RV Roddy

April 2025
Port Charlotte &
Charlotte Harbor

Although Port Charlotte and Charlotte Harbor are busy places every day, there remains visible storm damage from 2022 Hurricane Ian and 2024 Hurricane Helene. Some community facilities, roads, and parks remain closed including Port Charlotte Beach, Chadwick Park, and Bayshore Live Oak Park, all of which I tried to visit. Port Charlotte host the Spring Training facility for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and this complete is only 2 miles from Encore Harbor Lakes. Charlotte Harbor is the second-largest estuary in Florida and is a hotspot for fishing of all kinds. Charlotte Harbor's first inhabitants were the Calusa Indians who lived in the area for over 2,000 years before European contact. Highly rated restaurants include The Grill At 1951, Donato's Italian Restaurant, Brother's Fish House Restaurant, Ephesus Mediterranean Grill, PRIME Serious Steak, and the many dining options at Sunseeker Resort. Just a few miles west of Harbor Lakes, I spent a couple of hours on Manasota Key which was utterly devastated by Hurricane Milton. This is a beautiful place and I hope I can visit a completely restored gem in the future. Port Charlotte and Charlotte Harbor have made significant strides in recovering from recent hurricanes and it's a Great place to stay to explore Southwest Florida.

The Charlotte Sports Park

Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club

Charlotte Harbor

April 2025
Boca Grande on
Gasparilla Island

On my final full day in Port Charlotte I decided to take the short drive to Gasparilla Island. There is a $6 toll to cross over to the island. The island's main village is a picturesque community called Boca Grande. The town reminded me of Seaside with foleage more like Hawaii than 30A in the panhandle. There are no traffic lights and the preferred mode of transportation seemed to be golf carts and bicycles rather than cars. There are no gas stations on the island and the full time population is less than 1000 with the the population swelling during the winter season as part-time residents and visitors arrive. The walkable downtown area is fantastic. At the heart of Boca Grande lies the Victorian inn called The Gasparilla Inn & Club. The historic resort was built in 1911 and sits on the bay adjacent to the The Gasparilla Golf Club. This Pete Dye designed 18-hole championship course is exclusive to resort guests and members. Living on Gasparilla Island is notably expensive due to limited real estate and the upscale lifestyle. The median home prices in Boca Grande often exceeding $2 million. Hey, one can dream, right? This place is remarkable!

Gasparilla Island Lighthouse

The Gasparilla Inn

Boca Grande

Gasparilla Golf Club

Boca Grande

April 2025
Punta Gorda
Florida

Just across the Peace River from Charlotte Harbor is the charming waterfront town of Punta Gorda which is bouncing back well from the 2024 Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Punta Gorda Hospital is permanently closed due to irreparable damage with residents now using ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte, about 5 miles away. Just as you pass over the bridge from Port Charlotte immediatly to the south is the Punta Gorda Harborwalk, a 2.5-mile scenic Dog Friendly path along the Peace River. When Barron and I walked the path, half the visitors were also walking their dogs. Located on the west side of Punta Gorda is Ponce De Leon Park overlooking the wide side of Charlotte Harbor. Much of the park has re-opened but the 1/4 mile raised boardwalk through the wetland area and the Observation Deck Fishing Pier are closed until further notice. Located just north of the bridge from Charlotte Harbor is the Dog Friendly Laishley Park. Although the park has re-opened, some of the Gazebos, Fountains, a Fishing pier are closed and other amenities do not have the power restored. Although there are shops and resturants yet to reopen, there is no shortage of places to eat and things to eat. I can't wait to return when everything is restored.

Punta Gorda Harborwalk

Historic Charlotte County Courthouse

Punta Gorda Harborwalk

Charlotte Harbor

Punta Gorda

Laishley Park

Ponce De Leon Park

Punta Gorda

Laishley Park

Punta Gorda

April 2025
Captiva Island &
Sanibel Island

As of April 2025, Sanibel and Captiva Islands have made remarkable strides in recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the scrapping of Hurricane Helene in 2024. While many businesses and attractions have reopened, some areas are still closed with restoration workers everywhere. Unlike Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva have pristine beaches. Bowman's Beach is renowned for its exceptional shelling opportunities with a paid parking fee of $5 per hour. I tried to visit 2 other beaches on Sanibel but could not find parking and spent a half hour each fighting the traffic. The Sanibel Lighthouse was closed with the road barricaded. I really liked Captiva Island with it's close walking area filled with restaurants and shops. There are kayak and paddleboard rentals as well as guided tours through the mangrove-lined waterways of Buck Key. There is still plenty of visible storm damage but these islands have come a long way since the devastation.

Captiva Island

Sanibel Island

April 2025
Pine Island &
St. James City

Pine Island is a 17 mile long 2 mile wide barrier island off the coast of Cape Coral. There is visible storm damage everywhere from Ian, Helene, and Milton. Pine Island Park, Pine Island Beach, Bokeelia Fishing Pier, among others, remain closed due to storm damage and the presence of red tide. Pine Island is a not the sandy white beach destination and is mostly covered with mangroves as the land meets the sea. St. James City on the southern end of and seems to have recovered from the storms better than much of the island. St. James has under 4000 people and many canal homes with really nice boats. The small town of Matlacha is an island on Pine Island Rd. which was particularly hard hit during the recent hurricanes. There are restaurants and shops open on the island and many "Temporarily Closed" signs throughout the island. Really laid back place and I hope they continue to rebuild.

St. James City

Pine Island

Matlacha

April 2025
Champions Run Luxury RV Resort
Ocala, FL

I booked 3 nights at Champions Run Luxury RV Resort in Ocala because I have heard so much about it on YouTube. This place is new and fantastic. The reservation process was unnecessarily complex but everything beyond that point was on point and very well organized. The large clubhouse is surrounded by amenities including a huge Pool and Sun Deck, Hot Tub, Tiki Bar, four Pickleball courts, Putting Green, Bocce Ball, Shuffleboard, and Playground. The Horseshoe Grill is located in the clubhouse and is open Wednesday thru Sunday. The base rate for my site was $35 per night but after fees, taxes, and processing, the final rate was $51.25 per night. Hey, it's Florida. Champions Run does sell RV lots to individuals but I didn't have time to talk to them about any details. This place is very nice and relaxing I will definitely stay here again.

Champions Run Site Map

Champions Run Luxury RV Resort
Champions Run RV Resort

April 2025
Encore Harbor Lakes
Port Charlotte, FL

This is an older well kept Encore resort that is convenient to everything you need and some great destinations in southwest Florida. The center of Port Charlotte is only 5 miles from Harbor Lakes and another complete set of everything is only 5 miles from Harbor Lakes in North Port. Harbor Lakes has a lot of Park models but there are plenty of traveling RV sites here as well. The RV sites are among the largest I've ever seen and the internal roads here are the widest I've ever seen. Although most sites including mine are grass and sand I was easily able to set-up and level. The resort has all of the amenities expected of an Encore resort including a Pool, a Rec Hall, Laundry Room, Fitness Center, Restrooms, Showers, Shuffleboard, Basketball Court, Tennis Courts, Pickleball Courts, and a Sand Volleyball Court. The residents and traveling guest here are among the nicest I've met anywhere in the country. There are some things that could be updated but all in all this is a really nice place and I will return here again.
Harbor Lakes Site Map

Encore Harbor Lakes

Encore Harbor Lakes
Harbor Lakes Sand Volleyball

Encore Harbor Lakes
Harbor Lakes Dog Park

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