Top 10 things i learned on our recent trip

[Taylorgso]

1. North Carolina really DOES have the best roads (I should quit griping abouit our high highway fuel taxes).
2. Fighting crosswinds in a motorhome builds stamina and muscle.
3. Gas mileage is a lot better with a tailwind
4. In the plains states, approaches/departures from bridges are horribly rough, uneven, and bumpy.
5. When gasoline prices drop, diesel pretty much stays the same
6. Folks out west go to church to worship, not to be seen in their finest clothes
7. Dungarees are acceptable as formal attire
8. Weather in Wyoming and South Dakota in Sept is great – blizzards start in October
9. If you want to see the USA, get off of the Interstates.
10. People are wonderful, friendly, and helpful wherever you go - if YOU are nice.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Taylorgso

1. North Carolina really DOES have the best roads (I should quit griping abouit our high highway fuel taxes).
2. Fighting crosswinds in a motorhome builds stamina and muscle.
3. Gas mileage is a lot better with a tailwind
4. In the plains states, approaches/departures from bridges are horribly rough, uneven, and bumpy.
5. When gasoline prices drop, diesel pretty much stays the same
6. Folks out west go to church to worship, not to be seen in their finest clothes
7. Dungarees are acceptable as formal attire
8. Weather in Wyoming and South Dakota in Sept is great – blizzards start in October
9. If you want to see the USA, get off of the Interstates.
10. People are wonderful, friendly, and helpful wherever you go - if YOU are nice.

Also being a resident of NC, I agree with all but #1. Don't think NC has the best roads, but they are better than most.

[great white]

#10 has always been a fact: you reap what you sow.

[Schnooks56]

We just returned to Texas after a two week jaunt into Canada. Took different routes up and back. Things we learned include.......
1. Enter Canada at Port Huron, not Detroit. Detroit roads are bad and Canadian border agents are not always friendly.
2. Exchange money just inside Canada at a casino. Good rate, easy exchange, no hassle. You don't have to gamble if you don't wish.
3. If you want Internet, phone, or TV in Canada, make arrangements before you go. We were cut off from civilization completely for 7 days (OK, not so bad).
4. KOA Kampgrounds are always clean, friendly, and good for big RVs.
5. When you stop in Branson, MO, stay at Compton Ridge. And stay in Branson for ay least a week.
6. My wife waved at truckers when we passed, and they flashed lights to return to right lane. No wave, no lights. Interesting.

2013 Cardinal 37' 5th Wheel
2012 Ford King Ranch Diesel

[campnqueen]

This is great! And Georiga has the BEST roads! Now florida?..... well not so much.

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by Schnooks56

1. Enter Canada at Port Huron, not Detroit. Detroit roads are bad and Canadian border agents are not always friendly.

3. If you want Internet, phone, or TV in Canada, make arrangements before you go. We were cut off from civilization completely for 7 days (OK, not so bad).

Learned both of these the hard way... Sat at the border forever, then trying to get into Canada at customs the agent says "What are you bringing with you?" Here we are in the truck, pulling a trailer with half of what we own - where do you start? Went downhill from there... Apparently all he cared about was if we we had any weapons, fireworks, explosives or firewood. Once we got on the same on the same page, we made it across the border.

Thought my cel phone (which is also our GPS) worked in Canada already. Nope. And when your phone doesn't work, you can't call to change your plan...

And one to add - don't bring a green pepper (or any produce) into the U.S., even if it came from the U.S. to begin with. Friends learned this one and shared it with us. Saved us a lot of trouble. Got back into the U.S. very easy. Never had that happen. Normally very easy to get into Canada and difficult to get back.

[rattleNsmoke]

Hey Coot, if you thought NC had high road tax.....consider the amount we pay in CT. Our roads and bridges are in shambles and we pay an average of .75 per gallon in taxes. It's obscene. The only difference between CT and Jesse James is that Jesse used a gun.

[5er_tom]

My vote for the state with the worst roads goes to California.

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

The only difference between CT and Jesse James is that Jesse used a gun.

Try not paying your taxes for a while and you might find out there's not as much difference as you'd like to think.

[Doering]

Originally Posted by Schnooks56

We just returned to Texas after a two week jaunt into Canada. Took different routes up and back. Things we learned include.......
1. Enter Canada at Port Huron, not Detroit. Detroit roads are bad and Canadian border agents are not always friendly.
2. Exchange money just inside Canada at a casino. Good rate, easy exchange, no hassle. You don't have to gamble if you don't wish.
3. If you want Internet, phone, or TV in Canada, make arrangements before you go. We were cut off from civilization completely for 7 days (OK, not so bad).
4. KOA Kampgrounds are always clean, friendly, and good for big RVs.
5. When you stop in Branson, MO, stay at Compton Ridge. And stay in Branson for ay least a week.
6. My wife waved at truckers when we passed, and they flashed lights to return to right lane. No wave, no lights. Interesting.

2013 Cardinal 37' 5th Wheel
2012 Ford King Ranch Diesel

Yes, most Provincial campgrounds will only have electrical hook-ups. Private campgrounds will usually have water and electric hookups.
Yes, hit and miss regarding the customs agents (Canadian and US)

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

My vote for the state with the worst roads goes to California.

You must not have traveled thru Louisiana a whole lot. Down here, we just have a little bit of road to hold the potholes apart.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wmtire

You must not have traveled thru Louisiana a whole lot. Down here, we just have a little bit of road to hold the potholes apart.

wmtire, I have to agree with you, especially I10 on both sides of New Orleans with the worst part east of New Orleans. We were down to 20 mph with rh side of truck and camper on the shoulder in 2006. Don't know what its like now.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by wmtire

You must not have traveled thru Louisiana a whole lot. Down here, we just have a little bit of road to hold the potholes apart.

and the potholes are in the bottom of craters and sink holes. :')

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by wmtire

You must not have traveled thru Louisiana a whole lot. Down here, we just have a little bit of road to hold the potholes apart.

and the potholes are in the bottom of craters and sink holes.