1700 Mile American Road Trip.
Having been with the club for ten years plus, we have explored the UK and Europe extensively with our touring caravan. Although we have more to explore in these areas, this year was going to be different. Our plan was to explore the West Coast of America and the only way we could think of doing it was by hiring an RV. So after months of planning, the departure day, Friday 1st June arrived. We drove to Heathrow and stayed overnight in the Sheraton Skyline hotel, ready for our transatlantic flight with Virgin airline the following day.
After a very comfortable stay in the hotel, we departed the next morning, shortly afterwards boarding our plane for the 11 hour flight to San Francisco. I had not flown for a number of years and was slightly concerned about the journey, especially the length of it, but once on board it was fine and having discovered that it was possible to purchase on board WiFi, the journey was soon over. After negotiating American customs, we were soon heading out of the airport to find our hotel in San Francisco. We discovered the BART which essentially is like the London Underground, and after a 40 minute journey were soon pulling our cases up the steep hill towards our hotel, ‘Hotel Zepplin.’
The hotel was themed around Led Zepplin and had been rated as four stars, however, that rating was slightly generous I think and it felt and smelt like it needed a very good clean. Nonetheless, after an upgrade to our initial room and exhausted from the journey, we settled in for our four night stay.
Over the next few days we explored the city on foot, taking in the sights of the iconic trams and Bay Area which had a lot to offer. However, we discovered that the city had a darker side. Cannabis had been legalised earlier in the year and the stench of it hangs in the air everywhere. On every street corner, you came across individuals with an addiction of some kind. The shops had the tea and coffee locked away and even in McDonald’s you had to ask for the sweetener and milk, which was stored behind the counter. In places we felt very intimidated and soon learned to stick to the main streets wherever possible. After four days, we felt like it was a city under siege created by its own hand, we were glad to have visited and seen it, but were also relieved to be moving on.
On the 5th day we had an early start to meet our shuttle that would take us to our RV, the impending collection of which had led to a certain amount of trepidation. Although used to towing an 8.3 meter caravan in the UK and Europe, I had never driven, or operated a 30ft RV. Once at the depot, we signed our lives away and were shown to the vehicle. It was an automatic, stick shift gearbox and we were soon tip toeing out onto the American roads. I knew in the planning that the day was going to be a big day. Not only did we have to get used to a new vehicle and strange roads, but we also had to buy supplies for at least the first few days before attempting the 156 mile journey to our first stop at Indian Flats RV Park in El Portal near to the Yosemite National Park. We located the nearest Walmart and completed a trolley dash around the isles before loading it into the RV and commencing our four hour journey. The first leg went without incident and we arrived at Indian Flats. We had full hook up but we soon discovered that the facilities were very basic and dirty, forcing us to use the facilities in the RV. Next door there was a hotel called Cedar Lodge and WiFi was accessible from there at a cost of $9 for 12 hours. There was no other cell data available.
The following day we caught the shuttle bus from Cedar Lodge to the Yosemite National Park at a cost of $7 each return. Once in the park there are a number of options; free shuttle buses, tractor train, bicycle hire or simply walk. Having seen how rammed the shuttle buses were, we chose the latter. We walked for hours absorbing the breath taking scenery. Oddly enough, we bumped into another English couple who were also on holiday and after chatting a while, it was apparent that they had also been to San Francisco and shared the thoughts and concerns that we had.
Scenic appetite satisfied for the day, we returned to site.
The following morning we quickly broke camp and started on our 125 mile leg to Stoney Creek Campground, Generals Highway, Three Rivers near the Sequoia National Park. The RV was starting to grow on us and its ease of use challenged many of the thoughts we have had about motor-homing over the years. This leg of the journey was challenging as it involved climbing to over 7,000 feet on twisting mountain roads with sheer drops on one side. To be fair, I think the drive would present at least some challenge to all. Towards the end of the journey we had to pay the fee to enter the Sequoia National Park, which was $35 for the pass or $80 for a multi Park pass. Nerves frayed, we arrived at our second site which was to be for three nights. This was a magical site hidden in the woods. Each plot had a camp fire ring and there is as much wood around as you can burn, or if you prefer, buy from the warden. We sat out in the evening in the trees with the fire ring smouldering and just as the dusk dropped, a number of deer walked through the camp, unfased by the presence of humans. Although we loved the site, the facilities were less than basic with only toilets being available, no showers, dump station or ability to get water on board. We discovered that just two minutes up the road was a filling station where public showers were available, which were an experience, but a necessity. Free WiFi was also available, strong enough to download UK TV with a VPN app installed.
The following day we drove the short journey to a nearby visitor centre where we could park the RV. From there we caught the free shuttle to see the Sequoia trees and of course the 2000 year old General Sherman, the largest of them all.
After a lazy day, the next day we moved camp again, starting on our leg across to Las Vegas.
The first part of this journey was 239 miles to our overnight stay at Calico Ghost Town. This was a very convenient site near to the main highways. Again, a unique place in the middle of the desert with clean facilities. We were only sorry we could not explore the area more.
The following day, we commenced the last 139 mile leg of the journey to reach Oasis RV Park Las Vegas. What a fantastic cosmopolitan site this was, with amazing facilities and fitness suite all within a short shuttle ride into Las Vegas. The following day, after a lazy start and exercising we caught the shuttle into the city. What an incredible place! It has to be done. It was very very hot so we took shelter for a while in a local bar, only to find it was happy hour, oh well! After a drink or three we again headed out into the Las Vegas madness, touring and marvelling at the casinos. What we did notice was the juxtaposition to San Francisco. There was no evidence of drug or substance abuse, the city was polished clean, the people were all fantastic and friendly and we felt completely at ease. The powers that be from San Francisco need to take heed. Exhausted and entertained we returned to the RV.
The next day was to be our biggest journey, 266miles from Las Vegas over to the Grand Canyon where we would stay in the camper village. The journey went without incident and we enjoyed the views on the way. After a long day we arrived on site only to be met by a rude and ignorant female behind the reception desk. Several minutes later, we emerged from reception and were glad to do so and went to our pitch for two nights. The facilities here were a disgrace and have been subject to the necessary review on trip advisor. The only thing this site had to offer was convenient access to the bus to get to the Grand Canyon and nothing more. They do not deserve your business so if you intend to go, please look at the options.
The following morning we walked from the site into the village where we bought the tickets to enter the Grand Canyon National Park at $35 for both. The bus soon arrived and within 20 minutes we were at the Grand Canyon visitor centre. As you can imagine, there are lots of people and we were prepared for this. We were advised by an American Couple that the North rim of the Canyon has just as much to offer as the south without as many people, but for us, the South rim was our only viable option. Once again, there are many choices of how to enjoy; free shuttle buses, bicycle hire, helicopter if that’s for you, or as we chose again, walk. Very hot and very high, the air is thin, but we walked 4 or 5 miles around the rim. I have been trying to think of an appropriate word to describe what we saw. All I can say is that when going to the Grand Canyon you have an idea of what it will look like, but nothing can prepare you for what you actually see. It is simply breath taking. After several hours walking, sitting and sipping in the view we were done and returned to camp.
With the Grand Canyon being our furthest destination of the road trip, our focus now would turn towards our final destination- Los Angeles. The following day, we set out on the first leg of this journey, 150 miles to an overnight stop to Blake Ranch RV Park in Kingman. Conveniently located off the interstate, this offers a perfect stop over with fuel on your doorstep. I must say, we were so impressed with this place. The facilities were so clean they were a joy to use and it is obvious that a lot of work goes in to keep them like this, so thank you to the team there. This was also the first location where we used our charcoal BBQ and that’s another story. We had arrived in San Francisco with clothes only. Everything else that we had built up in our ten plus years of caravanning had been stripped away. So in our initial shopping spree in we had purchased disposable BBQs, charcoal and so on. I was not terribly sold on the idea of BBQing on the floor and the options for purchasing something that I would leave behind three weeks later evaded me. However, at our first site, Indian Flats, a visit to the dumpster provided the solution. A charcoal BBQ on legs, (which had obviously cooked a few times,to be fair) had been abandoned. Well, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, a quick brush down and in the RV boot it went. So that night at Blake Ranch, with a disposable BBQ inside, it cooked our tea. Satisfied and tired we turned in.
The next day, we woke to what I thought would be an easy day of just 91 miles to our next overnight stop at Cattail cove state campground ,Lake Havasu. But when we woke, the wind was high after a recent monsoon. As soon as we set off, the impact of this became apparent as the RV was battered by these winds making driving really difficult. I had to reduce our speed to just 50 miles an hour to keep control, meaning that numerous trucks thundered by, again buffeting the RV. At one point, I saw a truck overtaking that had not pulled out early enough and the trailer was about to collide with the rear corner of the RV. I swerved onto the hard shoulder and the inevitable was avoided. 91 hard miles later, we arrived at our overnight stay. We were greeted by two lovely wardens and we went to our pitch. What a fantastic place this was, we were only sorry we didn’t have another day to enjoy it. The site is on the edge of Lake Havasu and is a launching point for many power boats. At a previous site, a camper who was returning home offered me some logs, and being a lover of logs, fires and all that stuff I gladly accepted his offer. However, with burning restrictions in place due to wild fire concerns, it was clear we would not be able to use them. I put them in a pile next to the jetty where the numerous trucks and trailers were launching/ recovering boats from and to my delight within an hour, they were gone. So to whoever has them, enjoy.
The next day, the wind had dropped and we set off on the next 127 mile leg to Emerald Desert resort in Palm Desert. What I would say about this is that if you are considering the same, fuel up. I’ve always worked on topping up every 90 miles or so and in this case it paid off. Highway 62 is the longest road across the desert I have ever been on. At one point I was offered fuel at a ridiculous price so I ignored it and proceeded to watch the needle go down and birds circle. In the end, we were fine due to the amount we had on board.
As we approached our final destination, short on supplies, I was thankful to google maps that directed us to a Walmart just off the highway. Fully stocked, we completed the journey. Once again, we were greeted by a highly polished site with fitness and facilities second to none and comparable to any London hotel. The following day, we relaxed and enjoyed the space which we had virtually to ourselves, apart from the tree surgeons chain sawing the palm branches above where we sat. So, with branches showering down, we stayed under our sun canopy by the pool.
After a day of rest, it was time to go again, this time for the final 120 mile leg of our 1700 mile American road trip. This time we would be staying at the Golden Shore resort at Long Beach LA. This journey presented probably the second most challenging driving days of the trip. As we approached LA, the roads got wider and busier, eventually turning into a 6 lane interstate with traffic passing on both sides of the RV. Remarkably, the journey ended without incident and we arrived at our final destination for three nights. Fed, watered and feeling much better, we retired for a well-earned rest. The following morning we woke early, our intention being to visit Hollywood. We walked 20 or so minutes to find the nearest metro train and after working out the ticket machine, purchased a day ticket for $7 each, which covered all our days travel. I must say from then on really we were very aware of our surroundings. At one stage we asked a police officer for directions who, after helping suggested that we ‘hang onto our stuff because if somebody looks like they are going to rob you…. They probably are!’, er… noted, thanks! We travelled about an hour on the two trains that took us to Hollywood. As expected it was incredibly busy, the streets full of cultural vibrancy. As we walked we were inundated with offers for guided tours, initially offered at $60 dollars each for a two hour mobile tour. We took lunch and considered our options, it became clear that to do and see all we wanted to do on foot would be very difficult. We negotiated with the tour sellers and manger to secure a trip at $40 for both. I have to say it was a good decision because it took in all the famous sights, not only of Hollywood but also of Beverley Hills. It was all good to see, like most big cities, it had the glitz and glamour, but also had the less fortunate people searching through the trash bins. All part of life’s rich tapestry. After a very long day, we returned to camp, lit a fire in the camp ring and relaxed.
The following day was our last day before returning the RV. We walked to Long Beach Boulevard and generally explored the area before returning to camp for the last time.
As the final morning arrived; we emptied and packed the RV before driving the final 22 miles to the depot. On arrival, it was clear that some other couples and families had not been as lucky on their trips, and damage had been caused to the RV in their care. After a long wait for the airport shuttle and the overnight flight, we returned to our home exhausted.
We loved the trip, with 300 photographs and twice as many memories together. There is only one question remaining…..where to next?
Comments
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That seems quite a trip! Be nice if you could add a few more photos which can be done by adding a post and putting photos in that.
David
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I enjoyed reading your story AndyandJu, did you plan the stops yourselves or where you given an itinerary to follow? Hope you can add a few photos, perhaps let us see what the camp sites were like? Sounds like an interesting adventure and it's good to read some "honest" observations!
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