What's to see at Cedar Key

Everyone makes plans for that first break of the year.  That special V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N In The Summer Time, that one you've looked forward to all year.  It has been a long winter, you have counted down the days.  It seems that warmer weather will never come.   Locked in an office, or a warehouse, somewhere that require more and more of your time and patience with each passing day. You look forward to that first vacation.  It's your first break from life's routine and you can't wait until your at that special place.    That's how it was with us.

Our first get-a-way was to be Cedar Key Florida.  The web site was full of information and pictures.  We had never been there and was looking forward to a relaxing time on the sandy beaches, walking at leisure up and down as the sinking sun's rays of yellow and auburn streaks filled the evening sky.  Like two silly lovers with pants rolled up and skirt held high, holding hands and burst's of laughter echoing as the surf breaks over our feet, rushing forward and then back again.  That gentle sucking feeling as the sand moves from under your feet and the tug of the tides flow.   A quiet walk of children at play with no stress or worry's.  A time of freedom and no sense of anyone or anything about us.  The write up made it sound like paradise.  Have lunch on main street, step right onto the beach.  There was camping sites right at the waters edge.  Sit in your lawn chair and enjoy the Island's night life.

 

 

 Having lived in Florida for a number of years I was familiar with the east coast part of the state.  The coarse brown grains of sand mixed with shells, the gray and dingy color of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  I had lived several place in the state over the many years of my working career. Starting out at Hallandale in 1969 and my final exit was from St. Augustine in 2002. During the years that spanned between those dates, I lived, worked and vacationed in many different locations within the state.  My knowledge of the beaches, were the ones on the eastern shore.

 

 

The west side of Florida is on the Gulf. The sands were white and soft, the waters blueish green.  I had never been on the western beaches and was looking forward to the first trip.   The small town of Cedar Key was perfect for our get-a-away.  Kathie was excited and all she talked about was spending time on the beach and shopping at the many local specialty shops.   Cedar Key was famous for it's fishing.  I had thought I might be able to get away for a day of off shore fishing. 

 

 

I picked up the Vaca House from the storage lot and brought it home, parking it in the driveway.  For several days we packed our gear and made ready for the trip.  The route was mapped out, using MapQuest.  It was almost 500 miles away and 10 hours of driving.  I figured it would be no less than eleven hours with fuel stops and rest breaks.  Usually we don't drive and tow that many hours in a single days travel.  I like to keep it to around 300 miles and no more than 6 hours.  The distance and hours at the wheel was no big deal, I had worked many a year as a tractor trailer driver.  Now that I'm older and retired, a slower pace is more enjoyable.  We were eager as we awaited the day of our departure.  The weather was improving and the day finaly arrived.  It was early May and we were all smiles as we towed the Vaca House out of our GA home driveway.  Next stop Cedar Key and the warm weather of the Florida west coast.

 

It was an early Saturday morning, 5:30 am and the sun not yet breaking thru the dawns pre darkness.  We wanted to beat the traffic around Atlanta's 285 bypass.  Depending on the day and time, it can be a nightmare of traffic congestion trying to get around Atlanta.  We figured we would be ok if we hit it by 7 am on a Saturday.  I was in hopes not a lot of folks would be out, staying home and enjoying a day off.  Our plan seemed to be the right move, traffic was light and soon we were past Atlanta and headed south on I-75.  It was a very pleasant tow, good roads and light traffic.  Next stop was for fuel around the GA/FL state line.

 

We did make a stop at the FL Welcome Center, picking up a state map.  The big Atlas doesn't show a lot of the smaller roads and towns within a chosen state. I noticed we'd be going thru Rosewood on our way to Cedar Key.

 

 

There was a movie made about the town of Rosewood and how it was destroyed during a Racial Riot  in 1923.  Now a ghost town, I figured there would be a history museum.  I was going to stop and see what information there was about the town and it's destruction.  What I found was nothing when I drove down Hwy 24 where the town of Rosewood once stood. The landscape was empty and void of any signs, that a town was once there.  Just a small green sign standing alongside of the highway with the name Rosewood.

 

   

I have posted a short portion of the story of Rosewood below.  Take a minute to read of the tragedy, the fault of one person's lie and fears.

 

 Fannie Taylor's story[edit]

 

The Rosewood massacre was provoked when a white woman in Sumner claimed she had been assaulted by a black man. Frances "Fannie" Taylor was 22 years old in 1923 and married to James, a 30-year-old millwright employed by Cummer & Sons. They lived in Sumner, where the mill was located, with their two young children. James' job required him to leave each day during the darkness of early morning. Neighbors remembered Fannie Taylor as "very peculiar". She was meticulously clean, scrubbing her cedar floors with bleach so that they shone white. Other women attested that Taylor was aloof; no one knew her very well.^[17]

You can learn more about Rosewood on the web and by watching the movie of the same name.  

After leaving the Florida Welcome Center we started to notice the black snow, at least it looked like that to me. It was the dreaded Florida Love Bug.  Those insects were like a snow flurry, they were coming at us in a massive assault on our windshield.  They were a greasy mess as the wipers wiped them from side to side. Once I hit Hwy 24 in Gainesville and started west for Cedar Key I made a fuel and bug stop, washing off the windshield.  The entire front of the truck and the front of the Vaca House was covered in those mating insects.  Washing them from our rig would have to wait.

 

 

It was about 2 PM when I pulled into the RV Resort.  We were still a few miles east of Cedar Key.  We had decided to not stay in the city limits.  There would be other attractions that were accessible from our campsite.  Cedar Key was literally right at the end of the road.  The highway ended at Cedar Key.  By staying outside the city limits, backtracking to other events wouldn't be necessary.  Maybe it was the combat veteran in me that didn't want to be trapped and have no escape, ha ha.  Regardless we were a few miles away and the RV Resort was a nice place to stay.  Nothing around it but a Dollar General Store, a mile east.  Actually there was nothing of interest around or close to the Resort, across the street was another Campground.  If we needed or wanted to go shopping it would be 38 miles away.  Where we were offered nothing except the town of Cedar Key and there we had yet visited.  For now we'd get settled in and scout out all the amenities of the Resort.  It was a very nice and clean campground, the sites were spacious and well laid out.  Look them up on their web at www.cedarkeyrvresort.com .  The park manager and his assistant worked daily to keep the park at a high standard.  There wasn't a lot of out of town guest this time of year.  Florida is a busy place during the winter months.  The resort  was a combination of spaces for rent and those owned.  You could buy your own camping site and the Resort would rent it out for you when you weren't using it.  We had no desire to own, it was just a weeks vacation for us.

 

 

Guest at the resort could enjoy the large pool.  Sit in the lounge chair and be kissed by the golden rays of the Florida sun.  There was a large shaded pavilion with snack machines and comfortable chairs, board games were available as well. 

 

 

The large indoor community room was an oasis of cool comfort, gathering place to sit in luxury and visit with other guests or friends.  Table tennis or just relax with a good book.  A TV with all the latest movies or listen to music.  

 

 

There was a large clean bath house and a full array of laundry machines,  just bring your fabric softener and favorite detergent.   

 

 

 

The park wasn't crowded, plenty of sites empty.  Some of those with units parked on them, were empty at the time of our visit.  Most likely sites that were owned by full timers.  With over 100 sites it was a well laid out park.  It was pet friendly, with a pet walking area fenced off.  Lots of birds called the area home and seemed to go undisturbed by our presents. 

 

 

We had no more got set up and the sky opened and it poured.  That's pretty much normal for Florida.  The locals have a saying.... If you don't like the weather just wait five minutes.  After the rain we went downtown to take in some of the local cuisine.  We found out that it wasn't hard to find our way around.  It was the A, B and C method of street names and numbers. Example 5th street and C avenue.  D avenue was also Hwy 24, the main road into and out of Cedar Key. 

 

 

The entire town only had about a dozen streets.  The last street by the waters edge, was where the majority of all the local shops and restaurants were located.  That was about the size of two blocks.  There was a large pier, loaded with locals fishing.  We noticed a small restaurant on the corner of 2nd street & D avenue.  It would turn our to be the location of Tony's World Famous Clam Chowder, at least it was for 2009,10,11.  Who would have thought, as this was a very small place.  The main dinning room looked to seat about 28 and there was a back room of about the same capacity.  Kathie and I aren't big Clam Chowder coinsurers.  I did try it and it was good.  But if it was the best in the world, well I'm no judge of that.  Since it wasn't the winner for 2012 and 13, I guess I'm off the hook.  If you'd like to try Tony's World Famous Clam Chowder, it's sold in most supper markets in FL.  Everyone has a relative living in Florida, lol. 

 

      

Our first night out on the town and it was closing time, they were rolling up the sidewalks.  We would soon learn that most of the towns 702 residents were always on Island Time. More about that later.  We walked around and got a lay of things.  It wasn't a big area as we soon discovered.  That sandy beach in the web photos of Cedar Key was a 50' by 100' area, referred to as the City Park.  They were doing dredge work at that location and the entire area looked so small and dirty with lots of drift and sea weeds all over the sand.  I sure wouldn't call that area a beach.  I bet Cedar Key is the only coastal town in Florida without a beach shoreline.  What little beach that was there must have been hauled in by dump trucks.  I did notice the same with the Motels that were lined up against the shore line.  Not the sort of large sandy beach and dunes I was expecting.  Second thought, I'm not sure Cedar Key could be called a costal town.  It is a chain of small islands, with other islands all around it.

 

 

Since the shops were all closed, we headed back to the RV Resort.  We would discover that Island Time was the schedule most of the merchants were on.  That simply means they open when they want to.  Don't be an early riser and expect to find shops open and don't be in a hurry to get into town.  Most didn't come to work until late afternoon and closed early.  A lot of the time they didn't even open at all.  We went to the Chamber of Commerce every day. Regardless of what time the sign on the door read, it was closed.  We did manage to buy from a couple of the shops.  Kathie bought some clothes and I bought a tin wall plaque.  I bought cigars from The Black Dog, the only bar in town.  It was mid afternoon and the place was empty.  We ate at all restaurants, during our days spent there, all five of them.  They were never crowded and in most cases no more than half a dozen or less in the entire place.  It was funny that they seemed to run out of a lot of items on their menu. A lot of their beer was stale from being old and out of date.  We tried to take the Island Cruise a couple of times, the boat never left the dock.  I guess there wasn't enough interest or tickets sold to make it pay!  

 

 

All the buildings over Kathie's left shoulder is built out over the bay.  The picture below shows the concrete piers supporting the structures.   

 

 

 

The locals use oyster shells for a lot of different applications.  Here a wall was fashioned to give that beach appeal.  Later I will show you how and where they were used for other methods.

 

 

We soon discovered  that Cedar Key didn't offer much.  Not as much as we thought for sure!  I did hear they have record crowds during two big events yearly, April and October.  So we struck out for other attractions, driving a few hours in other directions.  A lot of our time was just spent at the Resort.  It was a very quite and restful time.  I got around to washing off those Love Bugs.  That was a harder job that I was prepared for.  I tried everything known to man, nothing I used worked.  Kathie looked it up on the web, hot water and Dawn dish soap.  That with a soft scrub pad worked with a lot of elbow grease.  After a couple of hours the vaca house and truck was bug free.  Tonight we'd be dinning at the Vaca House Inn. Chef Dutch was grilling young chicken breast in an island sauce.  Reservations required, ha ha. 

 

 

 

Kathie was lovely in her new sun dress and fresh reddish shoulders, Fl sunburn, and matching neck line :) 

 

More about our vacation when,  "What's to see at Cedar Key Continues,"  Coming soon to your computer nation wide !

 

 

 

 

Welcome to our Junction, come on in.

A lot of people ask, "Why do you prefer the Fifth Wheel for camping/full time living?" We could have chosen a lot of different ways to meet our needs.  We looked at a lot of different models and floor plans.  We considered the tag along or pull behind trailer, the motor home, class A, B and C.  We tried to do the math and figure out the cost for the various models and applications.  The motor home would require us towing a vehicle, such as a car, suv or light pick-up truck.  That would mean double the auto insurance, as well as double the wear and tear and maintenance.  The tag along or pull behind just didn't have a lot of head room.  The entire units were cramped and just didn't seem to offer us the room we were looking for.  After we did all the cost associated with all the options open to us, we chose the Fiver.  The insurance on the unit was half the cost of that to insure the motorhome, only one auto insurance policy.  Plus the maintenance, wear and tear would be a lot less.  There are so many options open to people and some do chose other means.  That's ok as we all can't have the same likes and dislikes. It's not always the cost or size that is important.  It's what works best for you and your needs.

 

 

 

The way you get to the campsite isn't the most important part, the fact that you get there is!  If you're happy with what you have and it works to your satisfaction, that's all that matters.  Have fun with your life and enjoy what you do.  One persons shack is another persons castle :)  A bath and an outhouse on wheels is all it takes, haha.

 

 

Our need was for full time living, a mobile unit we could move around the country as we traveled. 

Let us give you a quick tour, maybe we can show you as well as tell you why the Fiver is our unit of preference.  For us it was size, comfort and convenience.  There are pro's and con's with everything, nothing is going to be perfect.  The Fiver comes close for us, especially this model and floor plan.  We looked at a lot of different model years and floor plans, options and standards.  We looked at so many that were over priced and poorly built.  We compared what we liked with what we wanted and how it would work in our plans.  Nothing we saw compared to the chosen Dutchmen, Grand Junction .  Although the one we bought was a 2008 model year, it was years ahead of everything else in the price range. The overall condition outside and in was excellent.  The flooring looked new, the appliances were never used, the propane generator had one hour on it.  We ended up buying and saving, 15K below the asking and appraised value of the unit.  For us that was the bonus we were waiting for.

 

Our unit is 42' long. We refer to it as, our Vaca House.  It is a high profile, measuring from the road surface to the top of the forward air-condition cover 12'8".  That makes for large inside ceiling heights.  It has four slides, three on the left side and one on right side, it weighs around 12,500 pounds empty/dry, with an additional 3,000 pounds of cargo space.  We don't even come close to the 3,000 pounds of cargo.  But nice to have the ability as I may want to take all my power tools haha.

 

The floor plan is a 37 QSB, rear entertainment.  Simply meaning it has the TV and living room area in the rear. Ours has a sliding door that closes off this section and it can also be used for a guest bedroom, the sofa is a hide-a-bed.  The stereo and TV has the surround sound and movie theatre sound system.  Crank it up and it will over power you :)  Lots of over head storage, as well as the entertainment cabinet storage.  During the cooler weather I close the door and turn on the fire place.  I watch the news and drink my coffee without disturbing Kathie who likes to sleep in.  The fire place is electric and cuts down on the use of the propane heater.  Seldom do we use the propane heater, ceramic electrical heaters do a good job.  The ceiling fan is great for air movement.

 

 

 The above floor plan is how our unit is laid out. However the bathroom diagram need to be flipped over, the door opens to the bed room. You should be able to see that in the bathroom picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kitchen/dinning is one third of the total unit.  A large well appointed area with a three burner propane cook top and oven, convection oven/microwave, double stainless steel sinks, four door 18 cf frig, free standing four place dinette, granite counter tops, lots of storage cabinets top and bottom.  Plus a lot more to include a fantastic fan, ceramic title flooring and all oak cabinetry.  Kathie likes the size and ease of clean up.

 

 

It's a long way from the recliner to the frig. " Hey honey bring me a beer, it's five o'clock somewhere :)" " Ok, as soon as the popcorn is done, don't start the movie without me."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bedroom and large bath is up in the nose of the unit.  The bedroom features large cedar lined closets with double sliding mirrored door, washer dryer closet, TV, plenty of storage to include under the bed storage, separate air-condition unit, queen size bed and mood lighting ;)

 

 

Kathie likes the window shutters that close and doubles as make-up station with over head lighting. That I have never seen in a travel trailer! "You're beautiful without make-up my love :)"

 

 

 

 

 

The large bath is all in one room and not a split system.  In a lot of the units you have a split system, shower and sink out in the bedroom area, the toilet is in a closet by it self.  Some of those closet toilets will also have a small sink as well.  We like the set up all in one area.  The bathroom features a four foot shower,  stainless steel sink, granite counter top and a porcelain toilet bowl, with foot flush valve.  (Plastic is used a lot in less expensive and even some more expensive units)  Fantastic fan and ceramic title flooring.

 

 

 

Some of the other features not mentioned.... rubber roofing, two roof mounted air-conditioner units, TV antenna, artic insulation package, auto type frameless tinted windows, Mor ryde suspension system, ( Smoother towing, takes all the lash out of the unit.) central vacuum, outside shower, heated tanks, slide tray in storage, a propane generator, electric dolly's, day/night shades, 50 amp electrical service, 92 gal fresh water storage tank, two 92 gal grey water tanks, 55 gal black water tank, 18' electric awning, slide toppers on all slide outs, large outside storage area, ten gallon Suburban water heater and a whole lot more I'm sure I haven't thought to mention.

 

That includes the tour of our Vaca House, aka Grand Junction.  We hope you enjoyed looking at it, as much as we enjoy using it.  It's not the choice for everyone, just what we found works best for us.  A weeks vacation in one of these upscale travel trailers and you'd never have to ask, "Why go Dutch?"  For you'd know the answer to that question ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Favorite Escape

Everyone has a favorite place. That campground that is more special than the others you have been too.  It doesn't matter if it's large or small. That special place that you return to time and time again. A place at the lake, the mountains, the ocean or the desert. That place that just seems home to you. Our  place is Weston Lake, SC., just off post at Fort Jackson, located from I-77 in Columbia, SC. We enjoy our time spent there. It's our favorite and we return as often as we can.

My first visit to the area was 1965. I was a young seventeen year old from TN., sent to Fort Jackson for my basic training in the Army. I have retained all those memories from those days long ago. My training lasted nine weeks, it was a very important part in the growth period of my life. I still recall my unit, C-9-2 on Tank Hill and the names of my training cadre and all those days of training. The quick bonds and friendships formed with others who were as green as myself. Leaving there in 1965 I never figured I'd be back. Certainly not that I would spend a total of 22 years in the Army as well. Now that I'm retired, I enjoy the perks of all that the retirement benefits offer. Weston Lake is one of those benefits. The FamCamp is only available to active duty and retired military and their dependents.

Kathie and I are always eager to head to Weston Lake. It's a very quite and peaceful place. We enjoy walking about the lake and the many trails thru the woods. The camp sites are large and spacious. We have everything we need and if we do need something, we can buy on post or the local economy. We can relax and spend long lazy days enjoying our surroundings. The camp fires are a favorite at night. Kathie enjoys toasting marshmallows.  

I especially enjoy the many birds that call this area home. The whippoorwill is always present and the owls call out thru the night.  We put on our jackets and stoke up the camp fire as the fading sun sinks thru the pine trees and the last of it's light dims and the darkness sinks about us.  The night air is cool and the slight breeze off the lake keeps the biting insects away.

 

  

I feel at home here. The fellow campers who are active/retired or dependents of military are a respectful and quiet group of folks. We all have that in common. It's a constant change at times, those who are coming and those who are leaving. We are allowed three weeks at a time, then we must change campsites. We have yet to not get a campsite, but it does fill up quickly. The new section is the section we like the best. The older section is in the grass and not as spacious. We get full hook-ups, water, sewer, electric, cable and wifi. Paying only $15.00 nightly. Ok! That's the reason we keep coming back, haha. We'd gladly pay more for all that we get there. We have paid a lot more for a lot less at some of the commercial campgrounds. The Military is our preferred way to go.

 

From our campsite we are just a few hours from Charleston. It's a nice day trip and we often go off exploring the surrounding city's and area's of interest. It's only a few hours to Savannah if we wanted to pick up and head that way. But why leave when we have everything needed where we are? We do plan to continue south bound once our home is sold. Then we will be nomads on the move to points everywhere. That day can't come fast enough for us. Until then we will just have to resign to our shorter trips and longer stays at Fort Jackson and other short hops to surrounding great area's.

Our day trip to Charleston was great. We walked all over the town. Looking at the historical and beautiful architectural displays, the building and small courtyards and gardens of the 1800 circa homes. We visited Battery Park and looked across the open waters to Fort Sumter. I could imagine the H L Hunley as it made it's way under water to the target not far away. The Azaleas were plentiful and all in bloom. We even visited Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company. It was a great day, but not enough time to see it all.

 

Regardless of how far our day trips take us. We are always ready to return to our campsite by days end. Kathie finds it relaxing to sit in the evening sun, reading a book or napping. I find it's always five o'clock somewhere. Grilling and eating out is a very nice way to end the day.  

 

On our many walks, gathering fire wood, hickory nuts or just exercising we have noticed the large pine cones that seem to fall plentiful upon the grounds. These are the largest of all those I have seen. I'm not sure if it's a certain type of pine tree or more to do with the weather and growing conditions of SC. Kathie and I find it not hard to find one that is larger than the one we thought was the largest we had picked up. We have found those measuring 10" and more in height.

As you can see, my wife has a small head. The pine cone is a very large one for sure! It's a great fire starter. (The pine cone and not my beautiful wife's head)

My favorite time of day is early morning as I sit and drink my coffee watching the sun rise.  The campground is quiet and only the dog walkers are about.  As I watch the dogs kick start their day and their owners bagging their droppings I can't help but think.........."Who Pooped in the Park?"  That is the title of a children's book that we picked up from a bookstore in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  Contents of which is an illustrated book of what animal goes with which poop.  I think some of these dog owners will do well to read that book.  As on my last visit I stepped into a pile which had gone unclaimed.  There's another book titled, "How to Shit in the Woods," it's a book describing in fine detail for humans what to do when you have to go. 

It's amazing the sort of crap you think of early in the morning. Maybe I need to switch to Decaffeinated coffee, my mind wouldn't be so wired, haha. Hope your day starts on a pleasant note. Remember to ask, "Why go Dutch?" It just seems to fit the subject matter LOL. As the little blue Charmin bear says, "We all need to go, why not enjoy the go." With that, I will bid you a happy camping day :)