AZ to TN Spring of 2008

Because this forum does not have a tab for subjects such as this I’m going to try and get away with it here.

Soon - 31 March 2008 - we will leave our winter campground here in Yuma, AZ and start our journey to Nashville, TN where we will attend the annual reunion for the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. We are going to stay at all kind of RV parks along the way, some at various casinos and others at military bases. We will stay a little longer than normal at each stop to extend the cost of fuel into the next month's expanses. We have already started our extensive research of the areas we plan on visiting and I’ve found a very useful web site for Indian Casinos and the availability to park at them. The page is listed below. If you intend to follow along with us on this journey you should check this first entry often for updates. Once we start the reviews a new reply will be made for each one.

www.casinocamper.com/States.htm

We made reservations for our first two stops. We will depart Yuma, AZ on 31 March and proceed to Camp Verde, AZ where we will stay four nights at Rancho Verde RV Park. While there we will take a four hour train tour of the Verde Canyon - upgraded to 1st class - tour the Sedona area and get in a round of golf. All references listed below.

www.sedona.net/
www.railsnw.com/tours/verde/verde.htm
www.beavercreekgolf.net/

Then it’s on to Williams, AZ where we have booked an RV Getaway package that includes a 3 day 2 night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park at Williams, AZ and a round trip train ride to the South Rim Village where we will have a three and a half hour layover which will give us enough time for a tour bus rim ride.

www.thetrain.com/rvpark/

When we leave here we will be on our own as our traveling companions will be going west to NAS, Lemoore, CA where they have a two month reservation to visit with family they have in the area. We will go to Grants, NM and spend two nights for some R&R.

We will post fuel prices as we use it and numerous reviews including pictures and road conditions. If this posting is popular with this forum’s readers may be Larry will include a tab for it so other travelers can share their experiences and above all give everyone some good reviews to help them with their travels.

FastEagle

When we are on the road we do basically the same thing except we do it on Blogger.com. Then any of our friends or family can keep up with our travels. Unfortunately, we've been home bound here in Oklahoma City area since October while my wife cares for her mother who is going through chemo treatments. Looks like we won't be back on the road until May 31.

I still try to keep up the blog at: oldchief1.blogspot.com

... We have already started our extensive research of the areas we plan on visiting and I’ve found a very useful web site for Indian Casinos and the availability to park at them. The page is listed below. If you intend to follow along with us on this journey you should check this first entry often for updates. Once we start the reviews a new reply will be made for each one.

www.casinocamper.com/States.htm

Mac, who operates casinocamper.com is a member here. He's retired USAF (if I remember correctly). I've watched his site grow from the beginning and it's full of good info.

Less than 40 hours to departure. Made our last trip to the flea market and the MCAS commissary today. Topped the fuel tank off on our way home - diesel $3.71 a gallon. Truck ready for the long trip with all new tires, oil change and new air, oil and fuel filters. Will take the tripod jacks out from under the trailer axles in the morning and air all the tires. Nice to be near Mexico, Got the truck and trailer washed and hand waxed yesterday for a whopping $165.00 including tip. Watch for new updates as they happen.

FastEagle

OOOhhhhhhhhhh, you're making me jealous. Wanted to leave for an extended trip next month, but "stuff" is holding me up until end of summer. Wish we were leaving now too ... can't wait, can't wait !!!!! Have a good trip ...

Very uneventful trip from Yuma to Camp Verde. Our trucks got a good workout going up and down those 5-7* grades on I17. In fact I over heated my brakes a little on the last 7 mile drop into Camp Verde. Made me start thinking about an exhaust brake again. It was 271 miles site to site and our reservations here honored our side by side parking request.

Played golf at the Beaver Creek GC as planned. Outstanding lay-out and in super condition. The gals went shopping around and then met us at the GC for dinner.

www.beavercreekranchhouse.com/menu.htm

Lowest diesel found here was $3.99, UGH!

p.s. OK! OK! - When you finish your round of golf the first drink at the 19th hole is determined by your score. I paid 85 cents for mine and my friend Don paid 89 cents for his.

Outstanding train ride. Upgrading to 1st class was worth every penny. Every 1st class car also has a gondola car for outside viewing and picture taking.

www.everest-owners.com/photos/showphoto....6/cat/500/ppuser/277

FastEagle