Search Results for AT (326)
We overnighted at John Pennekamp State Park on our way to Big Pine Key. We called several Wal-Marts and they wouldn't let us park overnight so we made the reservation for the ever so popular John Pennekamp park. It was such a cute little place. I really wish we had more time to explore the area. All the spots were rather tight, but Jonathan backed it up like a boss on the first try. He's getting so great at it! I don't think we have had any arguements over parking in quite awhile! Progress!
Although we weren't there long, we got plenty of bites from the no-see-ums and mosquitos to prove that we were, in fact, there.
Evidently there is really great snorkling and diving in that area. You can even rent kyaks or go on a glass bottom boat tour. If we find ourselves in that area again, we really need to schedule a snorkeling tour. Maybe by the time we are back there the kids will all be old enough to feel comfortable snorkeling.
We really are at a great age with the kids as far as traveling goes, but when they are just a bit older we will be able to do so many more awesome adventures. For now, we will take what we can get.
On our way through the keys, we are hoping to find many family friendly (and budget friendly) adventures to tell you about so that when you plan your next adventure, maybe you'll find yourself in the Florida Keys!
Stay tuned... we have a feeling this is going to be a really great month!
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We had 8 days to kill in Florida before we headed for the Keys so we figured we would check out Thousand Trails Orlando to see what we thought about the park
This is a MASSIVE park. We didn't even see it all while we were there. After driving around searching for a site that would work for us, we finally found a 50 amp site. This is a rather crowded park but we were excited about the possibility of meeting other families that live on the road.
We had no major plans for the short amount of time that we were there. We were hoping to just get a lot of work done and leave the week open in case there were other families at the park that we could meet up with. However, after a few days at the park, we quickly realized that most everyone there were retirees. We did find one of our Instagram friends was at the same park, and in the same section. We talked about getting together and then Jax got sick...then Jett got sick...and Adali didn't feel well. So, our time in Orlando was mostly just getting the kids recovered from whatever stomach bug then ended up with and making sure they were well in time for our long drive down to the Keys!
The highlight of our time in Orlando was probably going to IKEA. It was our kids' first time there and they loved it. I love IKEA so much! In fact, that is where most all of our RV furniture came from.
Oh yeah, it was also Thanksgiving week, which we had totally forgotten about until after I had already gone to the grocery. No turkey or dressing or pie for us. We were just glad that no one puked that day.
The kids had been working on a turkey piñata before they got sick so once they all felt better, they had a great time trying to break it open. we had to get creative since we had no stick and nowhere to hang it.
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We looked at LOTS of ideas for Adali's birthday. She and I searched and searched all over Orlando for something that she would love. That's when we came across Exotic Animal Experience in Orlando! Not only were there a bunch of wild animals, they were all pets and you could hold, pet, feed and play with them. This was made for Adali!
We made our appointment for 11:30 on Tuesday morning! We drove over an hour to get to Leslie Rush's home where she has raised all these wild animals from infancy. They have run around her house in diapers, slept in her bed & they have even gone to the grocery store with her! Can you imagine seeing a wallaby in your local Publix?
Upon arrival Leslie greeted us with a smile and excitement. You could tell right away that she LOVED what she was doing and you could also tell that the animals loved her!
We signed a waiver and we were ready to hold some wild animals. Leslie started off with a young Wallaby named Rooby.
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After our INCREDIBLE stay at Lake Harmony RV Park, we needed to overnight in Orlando before we made it to our next destination - Thousand Trails Orlando RV Resort. Also, we had another birthday celebration coming up and wanted to be near something fun for our oldest daughter who was turning TEN!! (say what? how did that happen?)
Knowing that it's hard to find free overnighting in Florida, I called a week pryor to ask if we could park at the Bass Pro Shop overnight. They told me I would need to call the mall security because they patrol the parking lot. No problem, I would be happy to call and ask permission. I did, and they said they couldn't tell me that I could park there but that if I wanted to, parking lot #2 was never busy and that would be the best option but to make sure we were gone by early morning. Great! That was our plan.
We arrived at the mall that Bass Pro Shop was located at the coolest 'mall' by the way. You nailed it Artegon! We parked in parking lot #2, where there were no other cars and went in to grab some dinner after driving for what seemed like forever that day. There was some crazy concert going on that night outside the main entrance and tons of security officers outside. We figured, let's just double check to make sure it is ok that we park there. I was passed around to several security officers until I got to the head of security who quickly told me I COULD NOT park overnight and we would most likely get a ticket from the police. Fan-freaking-tastic. It's now 6:00 pm, dark outside, just started raining and we have to try to find a RV park IN ORLANDO, on a weekend....piece of cake (eyeroll)
After serval failed attempts we finally found that Pondarosa RV Park in Kississimme, FL had an open, pull-through spot that we could stay in for the night! Sweet!! 30 minute drive and we made it! It was a torential downpour. We found our site and waited a few minutes to see if the rain would let up so that we could get out and go hook up to set up the house for the night. (cue moment when an Airstream or a Class A Motorhome would be SUPER helpful!) The rain was NOT letting up and we just decided that we had to make a run for it. Jonathan and I both have our routine of setting up down pat so we just had to figure out how to do it MUCH QUICKER in the rain and without me being able to bend over (due to my broken butt).
It was like a really bad, funny movie. As soon as we stepped out of our truck we were ankle deep in water (and grass clippings) and it was still coming down hard! By the time we got the RV set up it looked like we had just stepped out of the shower, with all our clothes on. It was definitely a memory and a funny one at that.
We finally got the kids in the RV, everyone got dry clothes on and warmed up and we were so ready to call it a night. Big thank you to Ponderosa RV Park for letting us come in after hours and being willing to help us out last minute.
The next morning was Adali's TENTH birthday! I always let the kids request a special birthday breakfast and Adali always picks the best options. This year was no exception. She requested strawberry crepes with homemade whipped cream! She knows what's good!
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Sit down, grab a mexicoke, and get comfy. I want to tell you about the day I broke my butt.
Cue birds chirping, a gentle cool breeze, sun shining, happy kids laughing.... all is right with the world...
We pulled up to this beautiful RV park in Townsend, GA.
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Ashley Longnecker / December 07, 2015
We’re Jonathan & Ashley Longnecker. We love weird ideas, great food, travel, drawing, music, homeschool, tattoos, dreads, woodworking, design and our 4 amazing kids.