David Sipher's World: Spring Trip 2016: Starke, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama

Wednesday, 4/20: 195 miles and camped at the KOA in Starke, FL

Site 28, Starke KOA

We packed up and left Skidaway State Park about 10:00 AM. The GPS mapping programs had us taking Interstate 95 most of the way, but after dealing with I-95 traffic a couple days ago, we decided to take some less traveled routes. We ended up traveling Routes 17, 84, and 301. It was an excellent choice. The roads were smooth and had very little traffic. The weather was phenomenal with sunshine and an 82 temperature. Today was also Judy's birthday, so we celebrated with grilling fillet mignon steaks for dinner. It was a very peaceful and relaxing day.

Thursday, 4/21: Starke, FL

Today was a duplicate of yesterday, sunny and 82. This morning Judy and I drove to nearby Middleburg to visit Charmaine and Mark Gable. Charmaine is a retired teacher who taught with me at Potsdam High School years ago. Even though they moved to Florida, Charmaine and Mark have remained close friends. We even brought some local maple syrup for a gift. We had a great time chatting and catching up. The four of us drove out to a favorite spot of theirs on the St. John's River. Later Judy and I went back to the camper to walk the dogs. Then Susie and Al joined us and we all met at a local BBQ joint in Middleburg for dinner. We bid farewell to Charmaine and Mark, and promised to return again with more maple syrup. :-)

Friday, 4/22: 370 miles, camped at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Stae Park: Site 448

We had a long drive today, so we were on the road about 8:00. The drive was uneventful, although we did drive through a couple brief spells of very heavy rain. Glad the whole trip wasn't heavy rain. It was hot, sunny and very humid when we arrived about 3:30 PM, Central Time.

Gulf State Park is HUGE. There are nearly 500 sites, and every one is large, grassy, and reasonably private. All of the roads and pads are paved. This is an amazing campground. After a slight snafu, the site we were assigned to was already taken, we set up and relaxed. It was a long day.

Saturday, 4/23: Gulf State Park

Another sunny and 80 degree day. We are starting to get spoiled with this weather. Let me explain, I woke this morning, and it was 70 degrees out. So I sat outside and sipped coffee as the sun rose.

sunrise with coffee

Judy and I went for bike rides later in the morning. With level and paved roads, this campground is a bicycle paradise. It seems like everyone rides. After lunch, Judy and I went shopping for groceries and fresh fish. We ended up finding some fresh red snapper. We stopped at Billy’s by the Beach for a drink. Gulf Shores is full of beach bars. Later, we cooked the red snapper and vegetables wrapped in foil over the BBQ grill. Nice way to end the day.

Sunday, 4/24: Gulf State Park

Would you believe, another sunny and 80 degree day! Sue, Al, Judy and I all went to Billy’s by the Beach for Sunday Brunch. We sat out on the deck and had a great late breakfast. Then it was back to the campers for lounging, napping and reading. It was such a relaxing day. We enjoyed burgers at Sue and Al’s for dinner.

Monday, 4/25: Gulf State Park

OK, sorry, but another sunny and 80 degree day. Judy and I did a bike ride, then some supply shopping in the morning. We hit Walmart for some supplies in the morning. After lunch, we went to the pier and beach that was a part of the park. We stopped at The Hangout, a local beach bar, for a drink. Later that day, we all went to Mikee's for dinner.