2gypsies

The majority of snowbirders leave after Christmas for warmer weather. They watch weather closely and are flexible with exit dates. You can pretty well judge good timing for two days. They typically stay winterized heading straight south for a day or two to get out of the frigid weather. I-10 across the U.S. is the safest interstate during the winter months. Once in milder weather they will de-winterize at a RV park. They will carry jugs of water to use the first couple days and you could certainly flush the toilet by using the jug water. It won't hurt anything. You'd have to do without a shower for a day or two. Most RV park in the northern states won't be open so the first night many get a motel room.

Like, Kirk, we were surprised at how many life-long friends we have met in our travels. When we began we had never heard of full-timers so we didn't know what to expect. We did find Escapees and that was a god-send. It became another family. Luckily, our families urged us on in the beginning and now our grandchildren are travel explorers, also... even backpacking Europe and getting into North Korea before it closed to visitors. They credit their experiences to our enthusiasm for travel.

You did a great job! Now enjoy that family.... I'm sure they were on edge, also! Where are you heading next?

You just returned to Florida from 10,000 miles to Idaho and you're thinking of heading West again for fall color? You really need to slow down. 😉 Stay East or even to northern Michigan where the colors begin last week of Sept & first 2 weeks of Oct. Traverse City area is the place!

Wow! The RV gods are really testing you for this first big trip!!! Right now the area is open. Check tomorrow before leaving and just plan to drive your first choice. I assume you have a GPS so if you're told to detour it'll route you to your destination OK in a roundabout way. It may take longer than you thought. Other than that, what route would your daughter and husband suggest to get around the fire? They know the area better than you. Be prepared for some slow, heavy traffic. Take a deep breath. You'll be just fine! Another thought.... do you have a couple days to spare and just sit tight where you are and perhaps plan to be there on Sunday when traffic is usually a little lighter and hopefully the fire would be more contained?

'The NextExit' shows propane along interstates along with dump stations. https://thenextexit.com/

We've used the town's propane distributor. They always had room to maneuver a big rig.

Glad you had a positive outcome!!!

It might be best for an accurate answer to contact the county where they will be voting.

We never used flashers. I can't recall ever having to be in first gear. The engine brake held us back very well with just a occasional brake pedal usage.

What are the pros and cons you're confused about between TX, SD and FLA? Sounds like you definitely need to get a mail forwarding service so you don't have to run 'home' all the time to get your mail. You just contact them when you're ready to have mail sent and where you'll be someplace for 5 days or so. It usually took 3 days for us to get Escapees mail... sent Priority ... but Alaska took 5 days. Pick a small town to have it delivered c/o General Delivery. It works very well. Many times we'd request the mailing as we were traveling to the post office we designated. Then we'd just drive there, pick it up and be on our way again. You do have to plan ahead a little but Escapees never failed us in 16 years of constant travel.

There's another post today asking if fish can travel well. Hopefully, you can run across it and give her an answer. 🙂 It was titled "New Family to RV Living... in the Beginning RVing section. OOPS..... I think that post came from you!!

As others stated.... rubberized shelf lining and then just put the dishes on it .... no dividers needed. Having dishes eye level is a lot easier than putting them in a low cabinet. Cups/glasses - not stacked and just on the shelf. Even our wine glasses rode well when turned upside down. If you find you have a lot of excess space in a cabinet and worry about things sliding around during travel you could always store some rolls of paper towels or toilet paper in there to use up the space. . or perhaps even some linens. We never had excess space while full-timing. 😅 Enjoy your new home!

I think your question of showers has been answered.... RVs have showers. Fish tank? Give it a try. I've not heard of anyone having one but perhaps you can get it to work. You said you only have one fish so it's worth a try. Airstream in the future? If staying in cold climates they aren't very well insulated. We have a friend who was in Arizona and was freezing at night. They also don't make good use of storage for a full-timer. However, anything can and has been done. Good luck!

Can't be traced if they're asymptomatic and don't get tested. They'll just keep moving it along.

We've driven it often both directions but then we're love mountain drives and we're used to it. If you have no experience on a 'big' mountain you may not like it. Are you staying in Ouray? If so, take your toad on the drive to see how you feel about it. Ouraynorth to south is more difficult for the driver and/or passenger than south to north. You will be on the drop-off side with no shoulder and no room for error if you get out of your lane. The 'bad' part begins soon after you leave Ouray for about 5 miles or so. It gets much better! Where are you heading? You could also take Hwy 62 from Ridgway (just north of Ouray) which will take you to 145 down to Cortez (Mesa Verde Nat'l Park). It's still a mountain drive at the top end but it's easier that 550. Gorgeous country! One of our favorites. We've spent a lot of time in Silverton 4-wheeling.

and unfortunately, the cases won't stay in Sturgis. They'll be transferred to states across the country as they travel.

Congratulations on everything you're doing!!! Almost there!

OP: ... No, you won't fit in every campground in the national parks but a big rig can fit in many of them. In Yellowstone we fit in Madison, Mammoth and Bridge Bay. Natural Bridge Nat'l Monument has a campground for up to 26' and no other campground so, no, a big rig wouldn't be able to go there but there are lovely public campgrounds nearby to stay and drive the vehicle into the park for hiking, etc. We disconnected the car from the motorhome and drove the Zion tunnel separately... no issue. Otherwise there's the west side entry to use. Inside Zion we stayed at Watchman campground. For Glacier's highway basically only van-size RVs are allowed - a limit of 21'. That doesn't mean you can't drive it in a car or truck which is preferred, anyway. That doesn't mean Glacier is off-limits entirely. We stayed at Apgar campground in Glacier with our 40' motorhome and for siteseeing took the car. Each national park has a fantastic web site giving all the information you'd need to know including campgrounds, roads, special alerts and things to do. It's best to check them out before going to one so there are no surprises.

We did ours so long ago I don't recall details of ours. It was so simple to complete. They could register the RV first and use that as one documentation. Then get insurance on vehicles and use the statement for second documentation. Finally, get the driver's license. https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-15.pdf

A beginner can stay at any RV park. 😉

You'll have more room at a site with the 43' motorhome and Jeep than you did with the 43' 5th wheel and truck.

Our 40' motorhome plus car easily fit in many national parks..... Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Crater Lake, Bryce, Zion, Death Valley, Big Bend, Rocky Mountain, Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore, Grand Canyon, Badlands, Black Canyon, Guadalupe, etc.

You can do everything when you're in Livingston. You don't have to register beforehand. Reading your other post...... no, you don't have to get a lawyer. It's easily done by yourselves in Livingston.

Should have been 'tank' as in black tank. Sorry.