2015 Florida Fall Rally

[Kimmygr]

Hey all you Florida peeps! Now that the Spring Rally is set in stone with a Date and Park, let's get the conversation started for a Fall Rally!

Now, my personal opinion is that since the last couple of rallies have been in the more southern part of the State, I think we should do one further North. Let's give those more Northern Florida Puppers a break on drive time!

Vagov mentioned in the Spring Rally thread an October Rally at Blue Springs SP. I am totally interested in Blue Springs. I haven't been there in like 11yrs.

So, what are your thoughts and park suggestions? This time I think I will keep a poll at around 5 or less parks

One more thing- Just kind of an FYI. I do not have any problems doing organizations or being the WM, filling out what is needed for the thread and so on, BUT that time of year can be a bit challenging for us $$ wise, especially since we are hoping to upgrade out TV with the tax return so we won't have as much extra cash as usual. So having someone who could maybe take over onsite @ the CG in the event we cannot attend due to finances would be wonderful! OR someone else can WM it if they are willing?

Either way, let's get this party started!

 

[Brian-Katie]

We're interested....! Not sure if I'm looking at it right, but browsing through Reserve America it looks like things are already booking up for the fall? Should we consider getting started setting a date and location, just to avoid missing out? I wonder if fall books faster with snow birds migrating south...?

Blue Spring SP is showing 44 sites availble the weekend of 10/9, 37 on 10/16, and 44 on 10/23. The last is my favorite...we don't have school that following Monday!

Other than Blue Spring, the only parks I'm seeing with good availability are Anastasia SP in St. Augustine, and then a couple of parks up in the panhandle.

 

[Kimmygr]

I love the idea of that weekend too since my Son has off also. But, when I started this thread, I didn't have the news I just recently got. Let's just say the 2nd half of this year is going to be up in the air as far as time and finances for us, Especially September on. So I cannot commit to anything at this point. BUT this doesn't mean someone else can't take over with the planning!

 

[Brian-Katie]

I don't mind doing some of the leg work in getting it planned, but it will depend a lot on the location. Anything more than 2 hours or so from the Tampa area and we can't commit for a weekend during the school year.

Sorry things are looking rough for you Kimmy... Hopefully it all works out better than expected....

 

[Kimmygr]

I was sitting here thinking today. What if we did a Fall Rally in the beginning of August before the kids start back to school? Maybe the 1st or 2nd weekend?

 

[kelknight84]

We're at Disney Fort Wilderness the 1st weekend through the week. They have great rates. We could maybe swing making the 2nd weekend! I think that's a great idea!

 

[Kimmygr]

I know I would like to go more North this time around. Somewhere with a cool spring to swim in or go tubing on a HOT August day!

I'd LOVE to do Silver Springs, but who knows when their construction will be finished Or even the Rainbow River. They have a canoe/kayak/tube launch right there in the campground. You just have to have transportation back to the CG from one of the take out points- otherwise tubing for campers is FREE! There is also a small swimming area at the launch area. The sites are kind of cramped with no privacy between them, but if we are all around each other that wouldn't be a huge deal. Or, you can drive up to the head spring and swim there. Also FREE admission for campers camping at the campground.

 

[happylittlefamily]

I just signed up to the Portal, but have lurked for about a year. I'm very interested in attending a FL rally. I can probably help out. I homeschool our kiddos, so our schedule is pretty flexible. Hubby has taken a week off end of Sept., but if a date can be set soon, he can change it to fit with the rally. Thanks!

 

[aroberts]

Blue Springs sounds good for us but it's a very popular park and fills up fast.

 

[StPeteClipper]

Welcome to the site. Probably around the end of next month or so I'll be looking for suggestions for the Florida Fall Rally. We'll vote on a few member suggested sites and take it from there.

 

[happylittlefamily]

We are camping for a week at Hillsborough River State Park next week. We have camped before and really like it. Is that too far south? Blue Springs will surely book up fast because of the manatee sightings in the fall. Are we thinking August or Sept/Oct.? Another campground in northern fl is the Stephen Foster park. It seems small, but rangers were real friendly when we were going to book in the past. It might be an option too.

 

[Gibby]

Just throwing it out there, Ocala has some nice parks...

 

[this_is_how_we_roll]

New to pop up camping but we are in for the fall rally it doesn't matter where keep us posted and what we need to bring

 

[TheExplorer]

I was looking at Blue Springs (we had wanted to make a trip there soon anyway) and there are still lots of sites available the weekend of August 14, 15, 16th. I don't know when everyone's kiddos go back to school but Pinellas County doesn't go back until August 24th, if we were still throwing around the idea of doing it before school started back. A spring is always nice in August! Just throwing it out there!

 

[Wizfisher]

Most places within a few hours will work for us long as school and work schedules work.

 

[rexlxg]

when it comes to Fall Camping in florida state parks you almost always
have to compete with the snowbirds, my solution has always been
plan a year in advance and make your reservations as soon as the 11 month
reservation window opens. Having said that, I know most people are
reluctant to make reservations ( or plan a rally ) that far in advance,
but I have found that the weekend before Thanksgiving seems to have open
sites at a lot of campgrounds. We always camp the weekend before Thanksgiving,
arrive on saturday and leave on Wednesday, Home for Thanksgiving ( I like to be
home for Thanksgiving ). I know that the days prior to Turkey day can be hectic
for most people, but maybe a Fall rally the weekend before could be an option.
I know that not all do, but our school district has the entire week off.
( another reason we always camp that weekend as my DW is a school bus driver )
and the cooler weather is much more to my liking than say August.
anyway this year we will be at Tomoka State Park ( I just checked and it shows 85 out of
88 sites open for a 2 night stay starting Fri. night - 82 still open for a 3 night stay )

That said, I'm always up for a rally anytime, at this point it is mostly only the distance to
travel and the work schedule are the only things that can get in my way.

 

[cuckoo]

Thinking we did 4 yrs. in a row 2 weeks before Halloween and had plenty of sites at selective CG's... Butt hay what do I know...

 

[Kimmygr]

I'll be spying this thread watching! I hope we will be able to maybe swing attending, but that is an unknown. We shall wait and see!

 

[Kimmygr]

Any updates on the possible Fall Rally yet?

 

[PepperWolf]

Wondering the same thing. It's still summer but fall will be here before we get the chance to turn around