The adventures of Tiggerdad (A collection of camping locations, mishaps, reviews, alterations, food, and whatever else I can find)

[PaHunter]

Sounds like a good trip.

 

[tiggerdad]

That's a lot of brain power at one table.

 

[bama_ed]

Tonight I am with you boys in spirit making plans for summer 2022. (Aldi's low fat ice cream brand)



Oh and I guess that one of the ladies present (tiggerdad's DW or DD1 or DD2 or southalabama5er's DW) took the pictures above and thus they HAD to be seated at the table also and their presence (any one of them) left you guys freed up to use your minds on this marvelous adventure you're planning.

They deserve a helmet tap too.

Ed

 

[Teamubr]

Covid messed up our Europe trip this year, otherwise we would have been joining you. Next year was supposed to be our western trip. I sent you a text with a decent overnight on the western side of the StL area. 370 Lakeside Park. It is about 30 minutes from me. We have driven through, but never actually stayed there. There is a nice lake and it is very close to the Missouri River. There are some places south on I-55 and a few farther west on I-70. Depends on how far you want to make it on the 1st day.

There is another place right across the river from downtown St. Louis and the Arch. Since you'll be coming in I-55 and out on I-70. (I-55/I-44 turns into I-70 West bound in downtown STL.) I have stayed here before over 4th of July. Tigger92662 is coming down next July and we are staying here for the air shows. Casino Queen (yes it's a casino) RV Park It is just across the river, but is an easy jump back onto I-70 West from St Louis. I drive past it everyday on the way to and from work. Ignore that it is in E. StL. The casino property is fine.



We will definitely swing out and say hi, if we are in town.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Thanks Jim. We have the option to boondock on first night since we both will have plenty of water and generator so we considering this as well.

Both of those look nice, I think Randy had already been looking at Lakeside Park as well. Will certainly get with you once we nail it down.

Originally was trying to include Uranus, MO in trip as well. Hear stories that the best fudge comes from Uranus.

 

[Teamubr]

Good old Uranus. That's down I-44 towards Branson though. Next trip... maybe

j

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Originally was trying to include Uranus, MO in trip as well. Hear stories that the best fudge comes from Uranus.

As a former resident of the area I'd recommend leaving that off your list.

My offer still stands for a driveway overnight in the KC area and let me know if you need more details on a KC area stop.

 

[tiggerdad]

As a former resident of the area I'd recommend leaving that off your list.

My offer still stands for a driveway overnight in the KC area and let me know if you need more details on a KC area stop.

Will do. St. Louis / Columbia area is about 8 hours for us and as far as im concerned enough considering the total number of days we'll be on road. KC I'm afraid is too much of a stretch but not totally out of question. If we decide to boondock we might very well continue on down the road and have shorter drive the next day to Sioux Falls.

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Looks like we were cramming for a final exam or something.

It's a different mindset for me, driving for a living and hurry and get there attitude vs a camping sight seeing trip, so I have to slow down my just drive to I get there then rest mindset. I'm excited about it. I thought about using the Pete for its ride comfort and extra horsepower but that wouldn't fair to @tiggerdad so instead I'm gonna use the ways less comfortable (like 3 hours in and I'm ready to get out of) F450 just to be fair. I already installed a 100 gallon auxiliary tank, orderdd a cool front fender CB antenna mounting bracket, the ol magnet antenna won't work on the aluminum body/roof, you know tiggerdad and myself gotta have CB's. Before June I plan on new all terrain tires and a leveling kit. Maybe a big front bumper and a winch, those that know Tiggerdad and myself know we always end up on some kinda unique unplanned and often depending on what state a illegal adventure,

I'm trying to convince him if we can pull this trip off maybe in 2023 we'll head north to Alaska! Who's in! @BamaEd?!

So far the good news is that the Campgrounds we've booked had sites big enough for our toy hauler. I had a few modifications that I wanted to make on the camper, after our Gatlinburg trip I installed upgraded suspension shackles and wet bolts. We all know campers are a never ending bottomless money pit project

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

I'm trying to convince him if we can pull this trip off maybe in 2023 we'll head north to Alaska! Who's in! @BamaEd?!

Ironic. We're both going to YT and Grand Tetons next year and I'm planning a 60-90 day (depending on work/school/kid activities/etc) trip to Alaska in 2023. If you're successful in convincing @tiggerdad, maybe you need to pipe me into the "finals cram session" via zoom this time next year

 

[bama_ed]

I'm trying to convince him if we can pull this trip off maybe in 2023 we'll head north to Alaska! Who's in! @BamaEd?!

Randy,

It sounds interesting but not my cup of tea. I'm more the champagne-on-the-beach type.

However, I would suggest you invite Part-Time-Paradise instead of me to join up for a few days and hook up with him for a portion of his long stay. Besides being younger, smarter, taller, and better looking, his truck and trailer are right up there with you big dogs, Michael and Randy. He can talk the technical talk about whatcha-ma-call-its and thinga-ma-bobs right there with you both.

DW has always wanted to visit up in the New England area which I would be happy to do if I could work in a Red Sox game at Fenway some how. That's in addition to an Arizona-Spring Training trip too some time - those two trips are next on the wish list. Scanning the list I don't see the Alaska/Ed-being-chased-by-polar-bears option anywhere. Sorry.

You baws have at it though.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Alaska sounds great, it's just my kids' schedule that keeps me limited. Might be an empty nest trip.

I went ahead and booked the locations that were open to booking. We'll head at least as far as St. Louis on first trip, possibly Kansas City and just dry dock that first night. Wal Mart parking lot or rest area will be fine as we will be running generators. This way we have option on first day to gain extra ground, have less road travel on day 2.

Second night we are booked at Sioux Falls KOA. Only one night there, but hope to catch the Falls Park before we head out.

Third night lands us at Rapid City / Black Hills KOA. We'll be there 3 nights total. Tour Badlands, Custer State Park, Windcave, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Deadwood, and Keystone.

From there it's on to an interesting sounding place, Bozeman Hot Springs Campground. Only one night there unfortunately.

From there it's on to West Yellowstone. Right now at Yellowstone Park /Mountain View KOA for 5 nights. I'm going to try for Yellowstone Grizzly or Buffalo Crossing when they open for booking. The other KOA closer to Yellowstone was already booked. West Yellowstone is the preferred place apparently in the area for campers. There is Fishing Bridge inside the park also, but quite difficult to get. I'd like to stay 1 night at the Yellowstone Lodge, but we'll play that by ear.

After that we're looking at Colter Bay RV Park in Grand Tetons, but hasn't opened for booking yet.

On the way home we'll pass through Cheyenne and likely back across to Kansas City and back south to home.

As of right now anyway.

We'll take input from those who have been. Some of you have already given information on other threads but if you'd mind reposting it here I'd be appreciative as others may be interested too.

We'll apparently miss Part Time Paradise by a few weeks but might get to meet up on the way out or back home.

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

However, I would suggest you invite Part-Time-Paradise instead of me to join up for a few days and hook up with him for a portion of his long stay. Besides being younger, smarter, taller, and better looking, his truck and trailer are right up there with you big dogs, Michael and Randy. He can talk the technical talk about whatcha-ma-call-its and thinga-ma-bobs right there with you both.

So Ed evidently thinks I'm the 6 million dollar man...

or a middle-aged nerd

Either way, a public endorsement from Ed. I'll take it.

After that we're looking at Colter Bay RV Park in Grand Tetons, but hasn't opened for booking yet.

On the way home we'll pass through Cheyenne and likely back across to Kansas City and back south to home.

As of right now anyway.

We'll take input from those who have been. Some of you have already given information on other threads but if you'd mind reposting it here I'd be appreciative as others may be interested too.

We'll apparently miss Part Time Paradise by a few weeks but might get to meet up on the way out or back home.

I'm really crossing my fingers and toes on AK in 2023. It'd be really fun to convoy at least through some of the rough drive up the ALCAN to stave off Murphy with a team.

At Grand Tetons, I'm eyeing Gros Ventre for where we're going to stay when we're there (opens 6 months out for ressies). It's on the south end of the park and can hold our size rigs.

I'd recommend stopping short of Cheyenne at Laramie, unless you have a specific reason for Cheyenne. Some amazing dispersed camping available in the Medicine-Bow Natl Forest and it's really beautiful. The Snowy Range was amazing when we stopped there 2 years ago.

As I've said in private and public, if you need a driveway in the KC area I'm here. Plenty of room for both of your rigs. 15A and water (with enough extension cord and hose) available.

 

[tiggerdad]

So Ed evidently thinks I'm the 6 million dollar man...

or a middle-aged nerd

Either way, a public endorsement from Ed. I'll take it.



I'm really crossing my fingers and toes on AK in 2023. It'd be really fun to convoy at least through some of the rough drive up the ALCAN to stave off Murphy with a team.

At Grand Tetons, I'm eyeing Gros Ventre for where we're going to stay when we're there (opens 6 months out for ressies). It's on the south end of the park and can hold our size rigs.

I'd recommend stopping short of Cheyenne at Laramie, unless you have a specific reason for Cheyenne. Some amazing dispersed camping available in the Medicine-Bow Natl Forest and it's really beautiful. The Snowy Range was amazing when we stopped there 2 years ago.

As I've said in private and public, if you need a driveway in the KC area I'm here. Plenty of room for both of your rigs. 15A and water (with enough extension cord and hose) available.

Problem with Laramie is its too close, we need to put more miles behind us in order to be home in time to get back to work.

Will add Gros Ventre as another consideration in Grand Tetons

 

[mickeyfan0805]

DW has always wanted to visit up in the New England area which I would be happy to do if I could work in a Red Sox game at Fenway some how.

LOTS of great sights to see in New England. If you are going to Boston, there is a very nice campground called Normandy Farms that was our local destination for weekend in the shoulder seasons when we lived out there. There's also a KOA in the same region that is decently place for day-trips into Boston or out to the Cape.

If you get further north, the White Mountains in NH and Acadia in ME are both phenomenal places to visit. I would assume that the Cog Railway up Mount Washington in NH would be of particular interest to you (although you are likely already fully familiar with it!). Some of my richest memories of camping with the kids when they were younger come from that area.

 

[tiggerdad]

Struck gold!

Yellowstone Grizzly RV park on West Yellowstone was not supposed to open for 2022 reservations until midnight tonight. We'll, I just happened to look last night and it was opened on up for 2022!

I grabbed us two premium pull through. From what I've heard it's the place you want to be if camping outside the park.

Cross that off the list.

 

[team bradfield]

Beautiful RV park, I tried to get DW to west yellowstone once, she white knuckles just riding through the park, she says no way towing an RV.

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Nice. I scored Fishing Bridge a while back. It was worth waking up in the middle of the night to stay in the park for us.

 

[tiggerdad]

Fishing Bridge was on possible, but Randy at 45 foot, even with the supposed expanded and upgraded sites it wasn't clear how it would fit for us.

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Fishing Bridge was on possible, but Randy at 45 foot, even with the supposed expanded and upgraded sites it wasn't clear how it would fit for us.

I had to book 2 different site types, 65 ft and 80 ft, to get my full stay reserved. It feels way too much like a Disney trip fight for all the reservations.

The biggest ressie I'm keeping my eye out on the calendar for is touring the Delta-01 site at Minuteman Missile Natl Hist Site. NPS just closed the tour for maintenance with no projected reopening date. In COVID times it was only 6 people per tour. Like trying to score a RotR boarding group.

Hope rest of your stuff is falling into place.