We're moving across the county! Adventure advice wanted.

[A3M0N]

So I finally got my assignment, we're moving to Beale AFB in northern California from the Florida panhandle. We have 2 vehicles, a 7 y/o, a soon to be 5 y/o, and a dog. Google maps says the quickest route is I-10W all the way to around Los Angeles, then I-5N up into Beale.

We want to make this an adventure and less of a drive mindless miles chore. Right now I have in my head to head up to Carlsbad Caverns in TX, then the Grand Canyon. Making our way to Joshua Tree national park and bypassing Los Angeles.

We have a sedan and a 2wd Jeep, so with that in mind, do you fine folks have any advice as where else or better places to see and camp at? We'll be splitting our time between camp grounds and hotels.

Thanks!

 

[PA Slammer]

Drove from Randolph to Castle back in the day.

Stopped at Petrified Forest, Gila Bend Cliff Dwellings, Carlsbad, Big Bend (highest peak in Texas is there, Guadalupe Peak easy day hike, but a few miles and higher than you think for Texas. American Airlines put a huge shiny obelisk up there back in the airborne pony express days), hit Yosemite, Crater Lake and a few more places. It was quite a whirlwind trip! Awesome country might as well enjoy it!

PA Slammer

 

[loren85022]

I'll add my 10 cents regarding your pass thru AZ;

I suppose Grand Canyon is a prerequisite with kids. I'd opt for Sedona. Still touristy but even w/o 4WD, so much more to experience.

Kartchner Caverns south of Tucson is great. If the kids want to see the animals of southwest, the Sonoran Museum just outside of Tucson is amazing. Its a zoo full of animals in some very well layout habitats. For kids, near the Grand Canyon is also Bearizona. Its a drive-thru zoo.

If I were to only take one scenic biway and yet still try to keep on schedule it would be 89A, Sedona to Flagstaff (paved). If you were to park the caravan and take a 2wd jeep drive, I'd stop in Phoenix and then spend the day driving the Apache Trail around Canyon Lake up to Roosevelt Lk and then back into north Phoenix via Hwy 260.

 

[eatthepeach]

I was going to recommend Kartchner Caverns, too. Also the Titan missile museum in Green Valley ( http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/ ). In CA drive up 395 along the eastern side of the Sierras (not mind-numbing I-5), stop for a visit to Manzanar, and cross over on 50 or 80.

 

[A3M0N]

Wow! Thanks for all the ideas. I think this is going to be a great trip. The only issue really will be the dog. Not being able to take her into buildings but not being able to leave her in the car. It's gonna be tough.

 

[PA Slammer]

I've heard of a few RV full timers (retires) that search kennels. If you have a copy of all the dog's medical records (shots and such) a lot of kennels will take a dog for just a few hours. It can be a little bit of a pain to arrange, but really frees up your planning. Just an idea.

PA Slammer

 

[Butch1979]

Enjoy

So I finally got my assignment, we're moving to Beale AFB in northern California from the Florida panhandle. We have 2 vehicles, a 7 y/o, a soon to be 5 y/o, and a dog. Google maps says the quickest route is I-10W all the way to around Los Angeles, then I-5N up into Beale.

Thanks!

Lucky guy! Beale is an awesome place to be. We used to live in Nevada City (up in the hills about 35 mins out the back gate of Beale). The area is incredible with a LIFETIME of cool things to explore from, camping, backcountry lakes, dirt roads and great skiing in Tahoe.

 

[JHa6av8r]

From Joshua Tree, bypass LA by heading through Bakersfield. Instead of north on I-5, head up Hwy-99. From there you'll have access to Kings Canyon & Sequoia NP's and a little further north Yosemite NP.

You could also head north before getting to Bakersfield by picking up either 95 or 395 and going up the eastern side of the Sierras, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake. You could cross the Sierras at Tioga Pass thru Yosemite or go farther north and drop down to Beale from Lake Tahoe.

 

[coolfeet]

Have you considered driving through Arizona & Utah? Since this is going to be an adventure, I would make a trip through the Grand Canyon, Moab, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park.

I have never been to Utah in the winter. However, I have been all over Arizona in the winter and I really enjoyed seeing the mountains and the snow. I honeymooned in Sedona the first week of January. It was beautiful seeing the red rock country with a snowy backdrop.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is magnificent in the winter.

 

[A3M0N]

Thanks everyone! Right now we're planning for an 8 day trip, with 3 of those nights camping. Camping locations will be Carlsbad Caverns NP, Grand Canyon NP, and somewhere near Death Valley NP. We're planning to take Hwy 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff, AZ and Hwy 395 just about all the way up through CA. I have a rough map saved in Google maps that I will share with you guys for some suggestions. We're going to see some family in TX along the way too.

Butch1979, we're planning to live on base for a year to learn the area, but want to build or buy after that. We want some room to breathe. A garden, maybe a pond, just some stretch room, maybe a few acres. Can you suggest an area? We're thinking a small private school near Marysville, so not super far from base hopefully.

Thanks!

 

[NMC_EXP]

A3MON

Last I heard, dogs are not welcome in National Parks and Natl Monuments. They must stay in the car or in the parking lot on a leash.

No restrictions on BLM and Forest Service ground so far as I know.

You might want to check it on your own.

Regards

Jim

 

[A3M0N]

I'll have to call for a clear answer about dogs. The websites all say they are allowed in certain areas. But websites don't always have the newest info on them. I'll check it out, thanks for the heads up.

 

[A3M0N]

Here is my tentative route to Beale. There are no campgrounds at the Carlsbad Caverns NP, and the only close campground is a KOA for around $30 a night. We may just end up getting a hotel room in Carlsbad and leaving our furry friend to rest in the room while we explore the caverns.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=212847202244354752740.0004eff3d6b47d2261aa9

 

[shortbus4x4]

If you and your kids like the movie "Cars" try doing some of Route 66, my boys loved going through Arizona and seeing Route 66.

 

[A3M0N]

Good idea shortbus, that has been added to our route!