December 17, 2016 - Melbourne Beach, FL to Okeechobee, FL

We did not know it rained during the night.  There were puddles all around and there were raindrops on the windows. 

Erwin spent the morning getting our Lil’ Home (LH) ready for the road trip to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park while Edith was editing pictures for the blog.  We left Sebastian Inlet State Park at 10:30 am, turned right on A1A, then right on 510.  

Leaving Sebastain Inlet

On way we stopped at Sunoco in Vero Beach, FL to get diesel fill-up.  From there we took 

I-95 South to FL-68/Orange Ave (Exit #131). FL-68/Orange Ave was very quiet and there is a canal alongside the road, but we did not see alligators.

We entered Okeechobee County line at 12:10 pm, then made a right turn to get on US Highway 441 then left on FL-771 (NW 240th St), then right on NW 192nd Ave (6 miles to the state park). 

On way to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

The Prairie

Campground is on the left side of the road straight ahead in the clump of trees

It was a very long drive to the state park. We did not realize how remote it was from towns.  Edith thought she may have made a mistake of staying here for 2 weeks. We may want to get out of here after few days! We shall see.  

We checked into Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park at 12:45 pm. The campground host was waiting in the golf cart when we pulled into the campground area.  He told us that we were supposed to check in here yesterday, not today.  It was Edith's oversight! It was lucky that the park office did not remove us from the list.  If you make a reservation and know that you are going to be late or might miss first day you need to call the office and they will hold the site for you.  

There are only 20 sites with 30 amps electricity in one area and 15 sites in equestrian area.  The area is very primitive and secluded.  The nearest town to go to get groceries, etc is about 45 minutes away!

It was difficult to park our LH at site #14 because of the obstacles, but Erwin figured a way by making a U-turn and backed into the site.  

After we put out the patio rug and the chairs Erwin discovered that the slideout for the living area would not open.  What Erwin did was to “borrow” the motor controller from the kitchen side and moved it to the living room side and it worked.  Maybe the motor controller is bad.  Our friend is going to bring a new controller that came in the mail recently.  

The view of the prairie from our site

We went to the park ranger station to register, to get information on trails, etc.  There are many trails to walk or bike on.  There is even a swamp buggy ride you can sign up for.  

Oh, by the way, Kissimmee Prairie has been designated as an official Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. It offers a terrific view of the Milky Way and constellations.  The park itself has 54,000 acres and is surrounded by public lands and ranches, making the sky clear on a night without clouds.

The Milky Way