Help with re-routing SE trip

[flyingjack]

Hello from getting cold Colo; we are re-routing our winter 2023 southeast trip to avoid hurricane damage and closures. We have reservations in Pensacola, FL and Savanah, GA that we'll still use. We (HC 295RL-34' and friend's 42' MH) will leave Pensacola 2/2/23 and be in Savanah, GA 2/18/23.

2/2/23 to 2/18/23: Looking for interesting places anywhere in that general area- GA or Jacksonville, FL & up coast (never drove through southeast US). We're not too particular and will have e-bikes as well. Don't mind deviating from a direct course and will probably use some Harvest Hosts/Welcome Boondockers Welcome sites as well. Both of us are seasoned RVers and can handle pretty much whatever comes along.

Thanks for any and all suggestions; kind of last minute changes.
Jack

[sourdough]

Just some thoughts on getting out of Pensacola (SO many people ). Don't know if you want to spend all that time along the E coast or stop along the way.

Cape San Blas outside Port St. Joe. Unfortunately not a long way from Pensacola but a world apart. From there you've got Apalachicola which has an interesting history.

Carrabelle FL. There's a nice little RV park across from Carrabelle beach. Not a lot around there but it's pretty and laid back.

Cedar Key FL. On the Gulf side of FL but still nice.

On the E. coast you should check out St. Augustine - very interesting history and pretty. Going down toward Daytona is just touristy to us. Been in Jacksonville but again that's a "busy" place to us. Haven't spent a lot of time between there and Savannah, just hit I95 and roll generally. When you get to Savannah you've of course got Hilton Head if you've never been - it was one those been there, done that things for us. You've also got the Beaufort area and Edisto Beach N of there. Just some thoughts.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by flyingjack

Hello from getting cold Colo; we are re-routing our winter 2023 southeast trip to avoid hurricane damage and closures. We have reservations in Pensacola, FL and Savanah, GA that we'll still use. We (HC 295RL-34' and friend's 42' MH) will leave Pensacola 2/2/23 and be in Savanah, GA 2/18/23.

2/2/23 to 2/18/23: Looking for interesting places anywhere in that general area- GA or Jacksonville, FL & up coast (never drove through southeast US). We're not too particular and will have e-bikes as well. Don't mind deviating from a direct course and will probably use some Harvest Hosts/Welcome Boondockers Welcome sites as well. Both of us are seasoned RVers and can handle pretty much whatever comes along.

Thanks for any and all suggestions; kind of last minute changes.
Jack

crooked river state park and the jackson st mary’s koa are both right on the florida georgia line…from there it’s about 20-30 min to Fernandino beach and amelia island..about an hour or so from st augustine….we like it there for a couple of days as you can explore the area from st augustine and everything north relatively easy

[TimC]

This might be too far out of the way for you, it’s in the northwest corner of Georgia. Cloudland Canyon State Park. We spent a few days there around Christmas of 2020. It is a beautiful park.

While in the Savannah area maybe add a few days and spend some time on Tybee island.

Between Savannah and Jacksonville is an interesting state park called Jekyl Island State Park. It was a fairly nice area. Near this area is another barrier island called Cumberland island. It’s a “National seashore.” We wanted to visit when we were in the area but you have to take a ferry and it wasn’t running the few days we were there.

Also have to agree with the St Augustine recommendations. Super cool city, lots of history. Not too far south of there is Flagler Beach which is another nice area. I think you’ll have a hard time finding availability in those areas though.

[linux3]

Well lets see.
If you like whirligigs there is whirligig park in Wilson NC.
https://wilson-nc.com/things-to-do/?...whirligig-park

Halifax NC was a hotbed for the American Revolution and the town has a museum and a town of that era.
https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sit...and-revolution

There is South of the Border. In SC just south of NC.
https://www.sobpedro.com/

Do you like bourbon? The bourbon trail in KY. We have done it a few times. Very glad my wife doesn't drink. I would start from the Lexington, KY side. No, don't book a tour, just follow the map.
https://kybourbontrail.com/map/

We go to FL at least once a year and wander back all kinds of ways.
The old World's fair park in Knoxville TN is worth a look and if you go there you may as well visit Nashville.
TIP: Lower Broadway is where you want to go but parking is hard to find and very expensive.
Park at the Grand Ole Opera. Huge lot, free and lots of RV's. Then Uber to South Broadway.
Just before Covid it was $11.00 each way. More nowI'm sure.

[Canonman]

Just a thought, but I'm kind of a Civil War buff. There are several National Monuments and places of interest along the SE route you propose. Most are out of the way in less crowded areas (my preference). Something like this could be a theme for your travels to FL. or just some interesting side trips.

[notanlines]

Along Canonman’s suggestion, we visit Shilo National Battlefield on a regular basis. Never closes and miles of scenery, wildlife and history. 10 miles from many RV parks and the city of Savannah, Tennessee, catfish capital of the world.

[flyingjack]

Thanks everyone for great info; all the great info is what makes this site one of my go-to sites almost every day- along with flying and ebikes. Glad I'm retired. Hurricane Ian required a change of route for SE US winter trip for us.
Thanks again everyone.
Jack

[Sammie's Mom from Mich.]

Skip Florida - come to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Innumerable wonderful RV Parks between South Padre Island and McAllen.

[lindy46]

Don't miss the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. An amazing place, and you may see the Blue Angels practicing. Also check out JoePatties seafood market, a tourist destination in itself. A half-city block long line of refrigerated cases full of FRESH seafood of all kinds. And lots of other gourmet foods of all kinds. Truly amazing place.

[P&DZ]

Our permanent home is in Fort Collins but we spend 5 months each year in Nokomis FL just south of Sarasota. Much less busy here than the larger cities. Check out Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey FL. The better private campgrounds are difficult to reserve for less than three months.

[pricejh61]

Just a suggestion, give Gulf Shores, Alabama some consideration. Gulf State Park is a good place to stay, if you can get in. There are also many campgrounds along the coast between Gulf Shores and Pensacola. Plus, the sand on the beaches is like walking on sugar.

[TimC]

Originally Posted by P&DZ

Our permanent home is in Fort Collins but we spend 5 months each year in Nokomis FL just south of Sarasota. Much less busy here than the larger cities. Check out Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey FL. The better private campgrounds are difficult to reserve for less than three months.

My wife and I spent a few nights at Oscar Scherer State Park a few years back. We just happened to be going through the area and stopped in to see if they had a site. It is a beautiful park, we loved it. Have tried to get in there a few more times but no luck. We just got really lucky that one time.

[SummitPond]

Originally Posted by lindy46

Don't miss the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. An amazing place, and you may see the Blue Angels practicing. (snip)

Double check to see if non-military are allowed on base these days. I know it was locked out to the general public a while back. But it is a fantastic museum.

For Jacksonville, see if you can snag a spot in Hanna Park. It is a city park right on the ocean; the campsites are a short walk to the beach. Jax is close to St. Augustine and Amelia Island, both very touristy places with things to do and good places to eat. Downtown Jacksonville is also very walkable, and spans both sides of the river (you can walk across via the Main Street bridge).

If you wanted to venture a bit further south, the Kennedy Space Center is a wonderful attraction. The Orlando area has a lot more than just Disney; one of our favorite spots is the Tiffany glass museum (the Morse Museum) in Winter Park.