Feb 2024
Encore Terra Ceia
Palmetto, FL

I booked 14 nights at the Encore Terra Ceia RV Resort in Palmetto Florida as part of my Thousand Trails, Trails Collection membership. The resort is segregated into the original section and a new 190+ RV Sites section. The new section is NOT available with Thousand Trails memberships and is "Retail Only". I asked at check-in so don't be fooled by the Main Photo on the Thousand Trails Terra Ceia website. I can only hope this is an anomaly and not a trend. Having said that, the original section is nice, well maintained, surrounded by very friendly RVers, and I was very happy with my site, A59. In reading the documentation provided at check-in, I assume all of the new amenities in the Retail Only section are available to both sections including the 4 Pickle Ball courts, The Activity Center, and the brand new Pool. There is a pool, Activity Center, and Laundry Room in the original section which I used and found very accommodating. This part of Palmetto in riddled with neighborhoods and mobile home communities with very little shopping and few restaurants. The busy retail section of Palmetto is only 4 miles or so and Bradenton is just a couple miles further. There is a Dollar General literally in the front yard of Encore Terra Ceia which was very handy. All in all, I enjoyed my stay here and will return.

Feb 2024
Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Coast of Florida just west of the city of Bradenton. The island is a residential and tourist community with beautiful beaches including Manatee Beach, Bean Point Beach, and Bradenton Beach. If you would like to explore on foot look no further that Pine Avenue near Bean Point which runs across the island from the gulf to the city pier. There are a great many restaurants and shops loaded into this five block stretch of the island. There is no shortage of water activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, and fishing with many rental shops available on the island. You can also rent a bike and explore the island's picturesque streets and bike trails. Several companies offer guided dolphin-watching tours around the island. If you're short on time the north end of the island is easier just due to the volume of tourist attractions in a more compact space.

Feb 2024
Longboat Key

Longboat Key is a beautiful barrier island located on the Gulf of Mexico just south of Anna Maria Island and just west of Sarasota Fl. The west side faces the Gulf while the east side is on the Sarasota Bay. Longboat Key is riddled with resorts, marinas, and restaurants. One of the best ways to traverse this barrier island is by the 9.5 mile bike trail starting at the south end. You can bring you own bikes or rentals are available at the Backyard Bike Shop on the north end. There are several public beach accesses including Public Turtle Walk and the Bayfront Park and Recreation Center. The Joan M. Durante Park offers for walking trails, scenic overlooks, and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are also several charter boat services on The Key as well as boat launches if you have your own boat. If you are a golfer there are two championship golf courses at the Longboat Key Club. Harbourside Golf Course and the Links on Longboat also look very nice. These barrier islands are fantastic and well worth the visit.

Feb 2024
Bradenton, FL

Bradenton is 45 miles south of Tampa just across the Manatee River from Palmetto. Bradenton is known for the Robinson Preserve, the Village of the Arts, South Florida Museum, the 1.5-mile Riverwalk with loads of outdoor entertainment, and the De Soto National Memorial among other attractions. If nature is your jam, there are more than a dozen nature preserves to be explored in the Bradenton area. LECOM Park is the home for the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training facilities and serves as home to the minor league Bradenton Marauders. Bradenton is the county seat for Manatee County and has a population of over 55,000. The shopping and restaurants of Bradenton are very convenient to Encore Terra Ceia if you stay there as I did so if you can't find it in Palmetto, you're sure to find it in Bradenton.

Feb 2024
Casey Jones' RV Park
Lake City, FL

On my trip to South Florida I decided to break the trip up by staying in Lake City at Casey Jones' RV Park. I left a day early to get ahead of a severe weather threat so I stayed here for 2 nights. I had a grass full hookup pull through site near the office specifically designated for short stays. This is a no frills campground with a laundry room and bathhouse. The $27 cash price makes this the perfect overnight travel stop that I look for. Just off exit 423 of I75 this is a very easy in and out. Highly recommend when traveling I75 in North Florida.