This road trip was an attempt at being a snow bird. We didn’t succeed. It was colder down south than it was in North Carolina. But weather will be weather and we like Rv’ing no matter what we encounter. The Cougar is a 4-season RV and it kept us warm and dry with no problem.
Our first stop was Skidaway Island State Park located outside of Savannah. We spent a few days at Skidaway and thoroughly enjoyed the park. I would say that Georgia State Parks are some of the top parks in the country. We had a full hook up and were given both an old farts and veteran discount when we checked in. One of the true RV’ing bargains remaining in the country.
Skidaway Island State Park – Savannah GA
Campsite 03 Skidaway Island Savannah
After a few short days At Skidaway, we headed an hour and a half south to Crooked River State Park, also in Georgia. Crooked River is located just about on the Georgia and Florida border, in St. Marys. I like those short day drives. We have been to Crooked River before and like the location right off I-95. St. Mary’s is a nice little town and hosts a Navy Sub Base. While we were there, we made a trip across the border to Fort Clinch State Park to see the fort. We checked out the campground while we were there and it is a little rough.
Crooked River State Park – St Marys GA – site 33
Rainy day visit to Fort Clinch – don the rain gear
Well preserved Fort Clinch
Nerak’s motto – A little rain won’t stop me
Powder room
Whole lot of bricks to build this fort
Wonder if they actually ever hit anything
After the brief stop at Crooked River, we headed west across the Florida panhandle to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We weren’t able to get a reservation at the state park, so we stayed at Island Retreat RV Park. It was okay, just a mecca for snow birders from the north avoiding winter. Most everyone there were long term RV’ers. We did a ton of ebike riding and the trails around Gulf Shores were first rate. Island Retreat was a great location for accessing the trails and riding bikes. We found time to make a visit to Fort Morgan during our visit.
Island Retreat RV Park – Gulf Shores AL – home for a week
12 mile bike ride around Gulf Shores State Park AL
Didn’t stay there, but road the trails – Gulf Shore State Park
Drove up the peninsula to Fort Morgan to visit the fort
Fort Morgan visit
Inside Fort Morgan – visit to the museum helps tell the story
Gulf Shores and just about the entire northern gulf coast were preparing for a winter snow storm, which according to the local news, they haven’t experienced for about 10 years. We left Gulf Shores a day early and headed to our next stop to beat the expected snow. Our next stop was to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. This is a really nice state park and RV campground. Love the full hook ups. Our favorite Florida State Park is Henderson Beach over in Destin, but it is still closed while the campground is being upgraded to full hook ups. After that is complete, I imagine that will be a tough reservation to get.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park FL
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL – Campground Loop 101 Site 41
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL – Cold January
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL Riding the RAD
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL – Site 41 – Ram and Cougar snowed in
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL – That is snow on the beach boardwalk
Topsail Hill Preserve SP FL – Half Sand and Half Snow on the Gulf Coast
We are heading home and we have a brief two day stopover at Crooked Creek. Our next road trip will be out to the Pacific Northwest in June and that will be our last two states needed to complete our goal of camping in all of the lower 48 states.