Planning our trip out west - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Camping | Places, Gear and Planning > Trips and Travel Planning
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-02-2016, 10:01 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Ruthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Highland Park, New Jersey
Trailer: Escape 19 February 2014
Posts: 975
Planning our trip out west

We're planning to take a leisurely month and a half to two months to get to the Tetons next summer. We'll start in mid June so most of the trip will be peak season. We'll probably take 80 to Des Moines and then north to 90 and follow that west. That means we'll be starting in New York State and going through Ohio, Indiana, illinois, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming.

We have reservations in the Tetons,and I know we should make reservations along the way, but I'm having trouble planning. I want to find bike trails, especially in the midwest where we can find gentle ones -- neither of us is interested in hill climbing. So does anyone have suggestions for less known places to visit along the way or any great bike paths?
Ruthe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2016, 10:33 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Front Range, Colorado
Trailer: 2017 5.0 TA picked up in July 2017.
Posts: 523
Stay south and visit Colorado. Nice bike trail from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and it is slightly downhill all the way. Steamboat Springs has several miles of trails in the downtown area and they follow the river so very gentle. Boulder Colorado area has over 250 miles of trails and you can drive into the mountains and ride down. Also visit Rocky Mountain National Park to see the Colorado elk which are very large but spend all of their time standing around grazing. Then when you see the elk in Wyoming, which are constantly chased by the wolf packs you'll see a much different animal.
SFDavis50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 01:35 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
arniesea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthe View Post
We're planning to take a leisurely month and a half to two months to get to the Tetons next summer. We'll start in mid June so most of the trip will be peak season. We'll probably take 80 to Des Moines and then north to 90 and follow that west. That means we'll be starting in New York State and going through Ohio, Indiana, illinois, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming.

We have reservations in the Tetons,and I know we should make reservations along the way, but I'm having trouble planning. I want to find bike trails, especially in the midwest where we can find gentle ones -- neither of us is interested in hill climbing. So does anyone have suggestions for less known places to visit along the way or any great bike paths?
I would suggest a loop. My in laws live in Indiana and we live in Washington. I was born in Cheyenne and raised in Colorado so I have made variations of this trip many times.

From IN, loop around Chicago and head up through WI to visit Madison and the wonderful state capital there. Lots of good bicycling too. Then across via La Croix, WI where there is a wonderful historic district on the Mississippi. Cross into South Dakota to the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. From there catch Devil's tower in WY, then across to the Tetons / Yellowstone. On the way back, head down to Colorado for the suggestions posted by SFdavis50. Head home by way of I-80 and Nebraska, etc. Two months should be plenty of time to do all of that in a relaxed way. Good Luck!
arniesea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 06:08 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
We took the slower route, got off I-80 in Akron OH taking 2ndary roads the rest of the way to Yellowstone and some what the same route coming back from the Tetons, at least till Deb decided she wanted to get home quicker to see the grand kids.

Many small towns you could stop in and ride the quiet streets. We checked out county parks for camping as well as a number of nice out of the way state parks. Surprising to us was how much we enjoyed driving the back roads through Nebraska.

We left in late August, the only time we had problems was finding a campground on Labor Day weekend. We ended up at Walmart, which can be noisy places. As you are going in the summer you may have to call ahead as you look for places to stay, it was not an issue in late August-Oct. We spent about a week driving one way.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 08:39 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Steve Clark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21. '15 Ford Explorer V-6
Posts: 1,554
Ruthe, We just completed the reverse of your plan, and our favorite overnight was in Iowa. A county park near Montezuma, about 7 miles south of I-80. We found it on Allstays and it is named, Diamond Lake County Park Camp Ground. It has lots of sites on the water and lots of easy biking and walking trails. I'd go back there and spend a week!
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0408.jpg  
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'

“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
Steve Clark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 08:54 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
titanizer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Ashland City, Tennessee
Trailer: 2016 21' Classic
Posts: 263
Hey Steve,
That 21 looks great behind that Explorer!!!!
titanizer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 09:09 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Naples, Florida
Trailer: New 21 Escape (not classic)10/16 Sold Lil Snoozy 7/16
Posts: 484
Make sure you get the I Pass for the toll roads otherwise it's double when paying cash
jennykatz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 09:33 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Greggo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
I've never understood exactly what "out west" meant. I'd have to drive east 3 long days to get to the west in Colorado!
__________________
Some who wander are not lost...
Greggo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 10:26 AM   #9
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo View Post
I've never understood exactly what "out west" meant. I'd have to drive east 3 long days to get to the west in Colorado!
If you think that's strange Greg, try "Down East".

You can't go "down" to go east, at least using the common slang for map directions, but folks in Maine call it that.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 10:27 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,207
"Down East "? Heard of Back East and Down South.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 10:39 AM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: just north of Madison, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2001 Scamp 16
Posts: 21
If you jump up to 90 a bit earlier, there is some great biking in Wisconsin from state trails on railroad beds to bike paths to paved county highways. Interstate 90 passes by Madison, WI, which has numerous paths around the city/lakes.

J&J
northwinds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:03 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Think we got some folks here from Down East, as in Maine.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:06 AM   #13
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
I live 80 miles from the Pacific ocean as the crow flies. When folks talk about "out west" and they mean Colorado... I think, I'd have to drive more than 20 hours EAST just to get there.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:16 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,494
I'm in the South West, does that count. Lots of horse thieves, Indians, cowboys and cactus.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:29 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,217
West

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo View Post
I've never understood exactly what "out west" meant. I'd have to drive east 3 long days to get to the west in Colorado!
The Jordan Motor car company produced an iconic advertisement with one of their cars being driven "Somewhere west of Laramie. The prose is beautiful and I think of it every time I hit Big ,Wonderful Wyoming and on up into the Big Sky Country and then over Lolo Pass and Down the Lochsa. 48 years this June since I headed to Idaho from Iowa on the Honda Superhawk.
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:29 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Steve Clark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21. '15 Ford Explorer V-6
Posts: 1,554
Quote:
Originally Posted by titanizer View Post
Hey Steve,
That 21 looks great behind that Explorer!!!!
Thanks titanizer, It towed great over the Sierras and the Rockies too (those Rockies are a long pull). 15.3 mpg to the east coast and 14.7 to the west coast.
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'

“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
Steve Clark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 11:43 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,217
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A View Post
I'm in the South West, does that count. Lots of horse thieves, Indians, cowboys and cactus.
And a few bad hombres !
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 12:01 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,207
I get it Dave - a political joke. Verrrrry funny
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 01:39 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
peter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
Trailer: 2013 19ft Escape "Eggy Sue"
Posts: 188
Hi Iowa Dave, Your mention of Lochsa reminded me that 50 years ago we would drive from Missoula (U. of M.) up to Lochsa Lodge because the drinking age was 20 in Idaho. Seven packed into a 52 Studebaker Commander. Nuff said. Cheers, Peter
__________________
Peter H.
"Eggy Sue"
2013 19ft Escape
2002 Toyota Tundra 4X4
peter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2016, 02:41 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo View Post
I've never understood exactly what "out west" meant. I'd have to drive east 3 long days to get to the west in Colorado!
And your closest approach to the Pacific Ocean is to drive due South!
dfandrews is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.