Bike Paths to Big Pine Key (ECT Day 2)
Key West to Big Pine
I set the alarm for 6:00 am, but had been waking up every 10 minutes or so to check the time. Guess I was eager to get going. I was a little surprised at how dark it still was when packing up. It was nice with a little breeze and the palms twittling above me, cool enough that I had my fleece on. After packing up through, the extra layer had to go before starting to hike.
A rooster crowed right as I started walking. Maybe it was welcoming me back to trail? Still in the dark, it happened again as I passed by the office to leave the campground. I noticed the orange glow on the horizon. Then, another crow from across the street! And another… they had me surrounded! Was I about to be ambushed by chickens!?
Why do they do it, I wondered? Is it always right at dawn? I even grew up with chickens on our family’s odd sort of farm, but I was just a wee lad then and don’t remember. Some of the calls were loud and bold, whereas one close by me was done seemingly very half-heartedly. But, enough about chickens!
A Little Review
This first stretch of the ECT coincides with the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) which goes the entire length of the Keys. So, I’d be cruising along it the whole day today. I’m going to keep it straight with y’all, the vast majority is paved and it’s all in close proximity (if not on the shoulder of) the very busy Highway 1 a.k.a the Overseas Highway a.k.a the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway.
On the Road Again
Road walks are not most hikers favorite, particularly very busy and noisy ones. The pavement and asphalt can do horrors to the feet. That being said, I had a pretty good time today and found so many intriguing things along the way. Despite being by the road, I still found myself connected to the water and the mangroves and the surrounding more natural systems.
Here’s my first bridge crossing. I made sure to look over the edge down to the water on every bridge I crossed. The clear (most of the time) water and grasses (sedges?) and occasionally sea life (fish, starfish, an octopus, and a big ole ray of some kind) fascinated me.
In these first few miles leaving Key West I was continuously being passed by e-bikers that appeared to be making their morning commute to work.
One of the vehicle bridges I came up to at first appeared to have an entire separate bridge dedicated to pedestrians. Maybe it was at one point, or maybe this is simply a relic of the past, but they had it fenced off either way…
I’d find out that most of these “pedestrian” bridges would be in similar crumbling shape. Some, however, were in tact and anglers and bikers and runners took advantage. I too very much appreciated them.
The Many Encounters Walking the FKOHT
More chickens!
And an octopus siting!
And some skinny-looking fish… barracuda?
Around 10:00 am, as I was walking by a park ranger for the Overseas Heritage Trail, he stopped me. I was busted! Actually, he wanted to ask me about the backpackers he’s seen over the past few days and whether we’re with a group or something. This was pleasant news… there’s others out here! I filled him in about folks connecting this up to the Florida Trail.
The Trail
The trail took on a few different personalities today, but most resembled some form of bike path.
I had lunch at a pretty random spot right on the side of the path with no bench or anything. This locale did offer shade and a slight view of some water. And, food was calling my name. The main course was locally sourced pulled pork with seasoned, dried, and fried onions on a delicate fresh tortilla. Actually my tortilla was very stale and The pulled pork came from packets purchased at Walmart and may have done some work to my digestive system.
I’d like to introduce y’all to my friend and hiking partner, Sumi. He has traveled many miles with me and is hoping to go for the ECT too (despite his feet being in rather rough shape).
A little further up I discovered this sad boat. I felt compelled to take it’s picture wondering what its story is and also because it’s the SS Minnow. That’s what my little 12′ fishing boat was called!
I made it to Big Pine Key
And found some tiny Key Deer there…
I was very dead for the last hour. Onward I trudged and made it to Big Pine Key Resort where I had a tent site reserved. After getting checked in, I hiker hobbled my way to the tenting area. My spot had been raked 🙂
Once set up, I meandered back towards the office and found this sort of rec. room where I charged my phone, did a little journaling, and watch Notre Dame beat Georgia in the college football playoffs.
I was in pretty rough shape. Although I knew not whether it’d help, I tried to load up on electrolytes to combat my sore quads. And took some ibuprofen to try and relax the muscles overnight. I’m worried about tomorrow and am hoping it’s one of those times my body surprises me how fast it can heal and transform with rest. I am pushing too hard too early and knew that going into this. Just have to see how I feel in the morning.
- Hiked Today: 28.5 miles
- Total Hiked: 34.1 miles
- Album of the Day: “A-1-A” by Jimmy Buffett
- Started The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise
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Comments 2
The water looks so clear and inviting!
Pegleg is doing the border to border trails in a year hike and there is a group that started Jan 1st in the morning. She averages about 27-31 miles a day and currently is hiking with Long shot. There was a rather large group. Pegleg is also writing for the trek, so you might run into her. She was the second women to do the ECT with her hiking partner Sparkle being the first.