Favorite place to winter

[Carole]

Well, not sure I have the right place to post this, but I am interested in where your favorite place, (city, state and campground) is to spend the winter. Also your least favorite place and why. Have spent several winters in Bushnell, FL and Gulf Shores, AL and am considering a change for 2015. So what's your winter home?

[DonandBonnie]

Our short and wise guy answer is anywhere south of sub-freezing weather. We don't need hot weather, but prefer mostly above 50 degrees. We spent last winter in Florida on the panhandle coast and in north central Florida. While we enjoyed our stay nothing is crying out for a repeat. Had a neighbor in an Ohio campground this summer say that they like south Texas. The weather is comparable to both Florida and Arizona and a lot more reasonable. Their comment was that Florida is full of old folks that act old. South Texas is just full of old folks. I'm sure that there are many on this site that will disagree with their take. South Texas is on our agenda for this year just so we can experience another area of the country.

[Carole]

Well, let me correct my post, right place, not tight place. LOL. And thanks for your input Don and Bonnie. Where in Texas are you going to? I have heard about areas to stay away from and about the wind being so bad. Hope to narrow down some areas.

[K0LCB]

I like the Harlingen, Texas area. I have stayed in Florida, but this winter I am returning to S. Texas

[vangoes]

Carole, I am following your post closely. We have been saying the same thing......looking for somewhere different. I have considered Texas but just haven't acted yet. Keep the responses coming y'all; we are taking notes!

[CRUZIN 2]

We like Mission TX, this is our 9th year, and enjoy it.

[WeBeFulltime]

We are returning to Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL this year but have South TX in our plans for next year.

[DQDick]

We like southern Arizona. Low humidity and not the bug problems of Florida and, in the winter, not the rain issues Texas can have.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Winter can and will hit anywhere ole Mother Nature decides to smack!

Florida, we have not spent a winter there, have done some whirlwind tours, not high on my return list. We were treated very rudely by the locals in many cities.

Southern Texas. We spent 5 winters there, one was incredibly cold and wet and we only wore shorts something like 8 days. The one prior we only wore long pants about 8 days and was the most marvelous thing. AHHHH. There is wind there, it keeps bugs away, keeps you cool and if you don't like it, will drive you nuts. (yes, I am fully aware I am already certifiable, nuts, you do NOT have to remind me! ) If you have slide toppers, that wind can really set them to flapping. CountryGuy and I got used to it for the most part, but there were a couple of storms that went on for 48 hours that were so intense. After 36 hours it was getting icky!

Been in Arizona too. Warms up during the day, can be cool at night. Layers are the rule of the winter, several layers, start with many, shed a few, add em back. Would go back in a heartbeat, I mean, Sedona, Tucson, even Phoenix, what is NOT to love. Close to Grand Canyon. SO much more.

We even spent a month over the holidays in Las Cruces New Mexico, it can get a bit coolish, err, cold. But, we loved the area. If you love hot spicy Mexican food, you don't want to miss this area. Al loves, I have to be very careful, the salsa is just like fire to me. They grow the most marvelous hot peppers near there. Amazing!

[daily double]

Mercedes Tx. for us again!!

[Carole]

Thanks for all suggestions. What about campgrounds, good ones and bad to be aware of?

[Art-n-Marge]

Any place in southern California will probably be pricier than Texas, Florida, or Arizona. Funny how no one mentions New Mexico, but maybe that's because it can be wicked cold and windy. Anything east of Texas won't be too humid or wet, but still can get cold, maybe.

As for bad campgrounds I know only of places in southern California (1000 trails in Palm Springs comes to mind because it will be a very tight fit for most sites.) Besides being an old place when rigs were smaller, there are large palm Trees to manuever around. This is where I learned about tail swing.

[timandsusan]

San Antonio--great food, great golf, great weather, sometimes cool, sometimes wet (not really), and sometimes warm and we have the SPURS!--BUT--I live here and so does the Monty in storage! Come on down so we can have a get together!

[DonandBonnie]

We haven't decided on a specific location in Texas as yet. Since this is our first winter in that part of the country we may switch locations every couple of weeks just to sample what the state has to offer. The most common comment that we have received is to stay south of San Antonio for the warmer weather.

[K0LCB]

We plan to spend a month in San Antonio, Ft Sam Houston, beginning 15 dec and then heading down to Harlingen

[Hooker]

Biloxi, MS. Tried Texas coast, didn't much like it.

[Carole]

Hooker, what campground in Biloxi, if you don't mind telling us?

[Fritz7]

For the last 4 yrs. we have gone to an RV Park about 20 mi. north of Harlingen. Prior 4 yrs. we stayed at
a Park just east of Harlingen right on the Arroya Colorado. We are 35 mi. from the parking lot to Progresso,
Mexico, 50 mi. to So. Padre Island, 25 mi. to Port Mansfield. The big shopping center is in Harlingen and
many, many restaurants everywhere. Yes, there can be wind but as a previous member said, it keeps you
cool and you can learn to adapt. Last year it was not bad at all. We anchor our awning well on both sides
and run straps to the ground and it stays out the whole time. We are only there for 3 months - Jan.to Apr.
And in Texas you are not snowbirds, you are Winter Texans and are treated well by the locals.
The McAllen, Mission areas are quite busy so we don't even venture over there. We like the quiet city
we are near. As far as rain, so. Texas has been in a drought and still needs rain. Most days last year were
in the 70's & 80's - some 90's and even a couple 100* days. Occasionally some 60's or maybe a 50.
But I guess anyplace is good if you don't have to shovel snow.

[Mynabird]

We winter in Arizona and as far as what parks to avoid....we use the rvparkreviews site.

Before choosing a park, read all the reviews and click on all the links to find out as much as you can about each park.

What another person likes or dislikes may not be the same as your criteria. Some people like a paved parking lot park. Others want an activities director and social events planned. Some want no pools, others insist on pools.

You have to decide on your own. Sorry.

[steelpony5555]

Well not sure if it is a sign of things to come but it has been fairly wet here the past month or so. Had lots of flooding around the Austin area and further south. Also been a little bit chillier then normal too. But if there is one thing I have learned, that is you can never predict Texas weather.