[A/S] Paradise Park

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Airstreamers,

Today (01/04/02), we left the east coast of Florida and rolled west into
Paradise Park (25 miles east of Punta Gorda on US74).  This is one of
several Airstream parks around the country which has a spacious piece of
land, including a small golf course and orange grove (anyone may pick the
oranges).  

The presence of woodworking and metalworking shops is a major drawing card
for me, as is a heated swimming pool large enough for swimming laps.  Best
of all is the camaraderie of 300 other Airstream families.

Reservations are not necessary. The overnight cost is a bit steep ($16). We
arrived just before dark and asked for one of the 24 field sites (full
hookups) instead of asking for one of the rental sites with a concrete
patio. Parking and setting up on a field site is much simpler in the dark.

For years, we've considered buying into this condominium type Airstream
Park, but our desire to be "Explorers" of every warm place on the North
American continent during the Winter conflicted with doing that. We weren't
ready to be "Settlers" and stay in one place all Winter with our Airstream.

Even so, we identified specific lots (with Florida Room) in Paradise Park
that we'd consider buying if any ever became available. This year, one of
those lots is available.  It may be our year to buy - or maybe not.

The Park bulletin board shows 40 lots for sale as well as a dozen Airstreams
for sale (many of them in the mid 1970s and earlier).  Some of the lots
include the Airstream, while others do not.  There is a good cross section
of old Airstreams here if anyone is interested in buying a Vintage.

Although this is southern Florida, it is not warm tonight. All plants have
been covered in anticipation of a freezing frost. We should have scheduled
ourselves into the Everglades or the Keys for January.  Freezing weather has
found us every January when we've been stateside (Florida, Texas, Arizona).
Our only warm Januarys have been in Guadalajara or farther south and deeper
into Mexico. 

Next week, we'll move to a formal Resort RV Park while taking advantage of
another internet special we found last Fall. In our opinion, there are fewer
RVers in Florida this year than in previous years.  It should be the peak
season, yet in most of the parks we've visited during the last few months,
there are many empty campsites.  Two years ago, campgrounds were packed and
turning away customers (or allowing only two or three nights per visit).

More next week,

Terry
mailto:tylerbers@airstream.net