I am wondering who plans to camp throughout the winter, and what part of the country you will be. South Florida is great with beautiful spots to camp, which would be good to hear about, but I am sure there are many other options.
I'm just about ready. Probably November the 1st I'll be on the white sand beaches of the gulf coast. Mostly at the state parks. Mid and South Florida gets hard to find without reservations. I choose to wing it and if worse comes to worse a free boondock site at Wally World, Flyin J , or Cabelas will work.
Our plans got changed, and we're now planning to tow our 21BHS to Lake Placid, FL, in mid-January.
We'll visit a Light Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, and probably the big RV show in Tampa. Then return home, leaving the trailer at a friend's in Lake Placid.
Tentative plan is maybe a couple of trips down over the winter, to travel to various FL locations.
We'll see how it all works out.
Living up here in upstate NY I think that saying you will be on the gulf coast does not really qualify as winter camping. Can you tell I'm jealous and somewhat bitter?
Mitch - Come on down! Unless you have to work... My husband is trying to get a 2 week vacation in January. Now that we have this nice camper, he is regretting just a bit that he didn't retire in May like he promised.
In Arizona you camp at the higher elevations for cooler weather and lower elevations for warmer weather depending on the time of year. We enjoy camping in the desert during the winter but it can get quite cold. One trip at Kartchner Caverns the overnight low was 17 degrees.
Aznighthiker, we're you camping when the temp went down to 17? We're you in a Quicksilver popup?
On that trip we were using the Eureka Equaldome tent which is 10' x 10'. We were planning on backcountry camping (4x4 access) near the Dragoon Mtn. but opted for the state park instead since tours were available to the caves.
Next year when my wife retires maybe we can do some nice long trips during the winter. This year ,sadly, the camper is already winterized and I'm forlornly staring out the window.
We are spontaneous when camping in the SE region. If the 10 day forecast looks good for an area, we go camping. Will probably camp at the following campgrounds up thru November:
Stone Mountain SP NC, South Mountains SP NC, and Lake Wateree SP SC.
For December will camp @ Hunting Island SP SC for a week.
For January may head to FL State Parks on the Gulf Panhandle or Hunting Island SP SC will see....
How are you able to find a Florida state park in January on short notice? I was told they are booked up. Do you have a secret? I am wondering if some state parks have a few sites that they hold back for first come, first served basis that I do not know about.
We can get a site at the last minute for a couple reasons. Since our camper is so short, the longer sites normally book first. Once we find a good "weather" window for camping, check a camp ground daily for openings. Normally seems to be late cancellations, too. Since retirement, we are flexible and able to take open dates, since we don't have to schedule time off work anymore!
We will be camping this winter, but without the trailer. We will go "motel camping" with the dogs on the OR coast 2 or three times from November to March, when we can recomission the trailer again.
Me and the wife will be going to the Texas Renaissance Festival the weekend after Thanksgiving and looks like we will try and hit up East Texas the Second weekend of December.
Are you kidding? We will! We can hardly wait to get through the holidays so we can hitch up and go again! Even in the rainy NW....we'll probably hit the beach (Oregon coast) sometime in January because it's close and convenient. :D
[quote source="/post/4390/thread" timestamp="1414086999" author="@leslie"]I am wondering who plans to camp throughout the winter, and what part of the country you will be. South Florida is great with beautiful spots to camp, which would be good to hear about, but I am sure there are many other options.[/quote] It's camping weather in Minnesota :).
(http://i59.tinypic.com/16jlxs6.jpg)
[font size="3"]We're taking our trailer to visit our son and his family in eastern Washington, for Christmas. We found a campground just 2 miles from their home. I'm more excited about spending another couple of nights in our trailer, than I am about the holiday. Weird, I know, but maybe you all understand ..... maybe.[/font]
Not weird. Normal is what I think. Because my trailer is in storage 20 miles away, there are times I wish I was in it, so I visit LL's website to look at the Camplites. Now that is weird.
Yep, know what you mean. Always looking for a reason to go camping. Visiting family/friends, looking at the local attractions, bicycling, kayaking, hiking, photography, fishing, and testing the latest mod, it's always something! :) Camped on the ocean earlier this month and hope to
camp on a lake & do some Kayaking later this month. Plan to explore the pan handle of Florida during January.
Visit to the beach last week:
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_5604-Copy_zpseb9f2b64.jpg) (http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_5604-Copy_zpseb9f2b64.jpg.html)
Reading exploringcarolina's posts make me think that North Carolina makes for a nice retirement - Enjoying the change of seasons, yet close enough to warm weather to go camping year round. But I can't give up Louisville, where we will retire, soon, I hope.
Louisville is a beautiful area. We enjoyed camping there last September.
Took this shot not too far from Louisville:
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/Camping%202014/IMG_4797_zpsd901b821.jpg.html"]
[img src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/Camping%202014/IMG_4797_zpsd901b821.jpg"][/a]
Louisville also has the Urban Bourbon Trail!
Yep, there are many things to see in the lower 48. We have plenty of plans to see many sites while camping. Will probably do more camping in Kentuck next year, too!
Did not see any Bear during our camping trip out west last September:
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/Camping%202014/IMG_4587_zps6e46c778.jpg.html"]
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/Camping%202014/IMG_4587_zps6e46c778.jpg)
There should be bears in North Carolina, but I don't recommend going looking for them. There are bears in Kentucky and Illinois, as well. Didn't you have an alligator under your camper once?
When you plan to camp in Kentucky, let me know. There are some really nice state parks there.
Yep, when we camped @ Huntington Beach SC, heard noise outside of the camper over night. My Wife mentioned it, but we did not check it out. Our neighbors in the next site told us they saw an alligator in our campsite the previous night. Guess that was the noise we heard.
Good reason to have a toilet or porta-potti to prevent meeting or stepping on local wildlife during the middle of the night!
We will let you know when we are camping in your area. We still need to have a LivinLite gathering next year.
We have stayed at the lodge at these state parks. We think we will enjoy it even more when we camp there.
Barren River State Park, which is not far from Bowling Green, where there is a Camping World.
Lake Cumberland State Park, on Hwy 127 near the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
When we go camping out west next year, can meet you guys at one of those campgrounds on our way, if you want.
OK - just let me know where and when. I have not forgotten about a meetup. When do you think people will start planning their summer camping schedules?
We have already reserved (7) weekend trips including the long Memorial Day weekend. We have to do this (6) months to the day, minute, and actually to the second in order to get the best sites at our favorite local state campground. Reservations are accepted the (6) months in advance of the first of May through the end of October. That said, we are part of a few campers at this campground that try to get the best sites. Granted, when we are camping, just being out there is the best...but if we can have a more secluded, larger site, we go for it. We are already lining up our strategy for the week before the 4th of July, again, because the best sites go fast at any of the desirable campgrounds. So, I would say people are already planning their summer camping schedules.
Excellent point, Magoo. This will be my first year RV camping. My husband and I like to go to several local festivals in different cities in the warmer months. We decided to do our usual events, but this year to do them camping, so I did not think this is the usual pattern for RVers.
I like your idea of going to parks that offer more seclusion. Would you be willing to share your list? Your profile offers no info about where you are located.
We will be heading out west during September. Also want to visit LivinLite during 2015.
I am thinking about starting a new thread. When and where will you be camping in 2015? I am on the learning curve for how to work out where, when, and how I want to spend my time camping. I have a list of ALL the places I want to go. If I complete this list in my lifetime, I will be SO happy. Only problem is, I keep adding to the list.
For me, getting the camper and getting it organized and set up is just the beginning. The learning curve continues...
[quote timestamp="1418792916" author="@leslie" source="/post/5569/thread"]I am thinking about starting a new thread. When and where will you be camping in 2015? I am on the learning curve for how to work out where, when, and how I want to spend my time camping. I have a list of ALL the places I want to go. If I complete this list in my lifetime, I will be SO happy. Only problem is, I keep adding to the list.
For me, getting the camper and getting it organized and set up is just the beginning. The learning curve continues...[/quote][p]Blog less, camp more.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Seriously, this is like the baseball hot stove league. A time for musing, prepping, contemplation, scheming.[/p][p]
[/p][p]But nothing will help clarify your future plans like actually camping, knocking locations off your list, refining based on experience. That's what it's all about. [/p][p]
[/p][p]We're on the front end of that process ourselves. We have enough to tackle to get the nearest 500 miles under our belt, not even thinking about cross-country trips. Hell, folks back east have our back yard on their bucket list as often as folks out here want to hit the rockies, southeast, wherever. We'll cover our area, and well, before we get bored. Ambition is the antithesis of camping, for us. We camp because it is where lazy is not only acceptable, it is the pinnacle of accomplishment.[/p][p]
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Blog less, camp more.
I hear you, but I might not listen! I have sons on both coasts and one in the Midwest. This summer my plan is to get my camper organized with trips to destinations I am familiar with. I plan to figure out how to use my new camper.
Then, the plan for 2016 is a 3-month trip so I can visit all of my kids. I always have a plan. Isn't this doable?
BTW, husband and dog are better, so I am leaving tomorrow AM to tow my trailer, heading for Louisville.
[quote timestamp="1418795484" author="@leslie" source="/post/5571/thread"]Blog less, camp more.
I hear you, but I might not listen! I have sons on both coasts and one in the Midwest. This summer my plan is to get my camper organized with trips to destinations I am familiar with. I plan to figure out how to use my new camper.
Then, the plan for 2016 is a 3-month trip so I can visit all of my kids. I always have a plan. Isn't this doable?
BTW, husband and dog are better, so I am leaving tomorrow AM to tow my trailer, heading for Louisville.[/quote][p]I didn't mean to imply that you should be satisfied with short/local trips. Only that we were. [/p][p]
[/p][p]I was just saying that while thinking and planning our trips may take more of our time when we're stuck around the house/job, take every opportunity to actually, you know, go camping. Get out of your comfort zone and celebrate the new.
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[quote source="/post/5569/thread" timestamp="1418792916" author="@leslie"]I am thinking about starting a new thread. When and where will you be camping in 2015? I am on the learning curve for how to work out where, when, and how I want to spend my time camping. I have a list of ALL the places I want to go. If I complete this list in my lifetime, I will be SO happy. Only problem is, I keep adding to the list.
For me, getting the camper and getting it organized and set up is just the beginning. The learning curve continues...[/quote]
Enjoy refining & overcoming the overall camping learning curve. Camping is the only way to find out how "you" want to camp. Will let you know when we will be passing through your area.
Quote from: @leslie" source="/post/5571/thread" timestamp="1418795484Blog less, camp more.
I hear you, but I might not listen! I have sons on both coasts and one in the Midwest. This summer my plan is to get my camper organized with trips to destinations I am familiar with. I plan to figure out how to use my new camper.
Then, the plan for 2016 is a 3-month trip so I can visit all of my kids. I always have a plan. Isn't this doable?
BTW, husband and dog are better, so I am leaving tomorrow AM to tow my trailer, heading for Louisville.
Safe travels
[quote timestamp="1418793695" source="/post/5570/thread" author="@pinstriper"][p]
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Quote #1: "Blog less, camp more." (Thank you! I'm awfully jealous of the lucky folks on this forum who are retired. Can't wait...)
Quote #2: "Ambition is the antithesis of camping, for us. We camp because it is where lazy is not only acceptable, it is the pinnacle of accomplishment." (Although in reality I don't behave this way... camping at least makes me feel like I do.)
We will be out most all winter we hope, but nothing firm planned due to aging parents and health concerns for them. Go when the opportunity presents itself.
Probably stay in the TN/NC/VA area, thus some cold temps. I just posted asking for advice in cold weather camping.
We may get to a beach, either Hunting Island, or make our first venture to the Gulf. BTW, Roan MT SP in upper East TN, has a new small bathroom, with shower, that stays open all winter. You will most likely be the only people there. The mountains are spectacular in the blue sky days of winter. Do note, at 2800 ft in East TN, Jan-March can be brutal, as in some days of lows of 40 or lows of zero. We will stay home these zero days.
One of my concerns here thought, and most any other places, will the proximity of camping to deer hunters. We want to hike, just not with hunters in hunting season.