Tucson to Astoria, Or. with Bindi & us

[WheelEstate USA]

Howdy everyone,
We are fulltimers in a 27' class A and have lived in 2 different vans as well.

Friday (3-29) we are going to be on the road again using a route not yet seen (for the most part) by us. We want to avoid interstates as much as is practical.

The plan is to head up thru Wickenburg after Phx (yuck) and hit Kingman, then over to show "M" the lights in Vegas. Parking mostly in casino lots, we'll go thru Tonopah, Battle Mtn, and Winnemucca. Then over to Lakeview, Or and Kalamath Falls to Coos Bay and up 101 to Astoria. After a couple weeks in that area we'll visit family in various places in Or for the summer.

Being snowbirds, we'll start south (maybe N.M.) before it gets cold up north.

Any hints y'all can offer will be greatly appreciated, especially free places to park for a day or two.
We are in no hurry and figure on taking the month of April just to reach Astoria.
Of course, we will share info on what we find along the way

Safe travels.

We are south of Tucson

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome bindi&amp;us! We've driven through the middle of Nevada several times. It's a good route. I've marked some of the spots where we boondocked on my Google map -<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...419221,-117.685547&amp;spn=9.637703,16.062012" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...419221,-117.685547&amp;spn=9.637703,16.062012</a>&nbsp; Free spots are marked with picnic tables.<br><br>&nbsp;We're in Vegas right now and the weather is beautiful!. Parking in the alley behind Ballys is still okay but if you want a natural setting the Lake Mead NRA campground at Las Vegas Bay is very nice and only $5.00 with a pass -<a href="http://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/campinglakemead.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/campinglakemead.htm <br><br><br><br></a>

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Thanks for that info, I'll check your links.
Maybe we'll see ya out that way.
Our best to both of you.

Jay & Margie
Bindi (min-pin)

 

[WheelEstate USA]

The last couple days have been consumed with repacking the storage compartments underneath. After sitting in one location for a few months things were a little scattered. Then, there's always things that "we couldn't live without" that will lighten the load here and there. Clothing all laundered, sorted, and culled down...there's a thrift store and laundrymat in every town, so don't need many clothes. We're very basic in that department anyway.
At this point we actually have some empty storage back in the bedroom.

We had a nice set of stoneware dishes, sold them and went with a set of good plastic ones from the thrift. Cookware all basic without cutting ourselves too short. (don't eat out much).

I think I've checked all systems and everything is good to go...well, except for the generator gas filter I forgot to buy, DUH.
New deep cycle batteries, and new tires (tires Friday as we are leaving).

Today we're getting a mail forwarding service and re-upping CoachNet RV road service. I'll also re-activate the Tracfone for a backup since it gives coverage in some places our Android doesn't.
We have a 3 month supply of our meds, and my Oxygen supplier has linked me to places to exchange my empties. (can't afford a portable concentrator just yet). I only use the O2 on long walks and such, so a small tank (I wear on my back) can serve me a few days, I have 10 on hand.

Our van is sold...to be turned over on Thurs so we have use up to the last day. We got 1/2 the money up front so we wouldn't get stuck at the last minute in a deal based on lip service.

I think we have everything pretty well covered, but I'm sure I'll find a few senior moment glitches in the planning.

I'm going to start a blog soon, so for now we email family and friends, post here and on the New To eBay board (where I chat and help newbies, 7 yrs now).
We also upload to photobucket to share pics and vids that I'll link in the blog.

Our first waypoint is Kingman where a kind forum member has offered space to take a breather for a day or two.
We're going to take our time and enjoy the sights, most of which M hasn't seen. I'll really like seeing the Oregon coast which is her stomping grounds. We lived in Astoria for 2 yrs, but there's a lot of the state's beauty I didn't see.

Well, lots to do today, so I better get off my butt and git 'er done.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Less than 24 hours till we leave.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We are having a great time on our trip. Enjoying the sights and meeting some really nice people.<br>The RV is running fine and the new tires sure improve the ride, as well as making me feel more secure. <br><br>Speaking of nice people....Special thanks to our wonderful hosts who provided a space for us to relax and make a couple minor repairs/adjustments which added to our comfort and peace of mind.<br>They have a beautiful place outside of Kingman overlooking a vast valley with mountains all 'round. We gained a few valuable hints from their years of RVing.<br>Oh, and the homemade muffins were delicious with our coffee this morning.<br>Thanks again "R" &amp; "M".<br><br>Today we're going to look around Kingman and head to Las Vegas early Tuesday morning. Tonight we'll stay at Camp WallyWorld. <br><br>And NO, I won't be bustin no broncos any time soon!!!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We're having a great time in Vegas on the cheap. We're enjoying the lights and freebie attractions along the strip.

We met up with Tony and Karen yesterday, very nice folks. We plan to spend more time with them before they pull out.

Camped behind Bally's. Free parking, but ya gotta be cool about it and not attract a lot of attention.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Last evening we joined Karen and Tony for dinner at one of those fancy buffets and stuffed ourselves with all kinda of good food. The whole thing was FREE cuz they had a coupon.
Dinner was really super, but visiting with them was the best part.

Today we are planning to get 24 hour city bus passes ($8) and venture further out on the Las Vegas strip. We've explored both directions about as far as our old legs will allow and there's still lots more to see.

 

[rvwandering]

Hi Jay and Margie - we're still stuffed! It was really nice visiting with the two of you. We'll stop to say goodby before we leave for Las Vegas Bay campground tomorrow. Have fun today!<br><br>Our pictures came out a little blurry. Tony,Karen,Jay and Margie at the Forum in Caesar's Palace

 

[WheelEstate USA]

LOL, we're having a great time without spending much.
Fremont Street was a lot of fun last night. Wanted to try a fried twinkie, but those are no more, had fried oreos instead...pretty tasty.

Getting a little blowing rain this morning. A good time to stay in and relax a bit.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We're at Main Street Station in Vegas for 2 nights to dump tanks, charge batteries, computers, do laundry and such. Only $16 per night and an extra buck for our little dog.
We're hanging out tonight watching TV for the first time in a couple weeks. Nice break from all the action on the strip.

Weather is warming, so we will begin to move north slowly in another week or so. Mean while, we'll return to the lot behind Bally's after our time is up here.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Well, we decided to move along to Indian Springs. There's a small casino there that welcomes boondockers.
This is the 3rd day of strong winds, so bad we're unable to travel. Made it as far as far N. L.V. and pulled into Albertsons to wait it out. Maybe later this evening it will slack off and we can get out of here.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

"Any hints y'all can offer will be greatly appreciated, especially free places to park for a day or two. "

Free parking in Winnemucca at the Model T Casino, behind the casino is parking.
All the rv parks are full in this area from people working at the gold mines.
The rest area at Valmy NV is a nice place to park for a night.
Walker lake at Hawthorne NV has some camp sites that I think are free. They are north of Hawthorne a few miles on 95.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

North of Tonopah is rest area that had camp sites last time I was through there.

 

[Seraphim]

Sounds like you two are having a good time in Vegas.&nbsp; We've only ever spent a few days there, and were mostly overwhelmed lol.&nbsp; Too much food available, and it used to be inexpensive to eat well there. These days?<BR><BR>Keep us posted - enjoying reading about your adventure.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Thanks for the tips y'all.

Vegas was fun, but buffet prices are outta sight now days. Many are going for $49.99 and I can't pack away that much grub in a sitting.

We headed for Amargosa Valley this morning from Indian Springs. Detoured to Pahrump to stock up on groceries after learning Amargosa has no shopping to speak of.
Will hang here a day or 2 before returning to hwy 95.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

Places to stock up on hwy 95 in NV, these are your gas stops as well.<br>Tonopha<br>Hawthorne<br>Fallon<br>Winnemucca<br><br>Many small towns in NV don't have services, like Deeth NV only has a post office.<br>I find these towns to be interesting.<br>Goldfield, NV<br><a href="http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nv-goldfieldhotel.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nv-goldfieldhotel.html</a><br>Hawthorne, NV<br><a href="http://www.nevadaweb.com/cnt/pio/hawth/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.nevadaweb.com/cnt/pio/hawth/</a>

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Cool, good info for our notes.

We love the tiny places with nothing more than historic value.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Still in Pahrump, but have moved out Basin Rd to a quiet desert area recommended by another forum member. Its nice and have a view of the mountains all around us. Can still see the lights of Pahrump...suprises me how big it is these days.Not many out here, but looks like some have been here quite a while.

I woke about 2:30 with my back bothering me a little, but a short walk in the desert was good medicine for body and soul. Its 57 with beautiful clear skys. The mountains are outlined all around us in the faint moonlight.
I think I can go in and sleep now

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Moved on to Amargosa Valley where we'll stay for a week. Taking advantage of an rv park to do a few things with my electric tools.<br>Sometime in the week we'll cruise over to Death Valley.