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05-30-2018, 12:28 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
You guys are giving me the willies talking about Chicago traffic. I'll be driving through in Sept. on a Thursday. Only going less than 200 miles from Elkhart, Indiana... but still.. shiver.
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There is always the option to skip the Chicago area entirely and take one of the tow ferries between Michigan and Wisconsin. Expensive, but can be a fun experience according to this article: Lake Michigan ferry turns humdrum travel into unforgettable experience - Chicago Tribune
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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05-30-2018, 01:31 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Hi Paul
From your home, you have a lot more Chicago to deal with than I do. Todd and Teresa have the EZPass, I only have the single toll to pay $1.10 for just the Highlander so I haven’t invested. The Indiana tollway honors the pass but you don’t get a rate break since 2017. Coming out of the East as far south as Columbus Ohio and taking I 70 as far as Indy and then coming north and west on 74 is a good way to go too. If you like state highways and want to stay south you can cross Iowa on US 34. Good road but lots of towns so slow and not good for making time. Pick it up in Illinois and take it all the way to I29 in western Iowa. Watch for turtles on the road.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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05-30-2018, 02:08 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
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London, ok. When I thought of you stopping east of Chicago I was looking at distance from Toronto for your first day. Yeah, running through there in evening should be decent.
You sound like you drive like my dad did. He'd drive 800 or 900 miles (and this was when the speed limit was 55 mph!), grab a 3-4 hour nap, then get up and drive some more. It was all about reaching the destination as fast as possible, then spending max time around the destination. I would read books, or count how many of each brand of big-rig truck we passed, or pore over maps. (No siblings to play games with, they'd already grown.) Nowadays the teens will probably spend most of their time glued to their phones, eh? Just like at home, only with changing scenery out the window.
Don't fret about heat on the tires. Just inflate to max pressure as printed on the tire while cool in the morning, and stay under their speed rating. Blowouts happen, but not often and that's life.
I don't see a problem with driving along some of the coastline; you have to get to LA somehow, so why not take a scenic route when you can? It's probably worth a few extra hours to see that coast. Golden Gate bridge, though, you can see and drive an even longer suspension bridge much closer to your home on some other trip, into northern Michigan: the Mackinac Bridge.
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05-30-2018, 02:36 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike G
London, ok. When I thought of you stopping east of Chicago I was looking at distance from Toronto for your first day. Yeah, running through there in evening should be decent.
You sound like you drive like my dad did. He'd drive 800 or 900 miles (and this was when the speed limit was 55 mph!), grab a 3-4 hour nap, then get up and drive some more. It was all about reaching the destination as fast as possible, then spending max time around the destination. I would read books, or count how many of each brand of big-rig truck we passed, or pore over maps. (No siblings to play games with, they'd already grown.) Nowadays the teens will probably spend most of their time glued to their phones, eh? Just like at home, only with changing scenery out the window.
Don't fret about heat on the tires. Just inflate to max pressure as printed on the tire while cool in the morning, and stay under their speed rating. Blowouts happen, but not often and that's life.
I don't see a problem with driving along some of the coastline; you have to get to LA somehow, so why not take a scenic route when you can? It's probably worth a few extra hours to see that coast. Golden Gate bridge, though, you can see and drive an even longer suspension bridge much closer to your home on some other trip, into northern Michigan: the Mackinac Bridge.
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The Mackinac, I was borderline terrified driving across that bridge with the old egg, looking down and seeing white caps everywhere. That was a long drive that day, 880km plus 2 long border crossings.
Yes, I’ll being doing some long days, we’re going to LA, but the destination is everything west of Denver, we hit Denver, and it will be shorter days, more sightseeing.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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05-30-2018, 03:16 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 465
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thoer
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I think that is only 1 ferry as Lake Express has tight size restrictions:
"8 feet 6 inches tall, 8 feet wide, and 18 feet long"
SS Badger would work for Donna though. Or just take your time and go around Chicago, you have your bath and kitchen with you.
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05-30-2018, 03:23 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS
I think that is only 1 ferry as Lake Express has tight size restrictions:
"8 feet 6 inches tall, 8 feet wide, and 18 feet long"
SS Badger would work for Donna though. Or just take your time and go around Chicago, you have your bath and kitchen with you.
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Thanks Mike. I didn't know the Lake Express had that tight of size restrictions. Good thing I never showed up with our Escape in tow!
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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05-30-2018, 06:19 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: White Bird, Idaho
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19, "Zen Purple", 2017 4X4 Chevy Colorado/Duramax
Posts: 404
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Not to further contribute to any willies, but all things considered, if it was me I would avoid Interstate 80 altogether. I've driven across the US from PA to CA on I-80 twice and the central and western parts of it multiple times, including a stint this past April in Nebraska and Iowa, and I'm now certain I don't ever want to experience I-80 again. It seems to be a constant stream of traffic in both lanes and heavier truck traffic than I have seen on any interstate. If you are going 60 mph, you will be continually passed by just about every other vehicle on the highway. Not necessarily bad, but you will not be "going with the flow" with trucks, they will be passing you. In Wyoming, you will need to contend with cross winds (likely) and three-lanes of traffic in steeper sections, one of which is a truck lane, and you will probably have to pass the really slow ones grinding uphill. This past April, I could not believe how heavy the traffic was in Iowa and Nebraska, even in the rural parts. Where were all these people going that time of year anyway?? It was heavy enough I ditched Plan A and went to Plan B, which avoided I-80 altogether on the return. Two days of battling trucks and everyone else's mission to get around them was enough, and I wasn't even towing. Of course it's impossible to predict the conditions when you go and it might not be bad, but it does seem to be the most direct east - west route, and therefore the one everyone chooses. But please, consider the source of this advice... I live in rural Idaho where there really IS no traffic, so my perspective could be somewhat warped. And of course you could always do what I did, which is have a Plan B and go to it if conditions are bad. Good luck!
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05-30-2018, 06:26 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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On the other hand, if you want to get there quicker, I80, I70, I90, I40 are the 4 major cross country interstates. I like to drive at night, normally I'll leave at midnight and drive until the next night, stop to rest and then start before dawn the next day. Most trucks stop at the rest areas around 6 pm and are there until 6 am, so night driving is relatively truck free. In addition, some parts of the interstates are so wide, the other way traffic lights do not impact your eyes as they would on a smaller highway. Just my .$02/worth
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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05-30-2018, 07:48 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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The slang for I80 in Iowa is the Super Slab of course the tourism folks like to call it America’s Mainstreet. Either way , there’s a lot of traffic on it pretty much year around. We usually go across Iowa on US 20 and then up to Yankton South Dakota on I29 and then across South Dakota on I 90. Mostly when we’re trying to make time. I drive about 62 mph or so maybe a little faster where it’s wide open. I don’t mind the traffic and my poor passengers hear my same travel stories over and over and over. Wait what the Hell you doing sleeping on me,? Wake up!
Across Nebraska following the Oregon trail is the way I’m going in July when I go to Fort Collins and beyond. Got to see those cowboy boots on the fence posts west of Ash Hollow and hear those Yodel Dogs at sundown plus 30 mins.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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05-30-2018, 08:39 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
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I've been across the Mighty Mac dozens of times. I'll take that over Chicago just about any day. Funny thing, I hate getting up on a roof but driving a bridge 200 feet above the water doesn't bother me much... go figure.
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05-30-2018, 09:23 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike G
I've been across the Mighty Mac dozens of times. I'll take that over Chicago just about any day. Funny thing, I hate getting up on a roof but driving a bridge 200 feet above the water doesn't bother me much... go figure.
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It was really windy that day, I was towing my last glass trailer, a 77 Trillium 4500, not very heavy.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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06-08-2018, 01:18 PM
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#32
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: Will get an Escape 19 some day
Posts: 74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug2000
Yes, I’ll being doing some long days, we’re going to LA, but the destination is everything west of Denver, we hit Denver, and it will be shorter days, more sightseeing.
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If you want a scenic route, hit I-70 in Denver, then I-15 to get into the greater Los Angeles area, there are more beautiful national parks and monuments between Denver and Las Vegas than you can shake a stick at. Also, getting to Downey from the Southeast via I-15 to the 210 or I-10 and connecting with the 605 during the afternoon will usually have far less traffic than I-5 at any time of day. Just avoid heading toward Los Angeles during any part of the morning or away from it during the afternoon.
As for driving the California coast, don't forget places like Kirk Creek campground.
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06-10-2018, 10:56 PM
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#33
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: FOLSOM, California
Trailer: escape 19
Posts: 36
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Outstanding idea. Road trip with the boys. I did this for all 3 of ours and it is great dad/kid time. No matter what happens you 3 will talk about this the rest of your lives. Your wife will look at the 3 of you funny when you all start to laugh about something.
Some thoughts from our trips:
1. do you best to encourage/bribe them to do a journal each day of what happened. 5 minutes of writing each day. when they look back it will be great
2. Soccer on July 4th ?? OK I am not a soccer guy so you have to forgive that. Check out at least one minor league baseball game somewhere on the way, It is Americana and all that. Minor league not major league, you should find schedules and dates for cities on the way on the web.
3. Weekends you may want to reserve a site at a place but most week days you are probably to show up.
4. If you go through Sacramento CA on the way. Get a chili burger at Willies Burgers on 15th street.
5. Half Moon Bay State beach is great if you go that way.
This will be the best trip ever for you. Enjoy
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06-11-2018, 04:03 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
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Back after a little bit
Hey, so I've been busy, a long list of things to do before our trip.
Here is what I have figured out so far. I have decided a little less sightseeing and more of a direct trip.
June 27, Leave London Ontario which is home, drive as far as we can. I was thinking of leaving around 11am, crossing the border, and driving till late in the night. We will have to stop to get some groceries and stock up at some point probably before Chicago so we hit it later.
June 28 Drive
June 29, at this point we need to be through Denver and onto Grand Junction, I booked 2 nights at James M. Rob State Park at Fruita Co.
June 30 Chill
July 1, Drive to Las Vegas, likely stay at one of the off strip casinos as none of the strip casinos allow RV's anymore from what I can tell.
July 2, Drive into LA, stay with a friend for 3 nights. LA Galaxy Soccer Game, and hang out at the beach.
July 5, Leave LA, campsite booked at Zion Canyon Campground and RV, which is just outside the park, spend 2 nights,
July 7, Drive to Moab Utah, Site booked at Slickrock Campground, yes its going to be hot. Drive the Schafer Canyon Rd, and bike the famous Slickrock mountain bike trail in the morning.
July 8 Drive to Rifle Gap State Park in Colrado, 2 nights
July 10 Drive to Cheyenne State Park at Colorado Springs, drive Pikes Peak the next day.
July 12, leave early and drive till we get home.
I think this is a pretty good plan or place to start.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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06-11-2018, 05:40 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Is Pikes Peak a road you want to tow a trailer with?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-11-2018, 07:41 AM
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#36
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Is Pikes Peak a road you want to tow a trailer with?
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You're not allowed to pull a trailer on the Pikes Peak road regardless of size. But I didn't read from the OP that they'd be towing there, just driving it.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-11-2018, 09:06 AM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
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At Zion- especially that time of year with the boys - make a plan to rise very early to get on the first tram to The Narrows. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. Have some good water shoes and hiking stick or pole. Amazing experience!
At Moab check out the #1 place to eat: a food truck called Quesadilla Mobila. Also there is free drinking water at the sporting goods store.
Lastly- on the way to Vegas is Valley of Fire SP that we have enjoyed camping and checking out the Petroglyphs.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
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06-11-2018, 10:18 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Placerville, California
Trailer: 2018 Escape 17A double dinette
Posts: 1,518
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I am very glad you have decided to forego the northern California stretch. It's beautiful, and worth seeing--I live there-- but a significant detour as well as time suck. Any route south other than I-5 is for moseying rather than motoring on.
I recommend taking a cooler in the car. Cold drinks and snacks will be easy to access and will reduce the number of stops. The length of any stop with more than 1 person in the car increases exponentially. Oh, and headphones to reduce arguments about music. Personally, though, I think exposing them to nonstop music from your own teen years would be very educational.
edited to add that the 17 yo driving/towing on interstates in places like nebraska and wyoming is likely the safest compared to cities or towns. no opposing traffic, few turns or decisions, no pedestrians. just my two cents. a few short stints might improve his confidence.
__________________
--Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced older woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force. --Dorothy Sayers
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06-11-2018, 11:16 AM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NA, Arizona
Trailer: 2017 5.0TA
Posts: 549
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Sound like a good time with your boys, Vegas in July is brutal !!! last year 115 degrees we never left Redrock resort (No Trailer just relaxing). I would book a ROOM @ Sams-town Casino enjoy pool, TV,Shower,A/C,Movie theater, bowling lanes and leave trailer in parking lot or at attached Las Vegas KAO or book a room @ Sunset Staion Casino you can park in Parking lot(Pool, TV, Shower, A/C, Movie theater, bowling lanes) have fun!
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06-11-2018, 11:22 AM
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#40
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: FOLSOM, California
Trailer: escape 19
Posts: 36
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And one more:
If you are going through Indio. I strongly suggest a stop at Shields Date farm for a date milk shake. A desert tradition
80225 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201-6538
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