Gulf Shores and Florida for the winter months

[albertr]

We have been going to Arizona for a number of years from Ontario, Canada. Now it seems like it is a long ways to drive (age?). Never did take an RV to Florida or Gulf Shores. Also, Gulf Shores seem a little cool in Jan and Feb. Florida is reputed to be a bit crowded in wintertime. I would like some info from people who spend winters in Florida and Gulf Shores to help us decide on a location. Thanks for your help. Al.

[Outbackmel]

Here is my 2 cents after Rv'ing and previously living in Florida for 10 years.

More people are trending towards FL as a "destination" as the cost of fuel pushes up. We are going from Atlanta to Scottsdale in January for 2 months, BUT, we will again be returning to FL in 2013.

Good:
* few "dangerous" illegals to deal with; versus Texas borders where farmers carry guns for self protection.
* numerous RV resorts to choose from.
* plenty of things to see and do.

Bad:
* RV spaces are very limited as many RV'ers repeat year over year.
* Anywhere north and west of Orlando, (Destin, Panama City, Pensacola) it's going to be DARN COLD in January and February.
* booking now for a south Florida "warm" spot may be too late
* RV sites are EXPENSIVE in the most desirable areas
* There are a ton of older RV parks in FL with long term residents in not so attractive neighborhoods. Use tools and referrals for info. WWW.rvparkreviews.com is a decent site.

Do your research on average temps, find out if they are a summer seasonal area (many services may close out of "high season") especially in beach communities.

Good bets: somewhere around Crystal River; Clearwater would be my preference. Some less temperate days BUT beaches nearby; lots of shopping and golf. Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park is a GREAT park; great facilities and heavily wooded, peaceful sites. It's in Crystal River. These areas may be a little south of your preference BUT they are loaded with northern snow birds.
MAKE SURE you get reliable info before booking. We visited 15 potential parks in that area last year and would not have stayed in 80% of them and the other 20% were at capacity. We stayed home and flew to Hawaii "bouncey:

Good luck, it is a HUNT and a C - - P shoot without a personal reference. Find something now or you will lose out. I have a close friend in Scottsdale and asked him to visit our winter retreat; check out our reserved site and area. That gave me a "warm and fuzzy" feeling.

[Festus2]

[QUOTE=Outbackmel;23977]Here is my 2 cents after Rv'ing and previously living in Florida for 10 years.



Good:
* few "dangerous" illegals to deal with; versus Texas borders where farmers carry guns for self protection.


As a potential visitor to both Florida and Texas, I would be interested in hearing more from you about this. You are making it sound as if both places have personal safety concerns ---Texas moreso than Florida - except that one has fewer "dangerous" illegals than the other. Send me a PM if you don't mind.
Thanks

[Paddler]

As Florida residents we tend to view a line drawn across Florida from Crystal River to Orlando. If you will this is the freeze line. Anything north of that line, we use for winter camping because everything south of that line has no vacancies, they're full of snowbirds. :)

Rock Crusher is nice
Tampa East is close to the Hard Rock Casino
Sun-N-Fun is very nice
Lazydays is ok, even closer to the Rock

Hope you enjoy our home.

[Outbackmel]

Festus, I will send you a "PM" momentarily. However people traveling or staying near the Mexico/Texas border should view the article which appeared on the NBC news just 2 nights ago.

www.nbcnightlynews.com

Just see the article in the lower right hand corner.

I am not trying to place fear in those traveling or staying in those areas; however, some of our border areas are being infiltrated more and more with drug smugglers. Traveling N of the border, the report says that ranchers find illegals, with drug packs and AK47 weapons crossing their land 68 miles NORTH of Mexico in Texas. Ranchers are armed and DO LITTLE, except self protection, in fear of personal reprisal.

Last year is not this year and people just need to be aware when they travel that these issues are out there. Some will reply that they have been in these areas many times and no issues. So be it. I am retired; served 4 years in the US Army as a Staff Sergeant (63-67) and am street smart. I simply wanted to ensure others have the opportunity to make safe choices.

[jq1031]

AL, I've spent alot of time in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Destin, & Grayton Beach Fl. in the Pan Handle. It's one of the nicest spots in the south, white sand beaches, great resturants, outlet mall (Destin) and inexpensive state parks to RV in. We just returned from Grayton Beach St Park two weeks ago so here is the truth. From now to March it's going to be COLD, windy & deserted. Unless you like cold, windy & deserted, head further south. Try Sarasota (Sarasota Sunny South RV Resort) near Siesta Key, a Good Sam Park with only 50 sites, clean, friendly and probably already booked up, but worth a try!

[geo]

I do not agree with Outbackme. South Texas is as safe as just about any where else in the United States and Canada. The vast majority of the "illegals" some of our politicians hype about are very poor and are trying to come to the States to work in jobs most all Americans would not do. Farm labor is one. There are others. That said - Yes, the demand for illegal drugs by Americans has fueled a dangerous situation and emboldened the Mexican drug cartels. However, Americans' desire illegal drugs in such quantities, the lone "illegal" with a backpack of heroin just can't carry enough. Ron Paul is correct, we have lost the War On Drugs. In Texas, look for modes of transportation, even RVs, for drug transport. Like tunnels in Arizona and California; submarines in the Pacific, and fast, over-powered "cigarette" boats in Florida. Yes, in our border cities, there are dangerous areas. But there are dangerous areas in Miami, Ft. Myers, Pensacola, Jacksonville, etc. Visit Detroit, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, or Seattle - and you will find unsafe areas.

For the same reason you say parts of Florida are cold, same here in Texas. January at Big Bend National Park in south Texas can be "chilling" but quite safe. Most Snowbirds stay between South Padre Island and McAllen. There are plenty of RV parks that do fill up. Some of the adventurous will form groups to visit Mexico, but not that many. Most are content with the good times south Texas has to offer and never even get near the border.

Come to Texas and get that big Texas welcome, y'all!

Now, gun-totin' Texas ranchers - Yup, that's about 100% of them. But I see a lot of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas ranchers toting guns also. Many pickup trucks in these areas have "Easy Rider Racks". Worked the oilfields of south Louisiana and saw a Cajun or two toting a gun. Met a farmer one time sitting on our seismic crew's water tractor with a gun who informed us he owned that water tractor now. Yes, we here in America do have the right to bear arms, within reason. But please, do not make us Texans out to be something of 125 years ago. Judge Roy Bean has been gone a long time.

Moderators, please edit to serve the Forum's purpose.

Ron. - stepping off the soapbox now.

[Festus2]

No need to edit but just to remind everyone who might want to contribute to this thread:
1) the original poster is looking for "some information from people who spend winters in Florida or the Gulf Shores to help us decide on a location" so let's not lose sight of this; and,
2) that posts are to be free from politics.

Thank you.

[jq1031]

No need to edit but just to remind everyone who might want to contribute to this thread:
1) the original poster is looking for "some information from people who spend winters in Florida or the Gulf Shores to help us decide on a location" so let's not lose sight of this; and,
2) that posts are to be free from politics.

Thank you.

Festus, I agree & GEO I agree with you also! But here is a footnote from a gun toating floridian. Law abiding citizens have a constitutional right (2nd Ammendment) to carry arms if they have a CWP (conceiled weapon permit). Don't loose sight of that fundamental right!

[Festus2]

jq1031......... I am not in any position to comment on your Constitutional rights under the 2nd Ammendment to carry arms with the provisions you outlined. I am not an American citizen and as a forum moderator, it would be highly improper of me to do so. There certainly was no intent on my part to curb any mention of your Constitutional rights or to downplay their importance.
As I indicated, my objective is to keep the thread "on track" and to try to keep "politics" from highjacking the discussion. I fully realize that this is a sensitive issue but I repeat, let's not forget about albertr's original request for some help in finding safe, enjoyable camping spots in Florida and the Gulf Shores.
Thank you.

[Outbackmel]

CNN; NBC; CBS reporters are all wrong according to "GEO". Go, relax and enjoy. I doubt those "other" areas are within 68 miles north of the border and have mexicans with AK47's crossing their land. I do not own a gun, however, I am military trained; rated expert. Lot of difference in "carrying" and "dropping a man". America gives you the constitutional right to carry, once you have a permit. You better have a damned good reason for actually shooting somebody inside the USA. Prisons are full of "cowboys".

I know my comment would be controversial, however, it's intent is SAFETY when traveling in unfamiliar territory. Texas is a beautiful state. Many of the nicest people I know live and work there. They ARE NOT camping in the areas I have mentioned.

This is a real CNN report:

39 killed in Ciudad Juarez in four days, prosecutor's office says

April 12, 2011|By Nick Valencia and Arturo Chacon, CNN
As many as 600 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2011, according unofficial estimates.
The most dangerous city in Mexico wrapped up another bloody weekend with 39 killings between Friday and Monday, including the murders of three police officers, the Chihuahua state prosecutor's office in Ciudad Juarez said Tuesday.

In one of the most high-profile homicides, Ismael Sergio Apodaca, coordinator of the Police Station "Chihuahua," was executed on Friday. Hours earlier, a municipal official was attacked and taken to the hospital in serious condition, the state prosecutor's office told CNN. In all, eight people were killed that day.
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Pretty much sums up my point. I'm done. Probably FREE camping just south of the border.

[geo]

It is truly sad, but our modern society lost a treasure when Cypress Gardens closed its doors. But the area still survives. Since the park has closed, the area seems to have become forgotten. But find a campground around Winter Haven and you will have a central location to explore central Florida. Yes, it has been some years since I have been there, but it's something to think about. Not a good lead, but something to consider.

Ron

[OhhWell]

The clearwater area is great. I would check for RV parks near the coast in Dunedin. There are several along Alt 19 down there that are very close to Honeymoon island beach and the dunedin causeway. That area alone is great and it is only about 20 min from there to get to clearwater beach.

Central Florida has some decent campgrounds around the town of Clermont. Not very far from Orlando but WELL away from the bustle. I'm sorry I can't some up with the names off the top of my head but one I have heard good things about is Lake Luisa.

Sarasota and Ft Meyers are also great destinations. We go at least once a year to the Periwinkle Park on Sanibel Island. You cound't ask for much better of a RV park. The only downsides are a no pets policy (IF you travel with pets) and it is pretty busy on the island during the winter. You can get anywhere by bike though.

[antiqfreq]

Lake Louisa is pretty good. I have been there several times.

There are a few notherners who stay there for weeks at a time.

I have been there all times of the year and never completely booked
except once, which I think was July 4th and people were going to
Disney World from there !

Jo

[mhs4771]

Try Treasure Coast RV Resort here in Fort Pierce, FL. A little over an hour South of the Space Center and close to I95 and the Florida Parkway, all FHU 50/30 Amp Service, large cement pads and 2 lane internal roads. A smaller but fairly new park approx 162 sites and close to have of them are filled with Canadians. We're here for 5 months and coming back next year for 6 months.