The weekend before the spring rally, I will be riding my bicycle in the MS 150. It is a ride from Houston to Austin. Saturday night we will have our camper in Carmine. I need help finding a place Cindy can park the rig while I finish the ride Sunday morning. The finish line is at the state capital. She will be driving west on Highway 290. I am looking for a shopping mall or other large parking lot. She has pulled but never backed up. I have friends to drive me to where she parks. It would help if we don't have to go back 75 miles east then back to Kerrville.
Thanks, James
bigredoes said
06:41 AM Feb 16, 2012
Not really certain what you are asking? Are you looking for a place close to the State Capitol that she could drive to - pull in - and wait for you to pedal in? I would think a simple Google Map search would find a shopping mall or walmart in the area....
Jim Dean said
07:45 AM Feb 16, 2012
If you are coming in from Houston on 290 exit at I35. In the northwest corner of I35 and 290 is Highland mall that is 5 miles from the Capitol building. I would not want to get any closer than that to the downtown area pulling a camper especially if one is not experienced in manipulating it. See you at the rally!
Ckerr said
04:55 PM Feb 16, 2012
Hi Jim and Cindy,
I've lived in Austin for almost over 20 years so hopefully can help some. First of all I35 is a huge pain -- especially the section that is 290 through Austin. Even living here I avoid it like the plague in the Avalanche. No matter the time of day or day of week it's always crazy! And I've pulled a 40 foot fifth wheel through Atlanta, Memphis, Houston and Tulsa at rush hour...
Since you are headed to Kerrville, I would suggest getting somewhere toward the 290/71 part of the road. That is more southwest Austin. There are several options just off 290/71 near loop 1 (also known as Mopac.) On the northeast corner there is a Sam's Club. Southeast corner is a Walmart and southwest is a Target. If you take the 2nd entrance to Target it is pretty good, although the other 2 are better options in my opinion.
If you want to avoid I35 through Austin there are 2 good options when towing. Easiest would be to take the 130 toll road off 290 east of Austin (near Manor) and go south to pick up 71 which will hook up with 290 again west of I35. Absolutely no traffic on that road and tolls are pretty reasonable. The other is to go north on I35 I believe 1 exit and pick up 183 north. Take that over to Mopac (Loop 1) south and come down to 290/71. That intersection will be where the parking is.
Hope I didn't confuse things too much! If we were going to be in town I'd love to connect, but we will be starting a work kamping gig in Oklahoma mid-March. Dang! Missing the rally again!
Carol
injunear said
06:43 PM Feb 16, 2012
Hey Carol,
We are headed to Temple today to spend two weeks with are son and his family. I saw there is an RV show in Austin this weekend. Have you been there and is it worth the trip from Temple?
Also thinking about taking the train from Temple to Austin. Do you think Saturday or Sunday would be good days for the train ride?
Thanks, Wayne
Ckerr said
04:58 PM Feb 17, 2012
We went to the RV Show yesterday. 4 dealers there and not too much in the way of vendors. If you go make sure to print off the $2 discount coupon from the website. Parking costs another $5-7 so the train might be a good option if the schedule works. I've never used the train for that trip so I'm afraid I'm not much help.
As far as the RV show in general... Lots of travel trailers. Very few motorhomes. I think we only saw 2 DPs. We're looking for a fulltime trailer... most likely 5th wheel. Did see a couple we liked.
Have fun...
James and Cindy said
02:48 AM Feb 26, 2012
Jim and Ckerr, Thanks for the directions. Cindy is having second thoughts about pulling the trailer without me in the truck. I can see her point and would not want her to do something she would't be comfortable with.
James
Loydstuts said
05:35 AM Mar 8, 2012
where in Oklahoma is your gig?
Ckerr said
06:38 AM Mar 8, 2012
Well, things don't stay the same for long... Now we're going to Branson, MO. We need to be there March 15th...
Loydstuts said
04:20 PM Mar 11, 2012
Safe travels! I have workamped in S OK so thought I could give some info if you were headed this way. Be blessed!
The weekend before the spring rally, I will be riding my bicycle in the MS 150. It is a ride from Houston to Austin. Saturday night we will have our camper in Carmine. I need help finding a place Cindy can park the rig while I finish the ride Sunday morning. The finish line is at the state capital. She will be driving west on Highway 290. I am looking for a shopping mall or other large parking lot. She has pulled but never backed up. I have friends to drive me to where she parks. It would help if we don't have to go back 75 miles east then back to Kerrville.
Thanks, James
I've lived in Austin for almost over 20 years so hopefully can help some. First of all I35 is a huge pain -- especially the section that is 290 through Austin. Even living here I avoid it like the plague in the Avalanche. No matter the time of day or day of week it's always crazy! And I've pulled a 40 foot fifth wheel through Atlanta, Memphis, Houston and Tulsa at rush hour...
Since you are headed to Kerrville, I would suggest getting somewhere toward the 290/71 part of the road. That is more southwest Austin. There are several options just off 290/71 near loop 1 (also known as Mopac.) On the northeast corner there is a Sam's Club. Southeast corner is a Walmart and southwest is a Target. If you take the 2nd entrance to Target it is pretty good, although the other 2 are better options in my opinion.
If you want to avoid I35 through Austin there are 2 good options when towing. Easiest would be to take the 130 toll road off 290 east of Austin (near Manor) and go south to pick up 71 which will hook up with 290 again west of I35. Absolutely no traffic on that road and tolls are pretty reasonable. The other is to go north on I35 I believe 1 exit and pick up 183 north. Take that over to Mopac (Loop 1) south and come down to 290/71. That intersection will be where the parking is.
Hope I didn't confuse things too much! If we were going to be in town I'd love to connect, but we will be starting a work kamping gig in Oklahoma mid-March. Dang! Missing the rally again!
Carol
Hey Carol,
We are headed to Temple today to spend two weeks with are son and his family. I saw there is an RV show in Austin this weekend. Have you been there and is it worth the trip from Temple?
Also thinking about taking the train from Temple to Austin. Do you think Saturday or Sunday would be good days for the train ride?
Thanks, Wayne
We went to the RV Show yesterday. 4 dealers there and not too much in the way of vendors. If you go make sure to print off the $2 discount coupon from the website. Parking costs another $5-7 so the train might be a good option if the schedule works. I've never used the train for that trip so I'm afraid I'm not much help.
As far as the RV show in general... Lots of travel trailers. Very few motorhomes. I think we only saw 2 DPs. We're looking for a fulltime trailer... most likely 5th wheel. Did see a couple we liked.
Have fun...
Jim and Ckerr, Thanks for the directions. Cindy is having second thoughts about pulling the trailer without me in the truck. I can see her point and would not want her to do something she would't be comfortable with.
James
where in Oklahoma is your gig?
Safe travels! I have workamped in S OK so thought I could give some info if you were headed this way. Be blessed!