Starke KOA
After Christmas we decide to get away for a week to someplace we had never been before.  Starke has a bad rep to people from Florida because it is near Raiford which is where Olde Sparkie is - the Florida electric chair for executions.  But on the other hand, Starke is in the middle of "old time Florida".  Some of the most historic towns and areas are around this small Florida town.  So off we went to the Starke KOA.  As most of you who have followed our adventures know, I am not fond of KOA's.  However, we have been to several which are very nice if not exceptional.  These are the ones that you will find in the Archives - the others I will let you know about.
The Starke KOA has a very friendly staff and the sites are all of a decent size with all the hookups - 30/50 amps, water, sewer, cable and WIFI.  It is just outside of town and located in pleasant surroundings.
Nearby are lots of nice restaurants - not the chains - mostly mom and pop places which have excellent fair.  Shopping is also plentiful with a historic downtown which has some interesting shops.  One of the best restaurants was a place called "Grandma's".  It was always almost full serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Waitresses were very friendly and the food was excellent.
A few miles west of Starke is a town called Waldo.  It is famous for two things - a very extensive Flea Market with just about everything and speed traps - don't even think about going 1 mile over the speed limit, the town police will come out of nowhere to give you a ticket.  It is a major financial resource for the town.
The rest of the area is filled with little towns the represent historic Florida at its best.   Starke is also with in easy reach of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Gainesville.  It is a great central location for visiting most of northeast Florida.