We begin our Christmas Trip in Arlington WA.
we were so excited to spend Christmas with the Kids and Grand kids all was
ready, we had filled with propane and
got the last minute look over from Roy Robinson RV service in Marysville, WA (
who might I add also fixed the light problem with the towed , and we were on
our way.
Determined no to stay in every Campground every night we
wanted a little adventure in this trip, so we planed to stay in a few
campground the one I listed here.
Our first night was harrowing to say the lease, we got into Portland, Oregon
the top of rush hour and the people had either forgotten how to drive on jsut
never learned in the first place. missing our turn off because some would
rather get home 2 minutes earlier than let someone merge, we ended up in the
wrong express lane, and had to go out of our way, we but as I mentioned we
asked for adventure.
We did get to see some old ( long time friends) in Salem and stayed the night at the rest area jsut south of Salem was a peaceful night
and we woke up refreshed.
We headed for California
and the Siskiyou's Mountain
Pass. To our delight no
snow. just rain, and though we did see
some on the side of the road nothing on the roads, was a relief.
We stayed the next night at a Wal-Mart in California, was a bit out of the way and because of road
construction it was tricky but the Manager and Customer service people were
great and we spent our 2nd night in restful sleep. Arising at 3Am we were
determined to get out of the area before rush hour, we did. and then instead of
I-5 we decided on hwy 99 out of Lodi.
we were going to spend the night at the flying J, but as I said decided on the Wal-Mart
instead.
Most of the Pilots and Flying J's we found has no pull
thru's and if they did most were taken with backing truck and pulling out Car
we did not wish to un hook and back in and re hook up in the morning.
We arrived in San Jacinto Ca, were we were to spend the night,
we arrived early so as to go see a long time friend and retired pastor and meet
up with a friend I had known in Alaska.
was a great reunion, on both parts, However, the Campground (Reflection
Lake RV Park & Campground) ,Sorry no photos,we were no there long enough and with the problems with the parking and rv we just did not think of photos, was not
good for pull thru and towing a vehicle. they had big post they expected you to
pull thru and between the Cow farm and silage pits it looked nice had to get
into, and though it was Very inexpensive, the stay was not. out first challenge was the motor home would
not start, we had no power to the dash, and we tried everything, Finally
calling Good Sam Road Side Service, who promised to be at the campground at 8Am
they showed up at 9:30 We had planned to leave at 9 AM the road side service
men got there shined their lights and opened a few panels and said "Guess
we have to tow it" they had no idea
what they were doing. I called around
and finally with the help of my brother in law who is a snow bird, we found a
guy who interrupted his children's Christmas shopping trip for 20 minutes and
had us back on the road... we gave him all the cash we had, but wish we could
have given him more..
We headed for New Mexico
and finally Texas, we were to stop at a Pilot (at
exit 1 Between California
and Arizonia)who said they had Bulk Propane, NOT.. well they did have in a awkward
place, I pull the rv around had to pull into a hotel parking lot to turn around
and then after all that the guy tell my wife that he dies not know how to fill
rv tanks and we would have to wait til 4PM for the guy who did...Are You
Kidding me?????? this was at 1PM where
am I going to park for 3 hours, the truck parking lot was full...so we went on
our way.
Our next night, we stayed at a Wal-Mart in Ferguson
Texas, just outside of Austin. was easy to get to and easy to park
in. they did not mind us staying and said we could park over by the Auto
department.
We left early the next morning, and glad we did, we heard of
several bad accidents behind us. and we headed for Houston....May
I ask here...Who designed the freeways in Houston
Texas???? is there an asylum for
these people...we almost missed out exits so as to stay on I-10 but the
traffic, and the turn this way and then
quickly get in the left lane and then the right on in a blink of an eye.
you could go insane in that town jut driving through it...BUT we did
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida panhandle was
easy driving, although there was some tricky moments in Louisiana because of
the storms and expected tornados in texas, but the adventure continued....We
also found there are no rest stops in Louisiana...none...and the ones in Arizona
were mostly closed...
We arrived in Florala Alabama
and stayed at a wonderful State / Now
City Park. Having recently been taken over by the city
of Florala,
they were making some great improvements and I would advise anyone traveling
through the area to stay there. the evening sunsets were spectacular.
Our next stop was in I-24 Campground in Smyrna Tennessee,
great campground, the rv sites were gravel. but the people and the grounds were
kept nice. we had no problems getting the rv in and out. spaces were big and plenty of room. We stayed two nights. was a great time with a
friend.
Then off to New Mexico,
thru Arkansas and Texas. stayed in a few rest stops and a
Flying J, I have found that Flying J is more Suitable for rvs than Pilots.
We stayed at Hacienda RV Resort in Mesilla New Mexico,
had
breakfast at The only Cracker Barrell in the town, and met with some long tome
friends. the camp ground was beautiful. the noise from the freeway did not
effect us, as there was an rv dealership that blocked the sound. the people
were great. and the spaces were not tight.
flat pads, and thought they were gravel they were level.
Visited the Ranch and Farm Museum in Las Cruces.....
My only complaint for these rv campgrounds, is when they had
laundry facilities they charged money and you needed change, but there was no
change machines, so you had to go out , with the office closed. I know more
planing on our behalf. but I still say if the campgrounds are going to provide
Laundry they should have change machines.
After a few nights there we headed home.
Here is where I caution my RV friends....
Do not plan to drive hwy 101 in a large RV, the curves, the turns, the hills, you are not
going to go very fast, and we had rain and wind to contend with. The drive thru
the red woods and even the california coast
and Oregon coast, was beautiful but would have been much better in a car...
We did find a great rest stop outside of Willis, CA
named Irvine Lodge Rest Area, away from
main traffic, and CHP patrolled. got a
great night sleep.
Our next stop was the next Pilot off Rice Hill Exit in Oakland Oregon. plenty of Pull thru parking, and the Dennys
had a great dinner. we slept a few hours
and then headed for Everett, wa....
Over all the trip was 7464 miles. and three weeks of great
fun and the sights were great.
We do love traveling and seeing this country
