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| Bill & Duke |
After our two nights in The Villages, we reluctantly bid farewell to Bill Blaney and the two dogs he cares for and set out for Fort DeSoto campground near St. Petersburg.
Now, you have to realize that when you set out on an adventure like this, some things go wrong but with the proper amount of planning and strategizing you can minimize these errors. As an example, we made our camping reservations several months ago. So on Monday we proudly pulled into the campground a full 14 minutes before “the google” said we were to arrive. When we went into the ranger station to register, eager to start this leg of our adventure, we were told that our two week reservation did not begin until Tuesday! Boy we laughed. We laughed and laughed. Cathy laughed so hard that when I looked over at her it looked liked she was about to
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| Our New Campsite |
cry. The ranger mercifully provided us with a campsite for the night – but today we took down our site and set it all up again, just 5 sites down the road.
The setup on Monday went amazingly well. We were completely done in an hour! This includes setting up the camper, unpacking the car, setting up the clam and stringing the tv antenna in a tree. The time it took for Cathy to set up the inside of the camper was shorter than usual as we forgot to bring sheets for the bed. Again, we laughed and laughed and laughed and headed into town for sheets.
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| Today At The Beach |
We are now completely settled in our new home away from home for the next two weeks. Life is good.
Next time you should ask “the google” when your reservations start. Looks like a cool set up. First time I’ve seen the clam. Settle in and enjoy the brand new sheets.
ReplyDeleteNice looking campsite. Nice Clam too. This is the first time I’m seeing it. I hope you have a great two weeks there.
ReplyDeleteFor the benefit of newcomers, you might explain "the clam". Have fun for the next two weeks. Bill
ReplyDeleteFor any newcomers, "The Clam" is a 12x12 kithcen tent type tent except it has sides, not just screens. we use it as a lving room. We have lazy-boy type chairs, a tv and a heater inside. It is very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteLove your posts! Keep them coming, please. Glad the nice Ranger let you in! Enjoy your home for the next 2 weeks. 😊
ReplyDeleteGlad you are all set up at the campground. Enjoy your side trips. Snowing again in GB. How are the temps where you are?
ReplyDeleteYou will LOVE your campground and site. I was one I certainly enjoyed it. We expected to have TWO sheets on our queen size bed but discoved we only had one. That problem was corrected with just a phone call, thank goodness. Having them lower a tender and taking us to shore for a quick run to Walmart would have irritated a number of other travlers as they waited for our return. Enjoy your stay and PLEASE don't clam up! I enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness you two! Good thing the Lord has blessed you both with a good sense of humor and light hearts. Enjoy your new spot!
ReplyDeleteQuestion: On average...what percentage of the time on a long trip such as yours will you camp in the clam...and what percentage in a hotel...and what percentage in other accommodations (friends, VRBO’s, etc)? What do you recommend for peace-of-mind? Teri and I are living vicariously and thinking about a similar trip. Scratching our heads. Great stuff. Travel safely.
ReplyDeleteOk, we never actually camp in the clam. We watch TV and read in the clam at night. While the weather so far has been perfect, it is still dark by seven or so. We eat in the trailer and sleep very soundly in the trailer. Last year we went to hotels off and on. This year we we expect to camp for the month of February and we have other accommodations lined up for March and April.
DeleteDo you ever pull off in a ‘primitive’ spot, or stick to campgrounds.
ReplyDeleteWe’re seriously thinking about something like this. As I say, living vicariously. Check out “Simple Radio”
We don't try pirimitive campgrounds. ALso, camping in Florida in the winter is very much like getting camping reservations in Wisconsin during the summer months. If you want to get in, especially for a long stay, you need to reserve early.
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