Summer travel plans

[Paulette]

Well, it is that time of year again, school year is winding down and GD and I will be heading to Texas so she can spend the summer with her daddy. Unfortunately, I have to pick the hottest time of the year to come to the hottest part of Texas! But, that cannot be avoided. I hope to spend a day or two visiting with my step sister and her hubby, who live on the south side of Houston while I'm there too. Maybe stay somewhere close to the water? I think I have decided that after spending a week or so in the Houston area (maybe a bit more if I can handle the heat with hopefully BOTH air conditioners this year) I will head back east via the Natchez trace parkway. I'll have about 4 weeks to do some exploring before I need to be in Banner Elk, NC for the annual Brandon Family Reunion. That will hopefully give me ample time to explore the Trace before I head to the mountains to cool off!

I know some of you on here have explored the Trace...so any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Anyone in the area that would like to meet up for a mini gtg, I'd love it as I'll be traveling solo and the dog and cats aren't very good conversationalists! good companions, but not much on the chitter chatter! They don't ooh and ahh very much at the scenery either. Actually, they prefer to be parked!

Anyway, hope to maybe meet some of y'all out there.

[Redetotry]

I don't envy your trip to Houston, I have a friend who just moved there from Ireland and she is having a difficult time with the heat. Had to laugh the other day, she said her eyelids were sweating! I'm not real close to the end of the Trace but depending on the weather, maybe we could work something out. I love the Banner Elk area of NC, that will be a relief for you after Houston!

[Sandersmr]

Paulette - if you want to stay close to the water, there's Galveston Island State Park - they have beach side as well as bay side. And there are a couple of county parks down around Surfside. If you want to stay closer in, there's a pretty nice RV park near the intersection of 288 and Beltway 8, and there's one in League City right off of 45. BTW - can you tell I'm near the south side of Houston as well?

And it was 76 and muggy driving to work at 7 this morning - so you've been warned!

[Paulette]

Spent a couple of weeks in July there last summer with only one ac unit working! So, I'm familiar with the heat/humidity of that area! Readytotry, I'll see what happens when I get close!

[cpatinjones]

Hello,

I live a few miles south of the Butte LaRose, LA exit on I-10. There is a a very nice welcome center at this exit, which also allows overnight parking. There is also a nice campground called Frenchman's Wilderness Campground (accepts Good Sam for a discount) and has a pool. It is just a few miles south of the Butte LaRose exit.

If you are around this area in the evening mon-thur (I still work ) or fri-sun anytime, I am available for coffee, dinner, conversation, etc. It would be a pleasure to visit with you while you are passing thru (going and/or coming from Houston). Just let me know.

[Acadianmom]

Birdie and I met up with Paulette last summer in Houston and it was hot. I live South of Carolyn so if you stay in our area I could meet up with you if I'm not in Florida. I have a trip planned to go pickup my Grandson towards the end of June in Florida.

There is a campground just before you get to Lafayette that I would only recommend if you want to treat your Granddaughter and it's not on a weekend. It is pricy but they have 2 swimming pools, one just for the kids. On the weekend it is party central and standing room only in the pool. Some of us met up with Sharon when she stayed there and enjoyed the pool and hot tub.

I have driven the Southern end of the Trace from Natchez to Jackson but didn't really do any exploring. It is a nice leisurely drive with no big trucks.

Martha

[Bethers]

I highly recommend Galveston Island State Park (nodding at Maggie's post) - like the park and the town of Galveston - but they will be full with people during the time you'll be there. The beaches in TX fill up in the summer like crazy (Galveston gets those wanting out of the Houston area - Port Aransas gets the San Antonians, etc) I stayed on the ocean side last time at GISP but decided I think I'd prefer bayside there. You might want to get there at least part of the time.

As to the Natchez Trace - it's a beautiful drive and I'd take it in a heartbeat again. The campgrounds on the Trace are first come/first served, with no hookups But there are plenty along the Trace that have hookups. One I stayed at off the Trace was PA - not a fancy place, but price was right and it was 1/2 a block off. Really check the route - there's lots of things to also get off the Trace and see - or you can simply drive it and stop at the places along it to sightsee. It was winter when I drove it - imagine it'll be way prettier in the summer. I'm hoping to do it spring or fall sometime.

[Liz]

The NP cgs on the Trace are free, but no hookups. The State Parks just off the Trace are nice with water and Electric. There are also some Coe cgs on the Tombigbee waterway. Not far off the Trace. Lots to explore there, and a leisurely drive.

[VickieP]

I'll be in your path also depending on when & where, we just might be able to meet up!

[bluepinecones]

North AL is probably off your path, but I might be able to meet you somewhere in TN.

[Paulette]

Yay!

Sarah, funny you should post that because I am actually thinking of staying an extra day in Huntsville on my way over. I lived in Huntsville for a year as a kid, dad worked for Martin Merietta, and I'd like to look around a bit and see if I can stir up any memories. I'd like to find the house we lived in, and maybe even the school I attended, though I can't remember the name of it. Was thinking of staying at monte sano st. Pk, unless you know of a better local (as in less expensive, easier access, etc).

Vickie, I am going to try to meet up with some of the other LA ladies on my trek back east, since gd is always anxious to "get there". I'm probably pushing it with her taking 5 days to travel out! plus, I'll have plenty more time to travel back east. As I said, I'm going to do the Trace and hopefully the weather won't be too stinking miserable. From there I will head over to the smokey mtns to relax and visit with family until the reunion in August. Son will bring gd there and then we will head home to get ready for the new school year.

Now, if I could just find some motivation to get ready for this trip. I've been trying to replace the wiper blades on the rv...and can't for the life of me find the j hook plastic piece that the tech speaks of. I'm really not that mechanically challenged, and wiper blades on the jeep are a cinch. If it isn't raining this evening, I'll have the ex look at the wipers and see if he can figure out how to remove them. It's always the little things that trip me up! Hahaha

[Liz]

Paulette, Sarah is the best tour guide for Huntsville.

[bluepinecones]

When do you think you might be here?

Huntsville has 3 campgrounds - none fancy - all offer water and electric and price is within $1.00 of each other on nightly basis. Monte Sano is by far the largest in terms of number of spaces and it is the most "natural" setting.

I have made Ditto Landing my home campground. I like it because the land is relatively flat (easier for me to get around), sites are paved and it is most convenient to where I live. It is also the only local park that offers free WiFi if that is important to you.

I have PMed you my e-mail and phone numbers. Get in touch with me and we'll make plans from there.

[Paulette]

Sarah, I sent you a pm. Like I said, I'm not real particular, but thinking gd might appreciate a pool or some sort of swimming while there. I've just heard so much about monte sano that I figured it was THE place to stay in that area! And I'm sure hoping the IRS doesn't interfere with my summer travel plans! Yes, I've received notice that I am being audited. Glad I have an accountant who will represent me (for a price). It will be well worth it, im sure!!

[VickieP]

Vickie, I am going to try to meet up with some of the other LA ladies on my trek back east, since gd is always anxious to "get there".

Since they are closer together, just let me know what the plans are and we can drive over and meet up.