Sun N Fun Blog: RV Resort, Vacation Homes, Vacation Home Rentals in Sarasota, Florida

When Josie and Adam Nitterauer and their 8-year old son Addison want to get away from it all, they pack up their tent and travel to Sun-N-Fun — all of one exit down I-75 from their home in Sarasota.

Adam, who came to Sarasota from Buffalo, NY, when he was two and a half, used to visit Sun-N-Fun as a kid when friends of his parents would come to town and stay here. But as a teenager he found other distractions and it had been years since he’d been here when Josie discovered Sun-N-Fun on the internet. Adam, who owns and operates Sarasota Sign Machine, decided to take a break from business and bring the family to one of his favorite childhood playgrounds. So they pitched their 13 x 20 tent and camped out the first weekend in May.

Addison quickly became addicted to the Hippo Slide, while Josie and Adam loved the party spirit at the pool so much they purchased a summer membership good from May through Labor Day. Now they’re here just about every weekend and while they’re still under the tent, they’re considering a rental cottage when the weather gets warmer.

The Nitterauers are great fans of the Friday night Dive-In movies; they loved Horton Hears a Who and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. They also like the $4 Margaritas and $12 large pizza. “Can’t beat it!” Adam tells us. And while it’s tough getting Addison away from Hippo Slide, the sports talk radio host is looking forward to introducing his son to all the sport and recreational activities available here. Adam’s especially eager to get Addison into miniature golf, something he did with his dad here years ago.

In fact, they’re enjoying themselves so much, Adam is doing his weekend radio show, Moffett and The Machine – Adam is the Machine – poolside from 1 to 3 PM Saturday afternoons on WTMY. You’re welcome to stop by and give your opinion on the Rays, Bucs and Florida State Football anytime; the guys won’t hesitate to give you theirs. Though on Sun-N-Fun being a winning place to campout, there is no argument.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the recreational vehicle, so Sun-N-Fun is especially proud to have been chosen as the winner of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) National Mega Park Award for 2010. It’s the highest honor any of the 3700 private Parks and Campgrounds in the U.S. can win – and it’s the second time we done it in the last three years. What a way to celebrate the anniversary of RVing.

As an acknowledgement to the importance of RVing here in Florida, Governor Charlie Crist has signed a resolution initiated by the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) and the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (FlaARVC), declaring June Recreational Vehicle and Camping Month. The resolution notes some interesting facts about RVs and RVers, among them:

• 1 in 12 Americans owns a recreational vehicle
• Florida ranks as the best and the most popular RV and camping destination in the U.S.
• More than 5 million people camp in Florida each year
• 20% of all auto visitors to Florida come in a recreational vehicle
• Florida ranks 3rd in the number of RV shipments
• There are 900-licensed recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds with more than 120,000 licensed sites in the state

Read the entire resolution at RVbusiness.com.

The RV has played an important part in our history, making it possible for tens of thousands of Americans to explore our great nation up close. To learn more about the fascinating history of the RV and its place in our history, we recommend the newly published book The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That: A History of the RV Industry in America, by historian Al Hesselbart. The book, which is filled with photos of vintage RVs, traces the history of the industry and features biographies of eighteen of the RV industry’s most influential leaders. It’s a fun read and we recommend it. You can find it at amazon.com.

The National Wildlife Federation created the Great American Backyard Campout with the goal of introducing people to the pleasures of camping out and enjoying nature – even if it’s in their own backyard.

Of course, we’d prefer you to come and enjoy camping out in Sun-N-Fun’s backyard. So we’ve joined with the Federation and planned a weekend full of great family activities that start Friday, June 25th and continue through Sunday the 27th. Check-in, pitch your tent and then join everyone poolside to make your own sundaes and watch our Friday Night Dive-In movie, The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Over the weekend, Smokey Bear will pay a visit to talk about safe camping and fire prevention. There will be a lesson in “orienteering” where everyone will learn how to use a compass and then be challenged to navigate a specially built course using it. You’ll also have a chance to explore the incredible world of turtles, snakes and lizards as part of the Fascinating World of Reptiles presented by Keith Wilson.

Because this is Sun-N-Fun, there will be live music poolside Saturday and Sunday afternoons, toasted S’mores, campfire sing-a-longs, and another Dive-In movie Saturday night.

So be sure to join us – and join in the good times – at our 6th annual Great American Backyard Campout.