4 Weeks on the Gulf Coast in Florida and Alabama

For the first time ever, we are spending the Christmas and New Year Holidays away from home.  Well not really away from home since we consider our camper home too, but away from our stick built home in Gouverneur.

December 22nd until January 3rd:  We are parked at Coastline RV Resort, right on the ocean on the Florida Panhandle, for 12 days.  This is a new stop for us.  We have driven by it many times in our previous travels so we thought we'd give it a try.  We have beautiful views of the ocean along with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. And it's all topped off with much warmer weather than we are used to in December!

Our next door neighbors turned out to be very pleasant company.  Mike and Melanie are from central Michigan and are spending several months here.  They became very enamored with Parker and Maggie's antics on the porch.  

We made several trips for shopping and dining at nearby spots we have enjoyed before, including Apalachicola, St. George Island, Eastpoint and Carrabelle.  We really enjoy this part of the Florida Panhandle with beautiful ocean views, uncrowded shopping and beaches.  No wonder it's referred to as "The Forgotten Coast". 

Site 12, Coastline East RV Resort.

Christmas sunrise.

Merry Christmas morning.

Snooping for presents.

The lights on St. George Island across the bay.

The sunrises are spectacular!!!!

January 3rd, 2026 and we moved on to Meaher State Park on Mobile Bay in Alabama. We have stayed there several times in the past.   We enjoyed a very relaxing 14 nights here, and ended up becoming friends with work campers Todd and Laura.   They are originally from Pennsylvania, and became full timers only a year ago. In March they are moving to Gulf State Park to work for 3 months.  

With seafood dining everywhere, great shopping in Spanish Fort and Daphne, and beautiful sunsets, we had lots to do.  We never found time, (too much sitting and reading) to make it to nearby Mobile, but that's on our list next winter.  Here are just a few of the many sights and scenery.  One of the joys of "lingering longer" at campgrounds is that you don't feel rushed to do everything at once.

Site 61 at Meaher State Park

Mobile skyline across the bay

What's Mom cooking for dinner????

Neighborhood Watch.

Long Leaf Pines surrounding our site.

Lunch at The Oyster House

Judy and her boy

Maggie and I on a morning walk.

Storm clouds on the horizon!!!

Sunset over Mobile Bay. 

So that's the end of our month on the Gulf Coast.  Next up, 2 weeks in Louisiana.  More later.

St. Augustine, Florida

 

Monday, December 15:  Stage Coach RV Park, St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida has been one of our stops many times over the years.  Friends Mark and Charmaine retired and "abandoned" Northern NY.  Charmaine taught with me at Potsdam High School.  We usually stay at this park because it is small, quiet and quite easy to get to.  The main hassle coming from the north on I-95 is the traffic in and around Jacksonville.  But, every year traffic keeps getting heavier in this area, making the trip a little less fun.  In fact, just across the street from the campground developers are building a huge apartment complex, leveling what used to be forest.

We booked a 7 night stay here so we have time to visit with Mark and Charmaine, as well as some personal RR with the pups.  This warmer winter weather is really starting to grow on us.  

On Wednesday the 17th Mark and Charmaine picked us up and took us to a Farmers Market/Craft Show at the St. Augustine Beach.  What an assortment of products we got to see and shop from.

We even spent a little time on the beach.  Although it wasn't really beach weather, any time near the ocean is a treat for us landlubbers.  

The next day, Judy's sister and her friend Larry came up from Sebring, where they live, and we went out for dinner.  It was fun catching up with Dianne since we don't get to see her very often.

Friday was a "chore" day.  Along with dog walks and laundry, Judy cooked a vegetable we had never seen or heard of, Romanesco Cauliflower.  We discovered it at the Farmers Market on Wednesday.  After some Google research, Judy cooked it just like broccoli, and it turned out great!  We also put up Christmas decorations for the first time ever in a RV.

Saturday we went to the Farmers market at Anastasia State Park, and it was HUGE.  There were vendors for crafts and food, as well as live music.  One vendor was even selling pure maple syrup from Vermont.

We ended the day with a late lunch on the roof top deck at The Ice House.

Sadly, our week in St. Augustine is ending.  Monday the 22nd we move on to Coastline RV resort on the Florida panhandle for the Christmas and New Year Holidays.

Stay tuned.