by 118 – St Augustine. North Beach Camp Resort. Very nice campground. Rustic. Across from a nice beach. The bay on the other side. Back bathrooms nice. A few amenities – pool was open – surprisingly due to virus. We had site #106 which was large. Sites had a lot of vegetation between sites in our section. Can only stay for a maximum of 14-days. Suzanne had eye appointment – fortunately, she is okay. Graham studying. Scored RV TP @ Walmart on mainland – got additional food items as well (paper products and hand sanitizers still not available).
117 – Mims. Seasons in the Sun. Remote check-in. Fairly nice CG. All amenities were closed – including showers and bathrooms. People seemed friendly. Graham drove down from New York via North Carolina. Saw first Space Force launch @ bridge in Titusville – Suzanne took Rio out for walk day before. Suzanne having some medical issues – hoping for best. People going bonkers. Florida, Texas and RI now intercepting flyers from New York and areas. Evaluating CGs up the east coast – states beginning to restrict private CGs as well as state and county CGs. More and more shelter in place.
116 – Homestead. Miami Everglades RV Resort. Graham had to cancel flight for visiting us during spring break. In major plant growing area. Amenities closed – seemed to have a lot of things to so (trail around the camp). Sites were reasonably wide, but the roads were very tight which made the whole place seem small. People seemed friendly, but the virus made it tougher. Sat on small rocky area near marina on Key Largo to enjoy the beautiful water. As we got here, all the local National Campgrounds were closed. Getting food and paper products became a real problem. Publix had real problems. Same for Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot. Finally scored at Winn-Dixie and Walmart on 4th try. Florida control over virus about the same as US – no leadership or control. Restaurants closed except of take-out or drive-thru. Bars and stores closed.
115 – St James City. Stayed @ KOA Pine Island. It was okay, but we had a nice view of the pond. Amenities closed. People were less friendly. Went shopping in Matlacha which is the portal between mainland and Pine Island. Had drinks at Ragged Ass Saloon on Saturday. Next day we went back to the Saloon where the American Band was playing. Lots of tourists and bikers – lots of people wanted to say hi to Rio – made us realize we need to separate ourselves more. Wanted to go to dinner @ Blue Dog Saloon but a boat falling off the trailer caused major traffic jam. Went to Sanibel Island – beautiful sand beaches and turquoise water. Had dinner at Lazy Flamingo – okay food – greeter was rude – virus awareness continues. Went shopping for food, but starting to see shortages. Bought noseeum spray in camp store.
114 – Cedar Key. Stayed at Cedar Key RV Park. Met Jean and John at Tiki Bar along the water. Really nice little town. Known for clams, oysters and local fishing. Lots of salt marshes, wetlands and wildlife refuges. Had dinner at Steamer with Jean and John. Had snacks and listened to live music @ Big Deck Raw Bar. Lots of restaurants/bars with live music in town. Visited trails. Visited Crystal River for 7 am snorkel trip with Manatees – saw about 6-10 manatees. Visited Suwannee town and river along with local wildlife refuges (Swannee river named after local river) – found a couple of nice areas along trails that were a surprise. Considered old Florida.
113 – Eastpoint. Stayed at Coastline RV Park. Nice park on the water front facing St George Island – best bathrooms we’ve visited. St George Island has really nice beaches – accessible by bridge only a few miles from Eastpoint – had drinks at bar on beach. Really enjoyed Apalachicola a few miles west – had dinner @ Up the Creek Raw bar. Visited local bar with live music @ High Five Dive Bar. Very nice small town. Visited Port St Joe and Mexico Beach – dogs not allowed on beach within city limits – lots of damage from last year’s hurricane. There are a couple of nice RV parks further east near Caravelle. Will look into staying near Destin – not many dog friendly beaches – heard it is a local favorite. Lots of local seafood. Want to stay here again.
112 – Mobile. Stayed at Meaher State Park. Very nice state park on island outside of town.
111 – Breaux Bridge. Stayed at Cajun Heritage RV Resort – stayed there last year known as Frenchmen’s RV. Visited Avery Island – Tobasco factory tour and Jungle Garden tour – very nice place to visit. Went to a local cafe called Chicken on the Bayou and Boudin Shop. Had first-time Boudin Balls @ Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins. Visited the river-front area in Biloxi – had beignets in local coffee house (Coffee Call) near LSU in Baton Rouge.
