Road trip from Central Texas to Maine begins in mere hours

[W8lkinUSA]

So far, car-camping in northern Mississippi, Kentucky, Alleghany NY, maybe Vermont, Bar Harbor ME, Lincoln NH, Connecticut or Rhode Island coast, Shenandoah NP VA, Smokey Mountain NP, Northern Alabama, and Natchitoches LA. Round trip completion in 2.5 weeks.

Should I be prepared for additional unique scenarios with underquilt as well as air pad and topquilts in both hammocks and tents?

[Kroma]

Should I be prepared for additional unique scenarios with underquilt as well as air pad and topquilts in both hammocks and tents?

Congrats on the trip. Sounds fun.

No. You shouldn’t be prepared for “additional unique scenarios”.

Someone had to say it.

[W8lkinUSA]

Thank you for the support. If my lower back and hip hold strong, then we might even go on our first backpacking trip for two nights.

[snwcmpr]

Vermont ... Check out Winhall Brook Campground.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/w...O&parkId=73483

I have stayed there many times. Hot water, showers, clean, great people running it, Army Corp Of Engineers campground.

Ken in NC

[Flash Grundelore]

Being from New England, I'd skip the CT/RI coast... not much there unless you really wanted to hit Mystic Seaport or something [it's mostly behind Long Island, so you get no real Atlantic "ocean" experience].
I'd jump back over the Hudson and find something in the Catskills or Poconos, then slide on down to the Shenandoah in an easy day... do the WHOLE Blue Ridge Parkway if you can.
Don't miss the Natchez Trace [NPS] drive as well if you can do a section.

[snwcmpr]

Shenandoah (Skyline Drive) and the Blue Ridge Parkway are incredibly beautiful drives. Lots of choices for camping along them.

[W8lkinUSA]

While having breakfast at a cafe yesterday this morning, I had concluded that a 4 hour delay was too much to stomach. So instead, I spent some time sipping an espresso at a coffee shop to finalize campsite plans while on the road.

Just a couple of more hours until I begin. Here is the plan.

I might also go backpacking with friends and family in the White Mountains and the Smoky Mountains.

WOW! My first road trip through America might also include my first backpacking trips!!

================
- Marathon Lake Campground -- Bienville National Forest, Forest, MS
- Houchin Ferry Campground -- Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
- Pymatuning State Park Pennsylvania Jamestown Campground, PA
- Northampton, MA
---
- Blackwoods Campground -- Acadia National PARK, ME
- Covered Bridge Campground -- Albany, NH
... > (OR) Lost River Valley Campground -- North Woodstock, NH
- Northampton, MA
---
- Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic, CT 06357
- Big Meadows Campground -- Shenandoah National Park, VA
- Cades Cove Campground -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
- Kisatchie Bayou Campground -- Kisatchie National Forest, LA (Spartanburg, SC first if delayed)
================

Vermont ... Check out Winhall Brook Campground.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/w...O&parkId=73483

I have stayed there many times. Hot water, showers, clean, great people running it, Army Corp Of Engineers campground.

Ken in NC

Bummer. Since I'm one day behind schedule, I can no longer camp in VT.

Being from New England, I'd skip the CT/RI coast... not much there unless you really wanted to hit Mystic Seaport or something [it's mostly behind Long Island, so you get no real Atlantic "ocean" experience].
I'd jump back over the Hudson and find something in the Catskills or Poconos, then slide on down to the Shenandoah in an easy day... do the WHOLE Blue Ridge Parkway if you can.
Don't miss the Natchez Trace [NPS] drive as well if you can do a section.

I was hoping for clams on a half shell in RI. The only other place that I'm aware of extremely fresh clams would be around NYC.... A night in the Catskills isn't entirely off the table. I'll look into Natchez Trace NP; I am from New Orleans afterall -- how could I miss Natchez..

Shenandoah (Skyline Drive) and the Blue Ridge Parkway are incredibly beautiful drives. Lots of choices for camping along them.

I had considered that drive, but may not drive too much of it since the real prize for me is the White Mountains. Who knows, I may just arrive at the Smoky Mountains a day behind schedule..

[Flash Grundelore]

"I was hoping for clams on a half shell.."... worry not. You can get them almost anywhere in New England, even inland, unless you were wanting to dig them yourself.

[DivaB]

Good for you. Planning on doing something similar myself or trying to hit as many group hangs as I can.

[W8lkinUSA]

"I was hoping for clams on a half shell.."... worry not. You can get them almost anywhere in New England, even inland, unless you were wanting to dig them yourself.

Hah. I heard you can dig for them near Acadia NP. The process of removing sand would be too long for my stay there..

Good for you. Planning on doing something similar myself or trying to hit as many group hangs as I can.

Go for it! Do both! :-D I don't think we have those events down here..