Randy and Karen;
Looks like you guys had a great spot and had great weather. We'll have to get over there soon.
Did you see our October event in Brunswick? Hope you can make it. Also while I'm at it would you be interested in putting together a list of must go campsites with possibility of 40 ft 5ers, so we can get a monthly schedule going for rest of year or for sure next year. I'm in planning stages for 2012. You could be the test group for the campgrounds

Lastly there are some spots left in Goshen!
Mickey & Bonnie -
Keep an eye on our blog as its the best place to get the most detail and pics on our trips. So far there would be no problem with 40 footers at:
1. Disney
2. Hillsborough River State Park (water and electric only)
3. Fort Desoto (water and electric only)
4. Sun n Fun
5. Myakka River State Park (new big rig sites w/ full hookups)
We'll let you know next month about Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine) and Oleno State Park (north of Gainesville)
Although I'm sure others will offer suggestions, our preference is for parks over campgrounds because:
1. Typically more shade and natural beauty;
2. Typically more places to walk, bike and hike outside the area where the campsites are located
3. Often large pavilions to host get-togethers/pot lucks
Although most have 50 amp electric and water, sewers are the exception. So far we've not filled the tanks on 3-5 day trips, although we are mindful not to waste space.
I think the key with putting a calendar together is advance time. Obviously some of the nicest camping weather in FLorida is also the time most of the snowbirds flock in to use up our sites

. That leaves the "shoulder season" and the summer. Lead times are "as long as possible", but some limit how long in advance you can reserve. Fort Desoto, for example, limits advance reservations to no more than 6 months in advance. We typically schedule trips like this a year in advance and flag the calendar for the 6 month in advance windows. Given the beautiful weather this past weekend there would mean that to camp in May 2012 you'd make reservations in November 2011. We're looking at making reservations now (May 2011) for this coming November 2011, for example.
State Parks are usually at least 3 or 4 months in advance in order to get enough sites close to each other.
Unfortunately we've had reservations for several months to spend 2 weeks at Unicoi State Park in northern Georgia the last 10 days of October and the first 4 days of November....trying to hit peak color season. That means its unlikely we'll be able to hit Georgia for 3 days 2 weeks before

. We love the Rally concept but really like to spend more days somewhere that takes us 10 hours to reach!
Goshen is still a retirement dream for us due to the distance. But the great thing about this site is that we live vicariously even when we can't attend!
How about joining us in November at Fort Desoto?
Randy and Karen