Week 3 at Splash RV Resort: Bikes, Beer, Thrown Rolls & Florida Full-Circle Moments
- 1nonblonde
- Dec 29, 2025
- 5 min read
November 2025: By Week 3 at Splash RV Resort in Milton, FL, we were fully settled into the rhythm: sunshine dictates plans, bikes go everywhere, live music magically appears, and somehow we keep running into people from Fort Collins… in Florida. Because of course we do.
Gulf Shores, AL: Bikes, Brews & Flying Carbs
We loaded up the truck for a road trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, tossing our folding bikes in the bed (thank you, compact engineering—you’re the real MVPs). First stop: the Fort Morgan Road Trail, a gorgeous, paved path running parallel to the coast with beach views, coastal homes, and just enough sea breeze to make you feel wildly athletic even if you’re cruising at a leisurely pace.
After working up a thirst, we made our way to Big Beach Brewing Company. This one had been on our radar for a while—our friend Millie from the Brewers Association mentioned her family used to own it, and we’d heard solid things. We grabbed a flight (or two) and were happy to confirm: yep, the hype was deserved. Easy-drinking, well-made beers, and a relaxed coastal vibe that felt very “flip-flops welcome.”
Dinner plans? Originally Cracker Barrel. Reality? Lambert’s Café. And thank goodness for detours.
If you’re unfamiliar with Lambert’s, let me introduce you to chaos—but the delicious kind. They are famous for throwing hot yeast rolls at guests, which alone earns them legend status. But it doesn’t stop there. You order an entrée (which comes with two solid sides), and then roaming staff appear offering free bowls of collard greens, fried okra, fried potatoes with onions, tomatoes, black-eyed peas… and molasses and honey butter for those airborne rolls. Drinks arrive in massive insulated “Big Gulp”-style cups that keep things ice-cold and make refills nearly unnecessary.
We waddled out full, happy, and slightly concerned about ever eating again. Worth it.
Pensacola: Art, Beer & The Great Tea Quest
Another road trip took us to Pensacola for the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, one of the Southeast’s top outdoor art festivals. Rows and rows of artists and artisans—paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, sculpture—you name it. It’s the kind of place where you say, “I’m just looking,” and suddenly you’re mentally rearranging wall space. AND we met a Coloradoan vendor selling handmade leather journals.
Naturally, beer happened. We stopped at Pensacola Bay Brewery, but due to the festival madness, they weren’t offering flights—pints only. They do have a massive wall of brewery stickers, and yes, we spotted several familiar Colorado names. The beer? Meh. Not bad, not memorable—but now it’s officially crossed off our list, and that counts for something.
I’ve also been on a personal mission to find a shop selling loose-leaf tea by the ounce. We did find a charming tea house… but it was more of a proper tea-time spot than a retail tea seller. Think delicate cups, cozy vibes, and “this would be perfect for a girls’ day or mommy/daughter date.” Not what I was hunting—but still a lovely find.
Drizzle, Karaoke & A Full-On Team Scramble
Friday night came with a side of Florida drizzle, but that didn’t stop karaoke from happening—or the fun from rolling. We re-met Brian & Kim, folks we’d first crossed paths with back in January at Splash, who just so happen to be from Fort Collins. They’re full-timers now, officially living the dream.
Then the universe reminded us it’s very small.
Turns out:
Darren had delivered to them back when they lived in Fort Collins 🚚
Brian and I share the same neurologist 🤯
Said neurologist? Tim, from my band KD & the Painkillers 🎶
They had no idea Tim was a musician, so I happily created a couple of new fans. When Tim later found out we were all hanging out together in Florida, his reaction was priceless:“How did that happen?!”Still asking myself the same thing.
Just when we thought the night was winding down, the drizzle turned into trouble. As the karaoke DJ was packing up, the tent over her collapsed—on her. Thankfully, she was okay, but suddenly we had a full-on emergency on our hands. About $10,000 worth of DJ equipment was at risk, and everyone immediately jumped into action. We scrambled to lift the tent, haul gear to safety, and get everything dried off as best we could. It was one of those moments where the community side of RV life really shows up—no hesitation, just help.
Not exactly how we expected the night to end, but teamwork absolutely saved the day.
Pool Day, Parade Life & Saxophone Magic
Saturday redeemed the soggy start with sunshine and warmth, making it the perfect pool day. And when the sun is out at Splash, that’s where everyone ends up. Floating, chatting, laughing—classic RV resort pool vibes in full effect.
Later, we rolled right into the Veterans Day golf cart parade, which continues to be one of the most entertaining things to witness. I snagged some great shots of Jim cruising along while Don and Janet whooped it up in the back like seasoned parade pros.
Saturday night brought live music from The Blenders, a fun, easy-listening band that checked an important box: they had a saxophone. Always a win. Their sound was perfect for winding down—smooth, familiar tunes that made you want to sway, smile, and maybe hang out just a little longer than planned.
Bikes, Rain & Rock & Roll
After on-and-off rain all week, Sunday skies finally cleared—or so the weather apps claimed. We trusted them. That was our first mistake. We ventured out to one of the new area neighborhoods to see all the fancy houses. Mid-bike ride? Soaked. Completely. Turns out Florida weather apps are more suggestion than science.
But Splash made up for it with an unexpected treat: live music on a Sunday, which they don’t usually do. Enter Smokey Jones and the Freeway 98 Band, a fun, high-energy rock cover band that absolutely brought it.
And then things escalated.
Someone spilled the beans that DeeDee and I like to sing...So they asked us to jump up on the stage with them. She took “Tennessee Whiskey” with me on backup and harmony. Then they asked if I wanted to do another…
Cue “Rock & Roll” by Led Zeppelin.
This one’s a longtime favorite of mine from my Fort Collins band days (5 Day Weekend, Box of Rocks), and I don’t think anyone quite expected it—but the band was dialed in tight, and it absolutely ripped. One of those moments where everything clicks, and you remember exactly why live music is magic.
And That Was Week 3…
From coastal bike trails and brewery stops to flying dinner rolls, unexpected reunions, and rock-and-roll Sundays, Week 3 at Splash delivered in all the best ways. If this is how November rolls in Florida, we’re not mad about it one bit.
Cheers!
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