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Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

Sweeney said:
OOH!!!! Not good :) -- One nice day will only arouse my appetite without bedding it down.

I woke up this morning and the first thing I see is the daily status report on my smart watch....

Current temperature: 59

Too bad it won't last --- but I have a couple of hours still until the bottom falls out and we're back into low 40 by evening. The small in the air is clearly 'florida' - you know that smell right?

Speaking of which, I just searched all Florida parks --- the no vacancy sign is up again....couple sites in last week of March. Where do the locals camp? Is there a hidden county park system or something like that unknown to us foreign invaders?
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Florida State Forest and National State Forests usually have openings.Campgrounds and Camping Reservations - Florida State Forests
 
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Tour 931 said:
I’m thinking of doing this in 2024. My friend in Fairbanks called and told me about it. I think it would be a great adventure.

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Gates of the Arctic NP is VERY high on the list of regrets that we didn’t get to while we lived 2.5 years in Fairbanks! That is bonafide no kidding real Alaska adventure - it doesn’t get much more extreme than that.
 
rmbrowder said:
Florida State Forest and National State Forests usually have openings
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Cool! I use RA for most trips --- I wonder why I wasn't seeing these come up --- probably some search criteria I put in. I'm not sure why some sites (silver springs) are on one registration system, and others are on reserve America -- that seems odd. But considering the situation of lack of availability, I little confusion looks like it is helpful :)

First search on a random date --- and there were availabilities! Since I travel with a dog, I can't reserve it (not pet friendly) but moving a few weeks returned some fantastic looking results.

Now I need to find a week when I can unplug and take a week...

Yesterday it was 60 degrees at this time (Today it is 36) Opening the windows, I was treated to the "Florida smell" -- I can't tell you what it is, but it immediately takes me back to my in-law's home in Leesburg -- and that was almost 20 years ago. Pardon me ,I'm feeling a bit nostalgic all of a sudden. Those were good times.

Last night life got to be 'too much', and I needed a break - just a change in perspective. I slipped into the garage and put myself in isolation in Serenity trying to watch some old TV show that I had "ripped" from a DVD to an MP4. Just checking the quality and ensuring the voices are synced properly. I don't think I made it to the first commercial break before I was sawing logs. I could use a week of that.

Bottom line - I'm in the mood to start searching :D and now have a place to look!
 
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Sweeney said:
Cool! I use RA for most trips --- I wonder why I wasn't seeing these come up --- probably some search criteria I put in. I'm not sure why some sites (silver springs) are on one registration system, and others are on reserve America -- that seems odd. But considering the situation of lack of availability, I little confusion looks like it is helpful :)

First search on a random date --- and there were availabilities! Since I travel with a dog, I can't reserve it (not pet friendly) but moving a few weeks returned some fantastic looking results.

Now I need to find a week when I can unplug and take a week...

Yesterday it was 60 degrees at this time (Today it is 36) Opening the windows, I was treated to the "Florida smell" -- I can't tell you what it is, but it immediately takes me back to my in-law's home in Leesburg -- and that was almost 20 years ago. Pardon me ,I'm feeling a bit nostalgic all of a sudden. Those were good times.

Last night life got to be 'too much', and I needed a break - just a change in perspective. I slipped into the garage and put myself in isolation in Serenity trying to watch some old TV show that I had "ripped" from a DVD to an MP4. Just checking the quality and ensuring the voices are synced properly. I don't think I made it to the first commercial break before I was sawing logs. I could use a week of that.

Bottom line - I'm in the mood to start searching :D and now have a place to look!
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Unfortunately Florida left reserve america. The new system is far worse and it’s been updated a couple of times and still has issues. Each State in the nation is like a kingdom onto itself and they do what they want. I agree a central reservation system would be nice, but I don’t see that happening. I’ve been using Allstays to find campgrounds, but recently noticed they went to an annual subscription. Time to look for another resource.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
…I’ve been using Allstays to find campgrounds, but recently noticed they went to an annual subscription. Time to look for another resource.
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Have a look at the AllStays web site. If I recall, they grandfathered in those of us who bought the app when it was a one-time purchase. Again, if I’m remembering correctly, previous purchasers continue to get lifetime updates.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
Unfortunately Florida left reserve america. The new system is far worse and it’s been updated a couple of times and still has issues. Each State in the nation is like a kingdom onto itself and they do what they want. I agree a central reservation system would be nice, but I don’t see that happening. I’ve been using Allstays to find campgrounds, but recently noticed they went to an annual subscription. Time to look for another resource.
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Florida State Forests still use RA but with a special link. The RA fees are pretty high. I book mark each states reservation site in a camping folder. It would be easier if I could plan a road trip from one site, but then I like the challenge of planning.
 
SethB said:
Have a look at the AllStays web site. If I recall, they grandfathered in those of us who bought the app when it was a one-time purchase. Again, if I’m remembering correctly, previous purchasers continue to get lifetime updates.
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No issues utilizing the web. But the App is requiring a subscription. I sent AllStays an email requesting an explanation. Thanks for the info.
 
grasshopper said:
Great tip! Bookmarked and I'll be doing same- saving good parks/best deals in folders. Its clear the various parks are evolving from all the traffic during Covid vacations, in some cases upgrading facilities, fine tuning management, outsourcing campsite hosting and reservations, and park stewardship jnder the umbrella of carious governmentals controlling...

I've been impressed with Florida State government in particular.

Just as an example- used Allstays ($19.95 yr subscription via Apple app) to search around Ocala March1- this looks neato- plenty of tent sites I have found in past can fit the CI in- first come first served,

but I always call ahead to camp host- and as its a Natl Forest the contractor has to follow regs: "if your rig has "a water inlet hook up" (not just black or gray outlet)
you must go to RV site - $70/nite.

Those are (mostly) booked already for March.
Dogs allowed on leash, Sweeney.


Salt Springs Recreation Area, National Forests in Florida - Recreation.gov

Sometimes I've been lucky and allowed to tuck into a tent only site, at other state parks, especially in the empty shoulder seasons, but for example, this nearby to Ocala FL state campground is also either/or tent or RV hookup:

Campsite Details - 001, Indian Lake State Forest Primitive Campsites, FL - Florida State Forests

Calling to confirm with the ranger- tent sites are "tent and primitive only".

In other words -CI as Baby Airstream your mantra for popular places is "Plan Ahead, Book early, Pay to play" with the big rigs;

Which is the price of good safe park management...

Private RV parks are another option, Allstays reviews are unfavorable, tho
The Springs RV Resort, Springs RV Park & Campground Silver Springs

Or boondock at Walmarts...?
I-overlander is the app the frugal vanlife crowd uses- not a lot to be found there around Ocala thats recent...this one looks promising...sold out!

https://www.reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/#!park/60/165

Just out of curiousity: from our FLorida insiders- is there a lot of displaced folk from Ian and the other storm who are RVcamping, and/or tradesfolk who nomaded in for the reconstruction biz?

That could tighten things up some...
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We have camped many times at Salt Springs. Good swimming area and we have kayaked out to Lake George and back. Several Indian Mounds along the way and a sandy beach as you approach Lake George. Lots of bears in the Ocala Forest! Make use of the bear boxes for your food at Salt Springs.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
Unfortunately Florida left reserve america. The new system is far worse and it’s been updated a couple of times and still has issues. Each State in the nation is like a kingdom onto itself and they do what they want. I agree a central reservation system would be nice, but I don’t see that happening. I’ve been using Allstays to find campgrounds, but recently noticed they went to an annual subscription. Time to look for another resource.
Click to expand...

RA isn't the best system either, but its not bad. I'd love to see someone with UI design experience revamp it -- little did I know, but user interface design is actually a course of study in IT. Friend of mine just got a PhD in it...of course, they'll give master's degrees out light high school diplomas these days.

Michigan has the worst system...Florida isn't bad. I don't mind the Florida reservation system --- except for 2 things.

1] You need to look at each loop individually, and they have too many types of sites...
2] Too many types and the definitions are unclear...takes some figuring.
 
Blue skies in around 60 are forecast for today. Great day - Why does these happen on the week days?

The song of the day is "Boat Drinks" -- while we have had a very mild winter so far, it has been just cool enough and just enough family drama to keep me in place. This happens every year about this time...I supposed that's why buffett has made a small fortune on this little diddy.
 
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I've been to many Buffet concerts in the past. They were enjoyable but more for the parties/shows in the parking lot than his actual "show". People really went nuts with props and craziness. OTOH, his shows were bland and boring. Close your eyes and you couldn't tell the show from a CD. Don't know what the shows are like these days.
 
JohnC said:
I've been to many Buffet concerts in the past. They were enjoyable but more for the parties/shows in the parking lot than his actual "show". People really went nuts with props and craziness. OTOH, his shows were bland and boring. Close your eyes and you couldn't tell the show from a CD. Don't know what the shows are like these days.
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The show before the show is a thing. Cincinnati & Indianapolis are his two largest concentrations of fans, and I lived about 10 minutes from a music center in Noblesville...it is nus there. And like a lot of these things, they get 'worse' as they progress, trying to 'out do' the last concert. This devolved into things which should have gotten people arrested, without going into details...

At one point in my life I would have considered myself a parrot head but not any more. I think his mid 90's though '10's were his peak. Banana wind (Skies over Cuba, the Hideen Track (Tree Top Flier)) are two of my favorite songs ever.

The last show we went too, he was phoning it in --- which I like is what JohnC was eluding too.

I always knew he was counter culture, but when he started taking views on contrary to my beliefs on things I hold very near and deer --- we had to part ways. BUT, I still have my collection and listen to them...
 
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