Punta Gorda is a cluttered urban peninsula, bounded on the north by Charlotte Harbor and surrounded by great rural sea, the misleadingly serene surfaces of the South, no hills, grassy swales, hay fields and cattle, swamps humming with flies, and dejected woods. The city is not unusual in that way. It keeps with the Southern pattern of settlement, where most cities and towns are islands. Most are insular, with a certain level of prosperity, an agreed-upon identity, a well-heeled area and a poor section, places where “the other side of the tracks”ia not a metaphor but a specific place and condition and a social class.
We decided to anchor down at Waters Edge RV Resort, a mere three miles outside of town limits. The sites are actually three congruent circles encapsulating a small lake which circumferences a mile. Although well kept and maintained, we found the sites just a tad close. I rate parks and campgrounds on a scale of 1 to 5, with an occasional 6 finding it’s way in when the venue is just better than my weak words can convey. Albeit having close sites, I have to dole out a 4 for Waters Edge. The cleanliness, the professionalism of the staff, and the camaraderie and welcome mats by the residents, warrants this rating. In fact we lengthened our stay by an extra three days in order to spend time with friends from the cold winds of Pennsylvania. More on that later as well as a short critique of lovely Punta Gorda. Enjoy your day.
