Getting the boat ready for some river trips. It’s been a while, and the Redfisher needs some fixing up first.
It has been a very long time since I went out on our boat. I’m at the mercy of my son, as he is the one who takes the boat out. We’ve had to fix a few things on the boat, and my son has been busy doing other things. I’ve been waiting – mostly patiently – but it is one of the only good things about living in Florida- the saltwater rivers.
Friends of ours have been going shrimping and have brought in big hauls. Shrimping is done late at night, so I do not go. But we have the nets, lights and pails and we love shrimp. The processing is time consuming but worth it to have lots of free shrimp in the freezer.
Mainly I want to simply be out there on the river. I enjoy visiting our favorite beaches and going beach-combing. With the water warming up, the manatees should be coming back. We are always careful and watchful for them. Boats are a big issue for these animals who tend to be near the surface, but often undetectable.
My son has always been good about taking care of the boat, but a few things needed fixing. After sitting covered for months, the Redfisher needed a good cleaning too. The humidity really messes things up.
Springtime is like Fall in Florida. All the leaves fall off the trees as the new growth comes out. It all happens at once around February and March, and makes a mess on vehicles.
It is hard to believe we have had this boat for nearly 10 years! We used it a lot for years, but then we just didn’t. We bought a camper and focused on camping. I miss being out on the water. It’s a great feeling to be out in the watery wilderness, exploring. I never know what I’ll find.
A couple of helpful ideas for keeping the camper in shape. While traveling, the fridge needs to stay shut! And, we cover our couch when the cats come along.
It seems that every time we camp we have new items to buy for the camper. Some new additions include the couch cover and the door locks for the refrigerator.
The Sofa Cover
When we realized that our two cats would eventually have to come with us on our longer camping trips, I worried about the RV furniture. I wanted to cover the sofa and give the cats a place to relax.
RV Couch coverWe can’t use the end flaps, but they have pockets.Backing is non-slipPerfect for what we need
After much searching, I’m pretty sure I ended up buying this sofa cover at TEMU. I can’t find it now, or I would link to it. Temu was the only place that offered the style I needed. We can’t use the end flaps that are supposed to hang down over the armrests. Our setup has walls in the way. Otherwise this piece is perfect for our needs. We rarely sit on the couch anyway. We are always outside while camping!
RV Refrigerator Door Problems
After a while, our RV fridge door had a hard time closing. We took things off the door thinking it was too heavy. It still didn’t close right. Eventually, the plastic piece that closes the door broke off. Why plastic folks? Doesn’t something sturdier make sense?
We searched and found a place where we could buy the replacement parts (Furrion). My son changed out the piece – we had to buy a whole set to use one piece – and we now have a door that closes nicely. BUT… the paperwork that came with the camper suggests not traveling with food in the fridge – especially on long trips.
We always travel with food in our fridge..!!!! The camper is plugged into the house the day before we leave and we cool down the fridge. We fill it with food, place towels specifically to hold things in place, and ride with our food in the fridge.
It is a worry though. If the door opens, and bottles, jars, and whatever, falls out, it could be a big mess.
After the refrigerator door problem, we decided to buy a lock for the freezer and fridge. Because our RV refrigerator is near the wall, we were limited as to the type of lock we could use. We ended up getting this one (Amazon paid link), which uses a key to lock and unlock. One side adheres to the wall, with the other on the refrigerator, and freezer, door. We keep the keys in the camper.
We’ve been using this door system for a few months now and it has worked well.
RV camper fridge door locksDoor locks for fridge
Which RV Gadgets Have You Added?
I had planned to make this post longer, but now we are selling our camper. If you have any helpful ideas for making camper travel easier, please let us know in the comments!
A couple of helpful ideas for keeping the camper in shape. While traveling, the fridge needs to stay shut! And, we cover our couch when the cats come along.
If you like to camp in a tent in Florida, we’ve seen some nice spots at campgrounds we visit. Here is a short list of what we’ve found for shaded, tent camping.
If you like to camp in a tent in Florida, we’ve seen some nice spots at campgrounds we visit. Here is a short list of what we’ve found for shaded, tent camping.
First of all, I do not tent camp. But I camp in Florida in my trailer and do check out the tent camping areas whenever we stay at a campground.
If you want to camp in a tent in Florida, I’ll say that you will find some pretty nice spots. Often the tent camping areas at campgrounds tend to be shaded.
Tent camping site at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch campground. We love this section of the campground for all the privacy and shade.
Sites That Accommodate RVs or Tents
Many campgrounds will make all their sites available for either RVs or tents. There is a separate section for only tents because tent camping is usually cheaper. RV sites have hookups of electric and water, and rarely sewer. If you camp in a tent but want to have your own electric and water, choose a normal site. Tent camping areas have water spigots for drinking in various spots, but not at each site – *Sometimes they do. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch has water spigots at every tent site, and possibly electric.
Tent site at Mike Roess
Campgrounds With Shaded Tent Camping
Here is a list of the nice tent areas we’ve seen at campgrounds we have visited. The list is short and there are most likely many more. We camp mostly at Florida State Parks and the links go to my blog page about each visit.
Gamble Rogers, state park – ocean or riverside camping. The tent camping sites are on the river side, not ocean, and there are only a few spots. They are very shaded, whereas most every other type of site is all sun.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch – state park. Big loop for tents under the trees. Looks like a beautiful place to tent camp, with spacious sites.
Juniper Springs – not a state park. Love the sites here, but there are no hookups for RVs. There is a separate area for tents, which is in the woods. Take trails to the springs and cool off!
Salt Springs – not a state park. We love to camp here because they have full hookups and a nice, clear spring for swimming. The tent area is very close to the springs, and it contains lots of trees and shade.
Silver Springs – state park, no separate tent area, and all sites are very nice, but have hard packed ground – not well suited to tents. Their cabins look great as well. No spring here to swim in, but the Silver Springs park is just up the road, with paddling on the Silver River (gator filled!).
Rodman Campground – state park, with separate, very shaded area for tents.
Payne’s Prairie – state park, has a fairly small area for tent campers. Park along the campground loop road and walk back to set up your tent. Sites seemed less private and closer together, but in the shade.
Many campgrounds will say that all sites can be used for either a RV or tent, but be careful. Sometimes campsites are not suited for putting up a tent. When the ground is hard-packed sand or gravel, putting in tent stakes will be difficult. We have noticed this at two campgrounds we visited. Usually there are rules about where tents can go, or if the site is small, the tent will have to be on the hard area.
Silver Springs campground is really nice. We almost had to tent camp here when our trailer was in the shop – until the last minute! Once we pulled into the site and set up the camper, we saw how difficult it would have been to set up a tent.
Another park that has a similar problem is Sebastian Inlet. My son camped in a tent and had trouble because of the hard packed ground. They do not offer a separate tent area.
I personally appreciate the hardness when camping in our trailer. Florida is mostly made up of sand, and it gets everywhere. Many campsites are mostly sand. We make use of our rugs always, but a hard ground helps.
Large, pull thru site with hard packed gravel at Silver Springs Campground
What to Expect
Many families choose to tent camp. I’ve noticed lots of kids, and younger families, which makes sense. Younger people have the energy to weather the elements of heat and cold. They want an inexpensive way to have family time together. Expect the tent area to be bustling with noise and people hanging around outside. This can be true for the RV section as well, but I tend to see more older couples there. And because they have an RV, often they will be inside for at least part of the time.
Most campgrounds allow animals, and nearly everyone brings a dog. We camp with two cats, and have only once seen a dog running off his leash. Be prepared for sharing space with dogs. Most campgrounds won’t put up with noise and barking.
Every state park site has a picnic table and burn ring. They may also provide a stationery, metal grill. Usually a bath house is nearby, but it could be a bit of a walk. Some tent areas contain their own bath house. Or, the bath house / bathroom is shared with everyone and not just tent campers.
Trail to tent camping area at Payne’s PrairieSalt Springs – tent campingThe road in Fern Loop, Juniper SpringsCampsite for tents @ Juniper Springs
Always check with the campground online before you go. Sometimes trails will be closed or walkways in repair. Whole tent camping areas can be closed. We just traveled to Mike Roess Gold Head and this was the case. No one was in the tent loop.
If you tent camp and have any recommendations for fellow campers who may read this page, please leave a comment.
