Heading North

2/6 - 2/10/12

Long Key State Park

and

2/10 - 2/12/12

Naples, FL

Florida has many state campgrounds, but you have to make reservations months and sometimes a year ahead of time.  We learned through the "Snowbird's Traveling Grapevine" that the state park on Long Key was not taking reservations because they were going to have limited facilities due to construction, however you could pull in there and get a spot on a first come first serve.  This was only about 65 miles north of Key West so we headed up there arriving at about 10:30 am and sure enough we got a site, right on the water.  This is a little known secrete and they had many empty spots while we were there.  We were in no hurry so we stayed four nights.  This is what I like about retirement and having a loose schedule you can change your plans at a drop of a hat. We had a wonderful time and struck up a friendship with two other campers which is easy to do in a carefree campground setting.

Somehow this is a little crooked, I can't imagine how that would happen, maybe not enough beer?

Every campsite had a little trail to the water

Two steps out the little trail and you have a beach

Could there be a storm coming? You betcha!

Full moon while at Long Key State Park

After four days of this beautiful beach we continued up the road to Naples, which was not very far, but we were kind of stalling as we couldn't get to the Airstream Rally in Sarasota too early.  I really like Naples and I have already written about it on a previous post.  We did go back to that nice restaurant, The Dock, and had another fabulous meal.  They make great Margaritas at a reasonable price.  They were celebrating their 30th year ( or something like that) and everyone was served a glass of champagne and a piece of birthday cake.

  Safe travels to all

Nancy & Joe