My last solo backpacking was on Florida Trail (FT) through Osceola National Forest and further west for 4 days and 60 miles of hiking. This time was Ocala NF for 5 days and 75 miles. The adventure started by taking the Amtrak to Deland, FL then uber’ing to the FT trail head on the south edge of the forest. When I finished up north, I uber’ed again to Palatka Amtrak to return home. More excitement!
Over the 5 days I saw 6 day hikers, 5 section hikers (like me, doing a section of the FT), and one thru-hiker (coming north from the Everglades going to Pensacola). Positively crowded. Perceptions of hiking greatly changed depending on who I was talking to. The old ladies hiking a couple of miles were surprised I would hike so long and camp overnight,. The 2 greatly overloaded first-time section hikers were surprised with my small backpack (20-23 lbs). One of the section hikers and the thru-hiker was advising me to cut back further on my weight and kind of surprised I only hiked 15 miles a day on my last hike. They talked about doing 20-25 miles per day. On the final full day, I challenged myself to hike 20 miles. Did it, but I’m still feeling the effects a few days later.
One section of the Florida Trail just recently reopened after last year’s hurricanes. There was so much work done to clear downed trees. I felt that whole area was just gorgeous and surreal.
I camped overnight among pine and oak trees, under palm trees, beside a wet prairie, and beside a grass prairie with pine trees.
No comments:
Post a Comment