Road Vacationing

[AyatollahGondola]

I'm totally unaware as to whether CHP officers still consider taking road trip vacations via camper, trailer, motorhome or tent, having spent much of their work behind the wheel or on the road. I remember having a girlfriend back in the day who waited tables, and she made it quite clear she was serving no one after hours, and so we ate out alot. I had to drive commercially for my work, and it wasn't uncommon for me to drive a truck or similar all week, and then drive a truck and fifth wheel for the next week or more on a family trip. I can't say this was ever a real problem though. I like taking road trips, and trailering has been a part of my life since I was a toddler, so it might be that the vibration of the road is a welcome feel for some of us as long as we are going somewhere of interest.
Are there any officers and /or families here that take weekends or vacations by road as mentioned?
If so, where are your targeted locations of the future, and some of your past favorite spots?

[cjincognito]

I personally do, and I know quite a few other officers that do also. On a side note, it's kinda funny, the RV salesman wanted to argue with me when I said I'd have to get a special endorsement on my license to pull such a large trailer. Oh well, he still got the sale and I got the endorsement. As far as favorites go...it just depends on what I'm trying to accomplish. I've been in the desert for riding motorized toys, and I've been in the middle of the forest for the solitude. Now, I think you mentioned not wanting to drive for vacation when you drive for a living. It never bothered me. Maybe if I drove a tractor/trailer for a living, but that's never stopped my best friend. He hauls triples (out of state, of course) but still enjoys the long RV trips.

[AyatollahGondola]

On a side note, it's kinda funny, the RV salesman wanted to argue with me when I said I'd have to get a special endorsement on my license to pull such a large trailer. Oh well, he still got the sale and I got the endorsement. .
Their job is to sell a unit, and they'd sell it to an unlicensed driver as long as there was financing or cash. I encountered this too, but mainly trying to get them to understand that pulling it would surpass my GCVWR.

The desert locations have been a little elusive for us. there were a few trips for desert off-roading under consideration earlier, but we never made it. I remember some areas we stayed in the desert while visiting Grand Canyon, and some points north, but don't recall the names at present. Where is the london bridge now? That was one of them

[AyatollahGondola]

Has anyone trailered or RV'd through Yellowstone? My wife has always favored a trip there, and I'd like to accomodate her. The last long trip was my choice, Alaska, and it being her turn and all I would like to get any personal references or reccomendations on Yellowstone

[LadyVol@330]

Only done Yellowstone in the family sedan. Kids loved it, and now married daughter and her family go nearly every year. Late winters there, so you can actually get snowed in there in June, so watch the weather forecast. One time we were there for an overnight, traveling through to the Midwest. Hot and breathless the first day, then the Canadian front came in and we nearly froze that night and the next day. One time we just got out and the next morning the snow came and those who wanted to go out the East gate to Jackson were not able to do that. Both times were in mid to late June. Grizzly bear warning signs near that gate, but we have never seen them.

Also, several years ago there was a moose who enjoyed taking out the front ends of impatient drivers' vehicles. Can't remember his name and he probably isn't around any more, but a friend and family were there when the traffic came to a complete stop. He finally got out of his car and walked up to see what was going on. Seems the moose decided to venture into the roadway, as all the animals do there if they please, and stopped in the middle and just stood there. The first driver waited awhile then rolled forward and started honking. No movement from the moose. He started honking some more and should have noticed that the moose began to paw the ground. Finally, the animal got tired of the horn and completely destroyed the car with his antlers. Then he strolled off. The driver couldn't do anything and all the following vehicles starting driving around him and onward. The guy I knew at least found a ranger and told him what happened. Ranger knew which animal it was and said he did that probably once a week in the summer! People act so dumb around wild animals. It's amazing how close they get to them to take pictures, even a bison with a baby. I can't even look when something that stupid is going on. Hope you can take the trip. The lava fields in Idaho are interesting along the way. Just talking about the trip is getting me interested in going again, but not until next year.

[AyatollahGondola]

Does anyone here use memberships in campgrounds? We have a Thousand Trails gig, and it's been ok in the past, but they've sold out to another corp that seems to be making their investment money back by lessening the services, raising fees, and opening the private campground to the public.
Not sure if this is such a good deal anymore

[Mac]

...The desert locations have been a little elusive for us. there were a few trips for desert off-roading under consideration earlier, but we never made it. I remember some areas we stayed in the desert while visiting Grand Canyon, and some points north, but don't recall the names at present. Where is the london bridge now? That was one of them
Desert locations have always been some of my favorite destinations - but that's mostly because I do a lot of off-roading and there are also many beautiful lakes for boating/watersports. The London Bridge is located in Lake Havasu City (on Lake Havasu, coincidentally enough). If you want to see the ultimate in desert beauty (IMHO), visit Lake Powell on the Arizona/Utah border....the only problem with doing so is that, for many people, it becomes the standard by which all other lakes are measured.

I enjoy road vacations MUCH more than flying. The driving doesn't bother me - I enjoy driving even while at work (as long as it's not in heavy/commute traffic), and you have the opportunity to see so much more along the way as opposed to flying to a destination. Not to mention that fact that you avoid all the hassles of flying nowadays - packing your toiletries in little plastic bags, paying out the nose for taking luggage along, undergoing everything but a proctoscopy before boarding the plane, etc., etc.

[AyatollahGondola]

Desert locations have always been some of my favorite destinations - but that's mostly because I do a lot of off-roading and there are also many beautiful lakes for boating/watersports. The London Bridge is located in Lake Havasu City (on Lake Havasu, coincidentally enough). If you want to see the ultimate in desert beauty (IMHO), visit Lake Powell on the Arizona/Utah border....the only problem with doing so is that, for many people, it becomes the standard by which all other lakes are measured.

I enjoy road vacations MUCH more than flying. The driving doesn't bother me - I enjoy driving even while at work (as long as it's not in heavy/commute traffic), and you have the opportunity to see so much more along the way as opposed to flying to a destination. Not to mention that fact that you avoid all the hassles of flying nowadays - packing your toiletries in little plastic bags, paying out the nose for taking luggage along, undergoing everything but a proctoscopy before boarding the plane, etc., etc.

We wanted to do a Lake Powell tour, but could only do Havasu during our Grand Canyon trip. Off roading was a part of our itinerary before, but mostly sand dunes of Oregon and Southern California. We've been dune riding in Oregon I think three times, and california twice.

[48sub]

Just finished a 2,700 mile road trip around Northern California. Partially just for fun, but also looking around at places to transfer to in the future. Lots of water in Northern California! It seems like every couple of miles along a road there is a creek or stream or river. Crossed the California/Oregon border 7 or 8 times, was getting worried I would get put on some list and get stopped. Like others have said as long as there is not traffic I enjoy driving places.

[AyatollahGondola]

Like others have said as long as there is not traffic I enjoy driving places.
I was just commenting the other day about how we drove for days in the Yukon and Alaska without stopping for, or even seeing a traffic light or stop sign.
Days.....

Yes we do have water here in Northern Cal, but we also have aquatic life that depends on it, and interests in the south that have been salivating over it for years.