Although having a home base in New England isn’t exactly ideal when you love chasing warmer weather, late fall and early winter often give us one last window to escape before Old Man Winter truly settles in. Once snow, ice, and deep cold take over, moving a fifth wheel out of storage becomes a challenge—sometimes a gamble. But when the timing lines up just right, those “last-ditch” RV adventures tend to be the most memorable.
This winter excursion in our Keystone Alpine Avalanche 338GK proved exactly that.
Our goal was simple: point the rig south, soak up some sunshine at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, Auburndale, and then continue on to a long-awaited bucket-list destination—St. Augustine, Florida, to finally experience the legendary Nights of Lights. What we didn’t fully anticipate was just how much this trip would reinforce why we RV in the first place: adventure, connection, and community.
Why 2025 Became “The Year of RV Friendships”
For a long time, we traveled mostly as a solo couple. Short stays, tight schedules, and a lack of RV clubs in New England can make it tough to form meaningful RV friendships. Interestingly, when we were deep into overlanding, it felt easier to find weekend meetups, trail rides, and a built-in community. RV life—especially in the Northeast—can feel more fragmented.
So, in late 2024, we decided: 2025 would be the year we intentionally found our RV community and RV Destination. That mindset is exactly why we started Gemini on Tour—to document not just the destinations, but the relationships, lessons, and shared experiences along the way.
Immersing ourselves in YouTube opened our eyes to how powerful RV meetups and creator communities can be. Attending our first Adventure Bandits Bash changed everything. From that weekend forward, our circle of RV friends grew—laughs were shared, campfires lit, and friendships formed from New England all the way down the East Coast.
A fast push South and a magical Orlando stop
This particular journey started with a hard push south—about 1,300 miles in roughly 30 hours. Sometimes you just have to rip the Band-Aid off and get through the miles to reach the sunshine.
Our first stop was Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, a fantastic campground just outside Orlando. If you’re RVing near central Florida, this park makes an excellent base camp:
- Spacious sites with room to breathe
- Easy access to Orlando attractions
- A peaceful setting around Turkey Lake
We used this stop to explore Disney Springs, grab some food and drinks, and enjoy a stroll around the lake before continuing on. Not exactly inside the parks—but close enough to feel the magic without the chaos.
Learn more about the campground here: https://www.orangecountyfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx#.Y9TurkeyLake
Camp Margaritaville: Pool Time, Pickleball & Pure Relaxation 🍹
From Orlando, we rolled into Auburndale, Florida, and checked into Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, Auburndale—and instantly shifted into vacation mode.
This resort is exactly what you imagine:
- Resort-style pools
- Live music and a laid-back island vibe
- Pickleball courts, tiki bars, and plenty of space to unwind
After long travel days, Margaritaville gave us what every RV traveler craves: rest, sunshine, and zero agenda. It was the perfect reset before heading north again for the final leg of the trip.
Resort details: https://www.sunoutdoors.com/florida/sun-outdoors-auburndale
Nights of Lights & RV Friendships in St. Augustine 🎄🚐
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights had been on our RV bucket list for years—and this was finally the year to check it off.
Even better, our timing aligned perfectly with our friends Duane and Belinda from All About The Banks. After spending nearly a month in Key West, their schedule lined up with ours, and we knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.
We all stayed at Sun Outdoors St. Augustine, a beautiful Florida RV resort offering:
- Large, spacious RV sites
- Friendly and welcoming staff
- A full lineup of resort-style amenities
- Easy access to downtown St. Augustine
Campground info: https://www.sunoutdoors.com/florida/sun-outdoors-st-augustine
The Nights of Lights celebration itself was nothing short of magical. Millions of white lights draped across the historic district transformed the city into something straight out of a holiday postcard. Walking the streets together—laughing, taking photos, and soaking it all in—was a reminder that experiences are always better when shared.
Dinner with a View at Caps on the Water
One of the highlights of our time together was dinner at Caps on the Water—a waterfront favorite just outside the historic district.
Caps delivered on every level:
- Fresh seafood and Sunset views over the Intracoastal Waterway
- A relaxed coastal atmosphere perfect for lingering conversations
It wasn’t just about the food—it was about slowing down, sharing stories, and appreciating the friendships that RV life has brought into our lives.
👉 Restaurant details: https://capsonthewater.com
More Than a Destination—A Reminder of Why We RV
This winter RV adventure wasn’t just about escaping the cold or checking off a bucket-list event. It was about community, connection, and celebrating life on the road.
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights absolutely lived up to the hype—but the real magic was sharing it with friends who understand the RV lifestyle, the long drives, the challenges, and the joy that comes with choosing the road less traveled.
If you’re chasing warmer weather, dreaming of RV friendships, or building your own bucket list—this trip reminded us that sometimes the best adventures happen when timing, intention, and community all align.
And if Nights of Lights is on your list? Go. You won’t regret it.
