Lamont:  ### Travel: On The Move Again!

After a sudden departure yesterday, I found myself at a stone's throw from the highway RV park. And literally, that's what it is—a quick overnight stopping place right off the road.

Now that I have a moment to regroup, I've lined up my next free camping spot. It looks awesome! I'm hoping to arrive this morning sometime, or maybe just after noon.

It's called Wilderness Landing Park—up to 14 days of free boondocking, with about 15 sites available. There's a camp host on one of the sites who maintains the showers and bathhouse (hot showers are a huge bonus!). Best of all, it's only about 20 minutes from the tax collector's office where I need to sort out my vehicle registration and get everything straightened out.

Plan for today: Empty all my tanks here, fill up with fresh water, and head over there.

(From what I've seen, this is a beautiful riverside county park in the Florida Panhandle near Baker, along the Blackwater River—primitive but well-maintained free camping with river access, boat ramp, and those coveted hot showers. Fingers crossed for a good spot!)

Check it out here

Safe travels, and here's to another great stop on the road! 🚐💨

#travel Bear Lake Campground – Blackwater River State Forest

Date of Stay: February 21, 2026 (two nights initially, extending due to cold weather)

Reservations are required and can only be made through ReserveAmerica.com (floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com). There's no staffed booth or check-in station upon arrival—you simply drive straight to your assigned site.

I was assigned Site 10. Without any clear guidance, maps, or visible signage at the first road split, I had to guess which way to go. I noticed Site 1 was straight ahead, so I assumed Site 10 would be further down that path. That turned out to be my first big mistake—I ended up in the wrong loop.

When I reached Site 10, I realized it was oriented in a way that made backing in impossible from that direction (especially with my fifth wheel). A campground host (or someone who seemed to be one) suggested I continue down to the lake parking area to turn around. I was skeptical about whether my rig would fit, but I managed it—just barely. If cars had been parked differently, it would've been impossible. Even then, coming back up the hill to Site 10 was tricky because the site is off the main road in that loop.

I spent 20–30 minutes struggling to maneuver, blocking the path in the process. A dozen or more people walked by—some clearly annoyed that I was in their way—but not a single person offered to help guide me. Eventually, I drove back up, made a sharp U-turn, and looped around the other way to approach Site 10 from the correct direction so I could back in properly.

After 45 minutes of hassle, I finally got settled. The campground was quite crowded, with a lot of families, kids running around, and what I'd describe as a "Walmart crowd" vibe—lots of noise and some disregard for rules. Right away, I heard a screaming baby from a nearby tent site, and I noticed that tent was set up in a clearly marked "no camping" area.

That said, the site itself is excellent: paved, with electric and water hookups (though it slopes a bit downhill). The view is unbelievable—I'm parked right on the lake with stunning scenery out back.

I originally booked for two nights but may extend for two more due to incoming cold weather. Having power and hookups during a cold spell is a huge plus.

Overall, it's a nice place with great lakeside sites and amenities, but it feels very family-oriented, crowded (especially with kids), and lively—not the quiet, serene wilderness experience I had at Wilderness Landing Park just before this. If you're okay with that and plan ahead for navigation (maybe print a map or ask for directions in advance), it's worth it for the views and convenience.

Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ysemYStKRD4e4kjs9

Go West... Wait, South! Redirecting the Road Trip

Yesterday, I got one of those great calls from my son Travis that always makes me smile. He asked why I wasn't heading west anymore—instead, I was pointing the rig south. "Dad, you just have to backtrack a bit," he said.

I explained that pushing toward Cheyenne, Wyoming, right now would mean dealing with way too much cold—probably not thawing out until June. He shot back with the obvious: "Stay south, along the coast. Texas, Mississippi, keep it warm!"

So I pulled out the maps and checked the weather. He's right—it looks perfect. Mild temps, no snow in sight, and plenty of open road ahead.

Decision made: I'm doing it. Next stop—Airey Lake Recreation Area in Mississippi.

This spot in the De Soto National Forest sounds like a peaceful gem: a small 3-acre lake for fishing and canoeing, picnic tables, primitive camping (think unnumbered sites, fire rings, and that serene forest vibe), plus access to the Tuxachanie Hiking Trail for some solid day hikes. No hookups or fancy amenities, but that's exactly the kind of quiet I'm after.

Time to head south and chase the warmer weather.

Go west, old man? Nah... go south this time!

Safe travels to anyone else out on the road—drop a comment if you've been to Airey Lake or have tips for the southern route! 🚐🌴