Two Lane Adventures: 3rd & Final Shakedown RV Trip

This was supposed to be a trip with our friends, but things did not work out! We were going to cancel these reservations, but our alternate plans did not work out either... so, here we are spending two nights at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale Florida. Lazydays and Camp Margaritaville gifted us these two nights when we purchased our new rig.

They boost that Camp Margaritaville is close to theme parks, attractions and all that Central Florida has to offer. Well, 14 miles from Lego Land is not too bad. But more than 40 miles from Disney and Universal is not what I would consider close!

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins does give you the "resort" feel, right from the moment you pull into the park. There is a team member at the gate that checks you in and leads you to your site.

I have to admit that the "oversized pad" was not exaggerated. There is plenty of room to accommodate all sizes of RVs, including ample space for slide-outs, car parking, all with full hook-ups. Each site includes free Wi-Fi and cable access with 50/30/20 amps, a charcoal grill, and picnic table.

Our back in sites are anything but ordinary. It was at least 70' and 30' - 40' wide with crushed shell and a concrete patio. There is decent landscaping between each site, it will just be a bit longer before they offer any privacy. The biggest drawback I see, is zero shade! The palms they have planted give you the "resort and Florida" feel, but don't do much else!

Some of the sites, the back-ins & pull-thru, offer you an upgrade (more money) for a private Tiki Hut to enjoy while camping. The private Tiki Hut offers barstools, a countertop with a sink, an outdoor TV, and soft lighting.

Again, for more money, you can select a premium RV sites. Reading all that we got, what makes some premier, you ask? They have a premier location, closer to a swimming pool and other amenities.

They also have "Paradise Motorhome Suites." They are set-up for motorhomes, as they are pull-in only. In addition to the standard amenities, you will have your own private Tiki Hut, an outdoor kitchen, including a Komado Joe Smoker, two Adirondack chairs and a hammock.

The 5 O'Clock Motorhome Suites at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale provide the perfect getaway for any motorhome traveler. Again, these are pull-in only. These sites offer all the same amenities as the "Paradise Motohome Suites" except they are overlooking the License to Chill Pool and Bar. I am not sure if I would pay extra money to have my "back yard" overlooking a pool. Yes, the lake is beyond the pool and you can see that from your "suite."

While I am talking about these sites and this bar. Another way they "get you for more money" is they only have golf-cart parking at this pool and bar. So, if you want to get here, you will need to rent a golf cart. Most "standard" sites are not a walkable distance to this location. I was willing to drive Charlie down, take the car back to our site and then walk back. But, he was not having any of that! It's all good.

Our first night at the pool bar closest to our site was enough for us. This picture shows what an $11 margarita looks like here. Charlie had a $12 Rum Mule. We also ordered a pizza and had a few more drinks. We did enjoy the folks we met at the bar. Justin was our bartender and he was from Rochester New York and graduated from SUNY Brockport (many years after I did). Really, what a small world! Our dinner and bar bill was a C-note. So, I guess all the sceptics of "free stuff" can truly say that this stay was not free!

We played Jimmy Buffet trivia while we were at the bar. There was 4 teams and we came in second place! Not bad for 2 people who listed to Bluegrass and Country! 😁💣💥😜🎸🏖

On our full day there we did some exploring. I say our only full day there, because 2 free nights, really only gives you one day there. Because on the first day you arrive and on the third day you are leaving. Anyway, we took this day to find Bonnie's new store.

For those of you that know us, I have "worked" for Bonnie with All American Furniture & Mattress, since Carefree RV Resorts sold to Sun Communities. WOW, that was almost 10-years ago! It was in March 2016 that Sun Communities acquired Carefree Communities portfolio for $1.7 billion. Yes, that is billion with a B! The acquisition integrated Carefree's 103 manufactured home and RV communities into Sun Communities' operations.

Bonnie's store used to be on Florida Ave in Lakeland. She recently relocated to Auburndale. So, we took a drive! We found her! We found her long-time employee James first. It was great to see him. Bonnie was in her office, so we just walked in and said "you can run, but you can't hide!" She was shocked and thrilled to see us! It was great to see her too!

We spent a bit of time catching up. When Sun first acquired Carefree we were very busy with staging models for sale and outfitting vacation rental units. In fact, we were so busy that we had pages of spreadsheets to track units that we were working. We were so busy, there were many times when Charlie and I would have to meet James and Bonnie at a location to get all the homes done in reasonable time. Now, our work for Bonnie is very limited, the well has dried up a bit for vacation rental set-up. But, we value our friendship with her.

I walked every morning while we were at Camp Margaritaville. My first walk, I went to the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex that is right next to the RV Park. Along the edge of the park is the Auburndale TECO Trail. It is a very busy 7-mile multi-use path in Auburndale. It looked like a nice wide and open path. I did find it interesting that in the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex was a lake that said for competition only. It is called Championship Lake and it is host to significant water ski events, including the Florida State Championships, the Disabled Waterski National Championships and the IWWF World Barefoot Water Ski Championships.