Heading to Northern Florida, with an overnight in both Kentucky and Alabama- Feb, 2024
After 2 weeks at a campground with very poor cell service and internet, I can finally get back to posting again. Also, it is our first rainy day after 35 days on the road. This post covers our trip from Michigan to northern Florida.
We left earlier than planned, for our southern camping journey. We made two overnight stops, first in Kentucky, then Alabama.
Our third stop at T.H. Stone State Park, was a last-minute add-on. The park had been closed since hurricane Michael destroyed it in 2018. By chance, Dave happened to notice, one day, that booking for this newly renovated campground was finally available. It is a beatiful park, located on Cape San Blas, outside of Port St. Joe in the Florida panhandle. We were able to visit nearby Appalaciacola, which we really enjoyed a couple of years ago. This park was the highlight of the first part of our journey.
Our fourth stop was one night at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. I never heard of the guy, but was surprised to realize that I know some of his songs: “Old Folks Home” (Way down upon the Suwannee River), “Camptown Races”, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “Oh, Susanna”. How on earth I know these songs, written in the mid 1800’s, is beyond me.
Next stop, Fort DeSoto!
Slushie’s early Christmas gift was his Detroit Lions jersey. He’s been begging us for some Maui Jim sunglasses, a surfboard and some luggage for all his gear and treasures. He is ready to hit the road and head for warmer weather.This was our weather, leaving the Detroit area. Nothing like a little challenge when you head out on a long RV trip.Slushie is super stoked to stay at a hotel for the first time! 20 degrees is too cold, even for Slushie to camp (we think his blood has”thinned out” from all the time in the south). We were able to remain hitched and walk to a fabulous Mexican restaurant nearby. We were happy we opted for this rather than the nearby campground, It was an easy, enjoyable stop on our journey south. Franklin, KYDeer Run Campground, Troy, AL, was our 2nd stop. It was a convenient stop, just off of the highway. Most campers were permanent and the facilities weren’t very nice. The site was pretty level, allowing us to remain hitched. It was fine for a night, but I wouldn’t recommend it for any other reason.On our way into our first Florida campground, we saw a bald eagle. Whenever I see one, I feel it is a reminder from the universe, of my freedom. T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLOur beautiful, full hookup campsite at T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLView of the campground from the beach walkway at T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLThe beach walkway at T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLThis park has 10 miles of uncrowded (at least in February) beaches. T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLSunset at T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLI was out running and birdwatching one morning, when these deer appeared up ahead. At first I was relieved they weren’t panthers or something dangerous. Then I recalled an article in USA Today about a guy who was attacked by a deer. They didn’t move as I got closer, so I turned around, cutting my run short. T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLT. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FL. This park is a bird-watcher’s paradise.T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLWe loved our campsite at T. H. Stone St. Joseph Penninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, FLOur campsite at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL.The museum at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL. It was built in 1950. On display are dioramas of ten of his songs and other artifacts related to his music. There are many very old pianos.View of the Suwannee River near the boat ramp. Currently the river is at about 59 feet above sea level. The bands on the pole show previous flood levels. In 1973 the river flooded to 88.56 feet above sea level. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State ParkOne of the buildings with daily folk art demonstrations at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL. We arrived late in the day and managed to visit the museum and ground floor of the bell tower, but not the demonstrations.Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon was erected in 1957, almost 100 years after his death. It houses the world’s largest tubular bell carillon, installed in 1958. It features 97 bells. It is currently undergoing rennovations, so we did not get to hear or see the bells. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL
