Florida Camping via our  Trail Manor camper
We're Camping somewhere in Florida every month.


All Photography by Linda unless otherwise credited.
Linda's Photo Albums of SWFL Parks are here

We have done allot of camping in SW Florida over the past 27+  years.  
First we had a pup style tent which eventually was replaced by various
other tents.  All ultimately leaked, and nothing quite compared to the
prospect of waking up in water after a hard rain passed over Long Key
State park.  Nothing quite compared to having to get up and head to the
bathroom at 3am...   Only to be made totally awake by a clear, crisp, star
filled sky overhead.  How can you go back to sleep after that!

After a few years of tenting we decided to move up and purchase a pop
up camper.   It was great!   It had walls.. It did not leak (at first) it had a
stove and we could get a little refrigerator for it.  It had lots of room.  We
used it allot, we loved to go camping in the Keys primarily at Long Key
State park.   After a few years though it became used and worn.  The
canvas started to rot...

So we moved up again, this time to a hard side camper that you towed.  
No more canvas!  No more leaks, it had a stove, a fridge, a bathroom (!) it
was great!    The only draw back was the gasoline cost.... It took allot of
gas because being what we call a "big box" type camper, it was like
pulling a sheet of plywood down the road behind your truck - all that wind
resistance.  Still we liked the camper, all the room.... All the amenities.   
However after awhile of being stuck inside the camper due to rain, we
realized it was small.  Our main amount of room in the camper limited us
to sitting around the small table.  It did not have a living room or a slide
out.  

We decided "when we get another camper it will have a slide out"  It
seemed like slide outs were the way to go to have more room off of the
main trailer.  So hubby did some research online, we attended many
camper shows, and when the research and comparisons were done.   We
decided that the best camper for us would be a
Trail Manor    The Trail Manor that we settled on is 27' long pulled out.  It
is a folding camper, not a pop up.  It had a small tow footprint which
means little wind resistance when being towed behind a vehicle (gas
saver.)  It had a front slide out for a living room.  At this point we pretty
much have the "perfect" trailer to tow.  It can even be stowed in our
garage when folded down, to keep it out of the harsh Florida weather.  If
you are considering a trailer to tow, we suggest you look at the Trail
Manor camper.

We like to go camping whenever we get the chance.  Our two favorite
places to go are Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring Florida and
Koreshan State Park.  I enjoy camping for the  exercise and the peace it
affords.  
What Florida looked like before
the multi million dollar homes
and manicured lawns.  If we do
not protect what is left it will
disappear through greed and
ignorance.  
Owls in Florida start to nest around the end
of December.

Around Jan 25th Owls can be found feeding
their downy young.

In late Feb the young Owls may be
glimpsed out of the nest like this youngster
at Highlands Hammock State park.  

March 21 they start to learn to hunt
on their own.
Respect the tree and let it be,
From branch to root, nor touch its fruit !
Of itself the tree did grow,
From a dog who long ago,
Enchanted by the fairies' power,
Was buried here in mystic hour;
Therefore we bid you let it stand,
And if you follow the command
You will be happy all your days,
But woe to him to disobeys !

C. G. Leland