Gus the Photo Bus

Gus the Photo Bus

Photo-booth inside 1977 Volkswagen Van 

Florida's Original Photo Bus was stated by Florida Oldscool Campers. They originally started renting out vintage campers for vacations in 2010. One day while at the mechanic Dixie inquired about an beaten up tin top bus. It had been sitting for-sale on the mechanic lot, D&A Auto for over a year. It turned out Darrel had taken care of all the mechanic on the bus. A change of heart between a father & son landed the bus back at D&A for sale. With all the maintance with the fleet, it took about a year to transform and restore the bus. We ended up stealing the colors from a square back at our paint store. The name came from a family that was vacationing in one of our campers from Minnesota. They had booked a last minute trip and the father and I worked closely to secure his campsites. While we were in the process of putting the bus back together, the family of four showed up. I remember the wife embracing me with a hug thanking me for all my help, but the adorable son named Gus stole the show. The next morning I woke up with the song 50 ways to leave your lover by Paul Simon. I told Mike, "I bet the parents were yelling, get on the bus Gus. We laughed and sang the song and it seemed fitting for our new project to be called Gus the Photo Bus. 

The Photo-booth inside of Gus is set up much like you remember from the 70's. With a high resolution camera we capture great photos and print them out on the spot. We also offer some fun props to add in the fun and bring your guest together. We print on larger 4X6 cards with the bus in the back ground to give the full experience. This also gives us room to add names, dates, logos, etc for your guest to remember the event. After the event ends we send the photos for you to download, and use as you please.

Gus as a limo the photo equipment can easily be taken out for the bus to be transformed to a limo service. The bus mechanics are all brand new so we drive all over the state of Florida. We have also added an apron under the mechanics of the bus for indoor, or paved areas. We have several weddings that choose to have Gus drop off the bride, or groom and then transform into a photo booth during the reception. Within 15 minutes the photo-booth can be broken down and be an exit vehicle for the bride and groom. 

Custom we would be happy to work with all types of events, parties, photo sessions or video with Gus the Photo Bus or our three campers.  We are a very small company and love working with our clients to make each experience personal and unique. We are old school, not only with the bus but with our customers service. We care about your experience, your time and your special day. 

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Lush tropical 120' deep Sink Hole near Gainesville, Florida. The 'Real Florida'

Florida Oldscool Camper Rentals 

giving you a unique way to travel Florida!

Click here for more information

What is the first thing you think of when hearing 'Sink Hole'?

Lush & tropical probably is not the first thing that comes to mind. 

Or to walk down a countless steps to get to

 the bottom. Well, I suggest you plan a trip to Devil Millhopper. It is unique to say the least. 

This is a great park close by I-75 in Gainesville.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

86) 462-7905

4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville,  Florida 326-955-2008

In 2010 Florida State Parks magazine featured park for the front page was Devil’s Millhopper.  
I could not believe this picture was taken anywhere in Florida! It looks to be taken in the Appaliation Mountains, which was just the fix I needed. Being a ‘Georgia Girl’ I truly miss the mountains.

While traveling home from a trip over to Ft Clinch we deiced to stop here on the way home.  It was much smaller than I imaged. For such a deep hole, the crater is only 500' wide. There is a half mile trail that circles the top of the sinkhole.  With a nice look over next to the stairs taking you down.  It was busy that day with college students walking the stairs for exercise, and what great exercise it was!  Like I said the trail is half mile and the sink hole goes down 120’… that is steep.  They have built gorgeous stairs and walkways leading down into the bottom.  What I would not do to have this spot all to myself on a slow day.

In the midst of North Florida’s sandy terrain and pine forest, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest.  Small streams trickle down the steep slops of the limestone sinkhole disappearing through crevices in the ground, and lush vegetation thrives in the shade of 

the walls even in dry summer weather.  A significant geological formation.  Devil’s Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark that has been visited by the curious since the early 1880’s Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida’s natural history by studying fossil shark teeth , marine shell and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.  Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays.  The park is open from 9am – 5pm Wednesday through Sunday.  Located three miles northwest of Gainesville on N.W. 53^rd Avienue (state road 232).

History

The site was purchased by the state in 1974, and a set of 236 wooden steps, along with boardwalks and an observation deck at the bottom were completed in 1976.

The 120 foot (40 m) deep, 500 foot (150 m) wide sinkhole got its name from its similar appearance to the hopper of a mill, along with the bones found at the bottom, suggesting animals entered it on the way to meeting the devil. 

How a Sink is Formed

Limestone is the foundation on which the surface of Florida rests. Although this stone is very hard, it is easily dissolved by a weak acid. As rain water soaks into the ground passing through dead plant material on the surface, it becomes a weak acid. When this water reaches the limestone layer, small cavities are formed as the rock is slowly dissolved away. Water moving horizontally through cracks in the limestone also causes cavities to develop. This process continues over a very long time until a large cavern is formed. Eventually, the ceiling of the cavern becomes so thin that it cannot support the weight of the earth above it. When the ceiling collapses, a sink is formed.

The Sinkhole

These depressions in the limestone have a very moist climate. They usually support a unique mixture of tropical and temperate plants because of the lack of temperature extemes within the sink itself. Amphibians such as the salamanders, and invertebrates such as crayfish find refuge within the confines of the steep slopes, which often flow with seepage from surrounding areas. Vegetation around the upper rim of sinkholes is usually characterized by well developed stands of hardwood trees. Steeper rock walls are covered with mosses, liverworts and ferns.

ft Desoto Park

Florida Olsdcool Camper Rentals 

is lucky to have Ft De Soto Park 

 in our back yard. It has one of the best campgrounds 

in all of Florida, with Shell Island & Egmont Key close by.

WWW.FLORIDAVWRENTALS.COM

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The great thing about this park is it has 7 miles of coastline,

where you can always seem to find a place to call yours for the day.

The great thing about taveling in a VW Bus... 

Once you find a spot you can dine with the view of your choice, 

and then take a nap at any of Floirda's great parks. 

Ft De Soto is the largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, It consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). 

With over 7 miles of coastline, it is easy to find a non crowd spot to call yours for the day. 

These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. Each of these species plays a vital role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment.

Ft De Soto County Park with natural sandy beaches, Fort De Soto was named America’s Top Beach for 2009 by Trip Advisor, the world's largest online travel community. In 2005, “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach.     http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm



The view from Ft De Soto's south beach looking over Krazy Karl at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

 





This is an areal view of Ft DeSoto in the red. You can see just how large the park is. It is a wildlife paradise! This is the largest park in Pinellas County Park System.It consists of 1,136 acres made up of 5 interconnected islands (keys).

With over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost three miles of beautiful white sandy beach. Two large swim centers including a food concession area located at the North Beach Swim Center a lifeguard is on duty 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily on a seasonal basis from March to September.

Ft De Soto has two fishing piers-each pier has a food and bait concession.
Gulf & Bay Pier Hours: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.



Last Christmas and New Years we had the pleasure of renting the buses to this family. They had a wonderful fun filled vacation. They seen more of Florida in the 2 weeks of travel than many see living here a life time! This is at Ft De Soto at the end of their trip. When they pulled up to the shop they were late due to a wrong turn on a kayak! They jumped out of the bus with straw hats and bare feet. I loved it! A true vision of a great VW road trip!



Krazy Karl at Ft De Soto packed and ready for an adventure! We do offer kayak and bike rentals. Please ask when booking to make sure we have availablity.

Fort De Soto is great as many sites have trees that are perfect for a hammock. 

Could this have been planned?

Ft DeSoto Campground is one of the best. - 238-site family camping areas with facilities, many sites are waterfront, with large oak trees for shade and palm trees in between. They have a long bike/walking trail, a great play ground in the campground. Also, if you feel adventurous, they offer a ferry boat ride (extra charge) to Egmont Key, which once held Fort Dade. A lighthouse (not open to climb) with a brick road and trail that winds thru the island. Gopher turtles are very common as well as waterfowl.

Bay Beaches are located in the campground, but you would need to ride a bike or drive a short distance to the Gulf of Mexico Beaches. If you get a water front site, bring a float!



Fort De Soto has the only four 12 inch seacoast rifled mortars (model 1890 mounted on 1896 carriages) in the continental United States. Also at the fort are two 6 inch Armstrong rapid fire rifled guns. (model 1898) which were originally mounted atFort Dade, and are the last two guns of that model year in the United States. http://www.fortdesoto.com/

Historic fort located in the Fort De Soto Park, with a short walk to beach. 

If you opt to drive to the beach, there are picnic tables and grills scattered all over the park. 15 picnic shelters, restrooms, and play grounds.

Here is a retro post card from the shack near the fort. It is a great little place with Panama Jack hats, food, ice cream, beach toys, sun screen, etc. The bike trail is right in-front of the resturant. They have bike rentals at this location.

This is to cool! I have never heard anything about a Jungle Tour on Mullet Key. Would love to hear from anyone who rode this train!

Multipurpose trail - seven miles of paved trail connecting North Beach, East Beach, the boat ramp and the camping area.

Fort De Soto has a great selection of kayaks and canoes for rent.

Ft De Soto has 2.25 mile mangrove maze canoe trail. Also, as you first enter the park you will notice
the boat launching facility is the largest in the county! With 800-foot long boat launching facility with elevn floating docks.
http://www.fun-florida-getaways.com/fort-desoto-ramp.cfm

Ferry service to Egmont Key concession/snack bar/souvenir shop. Ft De Soto has

1-mile nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area, and a 3/4 mile nature trail in the Soldiers' Hole area provides a glimpse of some the native fauna and flora. Regardless of your physical abilities, 2,200 feet Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail providing access to nature for all visitors to Fort De Soto Park.

Dog park with doggie beach

Fort De Soto is a great park and offers a wide range of possiblities. There is a section of waterfront campsites in the area that allows dogs that is on the bay boarding Shell Island. There is also a ferry to Shell Island, with is a unihibatied island inbetween Fort De Soto North Beach and Pass-a-grille.

Most of the island is an bird sancuary to waterfowl that nest on the beach. Ft De Soto also offers primitive camping here, but you have to provide your own transpertation, tent and set up. All gear must be brought to the island by boat. Also, you must bring all your trash off the island. Leave nothing but foot prints! No bathroom, no showers, no running water. Just you, the beach, the birds and the surf. I think it is amazing! Tip-last time we camped there the sand spurs were horriable! Make sure you bring some shoe to protect your feet!

The top left hand conor is Fort De Soto. Egmont Key to me is one of the prettiest place in this area! When you cross over the Sun Shine Skyway Bridge, look west and you will see it in the distance. Follow the channel with all the boats and you will see Egmont Key! Egmont Key Was called Fort Dade back in the day. My faviorte story was one of the light house keeper. In 1928 when the great hurricane hit this area Egmont key went under water. He tied his row boat to a plam tree 15 feet in the air. Once the storm was over, he rowed to Pass-a-grille (old fishing town and sea port) and never looked back. I have been throught a few hurricanes in my time, and never one as strong as the great storm, and I could not imange being in a row boat and surrviving. I leds me to beleive that people were stronger back in the day.




Battery McIntosh at Fort Dade

Fort Dade dinning hall

Right off the beach. Looks like an old bunker

Looks like an old bunker right off the beach.