Winter Road Trip Suggestions

[cinemaphonic]

The lady will be out of town for 3 weeks in January so I'm thinking I'll take my van on it's maiden voyage for a week or 2. I'll be starting in Milwaukee, WI.

Any suggestions on where to go? I'm pretty much open to anything that is less than an 18 hour drive. I'll be traveling with a friend and my dog. Boondocking in not horribly cold weather would be great. I can handle some cold, but would like to avoid deep freezes. For example I'm considering Colorado, yes partially because of that plant that is legal there, however I also have the south and southeast on my radar. Suggestions on van dwelling safe Nation Parks or the like?

Thanks!

 

[Almost There]

The lady will be out of town for 3 weeks in January so I'm thinking I'll take my van on it's maiden voyage for a week or 2. I'll be starting in Milwaukee, WI.

Any suggestions on where to go? I'm pretty much open to anything that is less than an 18 hour drive. I'll be traveling with a friend and my dog. Boondocking in not horribly cold weather would be great. I can handle some cold, but would like to avoid deep freezes. For example I'm considering Colorado, yes partially because of that plant that is legal there, however I also have the south and southeast on my radar. Suggestions on van dwelling safe Nation Parks or the like?

Thanks!

IIWM, mainly because I would do almost anything to escape cold weather in January - I would be headed almost due south as fast as the road conditions allow...

My Rand says it's 17 hours drive time from Milwaukee to Mobile Alabama.

I stayed in Florida state forests just west of Mobile last winter. Totally empty campgrounds or for free in other parts of the state forests. I paid $10.00 a night for non-electric site with hot showers and washrooms, water on site although I didn't need it. I splurged a bit and stayed right on the ocean at a state park - expensive and crowded but I like walking the dunes.

But then I hate winter with a passion so YMMV.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

It's 18 hr to "the farm" in Lake Lindsey Florida. They have real nice little music festivals the third saturday of the month, and you can camp there for cheap. But, in January it can be too cold.

 

[LeeRevell]

"West of Mobile.....?"
Mobile, Alabama is west of Florida. Something doesn't compute.

 

[cinemaphonic]

Thanks for the suggestions. How do you guys feel about Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia this time of year?

 

[Almost There]

"West of Mobile.....?"
Mobile, Alabama is west of Florida. Something doesn't compute.

Sorry I was east of Mobile, trying to multi-task doesn't work does it...

---

Thanks for the suggestions. How do you guys feel about Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia this time of year?

I got stuck in Nashville for an extra day early last January because the roads northbound out of there were going to be nasty.

I also spent a couple of foolish winters living in central Kentucky.

Neither place is butt deep in snow like Milwaukee but it's still winter, when there's no new snow, it's just plain brown and dead looking.

West Virginia is mostly mountains and they get snow regularly at the higher elevations.

Gotta question why if you're looking to escape Milwaukee why you're not looking really south?

 

[LeeRevell]

No problem. North Florida is mighty nice right now.

 

[cinemaphonic]

Sorry I was east of Mobile, trying to multi-task doesn't work does it...

---

I got stuck in Nashville for an extra day early last January because the roads northbound out of there were going to be nasty.

I also spent a couple of foolish winters living in central Kentucky.

Neither place is butt deep in snow like Milwaukee but it's still winter, when there's no new snow, it's just plain brown and dead looking.

West Virginia is mostly mountains and they get snow regularly at the higher elevations.

Gotta question why if you're looking to escape Milwaukee why you're not looking really south?

---

I would love to go really south--in fact I'll be headed to Houston to see family for Christmas. However my roommate and I are on a budget right now so I'm trying trying to be thrift on gas. We both agreed that if we could find a happy medium without having to spend too much on gas, that it would be ideal. Especially for him. He's my best friend and I've been trying to go on a trip with him all year and we haven't been able to make it work because of money. We both have a little bit to spend for a trip, so it seemed like a good time.

 

[SoulRaven]

Houston has the same climate as Tampa. They mow St Aug grass year round in Houston.

 

[cinemaphonic]

Houston has the same climate as Tampa. They mow St Aug grass year round in Houston.

Yea, I grew up there. I actually really don't like Houston, but I'm going for family christmas time.



How do you guys think the Ozarks would be this time of year?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

west viriginia is boring and cold now, unless you plan to hunt dont bother with here ;D in january is gonna be frozen.

 

[cargo07]

I live in Wisconsin as well,I am going to florida in Feb...I would like to stay in those campgrounds that are $10 a nite with showers....are they in florida or Alabama? names? locations?

 

[Almost There]

I live in Wisconsin as well,I am going to florida in Feb...I would like to stay in those campgrounds that are $10 a nite with showers....are they in florida or Alabama? names? locations?

Here's a whole bunch to choose from:

Free/cheap camping locator
http://freecampsites.net/#!Florida&query=region



Florida State Forests
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Recreation

Alabama State Forest
http://www.forestry.state.al.us/little_river_state_forest.aspx?bv=2

Conecuh National Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/alabama/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=30113&actid=29

I just pulled my stuff from last January - I suffer from senior memory - mostly I paid $15.00 a night for my site at Bear Lake in Blackwater State Forest.

I stayed somewhere else as well that was cheaper but I'll be darned if I can put a name to it right now...should come to me round about next month sometime.... I can picture the campsite in my mind, I know the showers were hot and the wood was all wet. It was also hunting season so I didn't stray far from the campsite! Darn this memory crap!