RV Forum rally suggestions

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Ron from Big D

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Betty and others:

    The Gulf Coast is fine that time of year, but activities and sites to see are more limited than the Texas Hill Country.  The Hill Country is ideal for the middle of April which is typically when the wildflowers are at their peak.  I am talking about the area north of San Antonio, South of Lampasas, West of Austin and east of Junction.  The only thing to remember is; this isn't typically Boondocking country.  I might be able to find a site that would allow it.

    Here is an example of sights or activities to take advantage of:

You are in the heart of the Texas Wildflowers and I know where to go.
Scenic area of Texas
Highland Lakes of Texas (Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Lake Marble Falls, Lake LBJ, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan)
Fredericksburg Area including Willow City Loop, Admiral Nimitz Museum, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, great German Food, Wildflower Seed Farm, Lady Bird Johnson State Park, LBJ Ranch and        State Historical Park, numerous Wineries.
Llano and the best BBQ around
Longhorn Caverns and State Park
Marble Falls and the famous Bluebonnet Cafe. (You might even see Willie Nelson eating there) Oh yes.  Great Pies.
Perdenales Falls State Park
Austin, TX.  The State Capital and home of University of Texas, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and 6th Street and lots of partying.
San Antonio, TX  Home of the Alamo and old Missions Tour.  Don't want to miss the River Walk and restaurants and cantinas.
Inks Lake State Park
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Bandera Texas, Cowboy Capital of Texas
Stonehenge in the Hills

    I could keep going with numerous other sights, but you get the jist of the location.  Might even be able to find a 4-wheel adventure, but there are unlimited country roads with interesting scenery and activities.  I could easily fill a week that would wear you out.

 
The big challenge, as others have suggested, is finding somewhere that could accomodate the group.

May I drop a suggestion for an summer or autumnal rally in Calfornia.  The Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton sits in the middle of the Sideways wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley.  The scenery is romantic golden hills of Califoirnia.  Wine touring is easily available and the quainte townes of Solvang and Los Olivos are at hand.  There is even decent fishing in Lake Cachuma a few miles away.  For those that dig indoor sports there a Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez and beaucop restaurants (see Sideways).    Mission Santa Ynez and Mission Purisma are nearby as are the flower fields of Lompoc and Santa Barbara is an easy drive.

Flying Flags is a huge campground with something like 250 full hookups even with real 50 amp poles.    There are a number of boondocking sites on meadowy grass and the layout is congeniail for groups.    Pool, spa, showers, and no damn dust.
 
Carl, I know Chris would go for somewhere near Solvang any time.
 
Yeah, it is great mini-vacation venue and Flying Flags is a fine park.    The thing I like about the area is the range of activities available from fishing and nature cruises at L. Cachuma (trout and cats) thru mission bagging to chowing down at restaurants whose wine menu is entirely  pinot noirs on the red side of the list -- no merlots allowed.  ;D
 
Carl,

I was not one to desire to spend time in CA. However, on our trip last year we spent a couple of very happy weeks visiting various locations in CA. If it was feasible for us, I would not hesitate to attend a rally especially in the wine country. Some very lovely areas there. I really enjoyed the drive along the 101 from west of Vallejo north.
 
Jim,

Carl is talking about a different "wine country". Put Buellton, CA into your mapping software and you'll see it's much further south.

[edit]Typo[/edit]
 
The following was cut and pasted from a message in another topic. It fits better here, although it might appear out of sequence.

The idea of a rally somewhere between QZ and Moab might work out well for folks who travel out west for a few months. Of course, it couldn't conflict with other events that might be a big draw for forum members. The big challenge, as others have suggested, is finding somewhere that could accomodate the group. Passing the Indio fairgrounds on our way to dinner last evening makes me wonder if such places might work. I've never camped at any fairgrounds and I don't even know where they're typically situated. Again, just thinking aloud.
 
I would not hesitate to attend a rally especially in the wine country. Some very lovely areas there. I really enjoyed the drive along the 101 from west of Vallejo north.

Like Tom says, different wine country.? ?The Santa Ynez area is in southern California, just north across a coastal mountain range from Santa Barbara.? ?It is the country in which the movie Sideways was set.? ?All the locations that the movie shows are actually in and operating in the area.?

I actually prefer the area to the Napa/Sonoma valleys.? ?The wine growing district is new, maybe 25-30 years old and is doing a lot of interesting stuff -- especially, as the movie's running gag goes, pinot noirs.? ?You can stiill get a fine bottle of wine there for $30.? ?The roads are not packed with limo parties and drunk tourists.? ?The area still has a rural feel.
 
Nice list of things to do in Buellton but you forgot my absolute favoritest.....Anderson's Pea Soup Restaurant. Used to make trips from Whittier up there just for the All-You-Can-Eat soup and bread. YUM

 
I would like to have a second rally the week after QZ in some campground with some hook-ups.  Nice to get a shower, do clothes, vacuum etc.  Would be good to stay in a warm place, where campfires are allowed and where rigs can be in a compact area.  Some state and federal campgrounds have "rally sites.  ??Horseshoe?? in Cottonwood, AZ comes to mind.  Not sure of the temps. in early February tho.
 
Good idea Fred.? Sharon and I were thinking along the same lines.? In fact this morning we are finally departing from QZ and heading up to Lake Havesu to have a little rally with my best friend and other friends of his.? A hot shower this evening with a little scotch among friends sounds very inviting after two weeks of desert living.

Oddly enough, my best friend is headed for Cottonwood at the end of the week after our Havesu mini rally.? I am tempted to move along with him to cottonwood and check it out.? ?:D

Heck, if we had a post QZ rally at a place with hookups, those who do not like the dust etc at QZ could join us for that part of the rally.? Interesting idea IMO!  And it would be fun to have an RV caravan moving from QZ up to Cottonwood.
 
Tom said:
Jim,

Carl is talking about a different "wine country". Put Buellton, CA into your mapping software and you'll see it's much further south.

[edit]Typo[/edit]

Tom,

That's OK as long as it's as nice as the "other" wine country. :) After I wrote that I remembered you mentioning Solvang at Anza and I saw it was further south. Almost stopped there on our way north but decided to skip it for now.
 
fredethomas said:
I would like to have a second rally the week after QZ in some campground with some hook-ups.  Nice to get a shower, do clothes, vacuum etc.  Would be good to stay in a warm place, where campfires are allowed and where rigs can be in a compact area.  Some state and federal campgrounds have "rally sites.  ??Horseshoe?? in Cottonwood, AZ comes to mind.  Not sure of the temps. in early February tho.

Fred

Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood put in a group area a couple of years ago. I've heard that the accomodations are excellent. The Millers may have better info on the park and weather in the area in early February.
 
BernieD said:
Fred

Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood put in a group area a couple of years ago. I've heard that the accomodations are excellent. The Millers may have better info on the park and weather in the area in early February.

Having been in nearby Prescott and in Sedona on several winter occasions, I would guess that it would be cold enough to freeze the bells off a brass pagoda. 
 
Camp Verde, which is not too far from Cottonwood, is showing 50F right now with a high of 74F and a low of 40F today.
 
We are in El Centro visiting friends for a few days (and cleaning up from QZ 8)). High in the low 80's, low in the 50's. Not much to do but very relaxing after the past 11 days.
 
Lemme apologize.  Cottonwood AND Prescott are both in the 70s day and 30s night.  Not too bad all things considered.  Comparable with QZ as I remember. 
 
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