Yahoo Message Number: 20169 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20169)
We are going to the Daytona Beach area for the Nascar race in February. This is our first trip to Florida and we would like to get some suggestions as to where to stay. We will be traveling down toward the Keys and would welcome any info and what to look for by way of road conditions/restrictions.
Yahoo Message Number: 20172 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20172)
Not sure how far down the Keys you will be going, but it is critical that you fuel up, etc, before hitting the two lane. We went there this summer, and there was no place to stop or turn around (that we saw) all the way to MM 14 (Bluewater Key RV). We were given this advice by a neighbor, so we did OK.
Traffic was not bad, but plan on about 40 mph average (in the Keys).
As far as the Florida mainland, there are RV parks all over the will handle big rigs, but this is the season where lot owners are sitting on their lots, not renting them out, so this tightens up the supply somewhat. I would sure get ressies up front.
John and Terry
2005 Affinity
toward
Yahoo Message Number: 20173 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20173)
There are actually several places to fuel on the way to Key West, through the upper, middle and lower Keys. You just have to look out for them. There is a great access station in Tavernier on the southbound side, 2 in Key Largo at 100/101 on the northbound side, 2 in Islamorada, 2 in Marathon, at least 4 between there and Key West, including one southbound a couple miles south of Bluewater Resort., and at Dion's Quickstop on Flagler Ave in Key West. There are actually at least twice that many, i'm just stating what I have been to personally.
Jim CC10996
Yahoo Message Number: 20178 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20178)
If you are going to Key West be ready for high prices, paradise is not cheap this time of year and reservations are a must. We are going to the KOA on Sugarloaf Key, MM 17 right after the CCI rally in Ft Myers (we go there every year) the fee this year with 50 Amps, is $90 per night with KOA discount and the sites are lousy. But the campground is very nice with a tropical beach, marina, pool, hot tube, restaurant and outdoor island bar. Every CG on the Keys is expensive and it is not an easy drive, There are places to turn around but diesel is not easy to buy once you hit the Keys.
Blue Water is also a nice resort but dull and it does not have the island feel of the KOA. Don't miss sunset down at the water front in Key West, but get there early so you don't miss all the crazies that come out to entertain before the sun goes down. Once the sun drops they all go back to the bars on Duval St or go home and count their money. Come with an open mind, this can be a strange but wonderful place.
Bill G. 2005 Magna #6425
Yahoo Message Number: 20181 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20181)
I agree about Bluewater being kinda dull. These lots are owned by folks who rent them out when they are not around. We were in lot 81 ... tiki hut with wet bar, etc. Not your tradional campground, but a cool place to hang out in the winter I guess. Some hurricane damage also, which gave the place kind of a ragged look.
We thought about the KOA, but wondered about ease of accesss. Do you fit ok, and have any room once settled ????
We must have blown by the roomy diesel stops ... didn't see any that looked like I wanted to pull in towing our truck. Good to know where they are in case we go back. Filling up before hit the two lane elinates the hassle anyway.
We did not really enjoy the drive down as much as we expected. Both sides of the road solid commercial property. Seven mile brige was cool. Coming back, we beat the gas tanker fire by about 4 hours.
John and Terry
2005 Affinity
Yahoo Message Number: 20182 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20182)
That KOA didn't look so good when I went by a couple weeks back... then again Blue Water didn't either... must be the 10 foot high stacks of fridge's, washing machines and dryers stacked along the road side EVERYWHERE... KW downtown cleaned up pretty quick though. you'd hardly know a storm came through, KW residents worked VERY hard on the cleanup and it shows...
Jim 10996
Yahoo Message Number: 20201 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/20201)
John,
You can fit in certain sites at the KOA but a 45 footer with 4 slides will be tight, but everything is tight on the Keys. You don't go to the KOA for the campsites and you need to get off the main road to enjoy the place. You go there because it is the warmest place in the US in January. There is a limited amount of space and everyone wants to be there. Don't know what it will be like after the hurricane but we were in Key West last month on a cruise ship and the sunsets were still beautiful. It's not that far so thats where we will head after CCI.
Bill G. 2005 Magna #6425