Trip #2 Thanksgiving Break

[K1050]

We have vacation this week and we will be going to 3 different campgrounds. I know I enjoy seeing everyone's photos so I though I'd post mine as we go along.
We are still in the learning curve and will be adjusting things for each trip. Hopefully, by the third campground this week we will have our act together.

Things I have learned from trip #2:
1)Try not to arrive at the campground when it is dark. We still are learning how to back it in.
2) Pushing the camper into place does not always work when the ground is sand.

These are photos from this weekend at Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Fort De Soto Park

[K1050]

You can launch kayaks from the beach at the campground. We went to the numbered trail which was just down the street closer to the fort. You can rent there too if you don't bring your own.

http://www.unitedparkservices.com/kayak.html

[K1050]

Many of the sites are waterfront. We also visited friends in the dog area of the campground and it was quieter than I expected.

[KristenDavid208]

Check out our travel blog - www.YYTravelAdventures.com. We review each campground and have a kayaking section.

[Terier]

Nice campsite photos. Arriving after dark has it challenges for sure.

[craigj]

that looks like real fun ,i love the water,were is that at ,thanks

[cleancut39]

Fort De Soto is so nice! Its a great place to go for pet lovers as it has its own doggy beach. Me and the wife just love it. Great pictures.......looks like you had a lot of fun.

[K1050]

We are on trip number two on our vacation. Backing in was in the day time and much easier. We are at Yellow Jacket RV Resort for three nights. Lessons learned on this trip:
1) The propane cover can come off your camper when driving on the highway.
2) The tent can be completely put on inside out.

[K1050]

This is my new try for storage. The purple organizer is for our electronics. Found it at Big Lots for under $10. The storage bins hold the dry food and breads. These were from Target.

[Tinsu]

Great reports and pictures. Really enjoy them.

[K1050]

The boat launch from the campground this morning. http://www.yellowjacketrvresort.com/

[loganmartin]

Looks like paradise!

LM

[K1050]

Our final campground was Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park.
Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park

Some of the sites are not level and on hills so it's a good idea to look around before you pick your spot. If you need the bathrooms, ask for a location near them or you could be walking quite a distance.

[K1050]

If you are in the area, stop by Three Sister's Springs. We rented 1 kayak from
CRYSTAL RIVER KAYAK RENTALS FLORIDA, KAYAK SALES, NEW AND USED, KAYAK TOURS AND CANOE TRIPS.

They didn't charge us to put in our other two kayaks here. It was a 10 minute paddle to the springs. You can snorkel or kayak, however the snorkelers seemed to have a hard time in the cold water even with wet suits.

[ahoman]

Hi K1050, nice pics - thanks. What are those things lurking in the water ?
Also, I'm looking at getting the same/similar A van,
what vehicle are you towing with and do you find it handles the rig ok. ? Do you need sway bars
cheers
Antone, Sydney

[handbuilder]

That looks like manatees in the water! How awesome was that to be so close to them?

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by K1050

If you are in the area, stop by Three Sister's Springs. We rented 1 kayak from
CRYSTAL RIVER KAYAK RENTALS FLORIDA, KAYAK SALES, NEW AND USED, KAYAK TOURS AND CANOE TRIPS.

They didn't charge us to put in our other two kayaks here. It was a 10 minute paddle to the springs. You can snorkel or kayak, however the snorkelers seemed to have a hard time in the cold water even with wet suits.

We lived North of Tampa back in 2000, did the snorkel gig during the winter on the coldest day and swam with so many Sea Cows...it was awesome, great pics!

[K1050]

Originally Posted by ahoman

Hi K1050, nice pics - thanks. What are those things lurking in the water ?
Also, I'm looking at getting the same/similar A van,
what vehicle are you towing with and do you find it handles the rig ok. ? Do you need sway bars
cheers
Antone, Sydney

Hi,
These are manatees that gather in the springs during the Winter. I have a 2012 Toyota Highlander that I purchased with the tow package. We have not had any problems so far and I did not need the sway bars. If I were to do it again, I would have purchased a pick up for towing. I have found that just getting in and out of camping spaces have put small scratches on the side of my car from bushes that are near by.

[K1050]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

That looks like manatees in the water! How awesome was that to be so close to them?

Hi Handbuilder,
This was my first time here and I'm a native Floridian! Must have been 25 or so in the area we were in. They mostly sit on the bottom and come up every 20 minutes or so for air. The spring water was crystal clear.

[gregory]

Nice vacation thread! Thanks for all the neat pics especially of the kayak and manatees. Your kayak affords you a nice vantage point for taking pics of the gentle giants through such clear water.

Co-incidentally, did you read (or hear) the news report just the other day about a person who swam/rode on a manatee and got in a bunch of trouble? Manatees are justifiably protected because they are an endangered species. Apparently that person just plain didn't know any better and faces a huge fine and possible jail time.

"Tread lightly upon this earth."

Deb