Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Spring Break in Navarre Florida

We had a great week in Navarre(NAV-are) Florida. Our first trip out of Illinois. We learned a few things about longer distance travel. Semi's can really do a number on your driving as they pass you by. Everytime one would pass it would pull the truck toward the passing lane and I would have to compensate by steering to the right. When traveling and everyone else is going to the same area (in this case Florida) it is hard to find a rest stop or truck stop that isn't completely full when you are ready to rest for the night. I will either stop earlier or figure out about where I want to stop and get a campground reservation ahead of time. We ended up driving until 1 am and stopped at the Alabama Welcome Center.


The next day we got to Emerald Beach RV Park around 3pm. They had our reservation and gave us a map of the park and we found our site at the far end of the park.


The sites are level with full hook ups, WiFi and cable TV. There was only one camper between us and the beach area.


As soon as we got set up we went down on the beach to enjoy the view. I was so happy that we were able to reserve this site at this RV park. Even though it is a little expensive compared to other types of parks or campgrounds it was well worth it for our trip.


Once the sun began to set we decided to get some dinner at a little restaurant across the street from the park. This is the view we had that first evening.


Glenda and I love the beach so our first full day in Florida we started there in front of the RV park.


Since we had our bikes with us we talked to the staff in the office about where would be a good place to do some riding. They told us that by going over the causeway to Navarre Beach and the Gulf Island National Seashore we would find a great bike path. So we loaded up the bikes and headed over the causeway and sure enough we found a great place to ride. This is something we did every day were in Florida.


This protected area has pristine natural habitat for birds and other wildlife where no structures can be built to obscure this great beauty.









Once you are in the Gulf Island National Seashore the bike path becomes a bike lane along side the road from Navarre Beach to Pensacola Beach. The glow you can see in the distance is either the sand blowing in the air or the suns reflection from the pure white sand. I haven't figured that out yet. Very unique though.




One of the last evenings we were in Florida we took a walk along the beach and enjoyed the cool breeze and pounding surf.


The waves crashing onto the shore is quite loud and looks very powerful.



We had so much fun and look forward to returning to this area in the future. We also spent some time on the Blackwater River doing some kayaking which I will post in the next couple of days with some photos. This is Part 1.

6 comments:

  1. Hey! That's awesome that you caught the blogging bug :) Your site looks great so far and the pictures are really making me want to go on a trip right now! What type of hitch are you using? We have the Hensley hitch, which helps a lot with that sway you were talking about. I don't think it eliminates it ENTIRELY but it does help a lot. Glad the wall mount for your TV worked out. I'm looking forward to more of your posts!

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  2. Solla-Mates, Thank you so much for becoming a follower and responding to my suggestion to visit my blog. I was beginning to think that no one would ever read my posts other than me. I figure I will keep this site pretty simple. We have a weight distribution hitch however I'm not sure what the brand is. It has the friction sway control so it isn't as anti-sway as a Hensley. Something I will have to look into someday. We were very fortunate that the wife has time off from her work(school) so we could take this great trip. We love Florida and plan to spend time there in the winters. The wall mount was a challenge since I am not a true handyman but it is up and worked great. Thanks again for the information on the mount. Hope you will return in the future. Won't be long until the full camping season is upon us and I'm sure you will be getting that next trip in.

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  3. Looks like Navarre is also a good place to stop by to enjoy the beaches in Florida. If we come back we will try to stay at Emerald Beach RV park which I am sure is as pricey as the park where we stayed at Perdido Key. Did you manage to see the Blue Angels while you were here?
    We had fun and a great time though it was chilly and breezy when we were here.
    -MonaLiza

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    1. I hope you do get a chance to go back. As you know from Perdido Key the area is full of things to do and places to go. We didn't see the Blue Angel when we were there but saw a number of huge transport planes flying just out over the gulf. We were fortunate that the weather last year was nice and warm. Yes Emerald Beach RV park is expensive but what we wanted for a nice Spring Break vacation. Probably wouldn't stay at a place like that very often when we go full time.

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  4. We are back in the area a year later and staying at Navarre Beach Campground. We will check out areas we missed the last time we were here.

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    1. Looks like you're just a little further down the road from Emerald Beach RV Park. If you like bicycling definitely go out to the outer beach area and ride on the bike path through the Gulf Island National Seashore. It goes from Navarre to Pensacola Beach. I know you'll have a great time. Curt

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