Off Roading

   The last several weeks we had been having some issues with our Jeep sometimes getting stuck in low gear and not shifting into the higher gears as you accelerated.  We were concerned that the transmission might be going; but as usual Keith figured it out.  Luckily it was just a speed sensor on the transmission and he was able to order a new sensor for $20 and replace it himself.  The Jeep is now running like a champ.  So we decided to do a little off-roading last weekend.  The Fred Babcock/Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area is Florida's oldest wildlife management area and protects over 80,000 acres.  It is about 20 miles from Fort Myers, just a short drive.  So off we went.

     Pengi was excited to go off-roading.  Here he is as we entered the park

Much of the roads in the park are flat, firm gravel or dirt so they are easy to negotiate.

There are large sections that are very marshy

The park is protected home to many native Florida species of wildlife.  White tailed deer, alligators, racoons, many different birds etc.  There are even occasional sightings of the rare Florida panther.  Pengi and I kept a close look-out for any panther, but we did not see one this day.  

This is what the Florida panther looks like

We did see numerous birds.  Here is a sandhill crane.  This bird is common in Florida and they mate for life.

This cattle egret appeared dumbfounded as I snapped his picture.  The look on this bird's face was priceless

There were honey bee hives

And local farmers also raise cattle in some sections of the preserve

Here is a cattle egret appropriately hitching a ride on a bovine.

We spent about 2 hours driving through the preserve.  It was a nice way to spend some time off the boat.  On the way home we popped into a car wash to get the dirt off the Jeep.

Pengi experiencing his first car wash

The Jeep ran great for us and we are relieved that we don't have a huge repair bill.  The weather has gotten a little chilly here in south Florida.  We are not complaining, mind you.  I am still able to get out on the beach regularly to do some shelling and Keith is getting out a least once a week to play some golf.  All is well here in Sanibel.