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Journey Complete!

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Sparroweye

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Journey Complete!
« on: November 09, 2020, 07:25:35 pm »
Got back home just in time to winterize the home and the PC.  My Civil War trip was fantastic.  8,500 miles/45 days of problem free travel.  Wanted to thank everyone who gave great suggestions to me on what I might be missing for a hassle free trip. Learned a lot about boondocking, using apps like Hipcamp and Campendium. I now have wanderlust in my heart for the next trip. Sad to see ‘MiniMoto’ covered with snow....she performed well.


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swiftboot

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2020, 06:22:37 am »
It is great to hear of trouble free journeys.   Perhaps you could provide your trip narrative when you get some time.  Obviously a 45 day trip would be difficult to put to print.  Many of us would enjoy reading a more detailed account of your travels and destinations.

Thanks Larry

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2 Lucky

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2020, 09:21:03 am »
Like Swiftboot says, more stories please. And I like your approach of go big and then go home!
Dougn
Riding the fine line between bravery and stupidity since infancy.

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Sparroweye

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2020, 07:17:29 pm »
2 Lucky and Swiftboat,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you both.  I have always enjoyed reading books about the Civil War and when I retired in May it was time to act.  My understanding wife still works and I received  a pass to hit the road solo.
I was new to RV travel so it was a true adventure.  I kept a 'ships log' daily, listing locations, expense and milage.  Due to the Wuhan Covid Virus most visitor centers were closed.   My first stop was the Little Bighorn National  Battle Field, spending the night in a little campground on a lake for $16 outside of Buffalo,WY awaking to 3" of snow Sept. 7th!  Heading east I found a free campsite on a lake again outside of Kennebec, S.D. Thank you city of Kennebec.  On to Sioux City, S.D staying at Stone State Park for $16 w/power! Spent a night w/friends in DesMoines.  It was time to make up some milage doing 400 miles to Champaign, Ill. staying at Kickapoo State Park for $20 w/power and dump. Next day the MiniMoto logged 430 miles flying tough ILL., OH.,W.V and PA. Did my first Walmart lot Washington,PA, asking the manager for permission.  I did not know what to expect but it was quite and a few campers joined me. Made a detour to the Flight 93 Memorial which was a emotional experience and well worth the side trip.
Started the battlefield tour at Gettysburg of course!  Rented a campsite via Hipcamp which sources people who will rent you a space on their land.  Reserved for 3 days, $30/day, dry camp. The people were fun and helpful except for the noisy ducks, it was perfect  My electric bike was used to travel the 7 miles each way plus tearing all around this large battlefield.  The bike proved to be perfect for this use;  30+ mile range w/peddle assist, up to 28mph.  In the backpack I packed a lunch each day along with other stuff like a rain coat.
On to Antietam where I was mislead on a app I used but got lucky and found a place 10 miles from Sharpsburg, MD.  Spent two nights @$39/day w/WiFi (my first on trip) water and dump.  WiFi was an issue so when I had to use it, it was time for a coffee at Starbucks. I had trouble with Verizon on the East coast mainly due to the fact that most battlefields were rural. I don't want to bore you with the continued day by day report but this gives you a fair idea about how I traveled.  I used several apps to find places to stay; The Vanlife, Hipcamp, Campendium and Boondocking.  My trip took place 'off season' and school had started so very seldom did I have problems finding a place to stay.  The best free place was good old Cracker Barrel !  I would Google the different locations then zoom in with Google earth to see the parking lot configuration in the back.  I looked for secluded rear lots with tress if possible and off busy roads.  Most fit my needs very nicely.  There are security cameras and good lighting. Felt much more secure than in a Walmart lot.  I always asked and each time they were happy to have me!  Remember, I was doing this solo so I may have been less picky than if my significant other had been along!  I would dry camp three or four days then stay at campground to dump and get water.  Often I got lucky and found dumps at rest areas or paid campgrounds for the service.  My break down was 10 days with friends, 18 boondocking and 16 RV parks, state parks or HipCamps.  I spent $482 on lodging in total.  I heard Bass Pro or Cabbalas are good camp areas too but never gave them a try.  I became obsessed with free camping!  Really liked Cracker Barrels!!!
All in all I did 17 national park battlefields.  Every park was perfectly groomed and beautifully presented.  I would read the bullet points then jump on the bike to cover the major points of interest;  walking these hallowed grounds was  impactful, at times horrific  and emotional.  I may be weird but walking the preserved trenches of Cold Harbor or seeing the infamous Sunken Road at Antietam and countless other war related sites as was very special to me. The majority of these sites were in Virginia.  I have never driven narrower roads in my life.  I literally white knuckled it as there was no room for error.  I guess the west spoiled me with wide roads and nice margins!  I headed to Charleston which I loved.  So much to see and do and of course a ferry ride to Fort Sumter.  From there I headed to my nieces place in Alabama for a little home cooking and clean laundry.  Headed north to see Chickamauga and Shiloh, the last two battlefields.  Okay, I forgot all about Vicksburg....maybe so other time.  Visited friends heading back in Oklahoma City, Amarillo and Phoenix.  I was told to visit the Arches in Utah.  What a thrilling place to visit, so amazingly beautiful.  My last night on the road I spent in McCall, ID at a free camp area I had to myself, a great place to reflect on my journey.  Its hard to pack the entire trip into a short blog but hope you enjoyed it.  I learned so much about travel, the PC and camping....I almost feel somewhat seasoned!
Thanks for your interest and I hope to hear about your adventures too.
Sparroweye

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jhobbs

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2020, 07:19:29 am »
That sounds like alot of fun.  Thank you for the information.  I have always stayed at Walmart parking lots.  I may have to try Cracker Barrel.  Also, to keep from being sad that a trip is over, the wife and I start thinking about and planning the next trip.

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2020, 08:38:57 am »
That sounds like alot of fun.  Thank you for the information.  I have always stayed at Walmart parking lots.  I may have to try Cracker Barrel.
The problem I have with Cracker Barrel is being alone at a closed store.  We are never alone at Walmarts.  Pandemic aside, they are open 24/7 with other RV over-night parkers who tend to watch out for each other.  We are safer in numbers that way.  Whatever action that occurs overnight at a 24/7 Walmart is still quiet enough for a good night's rest.

We never forget to thank them by replenishing our needs.
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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mikeh

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2020, 08:59:43 am »
Wow, Sparroweye--great first (extended) trip!  Thank you for the recap!

Connected with me because of great similarities.  I also bought my very first RV after I retired, and set out on my first extended trip a year ago solo.  Same learning experience coming up to speed on using the rig, learning  the resources available to plan travel and stops, and gaining confidence and experience as I went.  Almost the same duration and distance as yours--to experience an area and theme special to me as well.  Used my e-bike to cover ground and see details in specific areas.  So I can relate very closely with your experience, and I'm glad that you were able to enjoy this trip as much as I did mine.  Agree with you on the Cracker Barrels, they've become my "go to" for a reliable overnight stop when I'm on the road. 

Thanks again for taking the time to pass on the flavor of your experience--looking forward to your next report when Minimoto comes out from underneath that cover!

Mike

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CalCruiser

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2020, 08:34:19 pm »
That sounds like a great advenure ! Nice fitting cover too. What kind?

Some Flying J and Pilot truck stops offer free overnite stays as well, and they are  located just off the interstate. I have not stayed at one , but use the phone app to show locations and gas prices. Last month in Utah they were a dollar less  than in  California. Arches is awesome!
Goin' where the wind goes...

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donc13

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Re: Journey Complete!
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2020, 10:32:33 pm »
Gasoline is $1 more in California just about anywhere else.    It's one of the benefits of "living the life".

3 of my kids used to live there, 1 moved his family and company to Texas when his taxes his 69%.   The other 2 still live there.   Since my PC gets over 400 miles/tank full... I very rarely buy gas in Cali when I visit the 2 that still leave in Cali.
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Don and Patti