Two Gulf State Parks

Here’s our campsite in the Gregory Moore RV Resort at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park as viewed from the “resort” pool. We bicycled out to the beach on this sunny morning, so didn’t need to wait for the tram. With the tram and park vehicles the only motorized traffic allowed on the beach road, it was a relaxing ride.

Arriving before the first tram, we only met a few other folks on the beach.

Back at the campsite we enjoyed the hot showers. I was disappointed that all the hooks had been broken off in the shower rooms, so the only place to hang things was on the door latch. Beth reported the same issue in the ladies bath house. Paying $46.62 a night for this “Resort Campground,” we hoped for better maintenance.

28,308 miles 10:30AM 78°F
Drove east to try a different park.

28,451 miles 2:53PM
Stopped at the Piggly Wiggly in St. Joe to stock up on fresh food before heading out on the peninsula.

28,478 miles 3:30PM
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
After consulting with the ranger and driving around to check out the park, we signed up for two days in site 50. One sand dune stands between us and the gulf. Not a resort, the $26.88 per night includes water and electric.

Wooden stairs allow access to the beach while providing protection for the dunes. Finding a yellow Hobie Tandem Island sailing kayak made us feel right at home.

Being able to walk to the sunset is a special treat. Returning to the beach after dinner we were treated to a gorgeous night sky. Relaxing in our lawn chairs, the evening entertainment featured a slim crescent moon setting, mars and venus rising out of the ocean and a clear view of the milky way.

Enjoying the fact that we don’t have to drive anywhere today, we headed out on bicycles. Peddling as far north as the road lasted, we met this hawk where the “wilderness area” begins. From here there is 6.5 miles where a special permit is required for wilderness camping. Being a peninsula, that makes 13 miles of uninhabited beaches.

On the return trip we found a screened pavilion with tables and wi-fi provided by Friends of the Park. We dropped a few dollars in the donation box to help offset the cost.

The screening is appreciated since the insect population is well established and makes itself felt whenever the wind isn’t blowing.

A small craft launch is adjacent to the pavilion.

Bicycling back towards the park entrance, we discovered a small marina where campers can launch and dock small boats. There is no additional fee for dockage while camping here.

In addition to finding a twin to our sailing kayak, the site next door contained another silver Pleasure-Way Plateau. James, from Quebec City, added a cook stove, locker, bike rack, and spare tire holder to the back of their van.

A ladder on the driver’s side provides access to the screen room stored on the roof.

We met the owner of this sailing kayak on the beach and helped him take it apart and roll it back to his truck. If we’d been on the beach a few hours earlier, we could have crewed.