After our Harvest Host adventure at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, we were more than ready for some RV park luxury. As much as I love Harvest Hosts, there’s something magical about being plugged in, parked level, and surrounded by all the amenities. Enter South Leisure RV Resort by Manatee Springs—the biggest RV resort we’ve ever stayed in, and the reason I booked it? Pickleball courts!

We rolled in, did our usual arrival routine—park, set up the Wi-Fi, make sure Casey wasn’t plotting a mutiny—and decided to stretch our legs with a dog walk in Manatee Springs State Park, just a short drive away. For a bargain $6 entry fee, we discovered the hard truth: dogs aren’t allowed on the boardwalk to see the manatees. Makes sense, I guess—manatees don’t need to deal with Finnegan’s chaotic energy.

Still, the state park was gorgeous. We wandered the trails, soaking up nature and spotting wildlife. Highlight of the day? My first armadillo sighting—just chilling in the parking lot like it owned the place. But things got real when we passed the swimming area. Closed. Why? Alligator sightings.

As we arrived, a ranger was chatting with some locals, clearly annoyed that the sneaky gator had disappeared just as he came to remove it. Armed with humor and what I can only assume was a serious case of gator-avoidance, we set off on our own hike. The dogs got a good walk, we stayed a respectful distance from any suspicious bodies of water, and the gator, for all we knew, continued its game of hide-and-seek with the ranger.

Back at the RV resort, it was time for pickleball. Let me tell you, I’m no pro, but I’m improving! I managed to score 6 points in one game against John the Rockstar Husband Laverty—my personal best so far. Of course, he still won (every single time), but I’m counting my tiny victories.

Post-game, we wandered the sprawling resort, cooling down and keeping an eye out for a hot tub. No luck there, but the heated pool looked inviting. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for a swim before it got dark, so we headed back to The Raven for supper and a movie night. Deadpool and Wolverine? Yes, please.

The next morning, I woke up a little earlier than usual thanks to a time zone shift that pushed my first client back an hour. Naturally, I had pickleball revenge on my mind. But when we walked over to the courts, we found four other teams already hard at it. Foiled!

With that plan scratched, we enjoyed a leisurely morning before hitting the road after my client session. Next stop: Crystal River for five days of Christmas fun, Florida sunshine, and hopefully, no sneaky alligators!