Of course it depends on what you consider affordable --- last spring we
stayed at https://secure.floridakeys.com/boyds/rates.htm and paid $75 a
night for a tent site  --- though it was waterfront and about 5 miles from
Key West. I'd be looking at the closest State Parks --- there are a number
close by on the Keys--- some with gorgeous beachfromt sites for typical
state park prices. The downside is that these are heavily booked in advance
--- you can check but are probably too late. Stealth (free) camping is
pretty much impossible in Key West --- I have that from a Westy owner and
Key West resident who is on the VWVanFulltimers list. Another thought ---
the appeal of Key West tends to be the nightlife/bars --- something that's
going to be impossible with your kids in tow --- unless you all really like
T-shirt and souvenir shops. In your situation I'd be looking for a state
park with a beachfromt site --- go into Key West for a day and take one of
the tour trams (the houses and foliage are very cool and then a quick cruise
od Duvall Street --- maybe lunch at Jimmy Buffets Marguaritaville and then
get out of town --- this is keeping your kids in mind. That said --- we
loved the Hog's Breath Saloon and Captains Tony's and a few of the other
historic bars in Key West. If I was doing it again a day in Key West would
be good enough for me (that is if I can't live there) :-)

Cheers,
Doug

On Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 11:25 AM, David Wilhite <dlwilhite@comcast.net>wrote:

> Hey Volks
>
> There is a chance we may be heading down to the Ft. Myers area from TN to
> visit a sister just after Christmas.  Thinking along the lines of "Since we
> are there, why not drive on down to Key West?"  We are wondering about
> making that trip, especially since the gas prices have dropped.  Being a
> family of five, with three kids (12, 10 & 20mo), we are wishing to know if
> the trip can be done in an affordable manner.
>
>
>
> When I say affordable, I mean to say are there any places to stay overnight
> with the Westy without costing a huge amount of $?  I can say that we can be
> very frugal at times, parking lot camping, PB&J sandwiches, tomatoe soup
> from ketchup packets (just kidding), etc.   We don't mind enduring a bit of
> hardship if the results are worth it.
>
>
>
> Really, just reaching out and hoping somebody that's been there can PM and
> give us some insight on what to expect (costs, driving times, etc.).
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> David Wilhite
>
> 84' Westy
>
> Middle TN
>
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--
http://www.dougalcock.com

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