Flying Eagle Preserve Campground within Southwest Florida Water Management District: February 12 - 17, 2022

 Here is the rig at Flying Eagle Preserve:

Camping at Flying Eagle Preserve was the closest we have gotten to boondocking so far. We only booked 5 nights since we want to slowly find our limits. The amenities were a portable toilet and non-potable water. We didn't use the non-potable water for anything. Since we were trying to limit use of water, I noted having to wash my hands after a visit to the portable toilet ended up using a good bit of our freshwater. It may be an application for recycled water. Besides being our closet boondocking experience, it was also the cheapest => $0. You are only allowed to stay 7 consecutive nights and 30 days per calendar year at a Florida Water Management campground.

Jane's brother and sister-in-law were visiting her parents so we ended up visiting at Jane's parent's house on Super Bowl Sunday and had a picnic lunch on Wednesday when they visited us.

The highlight of our stay was the air boats. They had an air boat crossing within the preserve at the Moccasin Slough Bridge than spanned the Withlacoochee River. The crossing reminded me somewhat of a snowmobile road crossing since a snowmobile temporarily leaves the snow covered terrain to cross the road and then returns to the snow on the other side of the road. In this case the air boat has to leave the water to go around the bridge. Here are some pictures of the air boat crossing:

The air boats have V-8 engines powering them with short exhausts so you really get a sensory experience sort of like being at a race track. I got to see several air boats use the crossing on the day we arrived. Here is a picture of an air boat using the crossing with a family of four on board.

There were miles of sand roads, mostly hard packed, I could use for off road bicycling. Along the roads was plenty of swamp land like the below.

Occasionally I would hear and see an armadillo scurry off when I road by on my bicycle except for one armadillo. He must have wanted his picture taken so I obliged. I tried to be careful so I didn't frighten him and have him scurry off before I got a picture. I ended up getting one good one. I don't think it was because I did anything special since he just kept rooting around as I left.

Our next stop will be the campground at Rock Springs Run Preserve. We aren't sure what amenities will be provided. We do know there is a horse trail riding establishment within the preserve and that establishment provides showers. Hopefully they will be convenient for us to use.