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travel/oad_trip.md

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+**14-day small motorhome trip** with a focus on:  
+**1. Minimal driving** (max 2-3 hrs between stops, with exceptions).  
+**2. Scenic, relaxing overnights** (prioritizing campsites with natural beauty/hot springs).  
+**3. A balance of activity and rest** (hikes/swims by day, chill evenings).  
+
+---
+
+### **🏆 Top 3 Itinerary Options (Ranked by Your Priorities)**  
+*(Each is a complete 14-day loop from Austin.)*  
+
+---
+
+### **1. "Desert & Hot Springs Retreat"**  
+**Best for:** Soaking in natural springs, stargazing, and desert landscapes.  
+**Route:**  
+- **Hill Country** (3 nights) → **Big Bend/Terlingua** (4 nights) → **Chinati Hot Springs** (2 nights) → **Davis Mountains** (3 nights) → **Fredericksburg** (2 nights).  
+**Why?**  
+- **Hot Springs:** Soak at **Chinati** (private, rustic) and **Big Bend’s Hot Springs Historic District** (free, riverside).  
+- **Low Driving:** Only two longer drives (4 hrs to Big Bend, 3 hrs to Chinati).  
+- **Stargazing:** Terlingua and Davis Mountains are **International Dark Sky areas**.  
+
+---
+
+### **2. "Hill Country & Rivers Flow"**  
+**Best for:** Swimming, lazy rivers, and small-town charm.  
+**Route:**  
+- **Wimberley** (3 nights) → **Garner State Park** (4 nights) → **Bandera** (3 nights) → **Fredericksburg** (4 nights).  
+**Why?**  
+- **Water Focus:** Swim at **Blue Hole**, float the **Frio River**, and tube the **Medina River**.  
+- **Zero Rush:** All drives under 2 hrs.  
+- **Culture:** Wine in Fredericksburg, cowboy honky-tonks in Bandera.  
+
+---
+
+### **3. "West Texas Epic Landscapes"**  
+**Best for:** Hiking, desert solitude, and iconic parks.  
+**Route:**  
+- **Big Bend** (5 nights) → **Guadalupe Mountains NP** (3 nights) → **Davis Mountains** (3 nights) → **Balmorhea** (3 nights).  
+**Why?**  
+- **Hiker’s Paradise:** **Santa Elena Canyon**, **Guadalupe Peak** (TX’s highest point), and **McDonald Observatory**.  
+- **Hot/Cold Springs:** **Big Bend’s hot springs** + **Balmorhea’s giant cool pool**.  
+- **Solitude:** Few crowds outside Big Bend.  
+
+---
+
+### **⚖️ How to Choose?**  
+- **Pick #1** if hot springs and stargazing are your top priorities.  
+- **Pick #2** if you want to swim, float, and avoid long drives.  
+- **Pick #3** if you crave epic hikes and desert silence.  
+
+---
+
+### **📍 Honorable Mentions (Add-Ons)**  
+- **Marfa, TX:** Quirky art town (add 2 nights between Big Bend and Davis Mountains).  
+- **Truth or Consequences, NM:** If you’re willing to drive 5 hrs from Big Bend for more hot springs.  
+
+---
+
+### **🚐 Pro Tips for All Trips**  
+- **Book Early:** Garner SP, Big Bend, and Balmorhea fill up.  
+- **Pack:** Swim gear, hiking sandals, and a **portable fire pit** (some parks restrict fires).  
+- **Flex Days:** Add extra nights where you love the vibe (Terlingua, Fredericksburg).