fchammer1: The poster who mention spring being in the valley happens to love it here and is able to make lemonaide out of lemons.
For those who want an honest evaluation of the valley. The winds can be fierce, Sun and Mon were the worst. Generally the winds are not gusting 55 mph but they were the last two days. Our awning has been out and tied down since Nov 23 and there is no damage to it.
The valley is not pretty. It is dry and dusty like the desert. Alot of poverty and trashy areas.
But it is also a very interesting area with alot to do. The people we have met here are why we will be returning. The temps are relatively mild here but maybe not as perfect as Florida.
Sorry FChammer1 that you couldn't find something to enjoy here but I sure haven't ready anything about 106 Florida or Arizona Rv.net members having a get together like we had.
Paul and Karen
New to us 93 Pace Arrow
01 Tracker Toad
Quote: But it is also a very interesting area with alot to do....
That's why I RV, everyplace has it's own unique ambiance (or not ) And when it doesn't meet our needs, we can move on.
I'm sorry your experience in FL was not a fond one DiverGary. I hate that your experience would reflect on the whole State. There are some really nice RV Parks, both State, Federal and private in FL. You just may not have seen them.
This is my personal observations: The Snowbirds in Florida are to busy enjoying the out doors and weather. The RGV winter Texans has a lot more time to post on this board because they are confined to the indoors because of the weather and wind.
Ok, this is confusing.....DiverGary.....wrote both of these. The first is on this forum and the second is from his website.
HUH ????
Quote: This has been our first winter in Florida, we will not be back, dirty,crime, weather is not very good, some of the most run down camp grounds we have ever been to, the words RV Resort are used way to loosely. I am sure all the Florida lovers will flame me, but oh well. We full time and have a choice where we want to stay, so we tried Fl. and learn it is not for us. I guess the first sign Florida was not for us should have been the one we saw at Welcome Center, "Armed Guards on Duty after Dark".
Quote: Theme World RV Resort at 2727 Frontage Road, Davenport, FL. will be our location until about mid March 2008. Cheryl and I had planned on only staying here for one month, but we are not ready to leave yet and why should we. This RV Park is in a great location, close to all of the central Florida attractions, and about an hour from Space Coast or Daytona. This is one of the best RV parks we have had the pleasure of staying at. It's run by a great staff (Andrea, Mary, Aly, Sam, Charlie, and Paul). We had no reservation to stay here for the busy holiday season, and Mary welcomed us with open arms and gave us our choice of the remaining sites with 50 amp full hook ups. We are in site #35, stop in and say hello!
This resort also offers many activities, including movie night, taco night, hamburger and hot dog night, pizza night, pot luck dinners, pancake breakfast, blood drive, stamping classes, poker, bingo night, swap meet, make a brick, and lots of other events. You can even get your hair cut, right here in the resort. Oh almost forgot, there are also scrap booking classes from beginner to advanced. All this gives everyone the opportunity to get to know their neighbors and guests of the park. This park is what we think the RV lifestyle is about.
Please give them a call or visit their web site. Spend the holidays, the fine Florida winter, or stay as long as you like. Theme World RV Resort (863) 424-8362 www.themeworldrvresort.com They will definitely make you feel welcome!
DiverGary might be right on both accounts. We've stayed at Theme World in Davenport. It is a nice park, conveniently located, and worth visiting -- as is the area around it. Lots to do; lots to see. Great people, and good food.
The central interior of Florida along some of the secondary roads does have some smaller parks with little to offer except low prices (Ever wonder why?) Perhaps DiverGary spent some time in one or more of these places. (Easy to do if you are a first-timer.)
And some parks around Miami or even Homestead can be areas of which to be wary. Re: My friend who was hit a stray bullet at Miami/Everglades CG, or the high stockade fence around the CG in Florida City to prevent property "walking away."
Our experiences with Florida date back to 1985 as visitors and 1990 as RVers. We took three months this winter to investigate the RGV. Since we do not return to central PA until May 15, we will salvage what we can of this season by leaving the "valley" and heading to Florida.
I, and others, recognize that no one place will suit everybody. This is fine and the plethora of information is welcome, but it should be presented honestly. Of course include the benefits of any place; but also, in fairness to those who have never been there, also give the downside.
That is what I have tried to do when reporting on my experiences in the RGV.
fchammer1 wrote: DiverGary might be right on both accounts...
Fred, you are way too charitable. DiverGary's post was an across the board indictment of FL camping, FL campgrounds, FL weather and FL crime. I didn't see anything in the post to indicate any qualifiers like "some", "many" or even "most".
One of the things we've noted as "visiting Snowbirds" is a Winter Texan tendency to adopt the native Texans' propensity of exaggeration -- especially when promoting the weather in the valley. The very day that one poster mentioned flowers starting to bloom, birds chirping, fragrant blossoms, and butterflies is the very same day that a 55 mph wind tore the slide awning from the side of my motorhome. The wind died down two days later.
You must be in a lot windier location then we are. The weekend was very windy but then a cold front was battling a warm front.
We have been here (Mission) since early Nov. & I would say we had maybe 5 or 6 days all winter that the wind was so strong that I would say it was uncomfortable.
And yes the Flowers are still blooming, the Birds singing & the Butterflies flying.
Avan -- Read DiverGary's entry again. He did say "some" and I did give him the benefit of the doubt because [1] he is an admitted first-timer, and [2] he didn't specify which areas had "some of the most run-down parks..." There are places in Florida to which I won't return also.
Pawatt -- you are a delightful optimist. The world needs more! But what you are calling "breezy" and "comfortable" are quite subjective words in this instance. While we agree that 55 mph is extreme, we differ on the pleasantness of the "20-30 mph" and 15-25 mph wind forecasts (from this hour's weather report). In Florida, that's a call to put the awning in.
But then, in Florida, we don't have to use three to five support ribs, and 18 to 22 tie-downs and anchors.
Why do these post have to turn into a Pi$$ing match. The original post ask to hear from folk that spent the winter in Florida. Next thing you know we have a mud slinging match.
Any time I see some one that makes blanket post like divergary I totally discount any thing they have to say. to judge a whole state by a limited experince is just plain DUMB!
Ben & Jean
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) And when it doesn't meet our needs, we can move on.
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