[at-l] Contemplating national parks tour--have questions

[Jim Bullard]

You might look at teardrop trailers. They are small enough to tow behind
almost any car and provide secure sleeping space in even heavy weather. You
can find (and later sell) them on eBay motors.

On Sat, Nov 1, 2008 at 8:53 PM, Linda Patton <lpatton at fsu.edu> wrote:

> Great advice abounds on this list, so I have some questions for
> those who have done some traveling around the US, west of the
> Mississippi.
>
> I'm contemplating a trip next year to Portland, OR and back to
> Tallahassee, making a loop to visit as many national parks as I
> can in 6 to 8 weeks (or possibly more).  So here are some
> questions for you:
>
> (1) Has anyone had any experience buying a class B vehicle, like
> a Roadtrek, using it on a long trip, and then reselling it afterward?
> Especially the financial aspect: RV-payments-insurance-gas VS
> SUV-gas(20mpg)-motel-rooms-and-a-little-camping.
>
> (2) Has anyone had any experience with a tent that fits over the rear
> of an SUV?  (I have a Toyota 4Runner.)  Like these…
> http://tentsontrucks.com/tailgater_suv_tent.htm  or
> http://tentsontrucks.com/newsuvtent.htm
>
> (3) Any advice on rooftop carriers?  Especially as to ease of use for
> an old lady.  Hardshell vs. fabric?  How about steps that attach to
> wheel for help in accessing top of vehicle.  Or would carrying a
> small 3-step stool be better? (tho' that might take up too much
> room.)
>
> (4) I'd like to see these parks:  Carlsbad Caverns (maybe), Arches,
> Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Death Valley (maybe),
> Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Redwood, Crater Lake, Mt.
> Rainier, Olympic, North Cascades, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand
> Teton and Bandlands (maybe).  I'm talking mostly scenic drive-
> throughs.  Not hiking, as that's getting more and more iffy for me.
> Any thoughts on time-of-year to go along the southern route and
> the northern route as far as (1) good weather for getting across both
> the southern Rockies and the northern Rockies (and access to Glacier
> NP) and (2) having fairly decent weather in the parks?  I'm thinking
> sometime in the months between June 1st and September 30th, but
> which 8 weeks would work best? …and should I start in the north
> or in the south?
>
> That's 4 questions, some with multiple parts.  So have at it.  I'm
> sure I'll have more ?? as time goes on.
>
> Thanks y'all,
> ~~ eArThworm


-- 
Jim Bullard
http://jims-ramblings.blogspot.com/
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