2gypsies

Rates went up all over the country.

I would ask a tax guy rather than a forum! 😉

We 'retired' early at 55 due to downsizing. Sold everything - lived in a 2500 sq ft lakeside home in Michigan. We knew we didn't want to stay in Michigan with the winters and we definitely didn't want to rent out our home when not there. We wanted to travel. We full-timed for 16 years with a lot of volunteering for a campsite in our national and state parks. We loved AZ in the winter so eventually got a lot at the Benson SKP Coop for the winters. At one time we also had a lot in Washington at Chimicum SKP park. However, we felt staying there in the summer really curtailed our traveling so that was sold. As we aged and having seen all the places we wanted... many over and over and as the crowds came to be and reservations were a must we sold the RV. We have now bought a 1100 sq ft home with mountain views in a very active retirement town in AZ (not a planned inclusive community). It came completely furnished down to linens and pots and pans. We didn't have to buy a thing. It's near excellent medical, cultural and outdoor activities. Our kids didn't stay in Michigan either and now live in the West. We felt if owning property while RVing you feel committed to using it for a chunk of time. What we did worked great for us.

... a very unfortunate accident but the daughter stated: "Sure, maybe Airstream doesn't advise traveling inside the trailer. But we thought maybe that the last 20 minutes of an eight-hour drive and slow country roads would be fine." ..... a bad decision to go against recommendations.

They stated 'trailer'.... had to be a motorhome. Do you have the link?

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/texas-car-safety-inspection-changes/

Those BOF listings need to be updated and delete the ones not in service. I've talked to people who say some of the BOFs aren't active anymore. BOFs began before the popular cell phones and internet as a way to get together.

I don't know if this would affect you. Here are their Long-Term stay regulations. Long-Term means longer than 8 weeks. An excerpt: LONG-TERM STAY (LTS) POLICY Reservations that are made for a period that is longer than 8 weeks are considered Long-Term Stays. We will allow reservations for more than 8 weeks, but, should the customer cancels within the last 30 days prior to their original check-in date, the deposit cannot be refunded. https://escapeesrvparks.com/national-reservation-cancellation-policies/

Definitely drive it with your truck. It's very nice and stop at Slide Rock State Park... there may be some swimmers in the beautiful creek. Also, near the top of the drive is a very large pull-off and there are usually Native Americans there selling nice jewelry. Hope you're able to do some trails out of Sedona. It's such a pretty area.... but very crowded. Our first visit was many years ago when it wasn't really 'discovered' yet.... quite a change. Also.... coming from Monument Valley Tuba City is a good place to buy fuel. Usually more reasonable than Flagstaff and definitely more reasonable than Sedona. Continuing down 89 from Tuba City on the right at Cameron immediately past the Colorado River will be the Cameron Trading Post, i believe is the name. It is a high quality gift shop (& has less expensive ones, also) but they have a very nice restaurant. Navajo tacos are awesome! Nothing like the typical 'taco'. https://camerontradingpost.com/shop.html At that intersection is Hwy 64 which would take you to Grand Canyon Nat'l Park. If you weren't planning to go there you could at least do a loop from there, through the park and exiting on south 64... then to Flagstaff by 64/180 or 64 to Williams & I-40. Many canyon viewpoints to park along the upper 64. Good road.

From Monument Valley south you'd take 163/160 to Tuba City then 89 south to Flagstaff..... good roads. From Flagstaff you have a choice of 89A to Sedona which is a steep 2-lane downhill with curves or I-17 south to 179 into Sedona. You're still going to have a downhill from Flagstaff to 179 but it's an interstate. If you're concerned about roads I'd recommend taking I-17. I just did a Google and here's the description of 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g31352-i168-k12012256-89A_between_Flagstaff_and_Sedona-Sedona_Arizona.html

In your given order here is the route you'd take and you won't have any issues on any of the roads. I-40 can be rough but it's the best way for you to go. : Hot Springs, AR to Monument Valley: I-40 west to Gallup, NM then 264/191/163 to Monument Valley To Sedona: Backtrack to Gallup, NM then I-40 west and south on I-17 to 179 into Sedona. (You could stay on I-40 and pick up 89A into Sedona but you should read about it first. It would be a steep, curvy downhill but very doable with your RV. We've done it with our 40' MH) Sedona to Petrified Forest - back on I-40 east to Holbrook. Take 180 south a short distance to the Petrified Forest Gift Shop (could spend an overnight here and tour the NP Rd with your truck & return to the RV. Travel the road fully and it will take you to the end at I-40 again. There are places on the park road to explore. To Arches: East on I-40 to 191 north To Mesa Verde NP - 191 south to 491 to CO 160 Mesa Verde to Albuquerque - 160 east to Durango (worth a stop and even a drive up to Silverton in your truck which is awesome! (We've boondocked up there a lot with our 40' MH). You could even pre-arrange for the Durango to Silverton train for a day excursion. From Durango take 550 to Albuquerque.

Please give your starting point and exactly what parks/areas you plan to stop... ending where? Then we would be able to give you a good route.

Is there a specific reason you want to travel with others? It's difficult to do as people have their own ideas of when and where to stop.

Large trucks also use Nogales. They bring produce over all day long.

Prescott might be another option for you along with St. George, Utah.