We are planning a trip with our coach to Austin in March with a stop in Nacogdoches to look at Foretravels. What is the best route from Nac to Austin driving a motorhome?
Which end of Austin?
If north, when we lived in G'town/Liberty Hill we used to take 7 to the loop around Crockett (take the loop) then 7 to 79 in Marquez, 79 on down to I35 (there's a jog in Hearne to stay on 79).
Southern side I'm not sure if 21 down to 290 might not be a better option.
Michelle
I like El Camino Real. Take 7 to 21. It's a beautiful road. You won't be able to fit at most of the turn offs for historical markers, but it's still worth the trip.
Just remember to take the "truck loops" around the small towns ... the middle streets are NOT made for coaches! Check the small towns out on a paper map so you can be ready to argue with the GPS. We make the run from Nac to Austin to visit family ... La Hacienda RV Park near Lake Travis is very nice.
You can take hwy 7 or 21 from Nac to Crockett. There is some construction on 7 that will continue into March but presently is not a major consideration. 21 is narrow and winds around some but good and also pretty. Either way, take the loop around Crockett as others have said though if you make a mistake and go into town, it can be done. Just watch for overhanging limbs.
As for Austin, if you take 21 out of Crockett you can take either take it to and exit to Hwy 290 (exit right) and head west on into Austin. That puts you on the north side of Austin as 290 joins up with IH 35 and heads on south with 290. If you continue straight though, that road is 2222 and not the best place to take a motorhome.
If however you want to simply get to the south side of Austin, I like to stay on 21 and not exit to 290 and go on to Bastrop (five miles of contraction, not bad at present). Turn left in Bastrop at the bottom of the long hill into Bastrop, A short loop (be in right lane) takes you over to Hwy 71. (There is a new Buckees on the left at 71) Turn right onto 71 to head west to south Austin.
When you get close into Austin, before the airport, stay in the middle lane, not the far right or left, and that will let you easily pass the airport. Stay on 71 (Ben White Blvd). In Austin you will intersect IH35, turn left or right onto IH 35 if that fits your need. IF though you want to go on thru to Lakeway and La Hacienda RV park, this will work for you....
Pass on under IH 35 on 71 (which now joins up with 290 west) and stay on the right side of center lane, exit the Capitol of Texas highway (Loop 360) when it branches off of 290/71 west, follow Capitol of Texas a few miles, exit to Bee Cave Road (FM 2244), turn left under Capitol of Texas (360), drive about seven miles?, take a right on Bee Cave Parkway (if you miss that, I think it the next light, turn right onto 71, an HEB is on the left), continue on 71 about a mile to FM 620, turn right at the light on to FM 620 (turning by Springhill Cafe). Not sure how far it is to Hudson Bend road, I guess maybe seven miles, turn left on Hudson Bend Rd and La Hacienda will be on your left after a couple of miles. A nice park. Web site is: La Hacienda RV Resort & Cottages (http://www.lahaciendarvpark.com)
If need clarification, send me PM and we can talk, etc.
Mike
That's the best bet. We live north and west of Austin and go thru Fairfield, Mexia and then on I to Waco and pick up I35 south. It's all about the same time. Rough 4 to 4.5 hours from CampFt. Believe me, we have done way too many times this year!
Bamafan, a stop you really need to make is College Station and see A & M. Although that might still be too soon for you! Nothing like pouring salt into a wound! Kidding!
North of Austin. We'll be staying at Pace Bend RV Park while attending a wedding.
Thanks txforetravel, but I've seen all I want to see of A&M - Bama will show 'em next year.
Thanks to all for the help.
Will be at game Monday with my Bama buddy (this will be our third in four years) not sure if I will be yelling "Roll Tide", "War Eagle", or do what I usually do, which is have a few Adult beverages and sing the "Purdue fight song"
Sorry to hijack thread......
"Hail, Hail to old Purdue all hail to the old gold and black"
Hope I didn't start something.....
Nah.....
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conquering heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
The leaders and best!
GO BLUE! :))
Michigan? Let's see, how about Alabama 41, Michigan 14? Roll Tide Roll!
Someone mentioned La Hacienda RV Park. They have a 10 year rule, and as others have said, I won't patronize such a park. Our coach is in relatively good condition except for the paint - we are probably going to have it painted this spring. I don't want to risk having to scramble our plans at the last minute to find a place to stay.
Yeah, yeah.... I have to admit, my "Go Blue" harkens back to the Bo Schembechler days... now THAT was football! ::) :P
Re: coach age at La Hacienda. They have the ten year rule due to a neighboring park, it is a way to turn away some business they or you do not want there. Our coach is 12 years old, no problem getting in, not even questioned. I did though call in advance one time to be sure, told them I would send photos. That could be an option. They have quite a few RVs that may be newer, I do not know, but do not look near as good as some older coaches. They keep a clean park, good sites, good proximity to some activities in Austin area. I found however that I could not have more than one device at a time on their internet service.
I only mention this in case a reader of this thread may think that they cannot stay there due to the ten year rule, not in any way to say that one should or should not avoid such parks.
I have a 93, twenty years old, but in really nice shape and I have never been refused admittance. In fact, I can usually tell a difference in a conversation making reservations with an RV Park as soon as I say I have a Foretravel. Once at a very high end park in Oregon, they moved us to an upscale area of the park when the actually saw our coach.
There is a big difference between a well cared for 10+ year old Foretravel and many much newer other brands of motor home.
We have an '02 and stayed at La Hacienda very recently. When they ask, just tell them it is an '06 ... they won't know the difference. That is what I did. They just don't want "Cousin Eddie" rolling in with his rig covered in mildew and duct tape.
With all the opinions for this venture, I will bet you can't get there from here, grief !!
FWIW
Dave M
The neighboring park I believe is the Armadillo. Driving thru this park is interesting to say the least. La Hacienda. is a great park. We staying there one time before they added all their new sites when our site at Camper Resort was under water. A old beat up RV pulled up and we sat and watched to see if they would let them it. After some time in the office he drove off. We all guessed that he was sent to the Armadillo where he would fit in with the other there.
Thanks for the reply. I do not know the name of the neighbor but it looks pretty run down. May be safe and clean, I do not know, but can see La Ha wanting to say, we are different. They have the pool, entertainment on some weekends, paved, shade some spots, an area for people that stay all the time there. Not up to the level of Buckhorn in Kerrville but still very nice.
Perhaps you would consider adding to your signature on the page so it automatically says what coach you have? Not required by the Forum, but can help us communicate on some items. If need help in how to do this, just post as a reply and I or another will walk you through the method to add that info.
Cheers and Happy New Year with Safe Travels,
mike