Cross Country Trip

ggrvguy · 10-18-2021, 07:06 PM

Hi Folks, I haven’t been on the forum recently because I’ve been on the road. My wife and I just got back from a 7 week crosscountry trip around the US. After double and triple checking everything on my truck and trailer, we took off on August 30 and put on 12000 miles. Happy to report we had zero problems and no mishaps other than getting lost a couple times. We visited all the places we’ve been talking about for years and had a trip of a lifetime. I’ll post some pics and more details as I get time.
Gary G

johnnybgood · 10-20-2021, 03:52 AM

Sounds like fun, I’m jealous!

My wife and I hope to do the same thing a couple years from now.

**JohnB** · 10-28-2021, 06:24 PM

Hi Gary,

That is really great!

Prepping the camper & truck paid off big time.

We hope to do a similar 7 to 8 week cross country adventure, hopefully in the somewhat near future. We are planning a 4 week east coast adventure for 2022 now.

Looking forward to seeing your pics!

John

Bigguido478 · 01-10-2022, 09:28 AM

Hi Y'all: My wife and I traveled mid May to 1st of September 2020, in our 1996 Sunline Solaris T-2553 -(we are the original and sole owners since unit purchased new-1996) I had kept this treasure upgraded and in peak of mechanical condition. (This was our 2nd out-west trip) Our routing was from our home in western North Carolina to Meridian, Miss > Shreveprt, LA > Burkburnett, TX> Santa Fe,NM> Holbrook, AZ> Cortez, CO> Ouray, CO >Grand Junction, CO > Vernal, UT > Green River, UT > Glenwood Springs, CO > Estes Park, CO > Buena Vista, CO > Cripple Creek, CO > Colorado Springs, CO > Casper, WY > Cody, WY > Buffalo, WY > Wall, SD > Sioux Falls, SD > Mosinee, Wisc > Mackinac City, MI > Anderson, IND > Pigeon Forge, TN > Home. (We traveled to many separate visit-spots, up to 80 miles in every direction from these base camp locations). In all, a bit over 12,100 miles, [three oil changes, one transmission fluid change mid trip]. No break-downs, no flats, no overheating. Along the way we took routes over the highest elevations in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming...yeh sometime first gear at 5 mph up scary, steep grades, but we made it. Why this way? THE VIEWS we were rewarded with...breathtaking and unforgettable! What a blast. If anyone wants specifics, or helpful hints...let me know. ( I joined this sunline group back in '96 but had an email address change and lost access...just re-signed up again today).

**JohnB** · 01-11-2022, 09:10 PM

Welcome Bigguido478!

That is one nice looking camper.

You have done really well over the years keeping her all kept up. If you have any pics of your cross country adventure, they are always nice to see. We like pics!

Happy camping this year,

John

Bigguido478 · 01-13-2022, 11:14 AM

Okay...here are some pics of Santa Fe, NM...our first prime stop: Pics show KOA Campground, then Downtown of Cathedral, followed by the Inn of the Governors, then Hyde State Park above Santa Fe, on to Pecos National Monument and a view of ancient Kiva.
I will add subsequent stops periodically. Enjoy.

**JohnB** · 01-14-2022, 07:17 AM

Bigguido478,

Very nice pics! Thank you so much for sharing.

Northern NM has some very beautiful areas. I was there in 2001 and 2003 with a backpack and two crews of Boy Scouts heading to Philmont Scout ranch near Cimarron, NM. Just a very beautiful area. We stopped in Sante Fe on the bus trip from Albuquerque.

The bucket list is to make it back out to NM, but with the Sunline.

We will, still working the east coast right now.

Thanks again,

John

Bigguido478 · 01-14-2022, 08:54 AM

Hi John, We are currently prepping for a 30 day jaunt on the East coast of South Carolina (Savannah then to St. Augustine, Fl. > on to Daytona and Kennedy Space Center...then to Carrabelle, FL and last stop in Navarre Beach...then home... lots of scenic and historical points of interest planned. We know you'll have a good time on whatever you have planned.

As for the southwest, I lived in Santa Fe on Rodeo Road and worked the entire state, hence our desire to return....not all the changes were for the good however...growth has taken away a lot of charm...way too much crime now. This was our 2nd (and last) trip back to visit.

(On the 1st trip in 2000 we stayed in Raton, and drove the loop thru Cimarron then to Eagle's Nest, to Questa and Taos, coming back to camp via Angel Fire. A drive filled with vast, beautiful vistas. On this trip in 2020 we focused on cultural venues.)

Moving onward...Our next stop was Holbrook, AZ. These are a few pics of the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert...well worth the 2-day visit in the area:

**JohnB** · 01-15-2022, 05:34 PM

Wow nice pics! There is so much to see here in North America, so much natural beauty.

Thanks for sharing.

John

z9bmw0 · 01-19-2022, 08:43 AM

Good morning. I am interested in the route you took for your trip. I am 61 and tried retirement a couple years back, but found I was not ready. I am now getting mentally prepared and to kick it off with a trip similar to yours sounds great (I live in Va.)... Thanks in advance for sharing. (email is z9bmw0@yahoo.com)...