18 replies to this topic

[Wolfpackers]

We're still talking about heading to the sunshine state for a few (2-3) weeks.

We haven't been to see the mouse in over 20 yrs and have never seen the Everglades or the Keys, so it's time to plan a rough itinerary and hit the road.

Could use some help if you have any suggestions for things not to miss in Florida and if you wanna join us, that'd be great.

Things to do so far:
Disney World
Everglades
Key West
????

Brent & Ava

[Crawfish]

Man, I am sooooo jealous. Wish we could just pack up a go somewhere anytime I wanted. If you want to know anything about the Keys just get up with Billy. He can tell you everything you wanted to know. Have fun, we will be thinking of you both. Oh yes, and we want pictures of the trip while you are enjoying it.


Leon

[OutbackMac]

Brent thats not right. what do you call cold? here it was 3 deg sunday morning

[Wolfpackers]

OutbackMac, on 09 January 2011 - 10:35 AM, said:

Brent thats not right. what do you call cold? here it was 3 deg sunday morning

So, does that mean you're going to beat me to Florida? I think it was 9 deg here. C'mon, let's go see the big mouse. Ya know ya wanna.

[Reverie]

You have my top destinations on your list. Maybe stop by Canaveral on the way down. I love St. Augustine. Check out Marineland. Just have fun...

Reverie

[Mrs CampingNut]

I think the place that Billy has stayed in Key West is Blue Water. You might want to check out the reviews for some of the other areas

http://www.bluewaterkey.net/

We truly enjoyed ourselves at Disney Ft Wilderness. You get all the extras (transp, theme, pools, movies, and clean enviro) staying there.


C-

[Wolfpackers]

Our first stop will be Tampa/Lakeland for a square dance event, so think we'll go down 75 and return up 95/26.

I saw a post that Billy did on the Keys...great help..also looked at all posts I could find here and on JCF, lots of good info. Lemur said loop 300 in Ft Wilderness was too small...small campsites, small loop ????

We hope to hit Universal Studios, Sea World, Anastasia SP, "da place we don't speak of", Disney/Ft Wilderness, Everglades, Keys (all of 'em), RV show in Ocala, several square dances and the list is still being worked on....not sure what we'll hit on the east coast as we head home...

...what have I missed ?? (already been to Cape Canaveral/Kennedy & watched a launch).

Anyone know a good place to park overnight in the Valdosta area ? I think that's as far as we'll get the first day. We may just do a Walmart that night if one is available & allows overnighting.

Anyone going to be in Fla between 1/20 and 2/17 ? We'd love to get together if possible.

Brent

[Reverie]

Just north of Valdosta, near the town of Adel, there is Reed Bingham State Park. It is very close to the Interstate. Further south there are a couple of commercial campgrounds near the state line and accessible off of the Twin Lakes exit.

Reverie

[Wolfpackers]

Thanks Nick, if it isn't hot enough to need A/C, we plan to do Walmart at exit 16, but good to know options if it does get that warm.

Has anyone seen the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or the Cirque du Soleil® — La Nouba shows at Disney ?
Wondering if the show is worth the price ?
Any personal experiences welcome.

Now to get out of here before it snows again next week !!!

Brent

[kyoutback]

Wolfpackers, on 14 January 2011 - 12:22 PM, said:

Thanks Nick, if it isn't hot enough to need A/C, we plan to do Walmart at exit 16, but good to know options if it does get that warm.

Has anyone seen the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or the Cirque du Soleil® — La Nouba shows at Disney ?
Wondering if the show is worth the price ?
Any personal experiences welcome.

Now to get out of here before it snows again next week !!!

Brent

We did the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue when we were at Ft. Wilderness. The show is corny but somewhat funny. The food though is worth it. All you can eat chicken and ribs and drinks (including Beer). We got there after driving all day and the beer was going down easy. After the waiter passed me twice and had to refill my glass both times he just left the pitcher. I still remember them sitting down a bucket of ribs and my son saying "is that all for me?"

[Wolfpackers]

kyoutback, on 14 January 2011 - 04:15 PM, said:

We did the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue when we were at Ft. Wilderness. The show is corny but somewhat funny. The food though is worth it. All you can eat chicken and ribs and drinks (including Beer). We got there after driving all day and the beer was going down easy. After the waiter passed me twice and had to refill my glass both times he just left the pitcher. I still remember them sitting down a bucket of ribs and my son saying "is that all for me?"

Thanks for the input.

[need2mellowout]

Depending how far south in the keys you want to go I'd recommend Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key. It a short distance 20+ miles to Key West. Never got to camp there cause its hard to get a site, but been there plenty to hit the beach coming back from Key West. Site are right next to the water:

http://floridastatep...nda/default.cfm

Buttonwood (sites #1-48) can accommodate a variety of camping rigs from a large RV to a small tent. The sites are gravel making them more suitable for an RV or pop-up. These sites are the largest in the park. They all have electricity, water, a picnic table and grill. The sites on the water have little shade. There is also a restroom with hot showers and a dump station. Waterfront sites are #12-25. #12 and #13 are by the boat docks and #14 is on the channel.

Maximum RV length = 40 ft.


Their are a lot of nice county parks in Broward County that RV'ers use as a stop over before hitting the Keys. 2008 I stayed a nearly a month at Markham Park http://www.broward.o...es/Default.aspx and last year I stayed a month at CB Smith http://www.broward.o...es/Default.aspx

[Wolfpackers]

Tony, Thanks for the campground info. We're going southward on the west coast and coming back up the east coast. The ONLY sites I could find for the dates I needed were at the KOA on Sugarloaf Key. Another couple is traveling with us for 2 weeks of the trip, which makes finding sites a bit tougher. Currently trying to find 2 sites in the Ft Myers/Naples area for 4 nites prior to hitting the Keys.

When we leave the Keys, I'm planning to stay a couple of nights a bit further south than the parks you mentioned Tony.
Is anyone familiar with these two parks ?

Miami Everglades Resort
http://www.miamiever....aspx?Style=FHU Sites

Larry & Penny Thompson Park
http://www.miamidade...larry_penny.asp

Heading out tomorrow morning...first destination....overnight at the Valdosta Walmart....wow.

Brent

[compulynx]

Brent, if you guys go down the west coast, you may want to divert over to US19/27. The drive is beautiful, and it is still a good 4 lane, and one place I would highly recommend is Manatee Springs. The Manatees should be up in the springs now, and they have a wonderful boardwalk out to the Suwannee River. If you do decide that route, then you get on Ga 300 at Cordele, and go to Albany to hit 19 South. By the way, that runs right through Thomasville, where I am. If you guys need a place to park for a night, I got plenty of room. You can divert back onto 75 from Manatee at Ocala. Like I said, all good 4 lane roads.

If you do Manatee, try to get sites 94 thru 96. They are closest to the spring.

http://www.floridast...manateesprings/

Glenn

[jambalaya]

Brent I have to concur with the drive down 19/27. I have been exploring that area since I was a teenager and avid diver. The Springs starting around Fanning are beautiful beyond belief and make for great swimming and diving/snorkling. Plus its Manantee season! As Glenn has advised, Manatee Springs State park is an excellent stopover and exploration post.
Further south the Crystal River/Tarpon Springs area is ground zero for Manateee snorkling excursions. Plus yummy Greek Food.

I have some restaurants suggestions from that point south.

Also Lamar should chime in soon, his place that not shall be mentioned is another possible stopping point in your southern journey. It is located at the end of St Pete Beach. From there you can journey over the Skyway Bridge and head south. There is lots to do in the area around the "Place that Shall not be Mentioned" State Park. Secret Link to Lamars Private Beach
If you decide to stop over in south St. Pete let me know and I will send you several links for very good eats.

Will send you some more Keys links tonight for good eats in the Keys. I know Tony will have some good suggestions for coming up the east coast.

I do know if you guys go through St Augustine then you have got to stop by the state park there (Anastasia) and have some of their Fish Tacos at the beach concession. You may decide to stay.

Yall have fun have to get back to work here!

Billy

[CampingRox]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to add a couple suggestions here since we camped in FL 3 separate times last year, at 3 separate campgrounds, during 3 different months. We decided we should just MOVE to the sunshine state since we were there every month from May - November either camping or visiting Disney.

We spent the 4th of July at the Key Largo Kampground, and while this wasn't necessarily our favorite campground ever (thanks to some of our neighbors), we did a nice stay (http://www.keylargokampground.com/). There are 2 very small beach areas which at first I wasn't all that impressed with, but after spending an afternoon at one of the beaches with just me and my 3 year old son, I decided it was perfect! (His daddy went out diving that day) My son & I had the stretch of sand all to ourselves and it was actually very peaceful. I didn't have to worry about chasing him all over creation or getting snatched up by a stranger. What we enjoyed most about this campground was the super easy water access for kayaking. If that interests you at all, I'd definitely suggest this campground. They do have waterfront sites but we weren't able to get one b/c of the holiday. We will go back again if we can get waterfront, but may find a different place to visit if they're all taken.

We spent Labor Day at Peace River Campgrounds, http://www.peacerivercampground.com/, despite reading a ton of horrible, negative reviews before hand. My husband and I really did NOT want to camp here but couldn't convince my sister otherwise. So, we went but were determined not to have a good time. As it turns out, we had an absolute blast and for our family it was a great campground. Yes, there are kids riding ATVs around but the ones we saw were very respectful and honestly, the ATV trails were far enough away from our site that we didn't hear them at all. Our son L.O.V.E.D. it, and I think experiencing things through his eyes and helping him explore nature made this particular trip one we will treasure forever.

Finally, we spent Thanksgiving at Red Coconut, http://www.redcoconut.com/Index2.htm. Beach front sites are available and the sunsets are just gorgeous. We've decided that from this point forward, we will spend each Thanksgiving at Red Coco. If I could go back today I would. I read reviews where people had trouble with the staff but we didn't experience that at all. They backed our Outback into our site for us, made sure we were good to go, and remembered our names each time they drove by during their rounds making sure we were having an enjoyable stay.

Anyway, just wanted to pass all that long in case anyone finds it interesting or helpful. Travel safe!
Karyn

[Wolfpackers]

Glenn...thanks for the suggestions. I don't think we'll have time to take 19/27 and enjoy it, but will definitely put it on the list for another trip. I found out today that I need new camper tires, so will have to get those put on in the morning before heading south.

Billy...the secret place is booked solid for the days we would have stayed there, so going on to Ft Myers for several nights instead. Will have to hit the secret place another trip. Would love to hear recommendations for dining in the keys, just keep in mind I don't like seafood, but the other 3 will eat it til they pop. We are looking for campsites at St. Augustine...Anastasia is booked. I have almost 3 weeks until we get there, so hope we can find something or a cancellation will open up.

Karyn...thanks for the CG suggestions. Was going to try Red Coconut, but found another place I couldn't resist. I will be in site B49 HERE..check it out.

I'll start another thread with pics as we go....and when I have wireless campsites.

Brent

[campingnut]

i guess if you put a Secret Link to Lamars Private Beach
its not a secret......

thats very funny billy..
its ok, alot of people know about it now.
i cant ever get reservations i want anymore.

have a safe trip brent i want lots of pictures.

lamar

[jambalaya]

Brent do not worry, every seafood restaurant down in the Keys has plenty of good choices for those that only consume air breathing organisms. In fact one of our favorite seafood places to eat in the Keys, the Island Grill, has one of the best Cuban Sandwiches you will find outside of Havana. My wife Maragret inhaled it with glee. She does not eat fish yet she loves the Tuna Nachos..


Upper Keys:

Key Largo Conch House A must go. Right down the street from Pennekamp. MM 100.2 Oceanside You will drive right past this place as it is sits surrounded by a tropical jungle. I remember years ago when this place started as a little coffee house. breakfats is still our favorite meal here.

Mrs Mac's Kitchen MM 99.7 Bayside wonderful local place with Keys ambiance.

Island Grill OMG this is the one must do place. Please start with the Tuna Nachos! MM 85 Oceanside



Key West:

Blue Heaven This is our favorite restuarant in Key West, the combination of great food and the eclectic ambiance is simply awesome. One of the best Key Lime Pies you will find in the Keys.
Darlene suggested this and it is a keeper.

Cuban Coffee Queen This was a great pick me up spot as we biked around Key West. It is a small concrete shack with a window to order from, yes it is a walk up only.
The coffee here is some of the best we have ever had. If you are a true coffee head then order the Colada and add a bit of milk. This will keep you peddling the bike all day.
But there is more, some of the best cuban style pork I have EVER tasted is offered here! OMG you have to have a Cuban here. It was one of the best culinary surprises we had in KW.

Hogfish Grill This is located on Stock Island just before you cross into Key West. Hogfish is located at Safe Harbor which is a working fishing dock. You are not just going to run across this place. A friend of Margarets who live in St Pete turned us on to this place. It will make the seafood lover smile with the fresh fish yet also has pork that rivals the Cuban Coffee Queen.
I had the pulled pork Tacos and they were awesome. If available the Killer Hogfish Sandwich will be sure to please. The ambiance here is dockside casual. You will enjoy this place for sure.

Hogs Breath Saloon If you are craving a good burger and margarita while near Mallory Square, then try the Hogs Breath.

The Desert Resturant Interesting place to go if you are craving something sweet to eat. There is always room for chocolate.



I believe that is a good start and maybe too many suggestions! Part of the fun of the Keys is the process of discovery, so follow your nose and you will not be disspointed in what you find. Be sure to bring your bikes with you to KW as that is the absolute best way to get around town. (It also helps to burn all of those calories!)

Yall have a safe trip and as Lamar said please take plenty of pictures!

Billy