Our decision to take a zero day at Big Cypress RV campground was most definitely the correct one. Like Billy's Swamp's Safari, they offer a special price of $10 p/night for hikers to pitch a tent. But unlike Billy's Swamp Safari, there are no tourists wondering amongst your tent, animals in cages or scout bunk houses.
The RV campground offers hikers a large, open area on the back of the property dedicated to tents only. Free showers and clean bathrooms are a great plus!
Laundry costs $2 for a washer and $1.50 for a dryer. The office can provide change and sales soap if available. The office also sales ice cream bars 😉.
Hikers have full use of all amenities on site, including the pool, library and common activity room, where they offer movie nights, exercise or skill classes (such as sewing teddy bears) to its guests.
Unfortunately the office was out of laundry soap when we were there. Our only alternative was walking 5 miles (round trip) to the nearest convineance store to get some soap. Thankfully, as we were discussing our plan or action, a cheery older woman approached us with a jar full of soap. She and her husband of 21 years were winter birds from Ohio. Hikers and adventurers themselves, they knew we would appreciate the help. We were so happy for it! They introduced themselves as Dan and Linda and we arranged to meet for an early supper outing later that afternoon.
It was wonderful not to have a pack on my back, tend to my blisters, be off my feet and use comfortable furniture for a day. It was also a treat when 5:00 pm came around and I didn't have to set my tent again.
On this day, the Seminole museum (across the street) was holding a special event with gator wrestling, demonstrations and food. Jane, Jerry and Cruise left the campground early in the morning.
The happy winter birds made their way to the museum with folding chairs on hand but Shoeless, New Bear and I decided to stay behind and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the campground.
Although it was a beautiful and warm afternoon, the wind was very strong so I decided to paint indoors. I begun work on a small painting of Lilly pads inspired by my walk along West Boundary road in the Seminole Reservation.
While painting and listening to classical music in the small library, Shoeless and NewBear joined me in quiet solidarity. We shared a very nice and relaxing time in this small space away from the weather, noise and people.
Around 5:00pm, Dan and Linda drove the three of us down the road to "The Landing", the closest convenience store/restaurant nearby, where I enjoyed a delicious grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries for dinner. Yum!
Dan once managed one of the largest car dealers in the New York tri-state area. Linda retired from MetLife. She's six years older than Dan and they are both absolutely lovely people.
Dan and Linda entertained the three of us throughly with stories of their chance online meeting 21 years ago. Avid and well seasoned adventurers, their mountaineering, sailing and camping stories filled us with laughter and wonder. These were the kind of stories that makes someone say "I want to be like Dan and Linda when I grow up!"
With full bellies and smiles on our faces, we said goodbye to Dan and Linda and walked to out tent sites; where the moonlit grass showed us the way to our cozy beds.
We needed to rest well as we knew we had a long walk ahead of us again tomorrow. 👣❤️
