Going to the Keys.

Devoman · 10-10-2007, 04:34 PM

I am going to the keys for about a week from the 23 to the 29th .I am going to leave on a Tues and get there on thurs.I am going to take my time and take 2 days to get there.I was wondering if there was any place I could stay on the way to stay overnight.All I will need is electircity to run the a/c because I know it is going to be hot down there.It is still hot here.In north Florida.I will also have a friend with me and he also has an Airstream.I have been checking the state parks but we will be hitting the turnpike to Miami.Any good recomendations on parks to stay overnight?Now I wish I had a generator.

Thanks All.
I can get to Tampa in about 7 to 8 hours if that helps out a bit.

LI Pets · 10-10-2007, 05:43 PM

In Miami, Everglades RV nice place, also you can leave the TT and drive to the the top of the keys in 15 Min.

mojo · 10-10-2007, 05:54 PM

Devo -There is a city park just off I-75 on the edge of the Everglades and Fort Lauderdale that has hook ups. Markham Park (www.broward.org/parks/camping.htm). I presume you know it's Fantasy Fest that week in Key West?

Skytrailer · 10-10-2007, 06:00 PM

Plenty of places around Gainesville and Ocala with the National Forest as the best. Several campgrounds are near springs. There is some free camping around the Tamami trail where there are some boat rampswith camping areas but no electric. When you get into the Keys the best place is Bahia Honda just north of Big Pine Key at about mile marker 30. Have a nice time

richinny · 10-11-2007, 08:23 PM

in miami

Park and Recreation

Devoman · 10-12-2007, 07:47 AM

I am going down there to work that week to Airbrush on people.I can not remember what shop it is I will be in but once I get the name of the shop I will post it up.

Devoman · 10-12-2007, 07:50 AM

We are more than likely taking the turnpike all the way to Miami.After calling Sunpass they told me that it would cost around $33.00 for tolls just one way.Plus I need to get the electronic sunpass coder for $25.00.Is this worth getting?total cost will be close to about $90.00 for both ways.

Minnie's Mate · 10-12-2007, 08:00 AM

you might send an e-mail or PM to Rich Lhur. He spent the last winter or two in South Florida and might be able to help. He has gone from Tampa to the Keys via the west side of Florida through Everglades City (?). I think the state park there is dry camping only and lots of mosquitoes, though. I think he has done the east coast also.

You can probably also PM or e-mail Michelle (thecatsandi). She spent a good bit of time after the Can Opener Rally in the Keys so she could probably give you a recommendation also.

If Boyd's Campground is still there, it is just on Key West, IIRC and directly on the beach, but you might not be able to get a reservation because of the Fantasy Fest. I hope to be able to camp in the Keys someday before condos take over all of the campgrounds.

Good luck and enjoy the assignment. We'll miss you at the Falluminum, but we'll see you at the Can Opener.

DreamWeaver · 10-12-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

Thanks All.
I can get to Tampa in about 7 to 8 hours if that helps out a bit.

Try Fort Desoto park in Pinellas County(just north of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge). Should be about half way to the keys from where you are. Excellent county park with 200+ campsites.

rluhr · 10-12-2007, 08:44 AM

Hey Devoman! Glad to see you're still using that rig!

All Florida State Parks with campgrounds have 30 amp electric, so that's no problem. On your route, however, the pickings are slim. The Turnpike makes it hard to visit the best state parks, which tend to be around the perimeter of the state.

A few of my favorites that are sort of on the way:

St George Island State Park (panhandle)
Manatee Springs State Park (Lee)
Ft Desoto County Park (south of Tampa)
Blue Springs State Park (Orange, 30 mins east of Orlando off I-4)
Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Hobe Sound, east coast)
John Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo, about an hour from Miami)

If you get into the lower Keys, Bahia Honda State Park is very nice but you usually need reservations way in advance.

There are other great state parks too (by reputation) such as Oscar Scherer, but I haven't yet visited them.

We have a Sunpass and aren't even Florida residents. That's because the discounts you get with the pass (plus the convenience) make up for the $25 initial cost. You can pick one up in a grocery store with no silly application form (unlike the northeastern states) so it's easy. We get to Florida often enough that I've found the Sunpass to be a great convenience.

Sorry we won't make the Can Opener this year, but hope to see you sometime over the winter!

Devoman · 10-12-2007, 09:39 AM

Good to hear from you.Yea...I had setup a reservation a while ago at sugarloaf KOA In the keys but I am thinking on the way there we will be stopping by a park to stay overnight.I am getting a sunpass today and like you have said I also think it is worth its weight for sure.I will be using it again in the future also.
Thanks for the info.I have been looking at all those parks and I think once we hit about 8 hours worth of driving we are going to stop and rest.

I still have the Airstream.I park it in town on my parents property for the summer but now that the winter season is coming work is now a bit slower so I can travel again.4 months of vacation time.When if you do get to florida look me up.I will check out your blog also so it can give me a heads up on if you do come down.
Thanks for the info.Going to check it out right now.Thanks Again.

richinny · 10-12-2007, 11:12 AM

the sun pass it worth it, just for the shorter lines.

Devoman · 10-13-2007, 05:53 AM

Well .. We are set up to camp at Clerbrook Campgrounds just above Orlando off of hwy 75 and then to Fiesta Keys KOA for 1 night and then we hit our destination at Sugarloaf KOA.I have to get a sunpass today though.
It has been a few months since I have filled the Airstream up to go camping for longer periods.I am catching myself trying to remember what to take.seems I forgot some things and have to resort to my camping sheets.
Now I just hope another front comes down to cool it off a bit down south.

**azflycaster** · 10-13-2007, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

Now I just hope another front comes down to cool it off a bit down south.

Be careful what you ask for.