Florida RV Adventure: Owls, Friendly Campers, and Deep Ravines

Have you ever played "I Spy" while exploring a new place? This trip, I challenged you to find an owl in a picture – keep your eyes peeled as you read!

This adventure took me to Keystone Heights, Florida, a charming town nestled about 50 miles northeast of Orlando. Since it's a long drive from my home, I broke it up with a stop at Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Hobe Sound. This relaxing break allowed me to enjoy the scenery and ease into vacation mode. After setting up camp, we were greeted by our friendly neighbors, Gary, Lynn, and their dog, Major. Let's just say Niki was happy Major stayed inside their RV – his bark had a powerful presence! Gary and Lynn, seasoned campers themselves, were gearing up for a summer adventure as campground hosts in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Day two brought an early start as we hit the road for Keystone Heights. The strong winds posed no problems for our trusty tow vehicle and trailer. However, about 100 miles in, we encountered a downpour that limited visibility. Thankfully, electronic signs on Interstate 95 warned us of a possible tornado in the area. We navigated through the storm and emerged into clear skies, pulling into Keystone Heights RV resort around 3:00 PM.

Our third day of exploration led us to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek, a 40-minute drive away. Stepping into Rawlings's world was fascinating – this was her home before her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Yearling," was published.

Back at the RV park, we struck up a conversation with Tammy and Bud, full-time RVers who call Keystone Heights home year-round. Tammy and Bud shared their love for the RV lifestyle, highlighting the financial benefits of skipping the traditional house purchase.

Another friendly face was John, my neighbor to the north. John enjoys his Florida winter escape for a few months before returning to his acreage in Michigan. The proximity to his son makes these winter getaways even sweeter.

On day four our next adventure unfolded at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, just 8.5 miles away. This park offered a challenging hike, especially the stairs leading down to a remarkably deep ravine carved into the sandy soil. Niki, ever the explorer, used this opportunity to burn off some energy, leaving me scrambling to keep up with her enthusiasm!

As our trip neared its end, we made a final stop at Lake Louisa State Park near Orlando. This beautiful campground nestled beside a tranquil lake provided the perfect ending to our adventure.

Spot the Owl?

Keep your eyes peeled for owls throughout this part of Florida – they're known to be quite active at dusk. This one was watching us as we ate dinner at Cedar River Seafood in Keystone Heights. 

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our Florida RV adventure! Let me know in the comments if you've ever been to Keystone Heights or any of the parks.