When Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de León set out in 1513 for the fountain of youth, he reportedly discovered DeLeon Springs, located west of Daytona Beach, Florida. Although the story of Ponce de León and the fountain of youth is supported by very little historical evidence, it’s not hard to see why people link the Daytona Beach area to that idyllic, mythical location.
People have been coming to the southern tip of Florida, specifically to the Florida Everglades, for centuries. Snowbirds have tried to keep this area a secret; however, something this great has a way of becoming known.
For the past two years, my Dad and I have been wintering at the Encore Winter Quarters Pasco RV Resort in Lutz (just north of Tampa), Florida. I had been looking for a warm climate for my Dad where he could spend the cold Canadian winter months. One evening at a dinner with some friends, the discussion of wintering in Florida soon led to a trailer rental from a mutual friend who was familiar with Encore’s Pasco Winter Quarters location. So there we were, transformed from frigid northern temperatures to the sunny south and part of the Snowbird migration to Florida.
Lounging on a warm sandy beach has its greatest attraction when the home weather reports tell of howling winds, and roads closed with snow and ice. It’s time to smile, happy that you chose Florida’s Space Coast for the winter.
If you are seeking miles of sandy beaches, or thinking about visiting the site of the Kennedy Space Centre, then you might select Space Coast RV Resort, part of the Encore family of RV Resorts. Located in Rockledge, this resort is handy to the sea, with its promises of sun and surf, and the big fish that got away. The inner coast is protected by long barrier islands protecting the inner waters from the brunt of the sea.
Port Charlotte is located midway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, Florida, yet for all of its attractions it is frequently missed by Snowbirds heading south through the state.
That’s not unusual because in the last century railroads and highways missed it as well and it remained an area of farming and ranching. Development changed all of that and in 2015, Forbes listed Port Charlotte on the list of 25 best places to retire. The many RV parks attest to the fact that a large number of snowbirds now call Port Charlotte home, at least for the winter.
My wife and I are snowbirds from Canada and we love being Thousand Trails RV Campgrounds members. We take full advantage of the fact they have a reciprocal arrangement with Encore RV Resorts. It was through them we gained access to Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort, with over 1,250 sites on 287 acres in the heart of Lake County near Orlando. The seasonal rates here are quite affordable and Thousand Trails members can use Clerbrook as an alternate to Orlando under their membership.
For years, snowbirds have been heading south to Florida for the winter in search of tropical breezes, year-round sunshine, and the leisurely lifestyle of the south. Port Charlotte, a beautiful coastal destination for ecotourism, restaurants, and boating, is a popular harbor community for snowbirds from all over. Whether they come here for the abundant fishing, the world class golfing, or outstanding birdwatching, Port Charlotte is a snowbird’s top choice for a vacation, a seasonal stay, or a permanent move to paradise. Dreaming of a tropical wonderland away from it all? Consider the lively Encore community, Harbor Lakes RV Resort, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast.