Tag Archives: RV Florida

What To Do While You’re In The Florida Keys

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in Travel Destinations

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One of the very best places to take an RV during the winter season? Warm and sunny Florida, of course! Of all the destinations in Florida, I have to say that the Florida Keys is one of my absolute favorites. This place offers sunshine and a vacation atmosphere even in the middle of January, making it the ideal winter haven.

On top of the amazing weather, this part of the Sunshine State also offers a whole host of amazing activities and attractions. Wondering what to do in the Florida Keys? I’m going to use this article to tell you some of my very favorite spots on these magical islands.

Bahia Honda State Park

Easily one of the best state parks in Florida (and there are several amazing ones), Bahia Honda State Park is an excellent place for playing in the ocean and checking out Sealife. We loved walking on the old bridge to get a good view of the sunset and listening to people play the conch shells to say goodbye to the day.

Curry Hammock State Park

Another amazing state park, Curry Hammock State Park is the place to go for amazing paddling. We absolutely adored the tunnel paddling trail, which took us through a mangrove tunnel. Of course, watching little critters swim through the crystal clear waters on the beach was also pretty fantastic.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

If you have a snorkel enthusiast in your group, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the northern part of the Keys is a must-do. There’s a shipwreck right off of the beach that you can easily swim to. The snorkeling around the shipwreck is pretty incredible, and you’ll almost definitely spot several kinds of fish and other creatures.

History of Diving Museum

Speaking of snorkeling, another must-see for the snorkelers and divers out there is the History of Diving Museum. This is a small, niche museum that does an excellent job of explaining the entire history of diving. You’ll see incredible old diving helmets and machines and learn some amazing facts about diving that you are sure to carry with you for years to come.

Little Conch Island

There are several teeny tiny islands just off the coast of the larger islands. During low tide, it’s possible to actually walk to some of these itty bitty islands—no boat necessary. Our favorite is Little Conch Island.

We leave from the beach at Sunshine Key RV Resort (you must be staying in the resort to use this beach) and literally take a stroll to another island. On Little Conch Island you can see large conches and hundreds of tiny crabs, as well as iguanas.

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

One of our favorite places to eat in the Keys, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar is more than just a typical restaurant and bar. This place has a large heated pool with an awesome view of the ocean. It’s also situated in the ideal spot to watch the sunset over the water. Both the pool and the sunset views are free with your meal, and the happy hour deals that the restaurant offers make it relatively affordable.

Southernmost Point of the US

No visit to the Keys is complete without a visit to Key West, and no visit to Key West is complete without a visit to the Southernmost Point of the US. This really isn’t anything more than a fun photo op, but I do recommend doing it at least once.

Truman Waterfront Park

This one might seem silly, but our kids absolutely love the Truman Waterfront Park. This park is home to an awesome playground that really is pretty unique. It also has a lovely splash pad that is perfect on a hot day. The park is totally free, as is the nearby Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Doing both makes for an excellent budget-friendly day.

Mallory Square

Admittedly, we’ve never actually made it to Mallory Square as a family. That said, my son visited there with my mom, and both parties agreed it was fantastic. At sunset, the square is alive with all kinds of performers, and the sunset from the dock is fantastic. This place is also within walking distance of Truman Waterfront Park, so one could easily add it to their budget-friendly Key West day.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Also in Key West, We loved Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and found it was an excellent addition to our roadschooling adventures. We learned all about the history of the fort and explored the ruins. We also spotted several large iguanas and had a wonderful time playing at the beach and watching the cruise ships leave at the end of the day.

Yes, the Keys are a long way south, but these islands are 100% worth the drive. We have a blast every single time we make our way down there and we know you will too!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

Coach-Net Camping: The Gregory’s Head To Disney

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in We Love It. We Live It.

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Where’s the best place to celebrate the 4th of July? According to our Vice President of Sales, Kim Gregory, it’s in your RV camping at The Most Magical Place on Earth. This summer Kim and her husband Jake loaded up their 5 kids, along with the family dog Willie, and hit the road for a 9 day road trip from Dallas to Orlando.

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was home for Kim’s family for 5 incredible nights and they loved every second of it. The triplets especially enjoyed riding around in the golf-cart catching a cool breeze as they toured around the resort. Kim and her family spent their first day setting up their temporary home, enjoying the amazing amenities at Fort Wilderness Resort, playing corn-hole, and of course grilling some amazing food. The next day they began their assault on the parks beginning with Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Everyone had a great time seeing all the wild animals on Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. I think the only thing the kids enjoyed more that day were the snacks. But who can blame them? Snacks are life.

The second day The Gregory Crew traveled the world at Epcot followed by a wild and wet third day at Blizzard Beach. Disney World is a truly magical place, but Florida was scorching hot so they were all relieved to spend an entire day cooling down at the water park. The triplets gave it 5 stars. They loved the cool water slides, the wave pool, and the yummy ice cream. Kim and her family saved the best for last by spending their final day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. And they made sure to not miss a thing. Everyone loved the rush of Big Thunder Mountain, they were dizzy with joy spinning around in giant teacups at the Mad Tea Party, and they all squealed with delight as they plummeted down Splash Mountain.

Every day after spending all morning at the parks Kim and her family were able to spend their afternoons relaxing at the pet-friendly campsite and cooling off in the resort pool. It was the perfect way to recover from the crowds and spend quality time together. They played games, cooked dinner together, and of course chowed down on warm, gooey smores.

All 7 (plus Willie) lived in the Entegra for 9 days. They traveled through 5 states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. They spent 4 and ½ days driving for a total of 35 hours and over 2,500 miles. All to spend 5 nights camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and 4 days at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Blizzard Beach. And that all added up to countless memories that their family will cherish for years. Disney World is known as The Most Magical Place On Earth, but being able to camp in their RV definitely made it even more magical for The Gregorys.

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Coach-Net Florida Holiday Trip

06 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in RV Information, We Love It. We Live It.

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Coach-Net Holiday Trip

At Coach-Net, we have a passion for helping other RVers as we are RVers ourselves. Leonard, one of our RV-certified technicians, has been with Coach-Net for 6 years but has been RVing for over 30 years. He owns a 2013 Forest River Wildwood, a 33-ft tow behind travel trailer. Leonard does not miss an opportunity to go camping and recently celebrated new years in Florida. Here’s a look into his trip!

1. Where did you go?

While visiting family in south Florida over the holidays, we celebrated bringing in the new year by camping in my dad’s 1999 Beaver Monticello (40″ diesel pusher) at the Everglades Isle Motorcoach Resort.  It’s located right in the middle of Everglade City, Florida along the Barron River.  We learned that the river was named after the famous real estate developer, Barron Collier, who established the town.  Everglade City is also known as the “Stone Crab Capital” of the world.  Boy, are they delicious to eat!  Experiencing the unique scenery, and discovering the history of the area are a couple of our favorite things to do wherever we are RVing.  There is always something new to see, to do, and to eat!

  1. How long was your trip?

RV Resort - FloridaWe spent 3 nights, 4 days with family and friends enjoying the resort’s amenities, as well as, exploring the historical surroundings, boating around the 10,000 Islands, watching the airboat tours taking people out to see the alligators, and soaking in the vibrant sunsets. As usual, we packed as much as we could to get the most out of each day.

  1. Was this your 1st time RVing?

No, but this was our 1st time RVing in just my dad’s rig, which made it extra special. We have been camping for over 30 years with our own kids and friends, enjoying many different types of campers and places.  Also, it was our 1st time staying in an exclusive “motorcoach” retreat. Being a master Certified Tech at Coach-Net, it was interesting to walk around comparing all the eclectic styles and features of so many of the RV’s we take calls on.

  1. What’s the fondest memory of your trip?

Our fondest memories of this trip were made celebrating New Year’s Eve at the resort.   We enjoyed a nice Prime Rib dinner and entertainment in the clubhouse, followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the water.  It was a wonderful way to ring in a new decade with exciting “cheers” to making many more memories together RVing.

  1. Did you find anything challenging about your RV trip?

Actually, while we were there the refrigerator supply line starting leaking.  My dad and I found that the compression fitting was the issue and had to replace it.  A quick trip to the hardware store and our problem was resolved.  Another reason RVing is so beneficial to me and my skills.  There are learning opportunities for every trip!

  1. Would you go again?

Leonard & FriendsWe are always up for another RVing adventure, whether it be in an RV Resort, State Park, or Campground. There are so many beautiful places left to be seen on our traveling bucket list.

  1. Where would you like to go next?

We would like to take a short camping trip out to see the Buffalo again in Caprock Canyon State Park.  We were there several years ago when the herd was just being established.  Our next long adventure will take us out to the Southwest desert area.  Visiting Lake Havasu City, Arizona to see the town where Coach-Net started would definitely on our list of things to do.

  1. Why do you love RVing?

My family and I love RVing for the many opportunities it gives us to explore new places, make lasting memories, meet new friends, and enjoy a relaxing lifestyle as we travel.  Cheers to safe travels

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Evangeline J. ~ “My husband and I have used your services a number of times over the past 15 years and we are always very pleased with the knowledge displayed by the technicians, both on the phone and in-person when their presence was needed!”

Tips for Visiting Disney World in an RV

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Holidays in your RV, Travel Destinations

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Disney

When you live in an RV, you may choose to avoid the cold and head south for the winter. For this reason, Florida becomes a huge haven for RVers during the colder months. Sunshine, beaches, friends, and fun are around every corner in this fabulous southern state, and we highly recommend visiting this winter season.

Of course, if you’re in Florida, a visit to Disney World is in order. However, a successful visit to Disney World requires quite a bit of planning. This is just as true for RVers as it is for anyone else, and having a few tips before you dive in is definitely helpful.

Below are some of our top tips for visiting Disney World in your RV.

Time It Right

As mentioned before, winter is a great time to be in Florida. However, when planning a trip to Disney, you have more than just the temperature to consider. You’ll also want to think about when the park is likely to be busy and when hurricanes might make a showing.

In order to avoid both hurricane season and busy season, we recommend planning your RV Disney trip in mid- to late-January, or anytime in February besides Presidents’ Day weekend.

Choose Your Campground Well

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Because the weather is almost always hot during the day in Florida, having air conditioning is super nice. Therefore, we highly recommend booking a campground with electric hookups. Additionally, it’s good to be as close to the parks as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of nearby campgrounds to choose from.

Want to have an especially magical experience? We highly recommend staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground if at all possible. This is a luxury campground unlike any other, and the free transportation to and from the parks makes your trip much more relaxing.

Stock Up Your Fridge

Food in Disney World is expensive. Luckily, Disney does allow outside food and drink to be brought into the parks, and since you’ll be toting your entire kitchen with you, you can take full advantage of this fact by eating breakfast at home and packing lunches to save money. Just be sure to stock up the fridge before you arrive, because you aren’t going to want to stop the Disney fun for grocery shopping.

Get a Golf Cart

Golf Cart

 

 

 

 

 

If you do end up staying in Fort Wilderness, you will definitely want to budget for a golf cart rental. This campground is enormous, and while there is free bus transportation available within the campground, it’s much easier to hop in your golf cart and drive from point A to point B.

Store Food Indoors

Florida has no shortage of wildlife. For this reason, it’s important that all food is stored indoors. Sure, you might be camping, and yes, this does mean cookouts and picnics. However, food left out on your campsite is just asking for a visit from a gator or some other Florida creature.

Shade Your Rig

We mentioned earlier that Florida is hot. Obviously, the air conditioner helps, but even in winter the hottest days can be too much for the A/C to keep up with. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to park under a shade tree and pull out your awning once you arrive.

Know the Parking Rates

Finally, if you plan to visit a park for just a day and wish to drive the rig into a Disney World parking lot, knowing the parking rates is important. You see, Disney parking is super expensive even for small cars at $25 per vehicle per day. As you might expect, RV parking is even more expensive, and RV owners can expect to pay $30 a day to park in the theme park lots.

These are our best RV-specific tips for visiting to Disney World. That said, there is much more to learn about Disney World, and everything you learn can help make your trip a little more magical. Therefore, seeking out more info and doing as much planning as possible is definitely a good idea.

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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Robert E. ~ “I called in pretty late and didn’t think I’d get assistance with my slide out. I spoke with Mary and she helped me solve the problem I was having. She was real knowledgeable and walked me through a few steps and had my slide out going back in. Thanks for the help at a crazy hour!”

The Best-Kept Secret Swimming Holes of Central Florida

30 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by in The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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swimming-holes-of-central-floridaCentral Florida is home to much more than just theme parks. It’s also where Floridians find refreshment on hot days and warm nights. Take a day off from Mickey Mouse and friends and get ready to soak up the sun (and the water) in one of the many hidden swimming holes in Central Florida.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

A reminder of what Florida used to look like when it was inhabited by the Timucua Indians, Wekiwa Springs State Park will be the first stop on your wet and wild adventure. Along with a beautiful cold spring to swim in, the park offers 13 miles of hiking trails as well as opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The swimming spring is only five feet deep, making it a great and safe spot for the whole family to take a dip. Make sure to arrive early, as the parking lot fills up quickly.wekiwa springs state park

Kelly Park Rock Springs

With a year-round temperature of 68°F, Kelly Park Rock Springs is a wonderful place to cool down on a hot day. Because the park’s creek flows freely and swiftly, one of the most popular activities among visitors is tubing. A float down the “lazy river” takes about 30 minutes to complete. The park also hosts an ever-popular Cardboard Canoe Regatta, normally held in the fall. Build your boat and sign up!

kelly park rock springs

De Leon Springs State Park

With more than 625 acres of fun, De Leon Springs State Park is ideal for travelers with varied interests. The spring remains at 72°F year round and produces 19 million gallons of water per day. That’s a whole lotta agua! The swimming area is handicap accessible and offers both scuba and snorkeling opportunities, and the park rents out kayaks, and canoes. Make sure to check out the nearby Sugar Mill Restaurant where you can cook your own pancakes right at the table. Sounds divine, doesn’t it?

de leon springs state park

Ocala National Forest

The southernmost woodland in the United States, Ocala National Forest is a wonderful place to explore the beauty of nature. The park has an impressive number of crystal-clear springs, ponds, lakes and springs (more than 600, actually) which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The park also hosts a 66-mile stretch of the Florida Scenic Trail as well as a variety of bike and horse-friendly trails. In December, Ocala is one of the few places you can go to cut down your own Christmas tree.

ocala national forest

Rainbow Spring State Park

There’s evidence that people have been using this spring for more than 10,000 years—and you, too, can make history at Rainbow Spring State Park. Featuring the fourth-largest spring in Florida, this park is a popular site for canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and of course, swimming. In all, the park’s spring pumps 500 million gallons of water per day! Helpful tip: Make sure to arrive when the park opens at 8 a.m. Once it’s at capacity, which typically happens by 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays, all other visitors will be turned away. Also, tubing is only available on the weekends.

rainbow spring state park

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

With swamps, pines, and springs, Rock Springs Run State Reserve is your next stop. The park has 17 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding trails, as well as designated hunting areas. The park (along with 74 other Florida state parks) offers a geocaching program for those looking to go on a high-tech treasure hunt. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife within the park, such as the Florida black bear and the sandhill crane.

rock springs run state reserve

Yellow Dog Eats

Named for a painting of a yellow dog owned by Chef Fish Morgan, Yellow Dog Eats is a perfect place to refuel during your trip. All of the delicious meals—which feature creative titles such as “What the Fig?” and “Are You Chicken?”—are made from scratch, and the ingredients are locally grown. They even have a menu for the “pups” (kids)!

yellow dog eats

Lake Louisa State Park

Next up on your journey is the peaceful Lake Louisa State Park—a wonderful escape right outside of Orlando. The park, which lies within the Green Swamp, features a variety of lakes for your swimming pleasure and is a great place to spot bald eagles. It also has quiet campsites and cabins. Make sure to watch the sunset over the lake—it’s a photo op that cannot be missed!

lake louisa state park

Bok Tower Gardens

Also known as the “Singing Tower,” Bok Tower Gardens is a jaw-droppingly beautiful attraction. An ornate, pink 205-foot tower (which houses a museum) dominates the skyline at this garden, and there are many paths on which you can explore Florida’s diverse flora and fauna. Don’t forget your bug spray so you can explore the area in peace.

bok tower gardens

Tropical Palms Resort & Campground

What trip to Florida would be complete without a stop to visit America’s favorite animated mouse? Tropical Palms Resort & Campground, located two miles away from Walt Disney World, is the perfect place to park your camper and head on over to sing “It’s A Small World” with all of the beloved Disney characters.With more swimming holes than you can shake a stick at, central Florida is the perfect setting for a great time. Bask in the great weather, lush greenery, cool and fresh spring water, and vacation vibes as you explore the heart of the state. What are you waiting for? Dive on in!

tropical palms resort and campground
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