Juniper Springs - 03/02/17 - Silver Spring, FL

March 2, 2017 through March 9, 2017
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
Ocala National Forest
Silver Spring, Florida

On our previous visits to campgrounds within the Ocala National Forest, located east of Ocala, Florida, we camped at Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake and Salt Springs. On this visit to Florida we camp at Juniper Springs.

This landmark natural spring features a swimming hole, campground, picnic facilities and a mill house. It was opened to the public in 1936. We will spend eight days exploring this beautiful, subtropical area.

Florida has more natural springs than any other region in the world. There are over 600 springs in the state – some merely a trickle and others among the largest in the world. The springs maintain a constant year-round temperature of 72 degrees F.

Juniper and Fern Hammock Springs reside within the Juniper Springs Recreation Area and flow into Juniper Creek. Combined daily water flow from these two springs is about 13 million gallons. That’s enough water to fill 750 swimming pools every day!

Canoeing and kayaking a seven-mile run down the Juniper Creek is very popular year-round. Juniper Springs offers canoe and kayak rentals with pull-out service. Pull-out service is also available for visitors who bring their own canoes and kayaks. The water from the springs forms the Juniper Springs Run, one of the top 25-canoe runs in America.

Just 37 days after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inauguration, the first recruits joined the Civilian Conversation Corps (CCC). Between 1935 and 1936, CCC engineers designed and built the most interesting feature of Juniper Springs Recreation Area: the Juniper Millhouse. This structure was built at the foot of the main pool of Juniper Springs. Water flowing from the springs was channeled into a narrow sluice and then allowed to pour back out to its natural configuration. The rushing water that poured through the sluice turned an undershot waterwheel (so named because the water ran under instead of over the wheel). That wheel, in turn powered a generator in the millhouse that produced more than enough electricity to meet the needs of the recreation area during the early part of the 20^th Century.

The Juniper Springs Millhouse no longer generates electricity, but the structure has been beautifully preserved. The stone wall at the waterwheel end is a beautiful piece of CCC masonry work.

During our eight-day stay at Juniper Springs Recreation Area, we were amazed and delighted there were no pesky mosquitoes present, day or night. What a relief, the mosquitoes in southern Florida were horrible!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Wauchala, Florida
Departure Time: 9:30 A.M.
Arrived: Juniper Springs Recreation Area
Arrival Time: 1:30 P.M.

Campground: Juniper Springs
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 29.17974
Longitude: W 81.71287
Camping Fee: $23.10 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 34 (March 2 through 4 – First Come, First Serve Campsite)
Campsite: 41 (March 5 through 9 – Reserve Campsite)
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Free Hot Showers, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpsters, Sewer Dump
Total Campsites: 79

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 4G-3 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent service only in campsite 41. All other campsites have obstructed view of southern sky.

Total miles traveled today: 164
Route Traveled:
North on US-17
East on I-4
North on US-27
North on FL-19
West on FL-40 to Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Collier-Seminole SP - 02/28/17 - Naples, FL

Tuesday – February 28, 2017
Collier-Seminole State Park
Naples, Florida

We spent a restful night at the Midway Campground located within the Big Cypress Preserve. While on our way to the Collier-Seminole State Park we took a side trip to Everglades City for lunch at City Seafood resturant. We enjoy dining outdoors by the water, watching the airboats transporting visitors on tours through the everglades.

After enjoying our lunch of delicious grilled grouper sandwiches, we continue our travel to the Collier-Seminole State Park.

All campsites at Collier-Seminole State Park are by reservation only. We were fortunate to secure a campsite for the night that did not have a reservation for that evening. This is a nice state park that is conveniently located close to Naples (17 miles to downtown). The only downside here is the mosquitos!!! At sunset they come out in force and are absolutely unbearable! You do not dare venture out at night without plenty of protection against these pests.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Ochopee, FL
Departure Time: 10:40 am
Arrived: Collier-Seminole State Park
Arrival Time: 1:00 pm

Campground: Collier-Seminole State Park
Type: State Park

GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 25.99145
Longitude: W 81.59540

Camping Fee: $24.20 (No Senior Discounts)
Campsite: 21
Campsite Hookups: Electric & Water
Campground Amenities:
Flush Toilets, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpster, Sewer Dump

Verizon Cellular Service: 4G-2 Bars
Verizon Internet Service: 4G-2 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (trees block southern sky)

Miles traveled today: 48

Big Cypress Preserve - 02/27/17 - Ochopee, FL

Monday – February 27, 2017
Big Cypress Preserve
Ochopee, Florida

We embark on our travel north through Florida as the frigid winter temperatures in the northern portion of the country begin to subside.

Midway is a small campground with 26 campsites, surrounding a small pond inhabited by a couple of alligators. All campsites are by reservation only. On rare occasions, a campsite can be secured for one night only for any campsite that has not been reserved. We were fortunate to find a campsite available for the night.

More information on camping at Midway can be found on our blog here:

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Everglades National Park
Departure Time: 10:35 am
Arrived: Midway Campground
Arrival: 12:30 pm

Campground: Midway
Type: National Park Service
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 25.8515
Longitude: W 80.9893

Camping Fee: $30.00 ($15.00 with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 9
Campsite Hookups: Electric
Campground Amenities:
Flush Toilets, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpster, Sewer Dump

Verizon Cellular Service: No Service
Verizon Internet Service: No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Miles traveled today: 71

Buzzards Roost - 02/24/17 - Key Largo, FL

Friday – February 24, 2017
Buzzards Roost Restaurant
Key Largo, Florida

Our biennial winter sojourns to Florida eventually bring us to the Long Pine Key Campground, which is located within the Everglades National Park. This location becomes our homebase while we explore southern Florda and the northern Keys.

On our ongoing quest to discover unique, out-of-the-way dining establishments we have enjoyed some excellent dining experiences. In the northern Keys we discovered The Buzzard's Roost, 21 Garden Cove Dr, Key Largo, Florida 33037, located near MM 106.5 on US-1.

The Buzzard’s Roost is a casual waterfront seafood restaurant situated adjacent to the Garden Cove Marina. Dining is available indoors and outdoors. A tiki bar adorns the outdoor dining area with views of the water canal and boat slips dispersed throughout the canal.

On this visit we dined outside and enjoyed the “Seared Ahi Tuna” for an appetizer and a main course of “Blackened Mahi Fsh Taco” and “Crunchy Hogfish.” We quenched our thirst with a delicious “Smashed Buzzard Rum” drink. Our dining experience was further enhanced by various sailing vessels traversing the canal to and from the Atlantic ocean.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Everglades National Park
Departure Time: 1:00 pm
Arrived: Key Largo, FL
Arrival Time: 1:45 pm
Miles traveled one-way to Key Largo: 30

GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 25.1703
Longitude: W 80.3717

 

 

Everglades NP - 02/13/17 - Homestead, FL

Monday – February 13, 2017
Everglades National Park
Homestead, Florida

We spent a delightful 28 days visiting with my sister and her husband at their home in Naples, Florida. We departed Naples today to visit one of our favorite places in southern Florida: Everglades National Park.

Of the two campgrounds located within Everglades National Park, Flamingo and Long Pine Key, we prefer Long Pine Key and selected a campsite from several available. Long Pine Key is located 6 miles from the park entrance which makes it more convenient to visit other areas outside of the park, whereas Flamingo is located 40 miles from the park entrance.

Shoping is available in Florida City (15 miles from the park). One of our favorite places to stop is “Robert Is Here” fruit and vegetable stand (8 miles from Everglades National Park on SR-9336). We stock up on locally grown tomatoes, avocados and mangos. You will not belive the size of these fruits... they are huge! Also, we never leave without getting one of their fresh fruit smoothies!

More information on camping at Everglades National Park can be found on our blog here:

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Naples, FL
Departure Time: 12:40 pm
Arrived: Everglades National Park
Arrival Time: 4:00 pm

Campground: Long Pine Key
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 25.4009
Longitude: W 80.6005

Camping Fee: $10.00 ($20.00 without Senior Pass)
Campsite: 22
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities:
Flush Toilets, Free Hot Showers, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpster, Sewer Dump

Verizon Cellular Service: 3G-2 Bars
Verizon Internet Service: 4G-3 Bars (Jetpack)
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Miles traveled today: 154

Naples, FL - 01/15/17

Sunday – January 15, 2017
Naples, Florida
Sunday – January 15, 2017
Naples, Florida

We arrive in Naples to spend time visiting with my sister and her husband at their home. We plan to be here through early February.

My sister lives in a gated community featuring single-family estate homes. The homeowners association does not allow recreational vehicles, boats, etc., to reside on residential property. Therefore, we must find a place to park our trailer for the duration of our visit. Fortunately, the homeowners maintenance area has limited free parking spaces available for visitors to park their RV's. Thankfully, my sister was able to reserve a space for our trailer.

Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida. It's known for high-end shopping and golf courses. The Naples pier, first erected in 1888, is the city's symbol, and is a popular fishing and dolphin-spotting destination. It's flanked by miles of beaches with calm waters and fine white sand. The southern shoreline is dotted with magnificent multi-million dollar mansions overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. As of 2015, the city's population was 20,600.

Naples provides us with a home-base to visit other nearby communities: Fort Meyers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island and Everglades City.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Miles traveled today: 100
Departed From: ZolfoSprings, FL
Departure Time: 11:00 am
Arrival Time: Naples, FL
Time Arrived: 1:00 pm

  

 

Pioneer Park - 01/03/17 - Zolfo Springs, FL

Tuesday – January 3, 2017
Pioneer Park
Zolfo Springs, Florida

We spent Christmas through the New Year at the Ocean Pond Campground in the Osceola National Forest in northern Florida. Cooler weather is forecast for this section of Florida so we decided to move south to central Florida where warmer weather will prevail. We will spend two weeks at Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs, Florida. This is a county park located 73 miles southwest of Tampa. Our last visit to Pioneer Park was in January 2014.

Pioneer Park is a 115-acre county owned park that offers 65 grassy campsites with electric and water hookups and 25 campsites without electric and water hookups. There are three restroom facilities with flush toilets and hot water showers. There is a museum, wildlife refuge, hiking trails, a boat ramp to the Peace River, and fishing.

Every year, during the last week in February, The Annual Pioneer Park Days takes place. Pioneer Park Days is one of the largest, and is the oldest antique tractor, steam engine and farm equipment shows in the southeast. Some of the highlights include over 400 exhibits of tractors, steam engines and farm equipment.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Campground: Pioneer Park
Type: County
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 27.49091
Longitude: W 081.79493
Camping Fee: See Camping Rates
Campsite: A49
Campsite Hookups: Electric and Water
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Hot Showers, Trash Dumpsters, Dump Station
Total Campsites: 90 (65 with Hookups, 25 without Hookups)

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 227
Route Traveled:
West on US-90
South on I-75 to Exit 289
South on US-27
South on FL-33
West on FL-570
East on FL-540
South on US-17 to FL-64
One entrance on US-17, north of FL-64
One entrance on FL-64, west of US-17

Camping Rates:

Per Night
$20.00 + tax ($21.40) w/electric ($3.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$15.00 + tax ($16.05) w/o electric

Per Week
$100.00 + tax ($107.00) w/electric ($15.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$69.00 + tax ($73.83) w/o electric

Per Month
$300.00 + tax ($321.00) per month w/electric ($45.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$250.00 + tax ($267.50) per month w/o electric

(Above rates are based on one (1) or two (2) persons per campsite.)

Additional Guests
$2.00 + tax ($2.14) additional guest-per night, per person (ages 10 & up)
$10.00 + tax (10.70) additional guests per week, per person (ages 10 & up)
$25.00 + tax (26.75) additional guests per month, per person (ages 10 & up)
$1.00 per person, per night, Boy Scout Groups.