Scott & Larisa
Newbie
Greetings all, this is my first forum post.
Quick Summary: Larisa and I took delivery of our 560 Ultra (Ser. No. 1946) in June. In this, our maiden trip, we started in Newark, DE, and logged 6660.6 miles in 20 days, travelling through 17 states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and back to Delaware). Our tow vehicle was a 2017 Chevy Express van, extended wheel base
We have previously taken several long distance vacations, staying in campgrounds sleeping in a tent, and more recently 2 sleeping in the back of our van. Things we didn't like about this arrangement were arriving after dark and setting up the tent, and breaking camp (especially after just one night). Since out usual vacations were long distance with frequent moves, the Camp Inn trailers seemed to be a perfect match for our needs.
Generally we've stayed in places with cooler summer nights such as Wyoming. Larisa has never traveled around the Southwest, and especially wanted to see the Grand Canyon. We did get the air condition option for our 560 Ultra, but with 5 people on the trip, 2 were going to sleep in the van. So with some trepidation on my part fearing hot August nights, we planned a loop going as far south as Texas and west to Arizona/Utah. Our plan was that if nights were going to be too hot for those sleeping in the van, we would just find a motel.
Aug. 1: Depart Newark, Delaware for Tennessee. Because of heavy rains, we stayed in a motel in Tennessee.
We are ready to depart! Newark, DE
==================================================================
Aug. 2: Our first stop was the Davy Crockett birthplace in Limestone Tennessee. It was very interesting to learn about typical living conditions in that time.
A reproduction cabin on the former Crockett homestead
A park ranger in period clothing.
A park ranger in period clothing.
Continuing on I-40, we stopped at the president Andrew Jackson home (the Hermitage) near Nashville. His house is a large mansion and very well furnished (interior photography of the main living quarters was not allowed). We learned that Davy Crockett visited several times and debated Jackson, Crockett being opposed to slavery and the Indian Removal Act.
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate.
More heavy rains at the end of the day, so we spent the night in another motel.
==================================================================
Aug. 3: We visited Graceland, our 12 y.o. daughter insisted this was a must visit site. After being sort of dragged into it, I must say that I quite enjoyed the tour, and we spent much of the day at the tourist trap complex across from Graceland.
Elvis Presley's man cave
Elvis Presley's Convair 880 personal jet
==================================================================
Aug. 4: All day travel to San Antonio, Texas.
==================================================================
Aug. 5: We went to the Alamo, which of course was where Davy Crockett's story ended. After the Alamo, we went on the River Walk.
Actors in period clothing at the Alamo
San Antonio's River Walk
Boat ride along the River Walk
San Antonio's River Walk
==================================================================
Aug. 6: All day travel to Carlsbad, New Mexico.
New Mexico/Texas state line
==================================================================
Aug. 7: We visited Carlsbad Caverns. We bought tickets for a tour, but didn't have time to walk down the cavern (1/4 mile and 850 ft. deep), so we took the elevator down. After the tour, we decided we were up for a challenge and walked out. We were the only ones walking up, and one woman on her way down looked at us in alarm and said "You don't have to walk back up, do you?" We assured her that there was an elevator.
Elevator foyer area 850 ft. below the surface
The caverns are enormous!
The natural entrance to the caverns
That evening we came back to watch the bat flight. They started coming out a little after 7 p.m., and we watched an unending stream coming out for more than an hour. When we left, that bats were still coming out just as strong. Photography/video isn't allowed during the exodus.
==================================================================
Aug. 8: When we checked into the Carlsbad KOA, the man at the desk told us about a place called Sitting Bull Falls, so we decided to check it out on the morning of our departure heading for Tucson, AZ. It was fantastic, and we ended up spending 5 hours at the falls.
Sitting Bull Falls State Park, NM
The water droplets are large and having fallen a long distance give quite a sting!
The girls were sitting next to the falls when the wind shifted and gave them a dousing... the rocks were very slippery so there was no quick escape!
A minor side water fall had a pleasantly warm pool beneath it
After the falls, we headed south to I-10 and crossed back into Texas, then after El Paso back into New Mexico.
Texas/New Mexico state line
While on I-10 West, a very strong thunderstorm with heavy rain and 60 mph winds caused closure of the highway. We were forced to exit at a rather small town along with hundreds of tractor trailer trucks. Not knowing when I-10 would reopen, and thinking it would be a mess with all the trucks, we decided to take secondary roads into Arizona and then got back on I-10 to Tucson. Upon arrival it was too hot for sleeping in the car (we did get the A/C option for the 560) so we stayed at a motel.
Arizona/New Mexico state line
==================================================================
Aug. 9: In the morning we went to the Pima Air & Space Museum. While we did see many interesting aircraft, the highlight was meeting 95 y.o. Richard Bushong, a B-17 bomber pilot during WWII. Richard told us of his harrowing experiences fulfilling 28 missions. He said on every mission the aircraft came back with flak or machine gun holes in it, and of his original crew of 10 he was the only survivor. Richard continued his military aviation career, flying fighter jets in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
Super Guppy, Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
It was an honor to meet Richard Bushong, a great American! Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
That afternoon we headed to Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, which has the world's largest theater pipe organ (6000+ pipes). You order pizza, and watch/listen to a very accomplished organist while eating. Again, we stayed in a motel for the night because it was too hot for sleeping in the van.
Organ Stop Pizza, Mesa, AZ
A scoop of Rocky Road, and a scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip. Oh Yeah! Organ Stop Pizza, Mesa, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 10: We drove to Flagstaff, AZ. That night, we went to went to the Lowell observatory, famous for discovering Pluto and housing the world's largest refractor telescope.
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 11: We went to the Grand Canyon. While there, Larisa and our 12 y.o. daughter got lessons on traditional basket weaving.
Cinnamon buns for breakfast, Flagstaff, AZ
Traditional basket weaving lesson, Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park. Smoke from forest fires in California made for limited visibility.
==================================================================
Aug. 12: Headed for Moab, UT. First we stopped at the Wupatki National Monument to see pueblo ruins. Next, we passed through Monument Valley. We stopped at a Navajo roadside stand, and purchased some locally crafted treasures. When we arrived that afternoon in Moab, it was a sizzling 109 degrees F, so we again opted for a motel.
Pueblo ruins, Wupatki National Monument
Monument Valley, AZ (note: some of the distant 'monuments' are in Utah)
Navajo jewelry crafts for sale at a roadside stand, Monument Valley, AZ
Success! Mementos of our travels through Monument Valley, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 13: We toured Arches National Park in the morning. When it became unbearably hot, we left the park and enjoyed a banana split at the Moab Diner. But they forgot the bananas (it still tasted great)! That afternoon we went to a tourist trap called "Hole in the Rock". A miner blasted his home and a restaurant into a massive rock outcropping. If you are in the area be sure to stop, it's fascinating (no interior was photography allowed). That evening our 12 y.o. son and I drove the LaSal mountain loop (which starts and ends in Moab), and got some cool mountain air.
Arches National Park, Moab, UT
Arches National Park, Moab, UT (Smoke from California fires is very noticeable)
Arches National Park, Moab, UT
Moab Diner, Moab, UT
Moab Diner, Moab, UT
An interesting tourist trap just south of Moab, UT
View to Castle Rock, LaSal Mountain Loop drive, Moab, UT
==================================================================
Aug. 14: We drove a road along the Colorado river to view some petroglyphs, then headed to Canyonlands National Park. Back in town, we stopped by Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop, which is filled with minerals, fossils, and memorabilia related to important dinosaur discoveries he made. We ended the day with cheese cake and ice cream.
Colorado River, Moab, UT
Petroglyphs along the Colorado River, Moab, UT
Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
The Needles, Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop, Moab, UT
Ending a hot day with cheese cake and ice cream for dessert, Moab, UT
==================================================================
Aug. 15: Headed for Durango, CO. We stopped at the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument visitor's center, and then made our way to Mesa Verde to see the cliff dwellings. At the site, our ranger tour guide was 71 y.o. David Nighteagle, a most interesting man. At the end of the tour, from his backpack he pulled out a flute which he crafted more than 50 years ago at age 19. He played a Lakota melody. It was truly magical in the setting of the cliff dwelling ruins. Our tour group enthusiastically applauded, but we were all surprised by how loud the applause was and that it seemed to come from everywhere; the sound of applause was much too great for the size of our small group. After a few seconds I realized there were other groups of people in the area of the cliffs, and they too heard the flute and were all applauding. It almost seemed like something that could only happen in a pre-planned movie scene, but it happened spontaneously.
Colorado/Utah state border
Cliff Dwellings, Mesa Verde, CO
Lining up for a view inside the ruins, Mesa Verde, CO
Original, 800 year old artwork, Mesa Verde, CO
Ranger David Nighteagle plays his handcrafted flute in the setting of the cliff dwelling ruins,
Mesa Verde, CO
View from the top of the mesa, Mesa Verde, CO
Hot noodles at the end of the day, Durango, CO (Note: This KOA in Durango had magnificently clean restrooms and showers, as though they were ready for a photo shoot. Highly recommend them)
==================================================================
Aug. 16: On to Colorado Springs, CO, our last destination before heading home. My oldest child lives there with her husband and 2 children, and we were there for a 3 y.o. grandson's birthday party. 2 brothers-in-law were also there, so the 560 made for an extra bedroom during our stay.
Continental Divide, Wolf Creek Pass, CO
==================================================================
Aug. 17: Our grandson is really into trains, so I bought tickets on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
Observation car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Cañon City, CO
A very serious game of Go Fish underway, Observation car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Open air car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad
==================================================================
Aug. 19-20: Headed home. First we drove eastward on some remote Colorado secondary roads to US 40, then connected to I-70 East in Kansas. A little after midnight in Missouri we pulled into a truck stop, and I got in almost 4 hours of much needed lay-flat sleep in the 560 Ultra. At 4 a.m. we started again, and made it back to Newark, DE about 11 p.m.
Kansas/Colorado state border
Stretching out during a fueling stop in Kansas
We totaled 6660.6 miles for the trip. I did all the driving, as Larisa didn't want to have anything to do with driving while towing a trailer. The 560 tracked smoothly at all highway speeds. In camp, it was just what we had hoped for. The 560 sure did get a lot of attention at camps, rest stops, gasoline stations, and parked curbside at my daughter's house. At one rest stop while heading home on I-70, we briefly showed the galley, tables, and interior to a curious couple, and the couple was so interested they wanted information, so we gave them one of the brochures from the packet that came with the trailer.
Odometer reading, Vacation Aug. 1-20, 2018
Quick Summary: Larisa and I took delivery of our 560 Ultra (Ser. No. 1946) in June. In this, our maiden trip, we started in Newark, DE, and logged 6660.6 miles in 20 days, travelling through 17 states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and back to Delaware). Our tow vehicle was a 2017 Chevy Express van, extended wheel base
We have previously taken several long distance vacations, staying in campgrounds sleeping in a tent, and more recently 2 sleeping in the back of our van. Things we didn't like about this arrangement were arriving after dark and setting up the tent, and breaking camp (especially after just one night). Since out usual vacations were long distance with frequent moves, the Camp Inn trailers seemed to be a perfect match for our needs.
Generally we've stayed in places with cooler summer nights such as Wyoming. Larisa has never traveled around the Southwest, and especially wanted to see the Grand Canyon. We did get the air condition option for our 560 Ultra, but with 5 people on the trip, 2 were going to sleep in the van. So with some trepidation on my part fearing hot August nights, we planned a loop going as far south as Texas and west to Arizona/Utah. Our plan was that if nights were going to be too hot for those sleeping in the van, we would just find a motel.
Aug. 1: Depart Newark, Delaware for Tennessee. Because of heavy rains, we stayed in a motel in Tennessee.
We are ready to depart! Newark, DE
==================================================================
Aug. 2: Our first stop was the Davy Crockett birthplace in Limestone Tennessee. It was very interesting to learn about typical living conditions in that time.
A reproduction cabin on the former Crockett homestead
A park ranger in period clothing.
A park ranger in period clothing.
Continuing on I-40, we stopped at the president Andrew Jackson home (the Hermitage) near Nashville. His house is a large mansion and very well furnished (interior photography of the main living quarters was not allowed). We learned that Davy Crockett visited several times and debated Jackson, Crockett being opposed to slavery and the Indian Removal Act.
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate.
More heavy rains at the end of the day, so we spent the night in another motel.
==================================================================
Aug. 3: We visited Graceland, our 12 y.o. daughter insisted this was a must visit site. After being sort of dragged into it, I must say that I quite enjoyed the tour, and we spent much of the day at the tourist trap complex across from Graceland.
Elvis Presley's man cave
Elvis Presley's Convair 880 personal jet
==================================================================
Aug. 4: All day travel to San Antonio, Texas.
==================================================================
Aug. 5: We went to the Alamo, which of course was where Davy Crockett's story ended. After the Alamo, we went on the River Walk.
Actors in period clothing at the Alamo
San Antonio's River Walk
Boat ride along the River Walk
San Antonio's River Walk
==================================================================
Aug. 6: All day travel to Carlsbad, New Mexico.
New Mexico/Texas state line
==================================================================
Aug. 7: We visited Carlsbad Caverns. We bought tickets for a tour, but didn't have time to walk down the cavern (1/4 mile and 850 ft. deep), so we took the elevator down. After the tour, we decided we were up for a challenge and walked out. We were the only ones walking up, and one woman on her way down looked at us in alarm and said "You don't have to walk back up, do you?" We assured her that there was an elevator.
Elevator foyer area 850 ft. below the surface
The caverns are enormous!
The natural entrance to the caverns
That evening we came back to watch the bat flight. They started coming out a little after 7 p.m., and we watched an unending stream coming out for more than an hour. When we left, that bats were still coming out just as strong. Photography/video isn't allowed during the exodus.
==================================================================
Aug. 8: When we checked into the Carlsbad KOA, the man at the desk told us about a place called Sitting Bull Falls, so we decided to check it out on the morning of our departure heading for Tucson, AZ. It was fantastic, and we ended up spending 5 hours at the falls.
Sitting Bull Falls State Park, NM
The water droplets are large and having fallen a long distance give quite a sting!
The girls were sitting next to the falls when the wind shifted and gave them a dousing... the rocks were very slippery so there was no quick escape!
A minor side water fall had a pleasantly warm pool beneath it
After the falls, we headed south to I-10 and crossed back into Texas, then after El Paso back into New Mexico.
Texas/New Mexico state line
While on I-10 West, a very strong thunderstorm with heavy rain and 60 mph winds caused closure of the highway. We were forced to exit at a rather small town along with hundreds of tractor trailer trucks. Not knowing when I-10 would reopen, and thinking it would be a mess with all the trucks, we decided to take secondary roads into Arizona and then got back on I-10 to Tucson. Upon arrival it was too hot for sleeping in the car (we did get the A/C option for the 560) so we stayed at a motel.
Arizona/New Mexico state line
==================================================================
Aug. 9: In the morning we went to the Pima Air & Space Museum. While we did see many interesting aircraft, the highlight was meeting 95 y.o. Richard Bushong, a B-17 bomber pilot during WWII. Richard told us of his harrowing experiences fulfilling 28 missions. He said on every mission the aircraft came back with flak or machine gun holes in it, and of his original crew of 10 he was the only survivor. Richard continued his military aviation career, flying fighter jets in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
Super Guppy, Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
It was an honor to meet Richard Bushong, a great American! Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
That afternoon we headed to Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, which has the world's largest theater pipe organ (6000+ pipes). You order pizza, and watch/listen to a very accomplished organist while eating. Again, we stayed in a motel for the night because it was too hot for sleeping in the van.
Organ Stop Pizza, Mesa, AZ
A scoop of Rocky Road, and a scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip. Oh Yeah! Organ Stop Pizza, Mesa, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 10: We drove to Flagstaff, AZ. That night, we went to went to the Lowell observatory, famous for discovering Pluto and housing the world's largest refractor telescope.
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 11: We went to the Grand Canyon. While there, Larisa and our 12 y.o. daughter got lessons on traditional basket weaving.
Cinnamon buns for breakfast, Flagstaff, AZ
Traditional basket weaving lesson, Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park. Smoke from forest fires in California made for limited visibility.
==================================================================
Aug. 12: Headed for Moab, UT. First we stopped at the Wupatki National Monument to see pueblo ruins. Next, we passed through Monument Valley. We stopped at a Navajo roadside stand, and purchased some locally crafted treasures. When we arrived that afternoon in Moab, it was a sizzling 109 degrees F, so we again opted for a motel.
Pueblo ruins, Wupatki National Monument
Monument Valley, AZ (note: some of the distant 'monuments' are in Utah)
Navajo jewelry crafts for sale at a roadside stand, Monument Valley, AZ
Success! Mementos of our travels through Monument Valley, AZ
==================================================================
Aug. 13: We toured Arches National Park in the morning. When it became unbearably hot, we left the park and enjoyed a banana split at the Moab Diner. But they forgot the bananas (it still tasted great)! That afternoon we went to a tourist trap called "Hole in the Rock". A miner blasted his home and a restaurant into a massive rock outcropping. If you are in the area be sure to stop, it's fascinating (no interior was photography allowed). That evening our 12 y.o. son and I drove the LaSal mountain loop (which starts and ends in Moab), and got some cool mountain air.
Arches National Park, Moab, UT
Arches National Park, Moab, UT (Smoke from California fires is very noticeable)
Arches National Park, Moab, UT
Moab Diner, Moab, UT
Moab Diner, Moab, UT
An interesting tourist trap just south of Moab, UT
View to Castle Rock, LaSal Mountain Loop drive, Moab, UT
==================================================================
Aug. 14: We drove a road along the Colorado river to view some petroglyphs, then headed to Canyonlands National Park. Back in town, we stopped by Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop, which is filled with minerals, fossils, and memorabilia related to important dinosaur discoveries he made. We ended the day with cheese cake and ice cream.
Colorado River, Moab, UT
Petroglyphs along the Colorado River, Moab, UT
Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
The Needles, Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT
Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop, Moab, UT
Ending a hot day with cheese cake and ice cream for dessert, Moab, UT
==================================================================
Aug. 15: Headed for Durango, CO. We stopped at the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument visitor's center, and then made our way to Mesa Verde to see the cliff dwellings. At the site, our ranger tour guide was 71 y.o. David Nighteagle, a most interesting man. At the end of the tour, from his backpack he pulled out a flute which he crafted more than 50 years ago at age 19. He played a Lakota melody. It was truly magical in the setting of the cliff dwelling ruins. Our tour group enthusiastically applauded, but we were all surprised by how loud the applause was and that it seemed to come from everywhere; the sound of applause was much too great for the size of our small group. After a few seconds I realized there were other groups of people in the area of the cliffs, and they too heard the flute and were all applauding. It almost seemed like something that could only happen in a pre-planned movie scene, but it happened spontaneously.
Colorado/Utah state border
Cliff Dwellings, Mesa Verde, CO
Lining up for a view inside the ruins, Mesa Verde, CO
Original, 800 year old artwork, Mesa Verde, CO
Ranger David Nighteagle plays his handcrafted flute in the setting of the cliff dwelling ruins,
Mesa Verde, CO
View from the top of the mesa, Mesa Verde, CO
Hot noodles at the end of the day, Durango, CO (Note: This KOA in Durango had magnificently clean restrooms and showers, as though they were ready for a photo shoot. Highly recommend them)
==================================================================
Aug. 16: On to Colorado Springs, CO, our last destination before heading home. My oldest child lives there with her husband and 2 children, and we were there for a 3 y.o. grandson's birthday party. 2 brothers-in-law were also there, so the 560 made for an extra bedroom during our stay.
Continental Divide, Wolf Creek Pass, CO
==================================================================
Aug. 17: Our grandson is really into trains, so I bought tickets on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
Observation car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Cañon City, CO
A very serious game of Go Fish underway, Observation car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Open air car, Royal Gorge Route Railroad
==================================================================
Aug. 19-20: Headed home. First we drove eastward on some remote Colorado secondary roads to US 40, then connected to I-70 East in Kansas. A little after midnight in Missouri we pulled into a truck stop, and I got in almost 4 hours of much needed lay-flat sleep in the 560 Ultra. At 4 a.m. we started again, and made it back to Newark, DE about 11 p.m.
Kansas/Colorado state border
Stretching out during a fueling stop in Kansas
We totaled 6660.6 miles for the trip. I did all the driving, as Larisa didn't want to have anything to do with driving while towing a trailer. The 560 tracked smoothly at all highway speeds. In camp, it was just what we had hoped for. The 560 sure did get a lot of attention at camps, rest stops, gasoline stations, and parked curbside at my daughter's house. At one rest stop while heading home on I-70, we briefly showed the galley, tables, and interior to a curious couple, and the couple was so interested they wanted information, so we gave them one of the brochures from the packet that came with the trailer.
Odometer reading, Vacation Aug. 1-20, 2018
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