2gypsies

Here are the parks around there: https://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/new-mexico/alamogordo

Maybe they're not taking reservations that far out because of the virus. Can you call the park?

Same here. We never noticed a difference in fuel mileage with full or empty tanks.

Take 95 and there are no issues. 93 then west on 68 into Bullhead City has 12 mi. of 6% downhill (Union Pass)

Oh my..... not quite! So cute!!

When volunteering we had multiple encounters of racoons going into the big dumpsters soon after they were emptied when there wasn't much garbage in there. They couldn't get out being that low in the dumpster and they would scream terribly during the night. We had to put a long sturdy tree branch that we saved just for that purpose leaning in the dumpster so they could climb out. It was rarely just one. The whole family would be in there. They'd climb a nearby tree & jump in.

DAN ZEMKE..... Where do you intend to reside in Texas or do you already do so? I'd love to see a Poll taken by all Escapees or those domiciling in Texas, South Dakota, Florida or any other state. that they really plan to make that state their home. What about people who have their kid's address for their mail? Do they intend to move in with their kids? I'd like to know how many court cases have happened because of an Escapee Texas or South Dakota or Florida or any other state RVer that has a mail address in that state but hasn't fulfilled the '10 Commandments' . Even if one signs that they intend to live there people are free to change their minds. We've spent a lot of time in both Livingston and Texas, in general. We voted nationally; not local because we didn't feel we should. We volunteered. We spent a lot of money in Texas.

Keep in mind that bears can open car/RV doors! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12hGP9NCXOA&ab_channel=NYup

We were lucky in that with 8 yr. of full-timing with our Cummins diesel motorhome all we had done was regular maintenance - nothing had to be done on the engine. For that we'd set up an appt. in the direction we were traveling. We arrived by noon and they either started on it then and we spent the night on the premises - often with electric or they began the next morning and if done early we'd leave or else spend the night. We never had to stay in a motel. While they worked on it we'd pack what was needed and did shopping, errands, siteseeing etc. and they'd call when finished. It was super easy. Our Jeep was sold with 160,000 miles on it - bought new and again, just regular maintenance done. The Jeep gave us many, many hours of fun roaming the backcountry and meeting up with other Jeepers. Towing - you didn't know it was behind. When we had the 5th wheel we disliked driving the big diesel truck for our siteseeing. We couldn't even sneak down a forest road quietly thereby scaring the critters. The Jeep hardly made a sound so we saw a lot of critters... bears, moose, etc. as we were driving. Again... pros and cons with every type.

No change... in fact, worse. We tried it once again two years ago and vowed never to return.... hard to even find a place to park a car. Yosemite and Sedona, AZ are only the two places we'll never return... because of the crowds. Having said that..... everyone needs to see both at least once.

We were registered in Texas and our address was Escapees, Livingston, TX. We got summoned a few times over the years and like stated above, all we had to do was make a phone call. No questions asked about us not being in the area. Livingston businesses and government are quite familiar with the Escapees organization. They are all so very easy to work with.

It just all a matter of preference. There is no correct answer. Do you already have a truck that would pull the size of 5th wheel you're considering? That may make your decision easier. Trucks are expensive so if you'd have to buy one then weigh that into your decision. Depending on the size of Class A or C you're considering, it might be best to tow a car behind for siteseeing. Is your present car towable? If you'd have to use a dolly for it that's another issue. It's not as convenient as flat towing. Are you a two-week vacationer or are you planning longer monthly trips. Class C's and travel trailers typically don't have a lot of storage space. 5th wheels and Class A's have huge 'basements'. We've had everything over the years from a tent, tent camper, small travel trailer, 5th wheel, rented a Class C for a western family trip and a Class A. We full-timed for 8 yr. in a 33' 5th wheel and 8 yr in a 40' motorhome. We loved them both. Our decision to go with a motorhome was because friends got us hooked on 4-wheeling and we wanted to tow a Jeep. As you can see.... it's a personal choice. Good luck!

Many, many years ago when camping in Smoky Mtn. Nat'l Park we had a tent camper and a convertible. During the night we felt a bear put his paw on the canvas tent part. The next morning we had muddy bear tracks across the hood, top of the convertible and off the trunk. During our stay we were eating at the picnic table and a bear approached. We banged pots and the bear laughed. He had our nice lunch as we watched from a distance. He finished off with our cooler contents. Another day we spotted a bear sitting at a campsite with his back against a tree. He had ripped open a can of pork n' beans and was enjoying his snack. Back then the highlight of a camp trip was going to the local dump and watch the bears come in at dusk scrounging for food. Nowadays, with strict bear regulations in the parks one rarely sees a bear in a campground - even in Yellowstone, the grizzlies are only seen from the road and they're fairly far back. We volunteered in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park and in the group site was a large group of boy scouts. They had just returned from a hike & were sitting around the campfire. They knew the rules about storing all food, toothpaste, etc. in the food lockers at the site. However, one scout had a candy bar in his backpack & had tossed it into his tent. A bear came by & tore open the rear of the tent & grabbed the backpack and ran. Rangers were called. The bear was tracked nearby. A ranger thought she had a blank in her rifle. She shot at the bear to scare it away but it was a live bullet. She had killed the bear needlessly and she had to endure a long investigation and charges against her. Lessons learned. Bears have a keen sense of smell. If you're in active bear country most campgrounds will have food storage lockers. Use them. Always read the rules regarding bears and abide by them. Bears are after food; not people. Now, for you, it sounds like you're in town. Did the home owner say they actually come near the homes or are they seen on the outskirts? If you're parked at someone's home, ask to store your food inside the home. Wash all dishes. Fry bacon outside, if possible. Don't dump dish water on the ground as there may be food particles or smells from grease in it. Chances are you won't have a problem. The home owner may even have bear spray that you could borrow but I doubt you'd need it. If they're used to roaming near the house and they know there's no food available they, most likely, would not bother your RV although they may come by and sniff. Keep a couple pots nearby to bang. Sometimes it works. Now...... enjoy your visit! 😁

Here are some reviews of the park which may give you a better feeling of it along with a few photos. The campsites aren't like an asphalt RV park. The sites have character. I don't think a 1-2 hr. drive to get to the floor of Yosemite is too far. Yosemite is huge and even after getting to the entrance from any direction, you'll have a long drive to the 'hub' on the valley floor. Everything is far from it. If you've ever been to Yellowstone it's the same way. It's huge and involves long drives. The only way to get closer would be to stay in Yosemite itself. I think you'd enjoy Park Sierra! https://www.campendium.com/park-of-the-sierras https://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/california/coarsegold/park-of-the-sierras-escapees-park-6847 https://www.parkofthesierras.org/ Official Park Map... you'd be coming in on Hwy 41 from Fresno. It's 60 miles from the park to the valley floor visitor center at Yosemite Falls/Half Dome area. Google maps gives a time of 2 hours. Lots of curves; traffic and plenty of places to stop and explore before getting down to the valley floor. https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/YOSEmap1.pdf Here's the official park web site with lots of good information when you start clicking on the various headings such as 'Plan Your Visit' and 'Learning About the Park'. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/maps.htm If you click on some of the pics you'll get a short video: https://www.facebook.com/pg/skpparkofthesierras/posts/

If just passing through within 72 hr. you don't need the inspection.

The park is great! You didn't say when you're going but activities might not be held due to Covid. Contact the park to get updated rental info. Enjoy your stay!

Places to stay in the winter are all along the southern U.S. and the south part of each state - CA, AZ, NM (although that can be colder than others), TX, LA, MS, AL, FL.

Both Bryce and Grand Canyon have shuttles that run all day. Get on.. go as far as you want .. get off. If you stay in both parks they are accessible from the campgrounds or a short walk. At Bryce, the campgrounds don't have electric so staying right outside the park gate is Ruby's RV w/hookups and the shuttle stops there. At Grand Canyon, Trailer Village has hookups and the shuttle stops there. At Grand Canyon the Rim Trail allows dogs and it's just about flat. You can get on it at various places. https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm Study these park websites thoroughly for ideas and any special alerts, closings, road info, etc.

From the map I can't tell exactly what roads you're taking. It looks like to do your stops you should plan to hit Bryce first (& Zion is nearby) then Page/Antelope Canyon, then Grand Canyon South Rim. Page & Bryce are in the general vicinity of Grand Canyon North Rim but it doesn't open until May 15. Also, from Page taking 89 south the east entrance of the South Rim - Hwy 64 west - may be open which would save you some miles. Just before the intersection of 89 & 64 on the right side of hwy. is a wonderful place - Cameron Gift Shop.... excellent Navajo tacos (& a huge menu) and high quality gifts - many made by the local tribe. Keep checking the official national park website to see if they'll open 64 from 89. It's been closed because of the virus and it also has a lot of Indian reservation land there & they've been closing roads. Then exit the South Rim via 64 south to I-40. All good roads.

I watched the link again in the first post. She was driving. He was asleep barefooted. If they had toys in the RV then they, most likely, were also hauling gas cans which probably added a lot to the fire.

Good article and a change may be in sight: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/03/12/daylight-saving-time-spring-forward/

When I click on the link above it's on Bill Perkins - Exotic Living &Travels in Far East. The report I saw was interviewing the owner & he said she was driving.

The report I read said she was driving and he was sleeping.

I'd highly recommend you talk to some RV parks about storage. You will probably have to stay there at least a night for them to let you store it there... maybe more nights. I wouldn't just leave it on any parking lot. You could also try this site for ideas. Plug in a town near Everglades or even one in the Keys and see what pops up. https://freecampsites.net/#!everglades+city Good luck!

Correct. Airstreams have a big following. I was just passing along information. Being cold isn't fun. The couple was spending the winter in southern Arizona and they didn't like the coldness of the walls/floor. They're not new to RVing and have had others.