Eleven degrees here near Roanoke, VA this a.m., and 20 mph winds. I have winterized the bus, but keep thermostats in the interior and in the water bay on about 40. Runs the meter, but I don't want to take a chance on having to deal with freeze damage.
Marilyn and I are again going to try for a month in Florida this winter. Didn't make it last year. Of course those plans depend on our aging parents staying away from the hospitals. We haven't yet made it for one of the "Bussin" events, but maybe eventually. So far, holiday obligations with families and the fact that we aren't set up to dry camp have interfered.
That brings me to the following question. Can any of you offer any guidance concerning a place to stay in central or south Florida? We would like to plan a trip down for three or 4 weeks, around mid February. Our old Kingdome sat. system doesn't work well, and I'm not electronically inclined, so a place with cable would be nice, but we can live without it. I'm thinking HDTVs are evolving so that they will be able to receive signals via internal electronics eventually, so I'm sorta biding my time in figuring out what to do as far as updating. Sorry, I'm straying off subject - senior tendancies...
Anyway, I'm thinking that staying somewhere around central FL or farther south should mean warm temps, and halfway between the coasts might be more affordable than on either coast. I'm trying to avoid the pricey resorts, but hoping for clean accomodations without being totally without amenities.m Any guidance concerning a trailer park, campground, etc. will be greatly appreciated.
Dennis
look up wilderness RV Park & estates on internet.1st class park Silver Springs Fla..1hr15 mites to St Augustine about same to Disney or crystal river on gulf.. we will be there late Feb Thur mid April. we stay in preserve part of park a little more expensive but 5000sg ft sites paved 60ft pads cable and all. Pm if intrested in hooking up. been there last 5 yrs know good places to eat and things to do. on 40 about 45 minutes from Daytona speed way.
Dennis, Florida has some beautiful state parks in the central area I prefer the state parks we are not into the resort camping YMMD
good luck
You just stated.... "been there last 5 yrs no good places to eat and things to do." You trying to scare peeps away? :D
senior moment should be know good places to go and where to eat. oopppps
Salt springs a national forrest service park is about 20 miles away. nice place . stayed there one winter. Bob ps tv reception bad no cell coverage no cable. beautiful place
I'm getting closer to those senior moments. I should have caught that. Give me a couple years!!
Scott I should have proof read my reply. I really like place and have forged lasting friendships with other snow birds over years. they even get together in Ohio for reunion in summer. Eventer from Alberta even comes to the area.
Yeah, we knew what you meant, Bob. Thanks for all your replies, Guys! So far, Wilderness RV Park looks real good to me. I have already contacted them for details and availability. Bob, if we confirm something, I'll send you a pm so we can get together. I have been going nutz searching; didn't know there were so many campsites in FL. (I'm kinda slow...) Thanks again, this is good! It's snowing here and Marilyn says "I can be packed in an hour and a half." LOL 'About three inches so far.
Dennis
A fun thing to do that I use often is to get up a Google Map of the area I want to investigate and type "Campground" in the box. It will come up with all of the campgrounds that it's knows of in the area, and in most cases full contact info and a website if they have one.
Brian
Brian;
Who knew? You ain't near as dumb as ya look! Just kiddin'. I'll try the google map thing. Thx
Dennis
Bushnell Florida has a couple nice RV parks and it's right off Interstate 75, close to almost everything, very reasonable rates and there are a few busnuts that come south and stay there along with bus nuts that live near by!
Quote from: robertglines1 on December 15, 2010, 06:44:02 PM
look up wilderness RV Park & estates on internet.1st class park Silver Springs Fla..1hr15 mites to St Augustine about same to Disney or crystal river on gulf.. we will be there late Feb Thur mid April. we stay in preserve part of park a little more expensive but 5000sg ft sites paved 60ft pads cable and all. Pm if intrested in hooking up. been there last 5 yrs know good places to eat and things to do. on 40 about 45 minutes from Daytona speed way.
Robert,
I thought you were staying in another place.......I know better now.....Very nice place...
Cliff
The farther south the better the weather. More warmth, less cold. I would look in the Sebring/Arcadia area. Less expensive with amenities in most campgrounds.
Good luck with your decision,
Bill
Ya know what? I made a reservation at Wilderness RV Park at Silver Springs and now I'm having second thoughts, wondering if that's far enough south. Hmmm...
Dennis Deep In Thought
late Feb is OK 60's and 70's march you get 80's and late in month 90's April allot of 90's. It is OK for us jacket in morning shorts at noon . then march mostly shorts. I guess it's all what you are looking for. We like the activities and shopping in the Silversprings area. Have stayed further south Torrey Oaks at Bowling Green. and weather was not much better there and wasn't any thing to do. Move around this time and see where you would like to spend more time.
Ocala area does get colder than Arcadia. Usually no more than 10-15 degrees colder, sometimes temps are very close to Arcadia. It depends on what you are looking for. Do you want "city life" with a lot of shopping options, theme parks, rural "sit back & relax", offshore fishing, museums, historical sites, etc. How long to you plan to stay in one spot? The longer you plan to stay at one place, the more time you will have to see/do things (you may want an area with more things to see/do). The Florida peninsula is approx. 150-175 miles wide, so if you find a place along the centerline of the peninsula, you are rarely more than 100 miles from either coast. Orlando probably has the most different things to see/do, but also the most traffic and congestion. Jack
IMO in the winter Fla has 3 distinct climate zones.
Down to around Orlando 1, to Homestead 2, and South of Key Largo.
It is a little pricey but I do not know of anywhere in the states you can go in Jan and Feb and get mid 70's on a regular basis, consistantly, than in the Keys. Anything north of homestead is USUALLY very nice in winter BUT iffy.
We are from Chicago and when we are running from the cold in Jan iffy don't cut it.
In the Keys if it gets chilly down there it will not be bad and it will change very very quickly.
If you are interested email me I will surrender more info on spots, we have been down there many many times.
Goggle the 10 day for Marathon Key and for Orlando you will see what I mean.
This year you can get a full hook waterfront for 1600 for a month and daily is 100 bucks.
$1600 a month! For that kind of money i can rent 2 rv spaces on a large fenced lot for 3 months and go out for pizza about 5 times. Not waterfront of course but hey we are in Yuma and have a lot of nice weather for most of the winter. If i only rent one side of the lot i can spend 6 months here. :>)
Wickham Park in Melbourne is very nice. It is a county park in a great location. It only has water and electric, 30A and 50A. There is a dump site. And a mobile sewer truck is available for a fee. It's pretty popular though. Just call to see if there is any space available. Some folks reserve a spot several months in advance. We are camped here now and only made reservations a couple of weeks in advance. We are staying here until it's time to go to Jack's rally in Arcadia and then coming back here for Jan and Feb. I think it costs 400-500 per month. My wife made the res. and isn't here now so can't get the exact figure. Their phone number is (321) 255-4307. Web site is www.brevardparks.com/rv_tent/wickham.htm (http://www.brevardparks.com/rv_tent/wickham.htm). Email is Wickham@brevardparks.com
This park is a Hidden Treasure.
This park is not for everyone and not inexpensive (about $565/month). We discovered it because it was a top 10 in Good Sam a few years ago and we needed a place to stay for 2 nights. But ---
Putting my reputation on the line. Some have said it is the nicest in the country. #2 in Florida. But about 10 degrees cooler than Okechobee.
Not a snooty resort but well maintained, 160 acre campground, 130 beautiful large cement sites, ultraclean bathrooms, very large dog run, bass fishing, forests for those who want solitude, walk to food store, 30 minutes to Gainesville or Ocala, large clubhouse, game room, no park models at this time, safe but gated for security - not arrogance.
The original owner wanted to make it similar, but better than Disney Wilderness.
Williston Crossings New website
http://www.willistoncrossingrv.com/about.php (http://www.willistoncrossingrv.com/about.php)
Ed Roelle
edroelle@yahoo.com
Flint, MI
There are some nice "inexpensive" parks in Frostproof at $25, just south of Lake Wales, one South of punta gorda for $30. City parks in Jacksonville and St Pete are great, but St pete is a little tough to fit into, but $25 for full hook up and you're on the beach or only a block from it.
Other options:
Walmart charges us usually $40-80 for groceries and other stuff, but we only stay a day or so. Lowes let me stay for 3 days, but that cost me over $100 for caulk, plumbing, and undercoating. :-). Yee Haw Junction will let you stay for a week boondocking for about $150, which includes a great Bluegrass show, and you can see other busnuts. Roadside rests along i75 seem to have security posted, so i guess you can stay long enough to get a good nap.