Florida's Busy

Parrothead Mike wrote:
Hey, with climate change maybe the middle third of FL will become warmer. :)

... and it will be on the coast.

There is much to like about Florida for some and some to dislike for others. As mentioned many parts of Florida have seen big changes in traffic and attitude. On the other hand some places have stayed the same. Many people look to Florida for the beaches and the warm days and mights. You will find those areas to be full snd for me uncomfortable. I am a north central Florida fan and we find much of old Florida still intact on the nature coast. Of coarse to each his own. I find the Sothwest US not my cup of tea while many winter and travel there and wonder what I am talking about.
In any event it is always good to have your plans secured as far ahead as possible.

Parrothead, We have the exact same experience. We first did Fl. in 2013. We hopped around the Nature Coast area, and even in Jan & Feb. had no issues finding places.The next two years of brutal winters in the northeast, and improvements in the economy, certainly changed the scene since then. Last year we stopped at Rock Crusher for a few days and asked how next year looked? They laughed and said, booked solid, with a waiting list too long to add names to. We checked that general area and looked at a few CGs at the request of friends who were curious about specific parks. Several places were dumps that I wouldn't of stayed at for free, but were booked for the next year, and were only taking long commitments, like 4-6 months.

We have friends and relatives in central Florida, so when we go back we'll probably spend a week or 2 there. Also, I missed a launch from Canaveral by a week (made reservations in October for December so I was playing the lottery anyway) but we discovered Jetty Park so I'm not complaining. I would still like to see a launch and tour Rocket Town.

No interest in the I-95 southern corridor. Maybe Blue Water Key once just for the experience but if we spend any time in Florida at all, it will be in the Panhandle.

Next extended trip will be west coast in the spring.

Am exploring Florida for the first time...this is apparently the “pre-season” as sites are easy to come by and parks aren’t full. It’ll be a few years before we retire and turn into snowbirds but it is fun to get a taste of it. Current location is a park one could spend all winter in and walk or bike to the stores and restaurants and avoid the traffic. An annual site is $7,200! It is 50 degrees warmer here compared to Minnesota...that is why I am here.

soren wrote:
Parrothead, We have the exact same experience. We first did Fl. in 2013. We hopped around the Nature Coast area, and even in Jan & Feb. had no issues finding places.The next two years of brutal winters in the northeast, and improvements in the economy, certainly changed the scene since then. Last year we stopped at Rock Crusher for a few days and asked how next year looked? They laughed and said, booked solid, with a waiting list too long to add names to. We checked that general area and looked at a few CGs at the request of friends who were curious about specific parks. Several places were dumps that I wouldn't of stayed at for free, but were booked for the next year, and were only taking long commitments, like 4-6 months.

Yeah, the Nature Coast is my kind of coast. We are Rock Crusher residents for 4 months starting 12-1. I'm sorry that finding a longer-term stay in that area is so difficult for you. I didn't realize everything is so jammed.

I heard that there was going to be some park expansion in the very near future just north of Crystal River. Possibly Nature Coast Landings RV Resort or maybe it's a different one up that way.

Williston Crossings RV Resort northeast a ways from CR is supposed to be a nice park.

Parrothead Mike wrote:


Yeah, the Nature Coast is my kind of coast. We are Rock Crusher residents for 4 months starting 12-1. I'm sorry that finding a longer-term stay in that area is so difficult for you. I didn't realize everything is so jammed.

I heard that there was going to be some park expansion in the very near future just north of Crystal River. Possibly Nature Coast Landings RV Resort or maybe it's a different one up that way.

Williston Crossings RV Resort northeast a ways from CR is supposed to be a nice park.

Thanks for the nice response. We weren't planning on staying at RC, We have been there a few tines and it's beautiful! We were in the Crystal River area for a few days, then off to Brooksville, where we spent a few months. We spent a season in Williston, and it beautiful, and has lots of nice folks, but some real oddness. First, there can be an attitude in the office that is aggressively nasty, and was the result of one individual in management, who should be nowhere near other people, much less in customer service. Second, there is a strange, and questionable practice of "volunteers" putting in hundreds of hours of unpaid work. We watched men work like dogs on all kinds of improvement work, and basic park maintenance for zero compensation. They were bored, and had deluded themselves that it is for the good of the residents, and keeps costs down.

soren, that is odd. You sure they were not prison workers from the nearest county jail! LOL!

Seriously, we have been to a state park in upper South Carolina where they used "trusties" (prisoners who earned trust) to clean up trash and debris in the park.

We are the third most populous state in the nation. So there are a lot of residents year round. Also we have some of the best state parks in the nation. You need to book the 11 months in advance in many cases. Private parks go fast and can be expensive in South Fla. or Southwest Fla. The trick in Fla especially south of I-4 is to book early.

I always read these threads with interest, I was born & raised in Fl have lived in the Keys, So Fl & now central Fl (Daytona Beach), have had an RV here for 40 years.
Yes how things have changed, south Fl is a challenge, but I will tell you you can still find paradise north of I-4. Yes weather can be cool some days an occasional freeze but I would consider it perfect. So don't let those who do not live here year round from swaying you from wintering in our beautiful state,
Just an FYI, last week I-4 was designated the most dangerous highway in the us, so no reason to cross it, lol