We have arrived in the Sunshine State to spend the winter months!! I have thought of escaping the cold northern winter climate for years and now it is actually happening! After many years of planning and living through the challenging and stressful work life, the retirement life in an RV has been more than we could have wished for.
On November 1st, we packed up, unplugged the hook ups, and cruised from Ocean Springs MS through the state of Alabama and on into Florida. We left at 9:30 am and arrived at our campground at 2:30 pm after stopping for lunch and a couple of other rest stops.
Pat reminded me about the trivia concerning the classic southern rock song Sweet Home Alabama (LINK) done by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It seems that it was written as a response to two songs by Neil Young from that era that put all the south in a negative light. Interesting story.
The drive was about 190 miles and was into some cross winds making driving only slightly difficult. The big dually F-350 really shines in those conditions. Very little sway at all. The MPG did drop to 10.0 vs. 10.5 on average. We did get into some traffic in the Destin FL area on Hwy 98.
Our campground is located in the Miramar Beach area, but has a Destin FL address. The park is called the Geronimo RV Resort (LINK). It is one of the nicer parks where we have stayed. While it does not have many amenities, it does have location. Just two easy walking blocks to the Gulf of Mexico.
The RV park is extremely clean, has new rye grass, level concrete parking pads, a laundry, and super clean restrooms/showers.
On our first day here we walked on the beach twice. Another goal of ours. The beaches here are beautiful with a very caribbean feel due to the powdery white sand and the emerald colored water. Beautiful.
Phantom Boat
We discovered a decent sized sailboat while walking on the beach. Just a couple hundred yards from our beach access. It was beached up high on the sand. After some more investigating, we found out it was caught out sailing as Hurricane Nate approached a few weeks ago. The boat captain radioed for help and when rescued he abandoned it only to get a call about his boat safely marooned on the beach some weeks later. You can read more about it HERE.
The next day we ventured about 10 miles west to visit the Destin Harborwalk. This is a cool boardwalk section that harbors all the fishing charters, boat tours, and a plethora of shops and restaurants/bars. Since November is their slow month, we strolled on a Thursday with very small crowds. Love it. The Margaritaville was completely empty. Another advantage of being retired and selecting the month to visit. And a Thursday afternoon.
We are thoroughly enjoying our stay here. The weather is perfect, the people friendly, and we are starting to get into some more of our hobbies. Our routine has been to stay in each area for a week. That gives us time to really explore and know the locale. It also gives the driver a good week off from the moving day chores.
By staying for an entire month, we can do our exploring along with taking some time each day for some old and new hobbies. We are now into about 6 episodes of Stranger Things Season 2. It keeps you coming back.
Take care and God Bless.
Keep having fun!!
Thanks Dan & Merlene! We’re missing our Abbeville friends.
Glad you had a safe move to Florida. Interesting story about the Phantom? The captain was lucky to get his boat back after the storm.
Yes, the Phantom boat was some story and it’s not finished yet. There is now some issue between the owner, haul out contractor, and insurance. So the boat remains as an attraction on the beach!
I am excited that you found your way to your winter home state. Hope you enjoy the more relaxed schedule. Enjoy!!
Thanks Robert! It is a more relaxed schedule for sure. We’ll need to keep finding more interesting things to do.
We so enjoy your retirement blog Randy! You guys are in my favorite place outside of the summer months. I could read a pile of books there every week.
I can easily see why this area is your favorite place and I’ve almost finished my book! We are going to pick up some inexpensive beach chairs and an umbrella. Then plant them in the edge of the surf!
Enjoy weather. Missed you when you traveled through Mississippi. We were thinking maybe we could see you, but we were in Fripp Island, SC, vacationing with our son Quincey. Next time you get close to Nesbit, MS, maybe we will visit.
Hey Barry! Great to hear from you. We definitely must visit the next time through and catch up on the last 25 years. Take care.
You don’t like snow?! What?? We all thought you did. 🙂
I can still remember in my interviews at Blacksburg that the winters are mild and hardly any snow. That was just before the Blizzard of ’96 about a month after joining the team! Three feet of snow with 6-8 foot drifts. I hope for another mild winter for you. 😉
Randy & Pat, you’re living the dream; and better yet, sharing it with all of us! Keep on keeping on. Thanks! David
Thanks David and great hearing from you. Hope all is going well back at F-M. We will be back in the NRV sometime in the spring and will need to schedule a Board Meeting. Take care.