All other motorcycle related topics go in here." However, DO NOT post ANY messages that are related to politics or religion in here. They will be erased. Thanks!
I,m planing a extended trip this summer (5 weeks) and would like your thoughts on this issue. I have a very loosely planned schedule and find that making reservations really will not work in my situation. I plan to camp when I can and "lay up" if the weather turns nasty as it,s bound too.
I have a desire to wander and if a place catches my interest a stay of a few days may be preferred. Reservations would mean timetables.
What have some of you done in this situation. I will visit a few friends but for the most part will be needing accomadations. I purchased a KOA handbook, maps, gps unit and such but worry that there will be no room at the "inn". Your thoughts please!
Well, first off, welcome to the retirement party...it's WAY better than that daily grindstone!
What I've done in similar circumstances is do a little route research ahead of time, and using Kayak.com or similar websites suss out most likely towns along the route that I might be staying in along the way. At each town I use the website tools to evaluate the potential best motels for my budget and needs, then just write down pertinent info (800 numbers, prices, locations) in a little notebook I carry in my tankbag. I also have a short list of other lodging 800 numbers in the same logbook as a back up plan. With a cell phone it's pretty simple to figure out during the middle part of the day where you might be landing for that night, and just call to make a reservation, just don't wait too long, particularly on weekends. Works pretty well out here on the Left Coast. What doesn't work so well is not knowing at all what lodging "might" be ahead and just chancing it that you can find something. That has meant, in my experience, needing to push on to the next town, which may not be all that close.
If you elect to not make reservations it would probably be a good idea to find your nightly accomodations in the late afternoon or very early evening. On the few occasions where I've traveled without reservations I've found that motels start filling up rapidly about sundown or so....
NAIAD wrote:
If you elect to not make reservations it would probably be a good idea to find your nightly accomodations in the late afternoon or very early evening. On the few occasions where I've traveled without reservations I've found that motels start filling up rapidly about sundown or so....
Hope that helps a bit....
Ciao!
Bill J
Absolutely ! I was driving from MN last August and though I could just find a place when i got tired of driving. Nope. Found myself wandering from inn to in Sheridan WY at midnight. The next night I got smart and called the Travel Lodge in Spokane about dinnertime. Still showed up at midnight, but the credit card held our room and all was well. In the summer I would not be surprised if KOA is the same way. There are good alternatives to KOA though. I just read over on ADVrider about a guy traveling the back roads. He would just ask somebody at the mom and pop cafe if they knew a place he could camp, and like as not they'd tell him he could set up out back or somewhere. People are nicer away from the interstate.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
Jack, I answered your question a bit in the camping thread in this section, but will add: the only time I have had trouble finding a place to stay is when looking for motels. Never for camping spots. If you get to a camping area between Sunday and Thursday, you will no doubt have no problem at all and can probably reserve it for longer if you choose, upon arrival or during your stay. Stay away from state parks on holidays or weekends unless you are already there and can secure your spot. Even still, be prepared for close neighbors and lots of children in state parks during popular family travel time. I love kids, but camping with other parent's children can be a drain on the peace and quiet.
Most campgrounds have spots that are first come basis. Many do not reserve at all. Plan accordingly. SP i have stayed in, have everything you need and cost typically $10-$17 a night. The last one I was in was a sweet set up with cold water and lots of electricity right at my site. I could plug in and charge all electronics and work on my laptop as well. No Internet though. But on the weekend, it got too crowded.
Good luck to you. Have an enjoyable and safe trip. Post a reprt and pics when you can.
In the tourist areas, like where I live, expect problems during 'peak' times. The further from tourist areas, the more likely you are to find motel spots. That said, I had a problem once while on a bike trip and rode about 2 hours past the time I was safe looking for a room. Did that on vacation with the family once and discovered that going about 10 miles off the interstate makes a big difference in room availability!
I would join a hotel 'club' and bring a book of nationwide motels and try to make a reservation a day in advance. This lets you have the freedom to make your own schedule, within 24 hours or so anyway.
We use Choice Hotels, which includes Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Econo Lodge and a couple of others. Bonus is that it does not take many nights to get a free one!
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
On a cross-country 'camping' trip, my buddy and I planned to camp roadside every night unless need drove us to motels. Turned out, at the end of every day, a hot shower, cold air conditioning, and warm bed called very loudly to these old bones. Using Choice Hotels' membership status, we were always able to get a room or two on the first try from Kentucky to Montana and back.
Thanks for all the good info...I think other than weekends it should be a piece of cake. BTW..I,m leaving NY and intend to visit civil war battlesites throught the south. Will visit friends in West Viginia, North Carolina, and Florida. Also will stop at Nashville for some "country music" and cotinue on to New Orleans for some jazz and barbaque. Lastly I intend to watch the sunset in the florida keys (key west) and than return home with a stop at the outer banks. This retirerment thing totally works...Thanks Again!
jacksgp - if you are passing through the mountains of NC, shoot me a PM and maybe we can meet up!
With my wife retired from teaching, I am starting to get jealous. Unfortunately, unlike her, I have no pension plan, so my own retirement depends on getting a kid out of college and a number in a 401(K). Neither of which is going to happen for a few years!
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
I can also recommend Choice Hotels and their Choice Privileges Plan, been a member myself for 10 years. Use their toll-free number on the road each day to get room reservations.
