First 2 weeks in Dec. heading from VA to TX any tips?

[streaminhope]

It's a 23 hour drive, so we plan to split this up in three days. We will be leaving from southwestern VA and by early December, I'm sure we will have winterized our trailer. We plan to drive straight through the first day to mid-Alabama, where our plan is to do a full hook up site at a campground, and then move on another 8 hours the next day to Lafayette, LA.

I guess my question is, would Alabama be south enough to de-winterize? It looks like the average temperatures at night in that part don't call for freezing overnight. Just a bit worried since we are newbies.

[alfredmay]

There are lots of RV Parks near or in Harlingen that rent park models. At this time of the year nobody wants them. The info below is taken from their web site. They are in San Benito near Harlingen

Fun-N-Sun Park Model rentals include one bedroom with queen size bed and sofa sleeper for guests.
For reservations less than 90 days, contact the property for availability at (956) 399-5125


Full bathroomFull size kitchen appliancesTV/DVDTime Warner cableDinetteConcrete parking spaceLinens and towelsDishes and cookware. Paver patioPicnic tableOversized pull through with extra parking space

[John_Joey]

Sorry to hear about the folks. FWIW, it's more common then what many would think that aren't snowbirds yet. Part of the reason I like the road so much. It's hard to see good people/neighbors age that are older then you. Hearing stories of how one spouse forgets how to brush their teeth adding that to the list of things the other spouse has to do is heartbreaking.

Harlingen airport is a great little airport to fly in and out of. For some odd reason hotels seem to be expensive in Harlingen. Lot of hotels on SPI that would be at a discounted rate that month and the weather should be nice. Would be a 45 minute drive though to Harlingen.

[alfredmay]

You could fly and spend only two days traveling. A quick look at Expedia shows Roanoke to Harlingen cost around $520 round trip.

[jdb7566]

Demopolis Alabama have two really nice Corps of Engineer campgrounds. We've stayed a number of times at Foscue Creek COE, with full hook-ups, last year over Xmas with no temperature issues. We stayed at the KOA in Lafayette, but this year we plan on staying at Frog City Campground in Duson, LA which is just west of Lafayette.

[2112]

streaminhope wrote:
Ah...these are great tips and I would love it if we could take our time like that! However, we only have two weeks and we are trying to make the most of it. The purpose of the trip is to visit my very elderly parents who live in a cottage in one of the RV Parks...
... planning a two week long trip taking our trailer was the best we could do. Sort of frustrating knowing though that six of the fourteen days will be spent driving.

You can cut that in more than half by leaving the trailer at home. We find a trip like this much more enjoyable by not taking the camper. It adds an element of stress to the trip.

[streaminhope]

Ah...these are great tips and I would love it if we could take our time like that! However, we only have two weeks and we are trying to make the most of it. The purpose of the trip is to visit my very elderly parents who live in a cottage in one of the RV Parks. They gave up full time RVing a year ago, but they loved this RV park so much after 17 years of snow birding there that they decided to buy a cottage and live there.

The negative factor in all of this is that neither me nor none of my siblings live anywhere close to Harlingen, and well, since dad is 90 and mom is 86 and has dementia, its a big concern that none of us can check in on them other than by phone. So, planning a two week long trip taking our trailer was the best we could do. Sort of frustrating knowing though that six of the fourteen days will be spent driving.

[kydale]

John& Joey are absolutely right about the trip. We have lots of fun on the road. Once we get to our destination it's the same old thing every day. Drink coffee in the Am, golf, go out to eat and cocktail party, go dancing, go home go to bed. Get up the next morning and repeat. Terrible!! But I love it!!

[John_Joey]

streaminhope wrote:
...Thinking about winterizing first week of November? Is that too early? Should I just wait and winterize after the trip in December? We will be back on the 20th...

If it was me, I would pull the low drain plugs, open up the HWH tank, and drain the fresh water tank. Open up all the faucets (don't forget the outside shower if you got it.) Also take a look to see if you have any water filters that might be an issue. That should all take about 20 minutes and will give you peace of mind in November prior to your trip.

BTW, KYDale gave you some good RV camping snowbird stops along the way. Been to all of them. I also would not drive non-stop unless it's really your thing. You may find out like so many others of us that the very best part of snowbirding is the on-the-road part. The destination sometimes does not live up to the hype.

[kydale]

I guess I'm different. If I was faced with 23 hours behind the wheel that would take a week or more to do. We are in Louisville Kentucky and we also been going to the valley for 11 years. We leave here go to Tunica, Mississippi, stay at Sams Town at least two nights, from the to Vicksburg Mississippi, Ameristar, one night. Then to Coushata in Kinder, La. stay there 5 nights. Then on to San Antonio for a week of relaxing, the RiverWalk, and eating. Then on to the valley. And I agree with what everyone is telling you about Houston, avoid it.

[streaminhope]

joebedford wrote:
Heck, I'd de-winterize in Virginia where you're starting.

Those were my thoughts, but I wasn't sure. Thinking about winterizing first week of November? Is that too early? Should I just wait and winterize after the trip in December? We will be back on the 20th. I live in southwestern VA and we get freezes by December, but not usually night time temps in teens until January.

[joebedford]

Heck, I'd de-winterize in Virginia where you're starting.

[olfarmer]

John&Joey wrote:
I try to avoid Houston. Seems like most of the times it will be bumper to bumper and stop and go.

Instead I get off of I10 at Winnie and go down the Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston Island. There is a free ferry that can handle any size rig you got with no problems.

From Galveston Island I head south to Surfside Beach then over to HWY 35 down to Hwy 77 to Harlingen. A fairly low stress route with things to see that seems to be just as fast as any other route. When you leave Galveston Island there is a pay booth that is next to a fairly narrow road with an overhang, be careful there.

I really don't mind I10. All our roads seem to need repair and I10 is not as bad as some I've been on.

That is the route that we take, don't go as far as Harlingen but enjoy the trip from Bolivar Peninsula to Surfside beach. We usually stay at Palacios Tx. and travel down to Mustang Island etc.

[John_Joey]

streaminhope wrote:
I like to avoid Atlanta, and I'm sure I'd love to avoid Houston! Thanks for the tip! Will look into your route!

Before I forget, the only thing you need to be aware of is if do go that route make sure you have enough fuel when you exit I10. You'll be fine by the time you get close to Galveston Island.

[John_Joey]

DoxieMom, Dallas/FT Worth is doable but it's all about timing. You need to hit it early on the weekends. If heading south I like to stage at WinStar Casino off exit 1 in Oklahoma. Wake up early on Saturday, fuel up there, then hit Dallas/FT Worth a couple hours later. Not too bad at all. Sunday mornings is the easiest.

For Austin my trick is to take the toll road just east of it. It starts north of George Town and goes all the way down to I10 (last I heard.) Cost is 25 or so dollars for a MH with tow. Very low stress drive.

I don't do Houston with a rig anymore. Life is just too short. 😉