Creating Our Own Route Across Florida

This morning I woke up around 4am and rolled over for another hour or so. It was absolutely freezing this morning! With temperatures around 22 degrees. I decided to make a hot drink to start the day. Then laid in my quilt for another half hour before packing up.

My tent was completely frozen oven and it was ridiculously cold out. We got packed up and were walking around 6am. Within the next half hour we passed a gas station and headed inside for another hot drink. They had breakfast, so I got a bacon egg and cheese with a hash brown inside. Then a large hot mocha to drink along the road.

Walking on the bike path for the first couple hours of the day.

We stayed there for a while and a bunch of the customers and staff were asking us about what we were doing. Everyone was so shocked to see us walking out in the cold. Then we left there to continue along the road toward Mayo. We only had about 22 miles to go at this point. So it will be a super early day for us! We’ll probably get in around 2pm and do 25 or so miles for the day. Then get to spend the rest of the day relaxing. I’m hoping there is laundry at the motel. But more than anything I’m excited to shower, as it’s been 7 days since the last one in Lake Mary!

Nothing like a hot drink on a cold morning.

The road was pretty busy with cars so we had to be watching out for that all morning. And it was still so dang cold out. We crossed over the Suwannee River at one point, which was cool. Then after another handful of miles we passed another gas station. I didn’t really need anything, but it’s always easier to pee in a bathroom rather than on the road. So we went inside quickly before continuing on.

Crossing a bridge over the Suwannee River.

The chill remained in the air until the sun was high in the sky. And even still, the cold air whipping off of cars kept me in my layers for a long time. It wasn’t until around 11am that we finally stopped off to take off our rain gear. Leaving on the alpha layers, just in case. I think one if my favorite pieces of gear that I’ve been using this year has been my alpha 90 set from Sambob. Not only is it adorable, but the fabric is so soft and cozy. It feels like walking in a set of pajamas. The set I had last year by Senchi was just way too tight. If you do buy from them I would recommend sizing up one or even two sizes for a relaxed fit.

But Sambob nails it with the comfy size and the curvy jogger style pants. In the next couple of weeks I’ll be switching to an alpha 120 set by Sambob, just because we’re expecting some prolonged cold weather along the Appalachian trail. It’s so nice to be cozy and comfortable, while also enjoying the benefit of an ulta light set of base layers.

The Suwannee River.

Feeling good as it began to warm up this morning.

Once I got my rain gear off I felt way better. Then we just continued along the busy road, making our way toward Mayo. As we walked I found a couple “treasures” on the road. A dinosaur toy head, then a John Deer dump truck you. I held on to them for a bit, having my fun. Then let them somewhere else along the road. Every now and then I like to find and keep some road treasures. But those were just too bulky to join me on this journey.

Roadside “treasure”!

 

The little John Deer dump truck.

We only had another couple of hours to go until we got into town. I listened to a podcast and then some music. And did a bit of work on my phone for a while too. My feet are feeling a bit sore today, which I’m not loving. But this is a whole lot of road walking lately. If they can just continue to tolerate it a bit longer, then I know that it will be much nicer once we hit some actual trail.

Road walking toward Mayo.

We only have about 300 miles to go until we reach the southern terminus of the Pinhoti trail. Then that is primarily trail for a while. And we will just be doing 70 miles of road walking to connect that to the Appalachian trail. Rather than doing the BMT connector. Which adds a ton of mileage due to the fact that the trail goes north, then south, before going north again. We’re not that far from the AT now! Which is a crazy feeling. We’ll be there in about 3 weeks.

Mayo, “a small town with a big heart”!

Around 2pm we were walking into the small town of Mayo. Which has some restaurants, a small grocery store, and one motel. Everything a hiker could need. I truly don’t need any food, as I’ve been carrying most of mine for hundreds of miles now. And we’ll be passing by some form of a store tomorrow and likely over the next few days too.

Loved this sub shop sign with no name in it, just a picture of a sub.

When we got into town we scoped out the food situation. The best place seemed to be the Mayo Cafe, which was right next to our motel and across the street from a dollar general. We checked in at the room and dropped our bags. I took my tent out to dry it as best I could. The frost that was on it this morning has since melted, and now it was pretty wet. Then we headed over to the cafe to grab some lunch. This place did a lunch buffet for $14.99! Which is a hikers dream. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, corn, sweet potato casserole, a whole lot of sides, and a salad bar. I had one big plate and a couple of small plates. Then finally called it quits.

Heading into our room at Cindy’s motel.

The rest of the day was really nice and we just relaxed. I showered for the first time in 7 days and washed my hair for the first time in about 2 weeks. I even shaved my legs! My skin has been so dry, so I rubbed a bunch of conditioner on myself hoping that it might help. As I forgot to buy lotion at the store. I also washed my socks, gaiters, kula cloth, bandana, and underwear in the shower. Unfortunately there’s no laundry here so there wasn’t really another option. But this will do the trick for now. I’m just happy to get a shower.

Plate #1 at the buffet.

After that I just chilled out for the rest of the day. We watched a couple of movies and I got some editing and video work done. Then we did some stretching and exercising. I’m hoping to implement some new exercises into my routine to prepare for the climbing along the AT. Going from flat to mountains so quickly will be a big change. So any little bit will help greatly.

Later on we went to the dollar general one last time. I thought I wanted ice cream, but quickly changed my mind once I stepped out into the cold again. Instead, I got a thing of dip and a bag of chips to demolish. As well as an iced coffee drink to have tomorrow morning before we leave. A sugary and caloric way to start the day.

Drying gear, laying in bed, and watching a movie!

We stayed up pretty late watching a movie and lounging around. Then eventually turned off the lights and I tried to wind down. I did some writing for a while and edited my blog. Then eventually called it a night around 10pm.

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Comments 16

  • Dee : Jan 26th

    I am walking anywhere from 25 to 35 miles a day, but hey let’s add in some “exercising” so I am prepared for the boulders on the AT, say Pegleg matter of factly, while the rest of us couch potatoes stare wide eyed with gaping mouths open. Prediction: Pegleg and Punisher will make it from Springer Mountain to Neels gap in two day tops maybe even a day and a half. You two are killing it.

    Reply
    • Lin : Jan 26th

      Exactly! Made me giggle – PL is so bad ass. I’m hoping we get to meet her up north B4 she finishes the AT but at the rate she’s going I think we’ll miss her again 💗

      Reply
    • TheBeardedPug : Jan 27th

      Wow, yall are making insanely good time! One day yall in lake mary, the next, Mayo, FL! Jelly of yalls travels! I can only do sections (bills to pay) but I can’t wait till Feb 21st, i’ll be doing Tray gap to dicks creek on the AT, stayin overnight at deep gap. One last hurrah before ankle surgery. Lol.
      Safe Travels!
      -TheBeardedPug

      Reply
  • Wendy : Jan 26th

    Hopefully it’s warmer for you tomorrow morning. It says Tallahassee 60’s & 70’s! -nice! & you’re getting close to there.

    Reply
  • Bob : Jan 26th

    Hikers acting like walking, which they choose to do, is hard.

    Reply
    • Peg Leg : Jan 26th

      I’d love to know if you’ve ever hiked 30-40 miles in a day for weeks on end. But the answer is pretty obvious.

      Reply
    • Bob : Jan 26th

      No I only have 8,000 miles completed in last 3 hiking seasons. Another 2,000 getting ready to happen. Not to mention all the real hiking I had to do in the Marines. So yeah it’s pretty obvious you haven’t done many miles.

      Reply
      • Feral Cat : Jan 26th

        When you think you’re being ironic including the “only” in your mileage but the person you’re condescending to has done about half again as many miles as you 😂 Really embarrassing stuff Bob

        Reply
      • Lin : Jan 26th

        Ouch Bob, have you even followed this girl? She’s amazing. She’s not complaining, she’s just telling her personal story and no one can possibly contradict her for doing that. Maybe you can start your own blog so we can follow you but please don’t make negative comments like this on someone else’s story. It’s theirs and only theirs. ❤️ Way to go Peg Leg – you are amazing and we absolutely love everything you are doing. Don’t let the Bob’s bring you down because they are not welcome here ❤️

        Reply
      • Dee : Jan 26th

        Bob, what’s your end game? PL has done the PCT, only the second women to do the ECT, and just finished the CDT this past Nov., which is way above 8,000 miles. Now, she’s back at it trying to do it all in one year. She doesn’t boast in her blogs. She simply lets us follow along to experience what it is like to thru hike. Yes Marine training is hard, but it shouldn’t diminish what PL is doing. The impression I get from your post is jealousy perhaps? But that doesn’t sound like the Marines I know. So, again, I ask what is your end game.
        To Pegleg, in the words of Taylor Swift…(cue autotunes in the background)”haters gonna hate, hate, hate, so shake it off, shake it off.”

        Reply
      • Chris : Jan 27th

        Seriously dude? You’re knocking on someone who’s hiked more than you,.. I’m sure you make your mom proud.

        Reply
  • Jim : Jan 26th

    I used to sit by that sub shop early in the morning around 5 waiting for a friend to meet me so we could go duck hunting at Mallory swamp, you also walked right through my town.

    Reply
  • Jim : Jan 26th

    *my old town

    Reply
  • Ronald L Mittelman : Jan 27th

    I’m not happy about people hating on you. That’s ridiculous. There’s always that one, right?

    The rest of us are completely enjoying your experience vicariously. I speak for all of us who would like to be able to do 25 – 35 mi per day on the trail and can’t. We salute you.!!! Keep on my friend.

    Love that truck too. Too bad you had to leave it behind.

    Reply
    • Chris : Jan 27th

      That truck and dinosaur head,.. I would have kept em both. But that’s just me, someone who picks up random objects and treats them as my own treasure.

      Reply
  • Jared : Jan 28th

    Lawd have mercy, you two are crushing miles! Sorry to hear it’s so cold, but at least you’re not alone, VT is a balmy -6 or so currently 😀 Best wishes for the coming miles, be well, happy hiking!

    Reply

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