Florida for the winter

jessiejames · 10-17-2018, 12:23 AM

Headed to Florida for four months in our Challenger and wondered if there are any words of wisdom that you would care to share. We’ve been “out vacationing in the RV for weeks but never months. Seeking knowledge!

Cason61 · 10-17-2018, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiejames

Headed to Florida for four months in our Challenger and wondered if there are any words of wisdom that you would care to share. We’ve been “out vacationing in the RV for weeks but never months. Seeking knowledge!

St Augustine is nice, Key Largo is nice, most of the islands on the way to Key West are nice, Key West if it recovered is way nicer.

jessiejames · 10-17-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cason61

St Augustine is nice, Key Largo is nice, most of the islands on the way to Key West are nice, Key West if it recovered is way nicer.

Have a spot reserved in St Augustine and was wondering if there was stuff I needed to do that I haven’t thought of. First time we will be in RV for months. First time in Florida for the winter. Looking foreword to many ocean walks!

JosephC · 10-17-2018, 04:59 PM

I spend three months in Florida from January through March. The Florida State Parks are fantastic. Affordable (~$25.00/night), have a major attraction at each, and have electric and water hook-ups.

Ocala National Forest is a must-see with three fantastic campgrounds (research on-line) with one having full hook-ups and the other two, none. The sites are gorgeous and again, have a major attraction at each (lake, river, historical, springs, etc.)

You may also wish to research Thousand Trails Membership as they now have ~42 resorts in Florida under their membership (Basic membership is ~$600.00 for unlimited camping in two zones within the United States of your choice).

I have never made reservations at the state parks because I like to free-plan my route. You can call The Florida Travel/Visitors Bureau/Dept. and they will mail you a detailed brochure with all the state parks detailed with all the information you will need.

I do make reservations at the Thousand Trails only because I want to stay at some for up to four days (my plan limit) as well as ensure I am at a resort/location I wish to be at to visit the surrounding area.

Cason61 · 10-17-2018, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiejames

Have a spot reserved in St Augustine and was wondering if there was stuff I needed to do that I haven’t thought of. First time we will be in RV for months. First time in Florida for the winter. Looking foreword to many ocean walks!

Well, just in case, find RV repair or parts places nearby. I think it's about 35 miles to JAX, but if there are places close then keep that in mind. Jax drivers are not the worst, but they are gaining.

csseeker · 10-17-2018, 05:32 PM

In St Augustine :

1. Alligator farm - it's a great place
2. St Augustine light house - great views
3. St George St. - nice cafes and shopping
4. Carriage ride starting on the bay front
5. The old fort is a great place to visit right in town on the bay front

We used to own 2 bed and breakfasts in St Augustine. We know all the places to eat, sleep and play in the nation's oldest City. We now live in Lakeland, FL about 35 minutes from Disney World.

Cason61 · 10-17-2018, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csseeker

In St Augustine :

1. Alligator farm - it's a great place
2. St Augustine light house - great views
3. St George St. - nice cafes and shopping
4. Carriage ride starting on the bay front

We used to own 2 bed and breakfasts in St Augustine. We know all the places to eat, sleep and play in the nation's oldest City.

Not to mention all the restaurants are good there. Don't know if it's still in effect, but when I was living in Jax, they had no Beer or alcohol sales on sunday.

JosephC · 10-17-2018, 07:38 PM

Call 1-850-245-2157 and order the Florida State Park Brochure, which details all their campgrounds by region of the state.

The Gritz Carlton · 10-17-2018, 09:01 PM

Don't forget the Fountain of Youth either. For an extra fee they will let you just sit there in it and soak it up.

csseeker · 10-17-2018, 10:37 PM

And right around the corner from the Fountain of Youth is the original Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

Cason61 · 10-18-2018, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csseeker

And right around the corner from the Fountain of Youth is the original Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

Yeah, over the years I bought Two bottles of that stuff.

Mr Sunshine · 10-19-2018, 12:04 AM

Add to the list: Lightner Museum and Flagler College tour. We enjoyed both.

csseeker · 10-19-2018, 12:21 AM

We lived right across the street from the Lightner museum and Flagler college when we lived there. We owned the Pennyfarthing Inn B&B and the Inn on Charlotte.

Whirnot · 10-19-2018, 12:41 AM

ya might want to stay away from Panama city, and St Joe!

K0LCB · 10-19-2018, 12:49 AM

Have fun, don’t worry! Be happy! Florida is a great place to visit.

Cason61 · 10-19-2018, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K0LCB

Have fun, don’t worry! Be happy! Florida is a great place to visit.

Well, with the weather getting like it is (rain, rain and more rain) and the cold, we decided to winterize the RV and wait till March of next year to go anywhere.

The Gritz Carlton · 10-19-2018, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whirnot

ya might want to stay away from Panama city, and St Joe!

Come on down...the water is nice. Actually here now doing roof repairs and dragging my privacy fence and what's left of 3 trees to the curb. Our house is 2 blocks from the beach. We were very lucky this time.

Cason61 · 10-19-2018, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Come on down...the water is nice. Actually here now doing roof repairs and dragging my privacy fence and what's left of 3 trees to the curb. Our house is 2 blocks from the beach. We were very lucky this time.

And ta think I lived through all those nightmares like that .... and didn't think they were.

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