Campground Review:
This is one of my all-time favorite campgrounds. Florida has a lot of great state park campgrounds and Grayton Beach State Park is definitely one of them. What is not to love about having a great full hook-up campsite, set on a beautiful lake with amazing sunrises and sunsets, and being within walking distance of the most beautiful beach in Florida.
The campground is divided into two loops – one that is old and more rustic and the other is newer. Our favorite spots are 39 and 46 in the new loop and 10, and 18 in the old loop. The older loop (sites 1-36) are sandy sites set amongst trees providing privacy and shade. They have 30 amp electric and water but no sewer and are ideal for tents. Some of the sites in this loop are right on Western Lake giving you direct water access and gorgeous views. Roads and campsites here are sand so be prepared to get lots in your tent or camper. The newer loop (sites 37-59) has crushed gravel campsites, paved roads, and full hook-ups (50 amp). Each loop has a bathroom with shower facilities that were cleaned daily by the camp hosts and are heated. There are also cabins available for rent and all reservations can be made online at Reserve America.
The campground is within walking distance of the beach but there is also a parking lot if you want to drive which is a definite advantage if you have lots of beach stuff or kids. At the beach, you will find restrooms, vending machines, and an ADA beach wheel chair. There is a really nice boat launch providing access to Western Lake which is a globally rare ecosystem found in only a handful of places in the world. Picnic tables and pavilions are scattered throughout the park near the beach and lakeshore. Within the 2,000-acre park are lots of hiking trails that wind the coastal dune forest and the pine flatwoods. The park abuts a state forest which offers many more miles of hiking/biking trails.
One of the reasons we like camping here so much is because we love the funky town of Grayton Beach which is just a short bike ride away. Lunch and a beer at the Red Bar is a must. We also like to ride our bikes to the nearby town of Seaside which is a pretty little “New Urbanism” town where everything is within walking distance. There is a row of Airstream food trucks, a large amphitheater that has free concerts and movies, a great market with prepared foods and good wine, boutique shops, and plenty of restaurants. This park has become very popular over the years and with only 59 campsites it fills up fast. There is a two-week maximum stay and if you want to secure two weeks you should book early (which can be 11 months out).
Product Review:
As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I get to test outdoor gear and equipment from time to time. On this trip, I tried out Boost Oxygen. I spend a lot of time jogging on the beach and find that the soft sand can be quite taxing on my body and provide a great aerobic workout. After a workout seemed to be the perfect time to try to Boost Oxygen which claims to help your body recover after aerobic activity. Admittedly, I was a little skeptical that a few hits of canned oxygen could really have that much of an impact on your recovery time. But, it was surprising how just after four hits, I felt less winded and got my breath back. I found that if I took really long deep inhales of Boost it worked better than shorter ones.
The process is simple you just place your face in the mask, press a trigger, and breathe deeply through the mouth. You take as many hits as you feel necessary. So no more having that feeling of “being winded” or needing to “take a break” from your physical activity. Boost comes in three sizes (pocket, medium, and large) and since oxygen is weightless, the can is very lightweight and easily transportable (but, be aware that this product is not allowed on an airplane). I prefer the medium and pocket size which fits perfectly in my day pack and offers plenty of oxygen for what I need. Ingredients in the can are 95% oxygen and 5% aroma or ambient air. Boost also claims that their product helps in high altitude and where air quality is diminished, recovery from hangovers/fatigue/stress, and improves your body’s overall health and wellness. One of the problems with diminished oxygen during exercise is muscle cramping so Boost could alleviate that condition. It comes in different “flavors” which are pink grapefruit, peppermint, menthol-eucalyptus, and natural. I tried the natural flavor but would be curious as to what the flavored ones would be like.
Oh, and don’t forget to recycle your can.
For a video review of this product click here.
