't believe all the planning you've done but certainly hope you have a little flexibility and time for a local tour guide or two when you get to the Oregon and Washington area.
ReplyDeleteGreat lodge in Boulder City, NV - one of our favorites. We would never be able to plan travel like you do - we like to "wing it" but you sure are planning some GREAT things. We loved the Indiana Amish country - me, especially for their fabric and quilt shops. We had new furniture made when we were there. South Dakota (our "home state") is gorgeous with so much to see. Have you also planned where you will be staying? Which lodges etc?
ReplyDeletePlease allow us to be your British Columbia tour guide. For instance, do you realize that the ferry to Victoria will cost you about $175.00 each way. And you must come at visit us at our Park Host job at Monck Provincial Park outside Merritt, BC. Beautiful park.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get to Montana we should still be around. You are really going to cover some ground but what a great trip. We loved having Jeri be our tour guide in WA and OR.
ReplyDeleteGot tired just reading about your plans! Sounds like you've hit the highlights in most of the places you plan to visit. We still aren't even sure where we're going when we leave Mission!
ReplyDeleteIf nothing happens to change our plans, 2012 will be our biggest travel year too... with more than 10,000 miles traveled!
ReplyDeleteWe will keep our eye on you... could be we will cross paths near Montana or Canada.
Have fun!
That certainly is an ambitious journey you have planned. We'll be along for the ride for sure!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Of course I'm partial to my home state of Oregon, so if you want any ideas, I'm full of it...er...them. Seriously, give us a holler if you land anywhere in the Willamette Valley or central coast and we'll meet up for lunch. Happy travels.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great plan. The only place we would likely cross paths would be Ohio.
ReplyDeleteWe will travel with you via the blog:)
http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/ - You might want to visit here and here - http://www.oregon.com/attractions/multnomah_falls. We will be following! I think we are going to the west side of the Rockies and Utah this year. Have an awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteSince we consider the PacNW to be the best in the US, especially Oregon, I think you are going to miss a LOT. One can spend months in Oregon and never tire of it.
ReplyDeleteSince we will be in the Dakotas this summer, will keep checking in. Not going to make it to the west coast this year. One of these days.
ReplyDeleteWOW MOM AND DAD!!! That looks awesome.. Dave and I have been sitting here talking about when we would like to meet up and we have too many options.. Hopefully you are doing something fun June/July when I can come out and visit you. Dave would love to meet up in Vegas or wine country... when you nail down those dates a lil more you should let us know! Maybe we could take a long weekend!! LOVE U!!!!!!!! Kelly and Dave
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like a wonderful trip ahead. We're keeping our Tiffin in Florida this summer, just exploring. It will be nice to travel along with you - and you will be buying the fuel! I'm sure all your followers are happy about that. You will have a wonderful time. We haven't made it to Washington or Oregon yet, but it's on our bucket list. Getting the extended warranty was a good idea I think. We sure could have used one the past few years.
ReplyDeleteYour vacation sounds awesome! While you are in Rapid City make sure to check out Main Street Square in the Downtown, it holds events, festivals, farmers markets, concerts and so much more! The downtown has awesome local shopping, dining and attractions. We will look forward to reading all about your vacation. Also check out www.visitrapidcity.com for more information on what to do while you are in the area.
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