TCD- just back from the Fort- read my ramblings here!

[bigdisneydaddy]

All kidding aside, that teardrop is a nice setup.

 

[stacktester]

This is the finest teardrop in the land. Note the great Gators artwork on the side!!!

Pete,

I read you're going to the fort this weekend. Right? I'm going to the game Saturday. Right here in my own home town lol. I hope we can keep it going.

 

[Gatordad]

I wish I was going to the game, but we have ressies, and our mantra is to go at least once a month, although we've cheated and gone less, but for longer terms..

GO Gators!! Bring them the best luck.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Maybe they're considered seasonal and will be marked down by the time we get there. (I wonder how heavy they are, how much extra weight they'd add to your gear?)

Did you happen to see if they had any of the original design refillable mugs when you were there?

As Carol said, the hitch-hiking ghosts were for sale everywhere. And people were buying them like hot cakes. They had them on display in the Meadows Trading Post. Can you believe that I forgot to take a picture?

The only refillable mugs that they sell are the new ones. They only sell them at Trail's End. I saw two violators drinking out of the old ones, and wanted to take a picture, but they were on to me. They were obviously keeping a close look out.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

OK, OK, thank you for your patience.

Here we go.

I hesitated before I posted these, because they are a little on the stalker-ish side. So, if you think that I am going too far with the photos, feel free to not look.

Alrighty then. In the recent past, there have been a few photos of a certain golf cart posted on the picture of the day thread. I am familiar with this cart. It is the one with the big home-made Mickey ears on top. These folks are regular long term campers. I know that for a couple of years they were in the 1100 loop for all winter, then the last couple in the 1200 loop. This year they are in the 1300 loop. Here is their set-up:

And, thanks to the Fort's land clearing campaign, here we have a photo taken of the rear of the set up. This is a photo looking toward the 1300 loop from Big Pine Drive. Please note the tomato plants in the large pots along the patio. These folks are here to stay:

These people always have great Christmas decorations, so be sure to look for them.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Speaking of the 1300 loop, here are some more photos of some long termers. These folks were camped on this same spot last March, and I would imagine that they will be here through the spring again this season.

Here is a closer view of their decorations on the curb side of the RV. Please note the proud display of the Musket Mickey tire cover. Also note that they have their own site number sign:

Here is a closer view of the other side of the RV. Check out the Mickey lamp post:

I love it!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

So, I saved some of my favorite photos for you.

My favorite loop to visit is the 2000 loop. This is the larger of the two partial hook-up (i.e. tent) loops, and you really never know what you will see here.

These folks were all clkelly's neighbors last week:

First I present to you Tarp Man. This guy gets the award for the most tarps used on a single campsite. Everytime we rode by, it was just Tarp Man sitting there at his picnic table all by his lonesome, working on his laptop computer. He was always there. I am not sure if there was a Tarp Lady, or any Tarp Kids:

Again, my thanks to the Fort management for the extensive land clearing. The above photo was taken from the other side of the loop, but everybody could keep an eye on Tarp Man.

The next photo is Boat Man. Boat Man hauled his Boat from somewhere, and kept it at his site all weekend. Since all the trees are being cut down, there is plenty of space for this type of thing.

And, here we have the motorcycle/clothes-line family. They like to decorate their site with lots of clotheslines and motorcycles!:

To each his own.

Also, did I thank the Fort manangement for the clear cutting program? The above shot was taken from Big Pine Drive, heading out toward the group camping area. Back in the old days (six months ago) you couldn't see what people were doing on their campsites as you drove through the campground. Now, everyone can see what is going on. Great for the spies among us!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Any body recognize who this VIP is, riding her scooter right down Fort Wilderness Trail?

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Speaking of spy photos- here is a spy photo that I took of my own site.


This was taken from the 2000 loop, over the canal, toward the 1000 loop. Because of all the clearing, you can now see the Meadows Trading Post from the 2000 loop!

Yes, that's me with the Vampire Mickey. He is quite rare at home, but there were many at the Fort. I'll bet this coming weekend there will be a flock of these guys at the Fort!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Here is something interesting (to me anyway).

This map is posted on the wall of the building at the end of the boat dock at the Settlement.

On this map, the 500 loop is called Terry Trail (it has since been re-named Buffalo Bend). The 500 loop used to have Terry travel trailers on it. This was before there were Wilderness Homes and, later, the current Wilderness Cabins.

Also, at the bottom of the map, there is an area named Marsh Mellow. There have been folks on the board who have remembered a canoe ride event that travelled out here for Marshmallow roasting. This is not shown on current maps, and has not been for a long time.

But, this map is still on display in a very prominent place!

TCD

If you have any way to zoom in on this photo, go ahead, you will see what I am talking about!

 

[Colson39]

haha, thanks for the Marsh Mellow update! I'm one of those that had done the canoeing expedition out there when I was younger, I'm surprised they still have a map up of it!

The Fort really has cleared out with the trees, but in time it will all grow back. And as you said, it helps out your spying duties!

P.S. That is A LOT of tarp. The guy pretty much set up his own circus tent....lol

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Any body recognize who this VIP is, riding her scooter right down Fort Wilderness Trail?

TCD

That would be the lovely and gracious Ms Sundee !

 

[Tri-circle-D]

That would be the lovely and gracious Ms Sundee !

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

Yes, I trailed Ms. Sundee for a while to see what she might be up to.

I'll save that report for another day.

TCD

 

[des1954]

These are the folks from W. Palm Beach that spend up to nine months a year at the Fort (I mentioned them in another post)!! They are friends of ours, and also own a Motor Home Pad in our development! He is a HUGE Chicago Bears fan! They're there for the winter! (I hate them - LOL)

 

[GreatLakes5]

These are the folks from W. Palm Beach that spend up to nine months a year at the Fort (I mentioned them in another post)!! They are friends of ours, and also own a Motor Home Pad in our development! He is a HUGE Chicago Bears fan! They're there for the winter! (I hate them - LOL)

Does the Fort offer any deals for long time stays (my guess is a big resounding NO)?

 

[MBMacs]

That's a big 10-4 Tim. When we went 2 weeks ago the same Class C was there. I wish I had that many decorations lol. I'm trying to get my cart decorated for next week for our neighborhood riding. I finally found the little pumpkin lights today at Big Lots. After seeing them everywhere and not getting them I go Sunday to Target who had about 150 boxes Friday night and now you can't find them anywhere. Went to and called about 15 stores and all were out. I'm not a big fan of Big Lots (no pun intended) but they had some good deals on seasonal items.

Those people must spend 52 weeks at the Fort, niceeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Colson39]

They used to offer discounts for long term campers, but no longer

 

[Gatordad]

They used to offer discounts for long term campers, but no longer

Good, more space for the rest of us.

 

[MBMacs]

Hey Colson, Congrats to you and the Mrs.

 

[Colson39]

Thanks MbMacs!

And no GatorDad, that is bad!!!! When I win the lottery and I become one of the people that spends all their time staying at the Fort, I want one of those discounts! Although, if I win the lottery, probably wouldn't matter anyways...lol.