Where NOT to stay in Florida!
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:23 pmGulf 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.
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.
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!