Where the Princess Lived

During my March madness search for tent sites, I discovered this pristine location in Flagler County known as Princess Place Preserve. Overlooking the brackish Pellicer Creek which flows into the Matanzas River, the 1,500 acre preserve has the oldest living structure in the county, a hunting lodge built in 1887 by Henry Cutting. After his death, his wife Angela married a Russian prince, and hence, became known as the Princess. 

There are 7 primitive tent sites and five equestrian camp sites on the Preserve. While there is no electricity or potable water, I was in heaven on my quarter-acre, waterview site. There are walking trails, fishing and kayaking on the Creek, and yes, you can tour the lodge on weekends.

I did have to drive the three miles of sandy road out of the Preserve to road cycle, but nearby Palm Coast was surprisingly bike friendly. Actually, I believe it has the most connected bike network of any town I've seen in Florida. While I was just 4 miles to the ocean as the crow flies, I could cycle 18 miles to the beach along well-marked bike paths. 

The week did end on a sad note, however, as my trusty Coleman tent did not leave the Preserve with me. A broken pole that tore through the fly has forced me to purchase a new homestead.