21 replies to this topic

[Huevo Movil]

Hello everyone. I am off on 1 May 2014 for the Utah tour. I have done as much tweaking, fixing, oil changing and cleaning on the "Beast" to make her road worthy. Hopefully she will provide me an uneventful maintenance wise trip. I also joined the Good Sam Road Side Assistance program just in case. For ~$80.00 it's worth the peace of mind. I hope to have, albeit limited, data connectivity along the way and cell coverage. Looking forward to  this "bucket list" trip.

 

My initial itinerary to the rendezvous point in Capitol Reef National Park will take me through and stopping in Coldwater, MS; Ozark, AR; Lawton, OK; Canyon, TX; Pena Blanca, NM; Durango, CO; and Moab, UT. Upon completion of the tour I plan on shooting over to both the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon along with a few other tour participants as well. Afterwards I'll go where my wallet and fuel takes me! I would like to maybe hit Vegas for a few nights (I'm not a gambler by any means) but I’ve heard that some of the major Casinos have some pretty nice and affordable RV parks. If anyone with info on same pleases PM, email or post the info here, thanks. Afterwards I will probably take the Southern route home maybe stopping in New Orleans, and then heading North East back to Rocket City. I sure am excited.

 

If anyone has any suggestions; recommendations or ideas please feel free to chime in. Look forward to seeing many Casitas on the road! Have an enjoyable summer and see ya on down the blacktop!

 

One final point of order if I may. I fully realize that this is a Casita web site and my current rig is not a Casita, but it does have a full fiberglass roof.  Seriously though, if anyone is offended by me posting on the site, just let me know and I'll mosey on down the road...

 

Best. Shorty sends...  

 

 

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[Babs&Chris]

Shorty, you are a Casitan by history, not circumstances. Stay here as you have much experience to offer us.

[Huevo Movil]

Shorty, you are a Casitan by history, not circumstances. Stay here as you have much experience to offer us.

TKS. Have a GREAT summer!

[Huevo Movil]

Shorty, you are a Casitan by history, not circumstances. Stay here as you have much experience to offer us.

BTW what are the dates and info for your LA (not lower Alabama) event? I would like to attend. TKS

 

Best Shorty sends...

[Babs&Chris]

We'll be at May 7 (Wednesday)-May 11.  Fontainbleau State Park, north campground.   Expecting about 15 trailers--a couple of cancelations, but a couple of new registrations, too.  BRING TOYS!

[Huevo Movil]

We'll be at May 7 (Wednesday)-May 11.  Fontainbleau State Park, north campground.   Expecting about 15 trailers--a couple of cancelations, but a couple of new registrations, too.  BRING TOYS!

Darn I'll be out West!  Look forward to the second one though... Good luck I;m sure you'll have a great time.

[borderbrae]

Shorty, you can't bail out now!! You're definitely still in the Casita family.  I'll be interested to hear how you like the new rv. I have a good friend who can't go camping yet (family health issues) but when she can she is leaning more towards converting a full size van than towing a trailer. Any tips we can sock away for future info will be welcome. 

 

Sounds like you have a great trip lined up!! Depending on the time you have, if you leave Moab and head north on 191 to I70, west to Rt. 24 and stop at Goblin Valley SP for a night, or at least a stop to check out the goblins. Quite a place!  It is right on the way to Capitol Reef NP. 

 

Enjoy! 

[KJR]

Shorty, we left this morning to work out way to Cap Reef, are just outside of Little Rock now. Had a good day on the road with just a few hold ups, we'll be west of OK City tomorrow (Red Rock Canyon St. park), and then 2 nights in Palo Dura Canyon TX. After that 1 night in Albuquerque NM, 5 in Durango area, 4 in Moab area(hooking up with Jerry and Wanda), then on to Cap Reef to meet up with Don and Betsy and the rest of the group. See you in a few days, and stay on the Casita sites, after all you are GE&H's daddy.JR (Babs, we're planning to ride the trail in the Moab area as well as some areas that are along the Colo river)  

[Babs&Chris]

Pictures, lots of pictures!  Y'all make me jealous of just GETTING TO the Utah tour, not to mention the tour itself.  Stay safe everyone!

[Huevo Movil]

First night out on the road and I am confused on how to evaluate or comment on the Dub Patton Recreation area (COE facility) in Coldwater, MS… This facility has tremendous potential as most of the sites are water front and have great spacing between sites… Alas the Government has found a way to make a money maker into a pig in a poke… I reserved Site 11 on line months ago as it seemed to offer the amenities that I wanted. However when I got there, the sites were overgrown with weeds, there was no BBQ, no fire pit not even a picnic table! So since the park was pretty much empty, I moved over to site 38 which was located next to the bunk house. Site 38 was not that much better but at least it had all the missing pieces/parts of a basic site and it was within 15 feet of the bunk house. The bunk houses redeeming quality was that you could control the temperature of the hot water and the flow… however there was not a single shower curtain to be found in the entire place and I’m not sure if it was due to budget cuts or not being opened all the way for the season? Since I was only there for one night and the price was right ($10.00) I really can complain… Would I come back, maybe, like I said originally the place is loaded with potential.

 

C-J’s Butcher Boy Burgers I-40 Exit 83, across from the Superstop gas station. Burgers are all they do and they know how to do them right. Reminds me of a 5 Guy’s burger joint but only better. Burgers are cooked to order with fresh ground beef, not frozen patties and topped off as you like them. Good place to stop for on the road food.  2803 N Arkansas, Russellville, AR 479-968-2300. If you pass this place you’re a fool!!

 

Nights two and three found me in AUX ARC (COE facility) in Ozark, AR. Before I get going the name of this place which struck me as funny… it was not until I engaged a local in conversation who informed me that its name is a play on languages… According to this guy, who appeared to be sober, Aux in French means “owes.” So the French attempted to name the place “owes” + Arc to equate to Ozark… True or false I don’t know but I can tell you that it is a very nice facility. Similar in fact to Service COE in Alabama, except this place is about 5 times as larger. Worth checking out and the town of Ozark is charming in and of itself. I checked the local (free) museum which used to serve as the train station and documents the origin and history of Ozark. Nice, free and worth the time. Time seems to have passed Ozark by and maybe it is a good thing. Did not meet anyone that was not warm and friendly. Believe or not they have a Wally World and it seems to be the first one built!!!! Trains and barges run up and down the river all night long and it sounds great! Leaving for OK first thing in the AM. Darn I’m having too much FUN!!!

 

Pictures to follow. Best. Shorty sends...

[Huevo Movil]

Days 4 through 7... As I was executing my retreat plan West I ran across this little iconic Roadhouse called Lucille’s. Lucille’s is located on historic route 66 and has been since 1927. The place is full of memorabilia of days past. The food is delicious, plentiful yet a bit slow in service… Perhaps this is due to replicating the past when things went slower… who knows? All I know that it was a helping that could feed a family of four!!! I have the smoked sausage, with 3 sunny side up eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy and all the coffee that I wanted to wash it down with. Pretty much it was a heart attack on a plate! Lucille is also listed in the National Register of historic Places. You can read more about it at www.lucillesroadhouse.com .

 

Day 5 and 6 finds me at Palo Duro Canyon, near canyon Texas. WOW! That’s all I can say. You drive down 600 feet in less than ½ a miles to this vast expanse of nature. Beautiful trees (Texas trees that is e.g. large bushes), wildlife and nothing else. No internet, no TV, no phone service, in fact to make a call I had to go up the canyon and drive 12 miles to get a SIGNAL. Nice. Lots of hiking trails and attractions on site. Bunkhouses were clean and modern unlike nights past… Going into town tonight to check out a Thai restaurant in Canyon today. I wonder how that will turn out.

 

Day 7, I’m roughing it at a Flying J on the West Side of Albuquerque, NM (I-40 exit 153). Not much spectacular here. Clean, safe(?) and windy as all get up. Will post more tomorrow if I and the rig don’t get blown away….

 

You know what? Still having a great time! I got pics, but no good connections.

[teacher retired]

Shorty,

 

You are going to have such a great time in the next three weeks!!!! Love your enthusiasm of all you meet. But I have been where you are going and my favorite is Capital Reef. You will love the no cell, no satellite radio, but oh the bakery in the homestead is well worth the walk... You will see. Say howdy to Don and Betsy and enjoy the adventure. Sandy and George

[Don in Ut]

I was just checking the weather forecast for Arches because I know some of you plan to visit there.  Sunday 5 -11 and Monday 5 - 12 will be a little cool (with rain on Sunday) but from Tuesday on for the rest of the week seems like perfect weather.  Here's the link  http://www.weather.c... UT UTNPARCH:13

 

Sandy and George

 

I agree that the Capitol Reef campground is a very special place.  I first camped there when there was just a gravel loop and one could camp anywhere they wanted within the boundary of the campground.  That was probably about 1967 or so and it was also free.  At $5 per night with Geezer Card it still ain't bad.

 

Don and Betsy

[teacher retired]

I think it is so special, Don. Makes you think about life "back then". Imagine how those homesteaders even found that valley! The whole tour is so very special in more ways than the vistas. But, history comes alive at Capital Reef. I like that. Have a super tour! Sandy

[ArizonaEileen]

Don --

 

Are you still able to split a campsite at Capitol Reef? We did that in 2010 and it ended up costing $2.50 a night with the Geezer Pass!

 

Eileen