Community Forums

olustee bus · 12-15-2015, 04:56 AM

Weather permitting, rent a canoe here and see truly old florida. I did once and I will never forget it.

www.floridastateparks.org/park/Silver-Springs

twogypsies · 12-15-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpm777

I keep going back and forth on this one. I want to go but I'm sure all the RV parks are full. I know there is a lot of area for boon docking but I have read many stories of theft from those areas and I don't have anyone to watch my rig while I am away from it.

Regardless of what you hear, theft is not a big problem. There are millions of RVers there at that time and the theft reports are from a handful.

We've been there often boondocking in the 14-day free areas. (There's one just south of I-10 on the east side of Hwy 95. Take the south frontage road and park among the many RVers there.

Just don't leave anything valuable outside like a generator or bike. If you park within a big group you won't have problems. Many eyes will be watching over everybody's rigs.

You might also consider Rice Ranch RV right across from the big tent RV show the third week or two weekends of January. It's very convenient for walking to places. I'd try for reservations on that one since it's so handy.

Regardless, if you're passing through the area and you're ready to stop for night without even leaving your RV, GO.....sit at your window and watch the hustle and bustle from your RV. You'll get the feel of it. Have a great trip and hope the weather is kind to you!

olustee bus · 12-15-2015, 11:25 AM

If you happen to come all the way across I10 towards Jacksonville and need to stop, try the Ocean Pond campground in the Osceola national forest. You may enjoy staying a couple of days. It is on a lake. Very popular here in North east florida.

Osceola National Forest Campgrounds

I suppose most people take I75 south before you reach it. It is only about 20 miles from I75 at Lake City, florida.

Zigeuner · 12-15-2015, 05:25 PM

x2 on the manatees, something you wont see anywhere else in the US. They are very interesting animals. Something else in central Florida you might consider, it's a little campy now, but the Mermaid show in Weeki Wachi is a true piece of Americana, folks have been stopping there for over 50 years. You can see the manatees there too. WeekiWachee.com - Home

TurtleKent · 12-16-2015, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Regardless of what you hear, theft is not a big problem. There are millions of RVers there at that time and the theft reports are from a handful.

We've been there often boondocking in the 14-day free areas. (There's one just south of I-10 on the east side of Hwy 95. Take the south frontage road and park among the many RVers there.

Just don't leave anything valuable outside like a generator or bike. If you park within a big group you won't have problems. Many eyes will be watching over everybody's rigs.

You might also consider Rice Ranch RV right across from the big tent RV show the third week or two weekends of January. It's very convenient for walking to places. I'd try for reservations on that one since it's so handy.

Regardless, if you're passing through the area and you're ready to stop for night without even leaving your RV, GO.....sit at your window and watch the hustle and bustle from your RV. You'll get the feel of it. Have a great trip and hope the weather is kind to you!

I can't find a Hwy 95 on my maps. Can you be more specific, what town is nearby? Thanks.

meyeram1 · 12-28-2015, 12:07 AM

I also don't think you've allowed enough time. What type of rig do you have? I'm considering a similar trip in the same timeframe. Would you consider a tagalong?

wolfcreek · 12-28-2015, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWJK55

I would hit the WWII museum in New Orleans.
The National WWII Museum

x2 on this WWII museum in New Orleans. They have added on to it over the last several years and it is great.

jpm777 · 12-28-2015, 03:22 AM

Well I'm just trying to finish up my final plans, have most of my itinerary all the way to Louisiana so I'm still open to suggestions.

jpm777 · 12-28-2015, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meyeram1

I also don't think you've allowed enough time. What type of rig do you have? I'm considering a similar trip in the same timeframe. Would you consider a tagalong?

Well luckily I have the freedom to extend the time if needed. And if I don't make it all the way to the Keys this trip, then I'll just have to plan another.

What are to referring to as a tag-along? I would not consider someone staying in my coach that I don't know. If you wanted to take your own coach for a road trip, I don't have a problem sharing my itinerary and having someone take the same route and providing support for one another if needed.

I have a class A motorhome and tow a small SUV. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f61/hi-fr...ia-272760.html

olustee bus · 12-28-2015, 06:30 AM

Here are some places I suggested to someone else - the links did not work but you can google them and check out trip advisor:

From Panama city to perry Florida on 98. Old Florida. Appalachicola is great with some quirky restaurants. Once you get to Perry you could take 19 south. You may wish to stop at Crystal River. The manatees may still be there, I don't know.

If you get over to Ocala, go to Silver River State park, rent a canoe and have one of the greatest canoe paddles ever. Go towards Silver Springs.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Port Saint Joe - TripAdvisor

The Top 10 Things to Do in Apalachicola - TripAdvisor - Apalachicola, FL Attractions - Find What to Do Today, This Weekend, or in January

A very good restaurant along the way

Angelo & Sons Seafood, Panacea - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor

good oysters

Ouzts Too Oyster Bar and Grill Menu

Lots of interesting little places

meyeram1 · 12-28-2015, 09:17 AM

I have my own coach..would be interested in a shared itinerary......

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 12-28-2015, 09:54 AM

I went to the Keys from No. Ca. I would not stay in the Keys if I ever made the trip again...over priced, crowded, and small sites. I would stay on the mainland and do day trips in my toad.
The Thomas Edison Museum in FT. Myers is very good.
Kitt Peak Observatory about 60 miles from Tucson was great.
NASA Houston
Cape Kennedy
Are a few we visited not yet mentioned.

jpm777 · 01-03-2016, 10:58 PM

So it's January and this trip is coming up fast. Here is a summary rundown of the route so far.

I'm going to try to stop for a couple days at the RV show is Quartzsite, this is still up in the air depending on if can find someplace where I think my trailer will be safe. So leave day will be sometime after the 17th. Then off to Tombstone for a couple days. From there a long haul to San Antonio (Nothing planned along the way at this time) for a couple days and then Huston for a couple days (The Alamo and Johnson space center). Then the WWII museum and other yet planned stuff in New Orleans. Then the aviation museum in Pensacola. Then play it by ear if I head to the keys if I can find someplace to stay.

Of course this route is subject to change, and I expect it will. I'm still open to any suggestions in the gaps in my route.

Steve Ownby · 01-04-2016, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpm777

So it's January and this trip is coming up fast. Here is a summary rundown of the route so far.

I'm going to try to stop for a couple days at the RV show is Quartzsite, this is still up in the air depending on if can find someplace where I think my trailer will be safe. So leave day will be sometime after the 17th. Then off to Tombstone for a couple days. From there a long haul to San Antonio (Nothing planned along the way at this time) for a couple days and then Huston for a couple days (The Alamo and Johnson space center). Then the WWII museum and other yet planned stuff in New Orleans. Then the aviation museum in Pensacola. Then play it by ear if I head to the keys if I can find someplace to stay.

Of course this route is subject to change, and I expect it will. I'm still open to any suggestions in the gaps in my route.

If you have time here are a couple of possible stops:
1. Just east of El Paso on I10 is the Cattleman's Steakhouse. It's on a working ranch and is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. You can over night in their parking lot.

2. This casino has a very nice little RV park.
http://www.cypressbayou.com/hotel/rv-park
Cost is very reasonable. The purpose of this stop is to visit Avery Island, home of Tabasco brands. The tour of the Tabasco plant is nice but the real deal is a drive around the Wildlife drive loop road. The McElhaney family collected plants from everywhere for this place and also established a bird sanctuary. A tour of Jefferson Island is also very nice. The house & grounds of the "Rip Van Winkle" Estate are open to tour. The islands are "salt domes" and there were and still are salt mining operations here.

The local cuisine is great also.