Author Topic: Heading West (Read 5996 times)

mikelutestanski · « **on:** May 27, 2013, 12:14:11 PM »

Hello We are heading west next week from Florida. West across the southern route thru texas to the grand canyon. Then to nevada and california up to washington. Then a slow trip back along the northern borders with stops in yellowstone ,the badlands and the UP to head down over the mackinac bridge.
Instead of Alaska we decided to stay in the lower 40 and see national parks and hopefully some tourist trains.
This will be our chance to see the great northwest.
I added a new front cabinet to bring us into the new century with newer electronics. The ipad with the bad elf pro will be our new navigation tool. We will be testing that and using the cell phone through the radio. For us this is all new and we will see how it works..My email is available if anyone is interested. Send me a note through the board.
Regards and happy bussin .. mike & Diane Lutestanski

TomC · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2013, 01:05:21 PM »

Be interested in the fuel economy you get with the L10. Good Luck, TomC

lvbob · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2013, 01:51:59 PM »

Hello Mike and Diane, sounds like a fun trip. Be sure and do the Oregon coast (HWY 101). We will be going to the CA. coast for the month of June(Ventura) then on up to Oregon, a month at Florence(July) then up to Rockaway beach for a month(August) after that on up to Seattle area for the month of September. By then it will be cooling off here in Las Vegas and we will make our way back South. If there is anything I can help with give me a shout. (places to see etc) Bob

mikelutestanski · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2013, 02:07:31 PM »

Hello, Fuel mileage averages 7.5 . We have about 25,000 on this drivetrain and about 15k since a major rebuild.
Regards. Mike

lvmci · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2013, 03:36:46 PM »

Mike, just got back from Williams, Arizona, route66 @ I40, good rv parks, great train ride to El Tovar hotel at the south rim, great food, but most of all, the pie at Pine Country Cafe on route 66 near the train station is the best, lvmci...

Cary and Don · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2013, 05:05:34 PM »

If you do 395 up from southern California there is a lot of nice spots. Mono Lake for one. If you stop at Mammoth Lakes you can take the back road into Yosemite if you have a tow car. Then continue through Carson City on to I-80 west. When we go to the coast we leave I-80 at Hwy65 to Marysville/Yuba City. Then to Colusa. The Colusa County Fair grounds makes a good spot for the night. Easy in, grass, and hook ups. On the weekends there usually isn't anybody around to take your money. Continue on west past Clear Lake to 101. There is a large gas station on the left just after Clear Lake where we stay in the parking lot at night. Ancient Redwoods RV resort just off 101 is really convenient for seeing the redwoods. Reasonably priced. Then you can follow 101 on up the coast. If you can get to the Oregon Caves, it's a nice stop. This is one of our favorite trips.

Don and Cary

Dave5Cs · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:46:33 PM »

On 65 there is also Thunder Valley Casino. We are not gamblers but they have a great Buffet there for 11.00 all you can eat on Wed. it is from 10 to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm. all the other days it is all day and 15.00. They also have very cheap overnight RV lot across the street. If you are into shopping at all the Galleria is right thee after you turn onto 65 and galleria blvd. There is also a Costco right there if you need to stock up on things. Before you get to 65 coming out of Auburn ,CA at Rocklin blvd, Rocklin , CA. coming down 80 there is a Camping World if you need one.
If you are near 65 and Pleasant Valley road give us a call and we can come say Hi have a cup of coffee. We live about 8 minutes from there in Roseville, CA or ("the bottom of the hill as southern Pacific RR" calls it). Have a safe trip and enjoy.

Dave5Cs

bobofthenorth · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:52:00 PM »

Good to hear you got the lines cast off and got clear of the dock. Stay in touch.

treeplanter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:55:09 PM »

Check out the Durrango Railroad in Colorado, my brother just got back from a trip on this old steam train. Huge views.

luvrbus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2013, 07:01:34 PM »

Mike I tried to answer your PM you sent me it came back to my box I have no idea what I am doing wrong but I should be home by then, pretty hot down I 40 once you leave Kingman headed for Vegas or Ca

Dave5Cs · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2013, 07:16:17 PM »

Mike, if you guys like Trains Old Sacramento has probably the largest train museum in the Country. You can take a train ride out of it down and back through the city. Napa Valley also has a neat Wine Train that serves lunch and Dinner While moving through the wine country past all the old Wineries and vineyards.

Dave5Cs

lvmci · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2013, 07:45:31 PM »

2nd that Sacramento railway museum, also Portola, which I here is good, lvmci...

napamikey · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2013, 09:05:19 PM »

I grew up in Napa and now live in San Francisco. For a train nut, definitely recommend the Wine Train. I worked on it when I was a waiter, good old days

The vista dome car is the place to be. In San Francisco I recommend the F-line. Historic street cars with many from Milan and the US. You can ride from Fisherman's Wharf along the waterfront and then up Market Street to the castro district. A great "tour" for $2! As for museums, the one in Sacramento is cool as well as the Western Railway Museum near Rio Vista. At Western they are recreating the old electrified line to Sacramento. They have made it 10 miles so far. An absolute playground for the old electric street cars. Please let me know if you need any SF bay area info.

mikelutestanski · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2013, 04:22:53 AM »

Hello, Thanks to all for the replies. The info is great to have. The train museums are on the list.
We did the Durango train two years ago and really enjoyed it.
Regards and happy bussin. Mike

David Anderson · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2013, 05:01:14 AM »

Mike, if you do Durango, the Bar D Chuckwagon is one of our favorites, dinner and a country music show. We also do the live play at the Diamond Circle theater in the Strater Hotel. Check to see if it is still playing.

David

B_K · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2013, 07:43:15 AM »

Have a great trip ! Enjoy the ride and keep us posted!

BK

Mike in GA · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2013, 07:51:57 AM »

As mentioned earlier, there are parts of the rocky and rugged Oregon coast that are truly stupendous, and no problem for a 40 footer, with tow. I recommend at least seeing Florence north to Newport. The village of Yachats (pronounced Ya Hots) is charming with good restaurants, and Newport harbor has friendly seals and a great aquarium. Lots of waterfront dining.
Enjoy!
Mike in GA

Cary and Don · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2013, 09:46:19 AM »

Forgot to mention. Forget the California State parks. You can't get into them with 40' and the prices are ridiculous. $26 a night for unlevel dirt, noise, bugs, and smoke and you can't use your generator more than an hour at a time without them complaining. The Oregon state parks are great though. Even the small city parks often have hook ups for less than $30 a night.

Don and Cary

Ed Hackenbruch · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2013, 11:50:27 AM »

We have stayed twice at the little rv park just south of Orick Ca. on the coast and both times have had elk come thru the campground early in the morning. One night i heard a noise outside of my bedroom window and could have touched a cow elk that was eating the grass that was sticking out from underneath my tires.

luvrbus · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2013, 12:53:45 PM »

Don't pass up the opportunity to visit Id board the Thunder Mountain Railroad at Cascade enjoy the ride to McCall they have a dinner, wine tasting and the Cabarton trip and it doesn''t break the bank to enjoy I think the dinner ride is under 50 bucks for seniors

The train follows the beautiful Payett River where you see elk, moose,big horn sheep, mountain goats,bears, and plenty of Bald Eagles.

Then on to Weiser ID for the fiddlers contest this is the 1st year for a banjo contest all ways held on the 3rd full week of June,

Then off to YellowPIne for Harmonic Festival Aug 2nd nicest people in the world live in ID the imports from CA that live there I can't say much about those lol one can spend months in ID and never see all of it

Fish for steel head at Riggins explore gold and silver mines park on the rivers float the rivers a fun state for all so much to do there warm days and cool nights no need for AC use your Golden Age pass and it will cost very little to camp on the rivers and parks

No I don't work for Chamber of Commerce I just love that state I think it has more to offer than any state in the west

Drive Safe and Enjoy

Dave5Cs · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2013, 08:52:03 PM »

No I don't work for Chamber of Commerce I just love that state I think it has more to offer than any state in the west

Nope Clifford sounds like you are the Chamber of Commerce, LOL

Dave5cs