My recent Senior Pass Experience

[ifallsguy]

Originally Posted by Wrascal

and now there's talk about significantly raising the entrance fees at many of these same National Sites (like up to the same $80).

I don't know about y'all but I wouldn't pay those prices - I'd simple go elsewhere.

Fortunately I got my pass, I just hope I never lose it.

The increase is being proposed for the 17 busiest NPs. And only for the 3 or 4 busiest months. I have had nothing about $80 charges for National Historic Sites, Monuments, etc. I volunteer at several smaller parks and both my wife and myself have Senior Passes, purchased at $10.

[Wrascal]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Which of these tier 1 NP's can you only spend 2 hours??

Don't get me wrong as they were nice - but there's only so much of looking into canyons/ valleys /gorges, forests, flat lands, stone carvings, etc ... before it all begins to look the same to me.

I obviously have different presences.

[KCSA75]

I won't be eligible for a senior pass for a couple more years. I'm in no hurry to get eligible, but I think $80 is still a bargain.
We do most of our camping at a couple of Federal Reservoirs and both have multiple COE campgrounds that give a 50 percent discount with the senior pass. We'd pay for the pass in savings after three trips, not to mention the savings at national parks, etc.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by Wrascal

As I only spent a couple of hours there it's not worth $80 to me; now for a couple of days, sure. Personally I'd rather spend my $ at the gun range.

Not to change the subject, but we 'ran across" a place you would be interested in. We only stayed one night but plan on going back. Just south of Raton, NM we stayed at the NRA Whittington Center. An amazing place. 30,000 acres, 19 ranges, museum, store and 3 campgrounds. I had never heard of it but it's been around since the early 70's. May want to google it and check it out.

[Wrascal]

Personally I don't mind when the original subject morphs into something else. And I do find your NRA campground to be more interesting (to me) than the spectacular Grand Canyon; but that's just me /not my bride.

However that's an awful long drive when I have a small local gun club (17 miles) that provides many of those amenities for the low price of $50 (Seniors)/ year membership.

As another aside, while on this recent trip I got stopped (speeding) while passing thru N.M., 13 mph over. The fellow was nice and just gave me a warning. But I honestly didn't see the sign saying 'slow down'. Maybe it was because my bride was so excited to have just seen her first Road Runner.

She was equally excited to see actual tumbleweeds while in AZ. A simple country girl from New England.

[edatlanta]

I visited Acadia National Park Maine (by car - Yuk!) yesterday and was already to pull out my Senior Pass ($10.00) and smile as I drove in, but it seems it is after their season and the guard station only had a sign on duty that said Proceed. Oh well, I have used my pass way more than enough to be happy. There will always be the next time.

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

I won't be eligible for a senior pass for a couple more years. I'm in no hurry to get eligible, but I think $80 is still a bargain.

What's the rush... right? I remember the first time I used mine, Smokemont Campground in the Smoky Mountains National Park, it's was pretty exciting, but I agree there is no rush. Take your time.