Where NOT to stay in Florida!

[bertnspike]

Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida is very beautiful and barren and long. There are numerous well paved and well marked parking areas and turnouts. There are 2 signs at all of the paved spots, however, that are NOT easy to see and VERY easy to miss. Both signs are about 6 inches x 3 inches, brown, with cream colored lettering. One says "NO PETS ON THE BEACH" and the other says "NO CAMPERS OR TRAILERS".

I passed many spots where I saw both signs. I finally found a spot that had neither sign, and I DID look. So I pulled in, set up, took the dogs for a walk, etc., etc. Spent the afternoon there. Dogs and I watched the sun set and sat and looked at the stars and listened to the waves for a while. It was absolutely gorgeous outside, and very dark with nothing lighted around me.

Around 8 p.m. a law enforcement officer stopped someone for something almost directly in front of me. By that time I had a battery lantern on inside left on from when I'd fed the dogs. When the person tried to leave they were stuck in the sand and a tow truck had to come. The LEO was there until it was all over, about 2 hours. I made no secret of being there and one of my dogs barked at the tow truck, at which time I put him in the RV and he was quiet. I went in the RV and read on my iPad until midnight, then I went to bed.

At 2 a.m. a pounding on the door woke me up. The dogs hadn't made a sound, so I thought I'd dreamed it. Suddenly I heard a squawking sound and could see some blue lights through the blinds, then the pounding came on the side of the RV. I yelled "what is it?" and heard "the Police. Get out here." The dogs were growling now & I turned the lights on and lifted a blind, at which time I was immediately blinded by the LEO's flashlight. I realize that he did not know who or what I was and that could have been a life-saving maneuver on his part. I did manage to see a properly marked car and a badge before I was blinded.

I took my most protective dog to the door with me and let her stand in front of me and I cracked the door open. She got really loud just then, which made me feel good, because it gave me time to get a good look at the guy. I quieted the dog and the LEO showed me his face and badge. I felt that he was a little snotty with me, but then, he had no idea what he might have been getting into. But STILL, I'm and old lady with a bunch of dogs! I was obviously upset and obviously half asleep.

So he told me I had to pack up and leave IMMEDIATELY and ignorance is no excuse and he didn't know where I should go, as long as it was out of there. Told me I could look for a WalMart. I guess it was too much effort for him to tell me there was one 10 miles down the road. I don't feel protected and I don't feel served. I KNOW I was wrong and I know he was doing his job.

This whole story is NOT about what happened to me... It is a WARNING about trying to stay in the park. Reserve a space at Ft. Pickens. There is NO PLACE else until you get out of the park at the other end.

[Rufflesgurl]

Sounds like a scarey experience!! Were you not supposed to be parking there in your RV? Did the officer give you a reason for banging on your RV in the middle of the night? Where did you end up going? Hope all is OK now.

Linda

[bertnspike]

I ended up at WalMart in Fort Walton Beach. It's not really a big deal. I WAS wrong, I took my lumps, and I left. I just hope it doesn't happen to anyone else!

[Suchomlin]

Regardless of whether you were wrong or not. There is a certain way to do things. Some who are secure within themselves do it with class and elan. Others are punks who have given power and misuse it. I am very sorry that you had to be subjected to this type of behavior. I know it just takes too much energy to report this idiot. I hope you are not too upset about it. Forget about the experience and just think that this guy just earned some really negative karma.

Enjoy your day. Tatjana

[AlmostThere]

Scary experience, but I think your thought process is spot on, although the officer could have been nicer.
He had no idea who or what he might find inside your RV and I am sure he's been in some scary situations and was on red alert.
Now you have a campfire story!

[cpatinjones]

Wow! Thas is going to be a great campfire story to tell down the road.

Happy it turned out okay.

[bertnspike]

Regardless of whether you were wrong or not. There is a certain way to do things. Some who are secure within themselves do it with class and elan. Others are punks who have given power and misuse it. I am very sorry that you had to be subjected to this type of behavior. I know it just takes too much energy to report this idiot. I hope you are not too upset about it. Forget about the experience and just think that this guy just earned some really negative karma.

Enjoy your day. Tatjana

Exactly. Sense of humor? Manners? Consideration? Sheesh! I know he'll get his some day. No problem.

[Gentleladybear]

There is no excuse for that type behavior. When I got that in Indiana's Brown's County State Park, I yelled back at the guy to stop yelling at me. He did and we worked the situation out. Think I shocked him. They don't take the time to think about what got you into that situation. Glad you found a Walmart...they are great.

[bertnspike]

There is no excuse for that type behavior. When I got that in Indiana's Brown's County State Park, I yelled back at the guy to stop yelling at me. He did and we worked the situation out. Think I shocked him. They don't take the time to think about what got you into that situation. Glad you found a Walmart...they are great.

Good for you!

[JoanE]

Ft. Pickens is a very nice campground. I stayed last fall for a while.

[snowball]

that happened to us only at a Wal Mart...we stopped bought grocerys asked a manager
he said yes not no because the city says no ect we go to bed and about 2 o'clock same thing
pounding on the door get you butt out of here ect and then we had to go down that Vergin Canyon
half asleep in the dark till we got to Mesquit NV stayed at the information center
So beware don't stay at wal mart in St George UT Washington UT yes but not St George and who knows the
city limits of the cities
Sorry you had this experience but it will make a good campfire story
sheila