En Route Campgrounds

[Dray]

I'm thinking of traveling to the Grand Canyon sometime.  From Sacramento California that's quite a haul.  So I was thinking of breaking up the trip and stopping somewhere along the way.  Some State Parks have what's called en route campsites.  They're intended for people who just want to stop over and head out early in the morn for their final destination.  Sounds good to me.  Have any of you used these?  And I was wondering about how to set up minimally just for sleeping the night.  So tips on (minimal) setup would be appreciated too.  One that I can think of is not disconnecting from the TV.  Is that ok to do?  

Thanks

[flyfisherman]

And I was wondering about how to set up minimally just for sleeping the night.  So tips on (minimal) setup would be appreciated too.  One that I can think of is not disconnecting from the TV.  Is that ok to do?  

Thanks

For my doings, that's why I have a PU, to spend the night in my own comfortable bunk amonst my own "stuff". MUCH better than a strange bed in a strange motel (and God only knows what has taken place there and by whom ever, prior to my stay!) ~ I sleep good in my PU.

When taking a long enough trip where it might be necessary to spend a night or two, I pull up national forest campgrounds for the particular state(s) before hitting the road, along with the State Parks, too. I've even stayed at K.O.A.s, although they usually are more expensive, but usually they are close to the interstates. About 500 miles these days are about my max ... can be less with hectic traffic, road repair, bad weather and who knows what-all. But I have some places planned for along the way and if not traveling on the week-end usually don't need reservations.

Setting up is minimal. I can set-up my little Starcraft and remain still hitched so that saves time. Don't do the awning and if it's warm weather will use the camp stove on the picnic table rather than setting up the main stove inside the PU (but if the weathers not right, have no choice). As for meals, plan on just heating something from home that I toted along for the first night; along with simple things like sandwiches and maybe a pre-packaged salad. For breakfast it will be simple, too, like instant oatmeal, a granola bar and an apple. The idea is to set up quick, have a decent, easy supper, minimal clean-up and hit the sack for some rest. Up and at 'em bright and early, minimal breakfast and clean-up again, close it up and back on the road early (like a target time of 8:00am).

Much rather do that then stay at some strange, expensive motel ... and there might be a little adventure to it!



Fly