September 9, 2007 by steve.

One of the reasons the CurbCrushers stopped in North Florida was to visit some family. It so happens that the family being visited lives right around the corner from the Suwannee River State Park. Since we were right next door, we decided to pay the park a visit since we are planning on camping there next July with the Florida Pop Up Campers.

We would have camped in this park, but their campground is pretty torn up at this time, hence we stayed at the Stephen Foster Culture Center mentioned in the previous post. They are in the middle of building new bathhouses, and will be putting in full hookups (electric, water and sewer) for each site. When this work is completed this will be a very nice campground. The playground is right across from the campground. As it is named, this park sits on the Suwannee River and there is a boat ramp and canoes for rent. There are a number of hiking trails in the park.

All in all we look forward to returning after the campground opens and enjoying this park.

Pictures can be found here.

Posted in RV Stuff, Travel Review | 3 Comments »

September 9, 2007 by steve.

Well, the CurbCrushers are on the road, taking a week long trip from home in Orlando, to Chattanooga and then back home. First stop on the trip is two nights at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. This is a Florida state park that was opened in the 1950’s as a tribute to Stephen Foster, the guy who wrote “The Old Folks at Home” better known as “Way Down Upon the Suwannee River.”
There are 45 RV camping sites located in the park, and most of them are very large. We were in a pull through that was at least 80 feet long. Only water and electricity, no sewer. The bathhouses were new, and very clean. As a matter of fact the entire park was immaculately maintained.
The park has a craft house area. This is a collection of building where craft people come and demonstrate how to do a variety of things. Unfortunately this was empty during our stay, but talking with the rangers, there are folks that do pottery, quilting making cane syrup and other things. A number of these items are available for sale in the gift shop. In addition there is a carillon that plays notes on the quarter hour between 8 AM and 6PM. At 10 AM, 2 PM and 4PM the carillon plays a mini concert of four songs that lasts about 15 minutes. It is a beautiful instrument to listen to and both days we were there we sat outside for the 4 PM songs. There is a museum in the base of the carillon tower, and another that is in a separate building.
The park is also part of the Suwannee Wilderness Trail, a canoe trail along the Suwannee River. There is an outfitter right outside the gates of the park that will deliver and pick up canoes and kayaks if you choose to spend some time on the river.
The park is very quiet. In addition, there is very little light pollution in the area, so the night sky is absolutely gorgeous to watch. We didn’t see any wild life during our stay. This would be a great place to spend some time just relaxing and reading.

Pictures can be found here.

Posted in RV Stuff, Campground Review | 1 Comment »