I map quested a route, and it is taking me on I80 most of the way, through Lake Tahoe, high mountains in N. Nevada, across to Salt Lake City, southern Wyoming, Nebraska.
Question is, this will be my first major trip, and do you think this route will be too stressful for me or my vehicle? Are the grades really steep? Over to Tahoe and in Nevada? Air too thin? Really cold? I checked on weather.com and it looks like the average highs are mostly low 50s and lows mid 30s.
I have a 2002 Ford Excursion 4x4 V10 pulling a 25 ft TT about 8000 lbs.
Knowledgeable opinions and educated guesses much appreciated!
Lucky Mike said
05:21 AM Feb 27, 2013
donners pass going up through Tahoe is a long grade and then all downhill into sparks and reno after that its pretty flat until the Sisters in Wy..... but you shouldnt have any problems
cejones4210 said
05:26 AM Feb 27, 2013
Hina, I drove part of that route in January a few years ago, across Nebraska, southern Wyoming to Salt Lake City and then up into Idaho. Be prepared for snow. I wasn't pulling our Airstream, but I know I wouldn't want to go this route at this time of year if I were pulling one. Even in March you will experience snow in all those states.
flyone said
12:43 PM Feb 27, 2013
Hina--just a word of caution, pipe lines and possibly even water heater can freeze up while traveling if not empty. Particulary easy to forget if one takes off from a lower (Warm) elevation and drives up to higher (cold) elevation. You should be fine but if you feel you would like a litte more info look into the "Truckers and RV High Mountain Passes" book (Sorry if that is not exactly the name--but it's close, you should be able to find it with a google) the West edition. It describes in detail every mountain pass, length, mile markers etc. You'll know whats coming up and how steep/long it's going to be. Less than $20----you can get it on CD too.
Flyone
-- Edited by flyone on Wednesday 27th of February 2013 12:45:14 PM
Hina said
02:06 PM Feb 27, 2013
I was thinking late March/April, but since it looks like the night temperatures will be below freezing, I was thinking there might be residual snow, or slush on the ground. That's my biggest concern, I've never driven in snow.
Lucky Mike said
02:48 PM Feb 27, 2013
Jane if your run is taking you up the interstates you will be Fine.....watching the weather is important , I've done that run on a Motorcycle from Sacramento Ca to Pittsfield Mass. the same time of year......and drove Truck thru there pulling doubles on the CA side and Triples on the nevada side for a year
if there is snow on Donners pass that is bad they wont let you cross til its clear.....the Same with the Sisters in Wy...........when crossing donners pass do not take feather river canyon as a short cut through tahoe if the interstate is closed.......not a good place for a first time run pulling a trailer
Again you will do fine....take your time and enjoy the beauty of the run!!
MarkS said
04:55 PM Feb 27, 2013
Driven that route a gazillion times. Maybe a gazillion and one. What everybody says. In late March/April you are not likely to run into any weather. Unless. Check the weather before you leave. If Donner is clear, and it most likely will be, your next concern is Wyoming, all of it. The worst weather I ever drove in was I-80 closing in on Laramie from the west. If there is no weather in the forecast before you leave you will be fine.
There is a long hard pull on 80 going east out of Salt Lake. It is easy to avoid it by going north out of Salt Lake and taking 84 across and joining back up with 80. It is 14 miles further but will save you more than that in fuel and wear and tear. It is well marked. In salt lake Take hiway 89 from 80 up to 84. It will dump you back on 80. Once you take this route you will never take 80 again.
Passed that you have one climb at sisters and the rest is nearly flat. Sisters isn't bad, just a couple of miles of up going and down coming back. Smoothest road in the nation might be 80 across Wyoming.
All in all, this will be an excellent first long trip. You will be challenged just enough to build your confidence. The worst part of the trip isn't the hills, it's the mental challenge crossing the endless state of Nevada. It goes on forever and has little to offer the eye.
Hina said
05:35 PM Feb 27, 2013
I'm going to have to print this all out, and add it to the big notebook I've been compiling. Been thinking, this should be the classic, all American journey across the West! As far as Nevada, I have an iPod with 40 GB of music, and 60 GB of videos, so I can keep my mind occupied! One thing, it doesn't look like Sprint has much coverage on this trip, so I will be out of contact, and will need to find Wifi campgrounds and cafes along the way.
My CA, NV, UT experience is limited. Nebraska I know only too well, and I HATE driving I-80 across that state! The wind is always blowing straight from the side at 40 mph or more, from the north in the winter and from the south in the summer, and it's all semi traffic. LOTS of semis! I did that ride on my motorcycle numerous times, and hated it more each time. It's just as bad in a car, and I wouldn't want to be hauling a high profile vehicle when the wind is strong, there's just nothing out there to stop it.
I prefer I-90 across SD. The wind can be just as bad across much of the state, but the big truck traffic is MUCH lighter and in my feeble mind the scenery is better in SD. I grew up in SD so I may be just a little bit biased. LOL There's really not much to look at, especially in March when everything is black snowdrifts and black fields. Oh, and dead grass. Lots of dead grass! LOL If you do decide to go through SD make sure to visit the Badlands National Park. I try to get out there in March or April every year before tourist season starts. I've spent several days in the park and only seen 3 other vehicles, 2 of them were rangers! You'd have the whole place to yourself.
If snow is forecast find a place to hole up till they've cleared the roads, with the ubiquitous wind there WILL be drifting and poor visibility. March is traditionally the snowiest month, but that's partly because when it does snow it's very wet and heavy so it builds up fast. It melts fast too, but it's greasy sloppy to drive in 6+ inches of slush.
You mentioned Wifi campgrounds, not many, if any, will be open that early in Wyo or Dakota, would think Nebraska would be similar. Definitely check ahead to see if they're out of hibernation yet.
Hina said
03:17 AM Feb 28, 2013
I'll look up that book, it will be necessary info. Nightsky, thanks for the heads up about wind, that is always not fun, especially for hundreds of miles towing a big trailer with everything you own! I am hoping the snow will be melted and gone by the time I want to leave. I'm stuck with a Sprint contract on my WiFi til October, and they have very little coverage in that region. One option, might be to get Millenicom, so maybe I can do both for a few months.
cejones4210 said
04:32 AM Feb 28, 2013
I agree with Nightsky, NE is a long haul with lots of semis, but as a daughter of a trucker, sometimes that can be comforting. I drive 80 through Iowa frequently so am used to semi traffic, but it can be nerve wracking. I have drove 90 multiple times and prefer it. Though the wind in SD can be 35-40 mph quite often. SD and ND are know for their strong winds. We spent a few weeks in April in SD, particularly around Badlands and Rapid City, it's a nice time of year. But on that trip we did experience some really high winds, one day we literally had our awning reaped right off! It was loose and that 40 mph wind got a good hold on it and tore the awning right off. Before, I misunderstood, thinking you were driving through in March. Most campgrounds won't open until mid-April. Once, we drove the loneliest road in the US through Nevada, RT 50, I believe it was early June. OMG, we literally went hours without seeing another vehicle, no towns, or ranches, no sign of life. It was surreal! I don't think I would attempt that driving single. In and out of one valley after another, it was an experience. RT 50 starts in Sacremento and goes through Tahoe. So much to see and all of it beautiful. We are so blessed to be able to travel this great country in our RVs! You will have a wonderful time! Check out the Mountain directories, they are worth the money. We have both for the west and the east. My father who drove semis for 20 years turned me on to them. And can save you lots of stress! Whichever route you choose, do as Mike advises and check the weather each day,if its questionable, stay put. No point in putting yourself in a dangerous situation with an RV in snowy weather or extreme winds. It does snow through those states even in April.
Hina said
05:31 AM Feb 28, 2013
Mind blowing, snow in April. Been in California too long! I'm on a quest, for a domicile in a tax free state, sooner than later!
nightsky said
09:00 AM Feb 28, 2013
My birthday is in May, and I remember it snowing on my birthday on more than one occasion.
Last year it was 80 degrees when I was up there for my tax appointment in March, so it's a real toss-up what the weather will be.
Hina said
11:47 PM Feb 28, 2013
Quite all right, Pieere, I tend to ramble off topic myself! I'm not going anywhere soon, still gotta do my taxes and wait for (most) of the snow to melt. Hopefully, Uncle Sam won't soak me too bad this year . Already running into confusion they've changed all the tax rules, and with this "affordable" health care act, which I hear can set a single person back up to $8,000 a year (umm, am I the only one in the USA who doesn't make $100 an hour?) I'm hoping it all doesn't clip my wings. But hey, maybe I'll just go completely renegade, and totally bug out on the "system"!
Ooops, did I go off topic? Oh, and speaking of taxes, did you hear Facebook made a $Billion profit, paid NO taxes, AND got a $1/2Billion return? No taxation without representation = expensive tax lawyers and lobbyists.
Edit by moderator: Slight edit of text. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 1st of March 2013 08:20:09 AM
sissys said
03:40 AM Mar 1, 2013
Hi Hina, we are in Reno, and Yes, thru April can/will snow, especially in the higher passes. have a fair amount of "inside sliders" that catch us off gurard, just watch the wather channnel and you'll be oakie, dokie, happy travels to ya!! michele
Hina said
04:36 AM Mar 1, 2013
I guess Spring isn't really Spring in the heartland. I'll plan accordingly. I've never even driven a regular car in snow, let alone towing!
PIEERE said
04:54 AM Mar 1, 2013
Hina wrote:
I guess Spring isn't really Spring in the heartland. I'll plan accordingly. I've never even driven a regular car in snow, let alone towing!
Go slowly; take your time and enjoy the ride and the scenery!!! Really you don't need to hurry. I don't think they will move South Dakota before you arrive. Please be safe!! I think we all enjoy your posts and want to keep you around for awhile!!!
sissys said
05:11 AM Mar 1, 2013
have a great trip, from the sound of things you should be just fine.!!
sissys said
05:17 AM Mar 1, 2013
Pierre, do hope with your latest loss that you are hanging in there. You have quite the history of sorrow, may the days ahead be happy for you... michele
PIEERE said
05:42 AM Mar 1, 2013
Sissys: Thank you for being there; as I've told others if it wasn't for this forum and the kind-hearted people here. You all have given me the strength and understanding to keep pressing forward as I haven't lost sight of my dream. That is to get back on that path that leads us to the beauty that is around that next corner. Hina: I apologize for confiscating your topic.
bigboomer said
01:58 PM Mar 1, 2013
Jane,
When are you going to be in Sioux Falls? We will be there from 3/30 to 4/4 at the Tower Campground.
Les
Hina said
04:05 PM Mar 1, 2013
Hi Les, I don't think I'll make it there that soon, I was thinking of taking off from N. Cal. 4/1 or maybe a little later.
nightsky said
11:32 PM Mar 1, 2013
We're all going to just miss each other..... I'll be up north March 18th for my tax appointment and to finally meet my newest grandson.
MarkS said
12:43 AM Mar 2, 2013
LESS than a hundred dollars an hour???? How in the world do you get from payday to payday? I thought minimum wage was higher than that. (you know I am just kidding, right?)
In April the only flake, snow or otherwise, you are likely to see on I-80 is other drivers. Now before anybody jumps on that, I did say "likely". While living on that road I found that by April the winter terrors had pretty much stopped.
Hina said
04:12 AM Mar 2, 2013
Well, anytime I need to get the car fixed, taxes done, talk to a lawyer or have my palm read by a gypsy, it's going to cost $100 an hour. Even the Mexicans who mow lawns around here make as much or more than poor lil' ol' me, working in social services. :( It's the biggest thing holding me back, can't afford to live here, can't afford to leave.
April/May may be the best time to go, it seems. It's been a sunny 72 degr3s here in Sonoma county, one nice thing about the bay area!
Terry and Jo said
07:19 AM Mar 2, 2013
Yeah, but......
....back in the '60's, I was stationed at a small Army base up around Petaluma called Two Rock Ranch Station. That area gets too much rain in the winter time to suit me, thank you very much.
Oh, that Army base is now operated by the Coast Guard.
Terry
Hina said
04:00 PM Mar 2, 2013
I'm very close to there, shop at the Whole Foods in Petaluma, and have been by Two Rocks. Land of the Happy California cows, pastoral paradise. Yeah, the rain... well, that's why I rigged up the rain water collection off my roof. Get about a gallon a MINUTE!
nightsky said
10:57 PM Mar 2, 2013
Hina, what did you settle on for a filter on your rainwater collection system? I remember reading about it when you were first putting it together and planned to use the katadyn filter.
There's a Yogi Bear campground on the east side of SF on I-90 as well, I stayed there with the grand kids last summer. It was a bit more expensive than Tower's published rates, but they have a pool and that's where the kids hung out most of the time.
If you're into shopping, the Empire Mall is off I-29, 41st St exit. 160 stores or there abouts. West 41st is crammed with all kinds of retail stores and many restaurants. The Washington Pavilion has exhibits and performing arts, it's located downtown in the old Washington High School building. There is also the Old Courthouse Museum housed in - what else - the old courthouse. It's a magnificent building, built in the late 1800's of locally quarried Sioux Quartzite. The entire downtown area has gone through a resurgence in the last 15-20 years. After the urban renewal craze back in the 70's it was nothing but banks and other financial businesses, but now there are neat shops and restaurants throughout the city center, particularly on Phillips and Main Ave. The Eighth and Railroad area is also neat, artsy crafty sort of stores. Zandbroz Variety downtown is a really cool place, (used to be the old Woolworth? store) and still has the original soda fountain.
The Falls of the Big Sioux River are what the city was named for, and the riverfront is currently being upgraded with walking paths etc. The city cleaned up the whole falls area a few years ago, it used to be a rather seedy area when I was younger. There are great bike trails that pretty much circle the city. The Sertoma Butterfly House is always a fun relaxing place to spend a few hours.
Just outside of SF is Garretson SD, home of Palisades State Park. Pipestone National Monument is 45 minutes northeast, and has a nice walking trail with a waterfall, no camping area though.
It's very easy to get around, all the roads are laid out in a square grid, none of the crazy windy roads so common in many areas. They all run straight north-south or east-west. lol
If you're looking for something in particular let me know and I can tell you if/what is available locally there.
Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 10:43:35 PM
Hina said
01:58 AM Mar 4, 2013
I finally made up my own filter, the Katadyn just does one drop at a time, so nothing was getting into the tank. What I did was, cut a piece of new sewer hose, about 10", and got 2 of those sewer outlet caps with the garden hose outlets. Put those on either end with bayonet fittings, and stuffed it with aquarium filter stuff and charcoal, and put some silver fabric at the bottom, at the tank end. It came in very handy during rainy season, as it seems our well water is very shallow, and during heavy rains, gets toxically polluted with parking lot dirt and chemicals. Some people here got sick from it! My home made rain water filter may not be as scientific and sterile as a Katadyn, but it kept me over flowing with fresh water, while others here were buying it, and going without showers!
Hina said
02:02 AM Mar 4, 2013
Hey Les, (bigboomer) just noticed your post. I don't know, I'm still planning, is the Tower camp ground nice? Affordable? I've never been to Sioux Falls, so any recommendations are much appreciated!
Hina said
04:54 PM Mar 4, 2013
Wealth of information, Sioux Falls looks lovely. One thing I need to know, is flea markets and swap meets, as making gas $$$ is on the list.
nightsky said
06:39 PM Mar 4, 2013
Flea markets are rare up north, or at least in Sioux Falls, unlike southern areas of the country. Benson Flea Market runs generally the 1st full weekend of every month from September - April. If there is a holiday on the first weekend the flea market moves to the second weekend. It's held at the Fairgrounds. Swap meets... hmmmm... not much that I'm aware of unless it would be a motorcycle or car swap meet. You may be able to Google something.
wildbill2673 said
11:27 PM Mar 17, 2013
Hina I travel trough Cheyenne WY twice a year . You have to be very carful for the winds in southeastern WY. I went through Cheyenne on the 4th of march and the winds were strong and they stay fairly stong later in the spring when we head home in mid to late april. I have no idea what months if any the wind decreases in southeastern WY.
Racerguy said
01:44 AM Mar 18, 2013
The wind never stops blowing in Wyoming
Hina said
02:10 AM Mar 18, 2013
Hmmm, wind will be nerve wracking. My flight time is being delayed, economy, taxes, bills, money on the road, you know. But soon, God willing!
nightsky said
04:07 AM Mar 19, 2013
Be glad you're not here now, the wind has been blowing 40+mph with high temps in the teens, with freezing rain and snow and blowing snow sprinkled with periods of sunshine. I took these pics today on I-90 going from Sioux Falls to Worthington MN for my tax appointment. There's very little snow actually left on the ground though, unlike the Blue Earth area east of here where they still have a good snowpack and 5" of fresh snow. There were blizzard warnings last night and today further east due to the 50 mph winds there.
bigboomer said
08:06 AM Mar 19, 2013
Jessica and Harry,
Glad you are enjoying your new found freedom in warmth....snowing up here again today! If you get back up this way we will be at Blackbear Campground for the summer as Sue took a workamper job. We will be heading back to SD for the first week of April for a visit and then to Florida, NY!
Enjoy,
Les and Sue
-- Edited by bigboomer on Tuesday 19th of March 2013 08:06:34 AM
2riker2go said
01:57 PM Mar 19, 2013
Brrrr! Yes, we are very glad NOT to be there. We are down in Florida currently, but will be heading toward South Dakota the end of April.
2riker2go said
03:56 PM Mar 19, 2013
Hey Les,
We will be up in Catskill NY for a couple months (mid May to mid July). It's about an hour and a half north of Florida. Maybe we can find a midway point to get together. Maybe Kingston area.
Lucky Mike said
04:08 PM Mar 19, 2013
Bring Your Snow shoes!!!!!........at the rate we are going up here, its not going to melt til september!!!!!!!!
bigboomer said
05:10 PM Mar 19, 2013
Sure....There is always the Camping World in Kingston as a starting point!
Now send some of that nice weather up here...PLEASE!
Hina said
05:12 PM Mar 19, 2013
OK, maybe it's a good thing I'm being held up financially here in sunny California: today, 66 degrees.
Thanks for posting the amazing pictures!
Hina said
07:02 PM Mar 25, 2013
Glad I didn't take off just yet, I'd be buried under the snow!
bjoyce said
08:45 PM Mar 25, 2013
Have you looked at airfare, motel and rental car deals? I remember a friend found it cheaper to fly to South Dakota than to take his RV.
Hina said
11:04 PM Mar 25, 2013
No, when I go, I want to just make a break and go all the way with my trailer.
WestWardHo said
01:18 AM Mar 26, 2013
Jesse will be flying there 4/1 thru 4/4. May spend first night at Americasmailbox rooms. They also have some RV spots. The are in Box Elder.
I map quested a route, and it is taking me on I80 most of the way, through Lake Tahoe, high mountains in N. Nevada, across to Salt Lake City, southern Wyoming, Nebraska.
Question is, this will be my first major trip, and do you think this route will be too stressful for me or my vehicle? Are the grades really steep? Over to Tahoe and in Nevada? Air too thin? Really cold? I checked on weather.com and it looks like the average highs are mostly low 50s and lows mid 30s.
I have a 2002 Ford Excursion 4x4 V10 pulling a 25 ft TT about 8000 lbs.
Knowledgeable opinions and educated guesses much appreciated!
Hina--just a word of caution, pipe lines and possibly even water heater can freeze up while traveling if not empty. Particulary easy to forget if one takes off from a lower (Warm) elevation and drives up to higher (cold) elevation. You should be fine but if you feel you would like a litte more info look into the "Truckers and RV High Mountain Passes" book (Sorry if that is not exactly the name--but it's close, you should be able to find it with a google) the West edition. It describes in detail every mountain pass, length, mile markers etc. You'll know whats coming up and how steep/long it's going to be. Less than $20----you can get it on CD too.
Flyone
-- Edited by flyone on Wednesday 27th of February 2013 12:45:14 PM
if there is snow on Donners pass that is bad they wont let you cross til its clear.....the Same with the Sisters in Wy...........when crossing donners pass do not take feather river canyon as a short cut through tahoe if the interstate is closed.......not a good place for a first time run pulling a trailer
Again you will do fine....take your time and enjoy the beauty of the run!!
There is a long hard pull on 80 going east out of Salt Lake. It is easy to avoid it by going north out of Salt Lake and taking 84 across and joining back up with 80. It is 14 miles further but will save you more than that in fuel and wear and tear. It is well marked. In salt lake Take hiway 89 from 80 up to 84. It will dump you back on 80. Once you take this route you will never take 80 again.
Passed that you have one climb at sisters and the rest is nearly flat. Sisters isn't bad, just a couple of miles of up going and down coming back. Smoothest road in the nation might be 80 across Wyoming.
All in all, this will be an excellent first long trip. You will be challenged just enough to build your confidence. The worst part of the trip isn't the hills, it's the mental challenge crossing the endless state of Nevada. It goes on forever and has little to offer the eye.
I'm going to have to print this all out, and add it to the big notebook I've been compiling.
Been thinking, this should be the classic, all American journey across the West! As far as Nevada, I have an iPod with 40 GB of music, and 60 GB of videos, so I can keep my mind occupied! One thing, it doesn't look like Sprint has much coverage on this trip, so I will be out of contact, and will need to find Wifi campgrounds and cafes along the way.
It is called the "Mountain Directory" and here is their website - http://www.mountaindirectory.com/.
I prefer I-90 across SD. The wind can be just as bad across much of the state, but the big truck traffic is MUCH lighter and in my feeble mind the scenery is better in SD. I grew up in SD so I may be just a little bit biased. LOL There's really not much to look at, especially in March when everything is black snowdrifts and black fields. Oh, and dead grass. Lots of dead grass! LOL If you do decide to go through SD make sure to visit the Badlands National Park. I try to get out there in March or April every year before tourist season starts. I've spent several days in the park and only seen 3 other vehicles, 2 of them were rangers! You'd have the whole place to yourself.
If snow is forecast find a place to hole up till they've cleared the roads, with the ubiquitous wind there WILL be drifting and poor visibility. March is traditionally the snowiest month, but that's partly because when it does snow it's very wet and heavy so it builds up fast. It melts fast too, but it's greasy sloppy to drive in 6+ inches of slush.
You mentioned Wifi campgrounds, not many, if any, will be open that early in Wyo or Dakota, would think Nebraska would be similar. Definitely check ahead to see if they're out of hibernation yet.
I have drove 90 multiple times and prefer it. Though the wind in SD can be 35-40 mph quite often. SD and ND are know for their strong winds. We spent a few weeks in April in SD, particularly around Badlands and Rapid City, it's a nice time of year. But on that trip we did experience some really high winds, one day we literally had our awning reaped right off! It was loose and that 40 mph wind got a good hold on it and tore the awning right off.
Before, I misunderstood, thinking you were driving through in March. Most campgrounds won't open until mid-April.
Once, we drove the loneliest road in the US through Nevada, RT 50, I believe it was early June. OMG, we literally went hours without seeing another vehicle, no towns, or ranches, no sign of life. It was surreal! I don't think I would attempt that driving single. In and out of one valley after another, it was an experience. RT 50 starts in Sacremento and goes through Tahoe.
So much to see and all of it beautiful. We are so blessed to be able to travel this great country in our RVs! You will have a wonderful time! Check out the Mountain directories, they are worth the money. We have both for the west and the east. My father who drove semis for 20 years turned me on to them. And can save you lots of stress! Whichever route you choose, do as Mike advises and check the weather each day,if its questionable, stay put. No point in putting yourself in a dangerous situation with an RV in snowy weather or extreme winds. It does snow through those states even in April.
Mind blowing, snow in April. Been in California too long!
I'm on a quest, for a domicile in a tax free state, sooner than later!
My birthday is in May, and I remember it snowing on my birthday on more than one occasion.
Last year it was 80 degrees when I was up there for my tax appointment in March, so it's a real toss-up what the weather will be.
Quite all right, Pieere, I tend to ramble off topic myself!
I'm not going anywhere soon, still gotta do my taxes 
and wait for (most) of the snow to melt. 
Hopefully, Uncle Sam won't soak me too bad this year 
. Already running into confusion 
they've changed all the tax rules, and with this "affordable" health care act, which I hear can set a single person back up to $8,000 a year (umm, am I the only one in the USA who doesn't make $100 an hour?) I'm hoping it all doesn't clip my wings. 
But hey, maybe I'll just go completely renegade, and totally bug out on the "system"! 
Ooops, did I go off topic?
Oh, and speaking of taxes, did you hear Facebook made a $Billion profit, paid NO taxes, AND got a $1/2Billion return? No taxation without representation = expensive tax lawyers and lobbyists. 
Edit by moderator: Slight edit of text. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 1st of March 2013 08:20:09 AM
Hina: I apologize for confiscating your topic.
Jane,
When are you going to be in Sioux Falls? We will be there from 3/30 to 4/4 at the Tower Campground.
Les
In April the only flake, snow or otherwise, you are likely to see on I-80 is other drivers. Now before anybody jumps on that, I did say "likely". While living on that road I found that by April the winter terrors had pretty much stopped.
Yeah, but......
....back in the '60's, I was stationed at a small Army base up around Petaluma called Two Rock Ranch Station. That area gets too much rain in the winter time to suit me, thank you very much.
Oh, that Army base is now operated by the Coast Guard.
Terry
I haven't stayed at Tower, but here's the webpage for it.
http://www.westtwelfthproperties.com/index.html
And some more options in the SF area...
http://visitsiouxfalls.com/visitors/places-to-stay/campgrounds/#1
There's a Yogi Bear campground on the east side of SF on I-90 as well, I stayed there with the grand kids last summer. It was a bit more expensive than Tower's published rates, but they have a pool and that's where the kids hung out most of the time.
If you're into shopping, the Empire Mall is off I-29, 41st St exit. 160 stores or there abouts. West 41st is crammed with all kinds of retail stores and many restaurants. The Washington Pavilion has exhibits and performing arts, it's located downtown in the old Washington High School building. There is also the Old Courthouse Museum housed in - what else - the old courthouse. It's a magnificent building, built in the late 1800's of locally quarried Sioux Quartzite. The entire downtown area has gone through a resurgence in the last 15-20 years. After the urban renewal craze back in the 70's it was nothing but banks and other financial businesses, but now there are neat shops and restaurants throughout the city center, particularly on Phillips and Main Ave. The Eighth and Railroad area is also neat, artsy crafty sort of stores. Zandbroz Variety downtown is a really cool place, (used to be the old Woolworth? store) and still has the original soda fountain.
The Falls of the Big Sioux River are what the city was named for, and the riverfront is currently being upgraded with walking paths etc. The city cleaned up the whole falls area a few years ago, it used to be a rather seedy area when I was younger. There are great bike trails that pretty much circle the city. The Sertoma Butterfly House is always a fun relaxing place to spend a few hours.
Just outside of SF is Garretson SD, home of Palisades State Park. Pipestone National Monument is 45 minutes northeast, and has a nice walking trail with a waterfall, no camping area though.
It's very easy to get around, all the roads are laid out in a square grid, none of the crazy windy roads so common in many areas. They all run straight north-south or east-west. lol
If you're looking for something in particular let me know and I can tell you if/what is available locally there.
Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 10:43:35 PM
Hina I travel trough Cheyenne WY twice a year . You have to be very carful for the winds in southeastern WY. I went through Cheyenne on the 4th of march and the winds were strong and they stay fairly stong later in the spring when we head home in mid to late april. I have no idea what months if any the wind decreases in southeastern WY.
The wind never stops blowing in Wyoming
Be glad you're not here now, the wind has been blowing 40+mph with high temps in the teens, with freezing rain and snow and blowing snow sprinkled with periods of sunshine. I took these pics today on I-90 going from Sioux Falls to Worthington MN for my tax appointment. There's very little snow actually left on the ground though, unlike the Blue Earth area east of here where they still have a good snowpack and 5" of fresh snow. There were blizzard warnings last night and today further east due to the 50 mph winds there.
Jessica and Harry,
Glad you are enjoying your new found freedom in warmth....snowing up here again today! If you get back up this way we will be at Blackbear Campground for the summer as Sue took a workamper job. We will be heading back to SD for the first week of April for a visit and then to Florida, NY!
Enjoy,
Les and Sue
-- Edited by bigboomer on Tuesday 19th of March 2013 08:06:34 AM
We will be up in Catskill NY for a couple months (mid May to mid July). It's about an hour and a half north of Florida. Maybe we can find a midway point to get together. Maybe Kingston area.
Sure....There is always the Camping World in Kingston as a starting point!
Now send some of that nice weather up here...PLEASE!
OK, maybe it's a good thing I'm being held up financially here in sunny California: today, 66 degrees.
Thanks for posting the amazing pictures!
Glad I didn't take off just yet, I'd be buried under the snow!
No, when I go, I want to just make a break and go all the way with my trailer.
Just FYI
Sherry