Three Lakes, Hudson FL

Gambel Rodgers State Park

Finally, we made it here! I booked this site 11 months ago.  The State Park system takes reservations 11 months in advance and it took me 2 1/2 years of trying (on the computer every morning when the sites were released) to secure these, but my persistence finally paid off!  It was worth it!

The view from our site



The campground is divided into two sections, separated by US 1.  One side is on the river and has a boat ramp, kayak rentals, picnic area and 20 sites.  It is very nice but nothing like the Ocean side.

We are on the beach side with the Atlantic Ocean less than 10 steps to the water!



This side has 31 sites, with 22 overlooking the ocean and the other sites are across the road from the ocean sites.
 

The only drawback is no sewer, but we made it seven days without a problem, thanks to the bath house, which was very clean.



There are three beach walkways. We had one next to us, but no problem with traffic since it is ony for the campers.
 

Misc pictures of the Park, beautiful ocean, and "pink" sand.

 

 

 

 It was so relaxing just gazing at the waves, but we need do a little exploring.

Our First Day Trip - Check it out

Daytona Speedway

We took the tour and is the best $20 each (with veterans discount) that we have spent in along time!  We had a 90 minute tour of the speedway.
 





The tour took us on the track, behind the scenes and includes admission to the museum.

We started in the tram and went around the track.



Cruising the track



Taking it all in



 This is the 41 degree bank of turn 3

 The NASCAR Cup Series Garages



 And their campground (they get full hook-ups, not so much for the other camping areas.)
 

 The Media Room
 

We were very fortunate to be able to actually get out and walk the track.  Our  guide told us only about 60 days a year that happens, the rest of the time someone is using the track.


Looking down from the starter's box to the Finish Line




And there we are in the Winner's Circle

We were able to go up in the stands, as well.  This is the view from the 2nd level (Axalta Gate). I'll take those seats any day!

After our time on the track, we spent another hour in the museum.

The Museum / Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

 

The winning car of the 500 stays at the Speedway and is on display for a year.  After that the car is returned to the team..

 
So many cars

My man's car.  Always loved to watch Dale Sr race.

They didn't forget the motorcycles.  On our tour, we learned those bikes go up to 180 mph in the turns (and up against the wall).  Not this girl!  I like the straight aways on a bike.

It has been many years since I have been to a race there, and it  has really "grown up" sense then - a mall across the street and two hotels being built.

Next: So much to see and do - just follow the link

Misc Day Trips

Our first trip out of of course was to the Daytona Harley Dealer, but it turns out it was in Ormond Beach. And what a place, rather complex it is! 
 

 The showroom  even has a barber shop

Destination Daytona -  In addition to the Harley shop, a Harley outlet, another motorcycle store, there are two hotels and some eating joints. This was there when we were.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse 

Since our New England trip, we have developed a love of lighthouses. The history on each is fascinating.  This time we visited Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. It is 175 feet in height, the tallest lighthouse in the state and one of the tallest in the country.

They have a very nice park and museum as well as a very nice memorial to our veterans.

Fort Matanzas

This Park is part of the National Park System and has a monument in recognition of Fort Matanzas, a documentary film and beautiful grounds.  

 

 

 

The fort (no longer standing mainly due to erosion) It was built to prevent the British from controlling the inlet so they could starve St Augustine into surrender in 1742. By 1819, the fort had deteriorated to the point that soldiers could not live there. The US took position of in 1821.

The lookout tower still stands. Their cannons prevented the British from entering the Matanzas Inlet in 1742.  

The Rangers take a boat tour over every half hour, depending on the weather.  We got lucky - we were able to go over to the Island, but we were the last one that day.  While we were on the island, all the other tours were called off due to expected lightning.

The Matanzas Inlet

 Bulow Creek State Park

A beautiful area, full of old Fairchild Oaks.



 

We did not hike the trail, we took the car.  The plantation is now just the ruins of what once was.

And the Best Part  - A trip to Jacksonville to see our grandson, Bobby, who is attending the University of  North Florida.  He showed us his house,  the school campus and we had lunch at one of Big Bob's favorites places - Whitey's Fish Camp in Fleming Island.  A Great Day!
 

 Florida's Scenic Highways

There are also several of these highways in this area and we made sure we drove them:
A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, The William Bartram Scenic & Historic Coastal Highway, Ponce Inlet Scenic Route

They were a very relaxing drive  unlike I-4 on the way to Gable Rogers State Park.  We were smarter on the way back and took US44 all the way home.  If only someone had looked at the map instead of blindly trusting the GPS. - once again!

Next Adventure: A trip close to home with our RV friends  - Three Lakes RV Resort