February 24, 2014
Looking for a place to stay (Bradenton or Wimauma, FL)

Originally, we planned on heading up the east coast in the spring BUT due to some unexpected and not budgeted repairs and purchases, we have decided to either just travel as far as North Carolina staying a few weeks at each spot or seek a job hosting position in Florida for a few months.

On the spur of the moment, in the late afternoon, we decided to check out a couple of State Parks to see what they were like and if there was an opening for the months we wanted.

Our first stop was at Lake Manatee State Park.  After telling the clerk of our interest in the park she gave us a map and allowed us to take a ride through the park waiving the entrance fee.  Lake Manatee State Park is located on State Road 64 in Bradenton. 

The park extends along three miles of the south shore of Lake Manatee.  We drove around the two campground loops checking out the camp hosts sites.

(Months ago we had accepted a position at another park for the months of April and May but after checking the park out we were forced to back out of the commitment when we saw that the hosts sites would not accommodate our size rig.)

We liked Lake Manatee SP, and although we weren’t overly enthused, we felt it wouldn’t be a hardship to work there a couple of months. 

 

 

 

Before exiting the park we submitted our contact information.

Our next destination was only a few miles away.   Little Manatee River State Park is located off Lightfoot Road in Wimauma. 

The entrance to the park is set far back from the road.  We later found out that the one loop campground is three and a half miles from the entrance.  

When we told the ranger manning the entrance booth why we were at the park, he invited us inside to meet with the volunteer coordinator who just happened to be on site.  (Fate-kismet?)

  The coordinator, Joey, gave us a map and told us to stop back in after we toured the park.  There is a kayak launch and a 6.5 mile hiking trail that meanders through a wilderness area.  In addition to the 30 RV/Tent sites there is a 4 equestrian campsite loop.

When we stopped back in at the entrance booth, Joey informed us that he already had enough campground hosts for the time we were available but he may have an opening for a maintenance host.  He drove us down the service road to the maintenance compound that includes a few full hook-up sites.  It really had that homey feeling.

Before offering us a position, Joey said he had to check with the current maintenance hosts to see when they planned on leaving.

We really like Little Manatee SP and think we would enjoy working there for a couple of months.  Keeping our fingers crossed!