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On the road again
Yahoo Message Number: 85782
Well, the LD is just about packed to the gills for its annual trek south to escape another New England winter.  We hit the road tomorrow morning as we start our leisurely meandering down the eastern seaboard.  We're varying our our route a bit this year, as we'll be spending Thanksgiving with some dear old friends in the GA mountains near Cleveland.  Then it's on to FL, where we're signed up for another stint as CG Hosts at Gable Rogers SRA in Flagler Beach.   So if you're down that way, c'mon by and pay us a visit - it's a great spot a few days right on the ocean.

Happy travels to all our fellow LD'ers.

Ted & Liz '02 FL  NE-12

--
www.toad.fobria.com
 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079

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Re: On the road again
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85783
Ted&Liz:
 We've tracked on ahead of you and have been in Hobe Sound, FL visiting family for a couple of days.  We move south to John Prince Memorial Park (PB County Park) in Lake Worth.  On Dec 11-12 we move back "north" to Juno Beach for a month or two.
 When/if you and other LDers are in the area...be sure to be in touch and let's meet!

Bill and Tina P "Wild Thing" NE 59
 "Ted H." wxtoad2@...>  wrote:...Then it's on to FL, where we're signed up for another stint as CG Hosts at Gable Rogers SRA in Flagler Beach....

  

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2006 MB
Re: On the road again
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85786
Ted, you and Liz are fast becoming our Florida experts.  By any chance do you snorkel?   I love bobbing around in the ocean.  Perhaps you can fill me in on some extraordinary warm-water  snorkeling places you've encountered in your travels?  Or even just heard about?

Thankssbunch, Lorna where in Santa Cruz, wet suits are essential year-round!
2003 RB
Re: On the road again
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85793
Ray:
 Finding spots on the fly in FL in "high season" is easier than trying to find reservations at this point, but you might be in the right place at the right time to pick something up and folks in the CG offices say check every day to see if there's been a cancellation when you are there.  The size of your LD is often just right for some otherwise sold-out spots.
 When we were obliged to cancel the winter plans and come to FL to be with family for health reasons, we  were surprised that we could get reservations from 11/10-11/12 at an extremely popular South FL county park CG when we called in early October...however, after 11/12 the park was booked full through March!  We were likewise surprised to be able to get a reservations in another South FL private park from 11/12 through March...but that particular reservation was possible because we were in a 27' rig...my sister's 40' SOB is shut out after 12/31.
 So...do come at your own speed and leisure, but be flexible and as you go along, don't be shy about seeing if there's space/time at some of the Mom & Pop CGs/RV villages that you encounter along the way...they are very old fashioned, and sometimes not a place you would ordinarily consider...but they can be surprisingly accommodating...and you'd have a whole bunch of new "friends" who would like to tour an LD!
 I JUST spoke w/ the owner of this little CG (Twin Rivers RV Village) right on Route 1 (SE Federal Highway) in Hobe Sound...she tells me while they fill up right after Thanksgiving w/ seasonals, they do hold a few spots for overnighters.
I'm sure they aren't the only ones to do this.
 Getting a spot in the Keys could be close to impossible.  They don't have many CGs to provide a volume of spots...but you just might get lucky!  Be sure to try county parks in addition to state parks.

Tina P "Wild Thing" in sunny Hobe Sound, FL Wind Chill 74F
 Ray Cadmus rcadmus@...> wrote:                               We are hoping to head Florida way after the first of the year.  Having not visited FL in an RV in winter don't know what to expect.  Will we be able to find accommodations..........

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2006 MB
Re: On the road again
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85808
Thanks Ken -- I'll take all the news I can get about Florida's underwater sights.  I just wish the reefs protected in Pennekamp SP were closer than a $29.00 boat ride!  Looks like it's still worth a visit though.

Lorna
2003 RB
Re: On the road again Camping in the Keys
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85814
I went to high school in Key West and my wife &  have lived there on & off over the years.

Here are a few of our favorites campgrounds:

Knights Key. At the foot of the seven mile bridge.  A real winner.
Always room somewhere even if it's dry camping until something else opens up. Want to try something different? There is a guy at the airport in Marathon who gives bi-plane rides. What a way to see the Keys.
 http://www.keysdirectory.com/knightskeycampground/

Long Key State Park. Snorkel from your waterfront campsite. They're all on the water.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/longkey/default.cfm

Bahia Honda SP. Great snorkeling. No boat required.
 http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/default.cfm

If you have a kayak or canoe per chance, the opportunities are limitless.
Send me a PM and I'll give you some super locations used by local Keys guides.

Ed

A former resident of The Conch Republic.
Re: On the road again
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85816
Lorna,
 Your query about whether I snorkel remainds me of an old joke I loved as a kid:

Question: Do you like Kipling?

Ans: I don't know - I've never kipled.

Yuk - yuk
 And I must confess, no I'm not a snorkeler.  But....you might contact Ken Fears who posts here occasionally.  We just met him in person today, and he happens to be a highly-certified SCUBA diver and I gathered he's done some snorkeling as well.  He might well have some tips for you.
 As I recall during our waaay down south FL trek a few years ago, there was supposedly some great snorkeling down in the Keys.   Sorry I'm not more help.
 Hmmm - how to make this LD-related.  Let's see - we managed to keep the Ld out of the water, and thus no need for us to snorkel?  Wonder if that will pass muster?

Anyway, cheers, Ted & Liz

'02 FL  NE-12

www.toad.fobria.com
 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079

Posted by: "Lorna Dunham" Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:54 pm (PST) Ted, you and Liz are fast becoming our Florida experts. By any chance do you snorkel? I love bobbing around in the ocean. Perhaps you can fill me in on some extraordinary warm-water snorkeling places you've encountered in your travels? Or even just heard about?

Thankssbunch, Lorna

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Re: On the road again
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85817
Ray and Mary,
 We're like you - hate to travel with reservations.  We never know for sure where we want to go until the last minute, and then, if it's new place, we don't know 'til we get there whether we;ll want to stay more than a couple of nights.  So...we just wing it.
 A lot will depend on far south you want to go.  The further down you go, the busier things are, and the prices are higher.  Only one year did we go further south than the Daytona area.  But even then we didn't have any serious problems.  Sometimes you might have to move from site to another every few days, but that's not a big deal.
 FL state parks supposedly hold 10% of their sites for walk-ins.  But, that's not always true, for many use those sites for their volunteers, so there are often fewer sites available than there should be.  I've written to FL park HQ every year to complain about that.   If you're lucky enough to get one of those sites, you can have it for up to two weeks.
 In north FL, you shouldn't have any trouble at all.  We do often plan to arrive someplace on a Thursday or early Fri, in hopes of getting a site for the weekend.   The beach state parks out in the Panhandle aren't too bad until March, then they tend to get pretty busy.
 We're pretty much local, state and federal public CG kind of folks - we really try to avoid private CG's.
 You can find some pictures of a number of FL state parks on our web site (see signature below).
 Have a great trip, and be sure to put Gamble Rogers on your list.  They have a great Host couple there!

Ted & Liz '02 FL  NE-12

www.toad.fobria.com
 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079

Posted by: "Ray Cadmus" Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:27 am (PST) We are hoping to head Florida way after the first of the year. Having not visited FL in an RV in winter don't know what to expect. Will we be able to find accommodations without a reservation - or will everything be booked solid? One of my reasons for the RV is not having to plan ahead too much...

ray & mary 03 FL

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On the road again
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85818
Happy Trails, Ted and Liz.  You have a very nice rig.  Thanks for the hospitality, and congrats on some of the most innovative use of space I have seen.
Ken
'08 MB
Re: On the road again
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85819
Lorna:
 Take Ken's advice...and also look up "Looe Key"...this is a wonderful spot to scuba and snorkel...we snorkeled here some years ago when we stayed at Little Palm Island...also check out "Dry Tortugas" NPS...also, down Marathon way and beyond,  there are small operators who will take you out on the reef & Looe Key.  Just google "marathon" + "snorkel"...you'll find snorkel tours.
 We have also taken a glass bottom boat tour from Pennekamp...marveled at the scuba divers at some deep underground wreck...are you sure that snorkeling is n/a from Pennekamp?  Check out "Key Largo" + snorkeling...might be something else...don't turn your air vent up at Gulfside vs Oceanside.  Lots of small operators in The Keys...check out Islamorada...many operators offer snorkeling.
 Study "The Keys" map and search engine your inquiries...trust me..."The Keys" are all about the outdoors and the water...in it, on it, fishing it.  Unfortunately, unless you develop a friendship to the otherwise, all adventures will cost $29.00 and more!!!
 Further trust me...other than in our LD anywhere, any time, I'd rather be in "The Keys." It's a great place, unlike any other I've been.  Let us know when you enjoy it and what you find!

Tina P "Wild Thing" currently enjoying Lake Worth, FL Many degrees better than Maine!!!
 Lorna Dunham maidtowander@...> wrote:                               Thanks Ken -- I'll take all the news I can get about Florida's underwater sights.  I just wish the reefs protected in Pennekamp SP were closer than a $29.00 boat ride!  Looks like it's still worth a visit though.

Lorna
2006 MB
Re: On the road again
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85822
On Nov 11, 2007, at 4:54 PM, Ted H. wrote:

Quote
Lorna, Your query about whether I snorkel remainds me of an old joke I loved as a kid: Question: Do you like Kipling? Ans: I don't know - I've never kipled.
Yuk - yuk

 HAR HAR!  Some people really do love corny jokes...count me among them!

I did hear from Ken Fears and Tina Pratt -- thank you both for the terrific snorkeling suggestions in Florida.  Tina, I don't care if it's in the Gulf or the Ocean so long as the water is clear!  I'm going to have a ball surfing (the net) and checking out some of the places you mentioned.

Thanks everyone, Lorna
2003 RB
Re: On the road again Camping in the Keys
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85823
On Nov 11, 2007, at 4:25 PM, Ed wrote:

Quote
Here are a few of our favorites campgrounds:

 Ed, thank you so much for the great URL's.  I *really* like the idea of being able to snorkel right from the beach and will email you privately for the "inside" scoop!

Lorna
2003 RB
Re: On the road again
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85916
South FL. has become a real problem getting a place to park unless you go into private parks and stay there.  The Canadians just about take over FL. in Jan. and Feb. March 15th things get much better and the weather is still nice.
Now that the dollar is in Canada's favor I think it will be worse this year.
We have two friends that wound up paying $100.00 a night in the Keys a night when they went there in late Jan. with no reservations.
I tried to get reservation on the locks in South FL. in June for Jan. and they were full.
We live in Ga. but will go to Quartzsite Arizona and the National Parks in that area.  We do not like private park and out there we call easily find federal Parks or BLM lands.  The drive is getting pricey though with the gas going up.  Ray

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Re: On the road again. Some lesser known public campgrounds in South
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85941
Quote
South FL. has become a real problem getting a place to park unless
you go into private parks and stay there.

Hello Ray & Joan & others.

Here are a few lesser known South Florida public campgrounds.

Fisheating Creek off US 27 near Palmdale: http://myfwc.com/recreation/fisheating_creek/visitorinfo.asp An interesting, old Florida setting. There is a canoe launch. Lots of alligators. Before the Turnpike & I-95 were built, US 27 was the main north/south road through the center of the state. Much like old Route 66. A slower pace.

Brevard County/Melbourne area: http://www.campingspacecoast.com/rv_tent/index.html There are three really nice campgrounds run by Brevard County.

Wickham Park will always have room because they have a large, no hookup, overflow area. Near I-95. Water/dump station. Nice stop if your running up or down 95. If you travel with dogs, you'll like this place. There is a very large fenced in off-leash area near the campground. Wickham Park is our dogs favorite, not-far-from-home RV park.

Long Point Park also has lots of overflow parking should the hookup sites all be booked. This park is on the Indian River on the north side of the Sebastian River/Inlet. The Sebastian River State Park, which is always booked during the season, is just across the bridge on the south side. Camp at Long Point & go to the Sebastian River SP as a day user. Lots of RV parking.

The Savannah Recreation area near Ft. Pierce.
http://www.stlucieco.gov/parks/savannah.htm Never known it to be full.

Enjoy your time in Florida. If I can be of any help, let me know.

Ed

Ft. Pierce, FL