We had planned to leave Arizona today, but the weatherman is predicting strong winds, with gusts over 40 miles per hour, so that’s not going to happen. We’ll extend our stay for one more day and head out on Wednesday. A one day delay won’t change our schedule, since we really don’t have much of a schedule right now.
Somebody said that’s the great thing about being retired, that we don’t have to rush anyplace. Actually, we are not retired, and we probably never will be. We just run our business from the road and we have structured it so that we have a lot of flexibility.
It hasn’t always been that way, but even when we were running back and forth across the country teaching for Life on Wheels, we would not travel in bad weather. And if conditions do deteriorate on us, we get off the road and pull into the nearest rest area, truck stop, or any parking lot large enough to safely park.
We’ve done it many times, and seen RVers still out there flying down the road at 65 or 70 miles an hour. Why? Where do they have to be that they are willing to risk their rigs and their lives to get there? Even if they are not fulltimers and have jobs to get back to, it’s crazy. I’d rather lose a day’s pay than my life, or someone else’s!
Most fulltime RVers pay close attention to the weather and have weather radios. If you don’t have one of these relatively inexpensive units, get one. They can be a lifesaver. Two good units are the Ambient Weather WR-111
Another good unit is the Midland HH50
We also have a Cobra 75WXST 40-channel CB radio with weather channels.
On that topic, I came across an interesting e-book on Amazon titled Are You Radio Prepared?
Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions on places to visit as we make our way from here to Gillette, Wyoming for Escapade and then out to the Pacific Northwest. We won’t have time to get to all of them, because it would take several seasons, but you have given us some good ideas.
The suggestion was made to go west from Gillette through Yellowstone National Park and into Montana via US Highways 14 and 191. We’ve never been in that part of the West, and I’m not sure what it would be like driving a 40 foot diesel pusher towing a vehicle behind us. Any input from those of you who have been is welcome.
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Haven’t been on 14, but looking at the Mountain West guide for Burgess pass i think i would go a different way.
Nick: We came over the Big Horn Mountains on 14 last year and it was no problem. Yes, it has some grades both going up and coming down, but a cautious driver as you and Terry are you should have no problems. We have 40-ft 2012 Phaeton towing a Chev Equinox. But you might not want to take 14A; read the signs posted at the summit where the routes split. 14 is not for the timid, but it is not unsafe nor difficult. Just keep your speed under control on the way down, don’t be hurried either up or down, and pull over to let any faster vehicles by on the way up. It’s a beautiful drive and one that we would take any time just for the scenery!
We are also extending our stay today due to rain, we feel like we are in the Amazon rain forest. Also didn’t move during the holidays coz most places were full.
When we were there 2 yrs ago there was some road washout on 14 somewhere between Cody & Sheridan, so we went South & without a jake on this truck we also avoided 16.It will be OK for you though.
Be safe friends.
Nick, Read sometime that you really enjoyed 12 from Lolo to Clarkston/Lewiston and I know you have driven the Oregon coast so I really wouldn’t worry about it but I would only travel about 150 miles a day and find forest service camps ..we have a 36 ft fifth wheel and a MDT freightliner and we really enjoy mountain roads . We do use the mountain pass book and avoid the phrase “switchbacks with no shoulders”. Have a fun trip.
Nick,
We did the route last year in a 36ft. Winnebago pusher from Buffalo to Worland, across Route 16…..no problems…. some grades and some construction work…..after Worland to Cody it’s a very easy drive and I was surprised at the farming there. We then toured Cody for a couple of days and drove the MH all around Yellowstone and saw most everything. You would have it easy on that route. NO BRIDGES! 🙂
Nick, We have done both Highway 14 and 14A. 14 would is scenic and not heavily traveled as is 14A. 14A has some long grades of 10%, not real wide, and very few pullouts to stop and enjoy the scenery. I would not do 14A again. With your engine retarder you would do ok on WY 14.
Don’t do 14A. Our friend who was on the crew that built it won’t even do it. Yellowstone is my favorite NP as it is so diverse. Have been many times. Don’t miss Buffalo Bill’s Museum and the new Heart Mt. Interment Museum just north of Cody. A must drive in the toad is the Beartooth Highway. Charles Kuralt claimed it’s the most scenic highway in America.
Nick & Terry:
We did the drive from the East Gate of Yellowstone to Gillette via US 16. The park rangers recommended 16 over 14 as being more scenic.
The stretch between Worland & Buffalo is spectacularly scenic & takes you over Powder River Pass @ 9,800′ or so. Our only concern was rock slides as it was still spring.
We had no problem whatsoever in our ’08 Itasca Ellipse w/ 8.9L ISL Cummins. We tow a Ford Focus. Carpe Diem—do it!
We’ve driven the road from Buffalo to Worland but only pulled the 38′ fiver from Buffalo to Ten Sleep as we were working a NOMADS project at Circle J Ranch outside of Ten Sleep. Quite a drive over some sleep, winding, sections. You will see your tail lights! But not a problem. Take it slow. We enjoyed it. The rest to the road from Ten Sleep to Worland mostly pretty flat and easy.
OOPS! Make that STEEP sections, not sleep. Please DON”T sleep while driving that road.
Done 16 with a 40′ fiver and it was a good trip. Pay attention as you do and you will have no problem. I don’t know about 14 other than a lot of warnings posted about grades etc. 14A is a no no for sure in my book.
We workamped in West Yellowstone and drove every inch of Yellowstone NP. . .the roads inside the park are as nice as any two lane State Highway anywhere. . .the only grades I remember coming in from the East Gate (Cody side) were near the Continental Divide. . .close to the lake. . .enjoy!
We saw big motorhomes inside the park all the time. . .