Next stop would have us venturing into southwestern Florida to attend Looper-palooza – a convergence of those at various stages of exploring The Great Loop.
The event was in Fort Myers, and we anticipated finding last minute camping would be a challenge. However a quick call to the local Elks Club confirmed we’d have an easy parking option if needed.
And then, on a random check of public campgrounds in the area, a site had just opened up at W.P. Franklin Campground for eight nights.
We of course snagged it!
This not making reservations thing in advance has been working out in our favor, for sure.
W.P. Franklin Campground
W.P. Franklin Campground (our review) is a tiny little peninsula that sits across the dam from the W.P. Franklin Lock – an Army Corp of Engineers project.
It’s part of the Okeechobee Waterway, and just a few minutes up river of Fort Myers. Being part of the Inter Coastal Waterway, it’s also part of The Great Loop for those wanting to bypass the Keys.
The campground contains 30 water/electric sites, 27 of them being water front. It also contains 8 boat slips, moorings and an anchorage.
Serendipity worked in our favor to score a spot with an awesome view of the dam & lock. A perfect place to commute into the event, and then come home to lust after boats doing the loop.
The campground is absolutely lovely and peaceful – and is in high demand. We count ourselves blessed to get in. During our stay we encountered at least a dozen blog readers – which just confirms y’all have great tastes 🙂
We loved our stay here, and got a lot accomplished, including just relaxing.
We got some new cellular boosters (Smoothtalker and HiBoost) installed, as well as our roof mounted WiFi range extending gear (the new WiFiRanger line up, Winegard ConnecT and Alfa Camp Pro WiFi).
We’re all set to start some intensive new testing in the coming months. (Our members at RVMobileInternet.com are able to follow the field testing results.)
Attending Looper-Palooza was good too. Since we’re well into our boat search and sold on the lifestyle – we skipped ahead to the ‘in progress’ Looper track and attended route briefings for Florida to North Carolina and the Bahamas. And it was awesome to meet up with more Loopers.
We also snuck in a second viewing of a boat that continued to call us, and happened to be nearby.
After spending several hours onboard, we decided to make our first offer. Which was accepted after an expected amount of negotiation (!!!).
What’s Up Next
We’ve been bouncing around the general area since, and a bit giddy.
But mostly we’ve been super busy lining up everything that has to happen next to get the boat to survey, which happens this week. *cross your fingers and wish us luck*.
We’ll share more later should there be details to share – we’re doing our best to contain our excitement (because.. squeee!!), not get attached and approach this boat with a level-headed objective mind for this next phase of the boat buying process.
So now I have educated myself on marine surveys — wouldn’t that be a wonderful part of the RV purchase process?
There actually are RV inspectors you can hire, but it’s not nearly as common. And the licensing isn’t nearly as structured.
Not sure if you are still at the Franklin locks, but if you are there is a great little kayak trip where you pass a llama farm and the llamas are usually hanging out in the water. Very cool!
Usually lots of critters.
Storing the motorhome.
I believe a engine does not do well sitting for long periods.
If we were talking years, we’d be concerned. But it’ll likely be 4-6 months at a time. Which isn’t all that untypical for a seasonal stay in a RV park anyway.
The Detroit diesels in my boat sit at least 6 months a year.
I am going to Banff Canada and surrounding area do you recommend any type of satellite phone to rent while I am out that area. We were in Glacier National park and there is not cell phone coverage for Hours
Paul
We honestly don’t track satellite phones all that closely.. we hardly ever use the ‘phone app’ on our phones. We’re focused on mobile internet 🙂
How exciting! I can’t wait for a boat tour!! And loop tours!! Again, I’m so excited for you. You must be over the moon! Best wishes!
How can anyone not “squeee!!”? So exciting!!! Plus, nail biting time.
So excited with you and for you, can’t wait to see it. Fingers crossed.
Carol K
Survey? Is that like having a home inspection when selling/buying real estate?
Yup.. exactly. Except it involves engines and a sea trial too.
Pictures! We need pictures. 8^)
My fingers are crossed that the boat deal works out!!!!
Excited for you!! Yay!!
We had originally started with the boat idea (including the Loop) but are going RV to start – then we’ll see where we go from there. Quite like the idea myself…. Good Luck with the survey and I look forward to watching this next phase of your journey.
I hope all goes well with the survey! I can not wait to follow your great loop journey. It’s on my bucket list too. Finally, thank you for the wealth of information shared on this blog and your vlogs. I’ve never commented before, but I truly appreciate your generosity and wisdom. Safe travels!
Congrats on the boat!
I am sure you are aware of this, get the engines ( main and gen. ) surveyed also.
William B. Kelleher
Of course. All lined up.
Congratulations on your new boat…..have enjoyed following you two on your adventures.
Nan
Thanks… but not ours yet. Still has to get through survey and meet our approval 🙂