The Pavilion Life (ECT Day 55)

• Hiked Today: 28.6 miles
  • The Florida Trail (922 – 950.6)
• Total Hiked: 1,161.5 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: overcast, 47-67°F

Elevation: low = 12 feet, high = 134 feet

Walsingham Bridge to Sand Pond Campground

I was the first to get going, but it appeared Specs would be close behind. Today’s hike consisted of nice trail and forest roads starting out, then about a 12-mile not so great busy road, and then nice trail again until camp. I started out solo, but saw a lot of hikers today (for the Florida Trail at least).

Beautiful horseshoe.

I was all about the water droplet pics this morning. It had rained pretty steadily overnight, so it was phenomenal that we had the pavilions to sleep and pack up under.

I got into some hills this morning! That’s what inspired me to start the elevation low point and high point for the day. I was curious. The mega hills contained nice pine forest complete with needle covered ground and swaths of moss patches. The moss appeared as two different shades of blueish green all interspersed together. Sumi liked the moss.

Next up was a gigantic section of formerly clear cut forest. The trees were all small now allowing a wide-open view of it all. 

The trail wound it’s way down to the lake in the photo above. Close to the waters edge there were some scrubby looking trees that the birds seemed to love. There were a bunch of them flying around and tweeting their calls. Make sure your sound is on…

I took a nice second breakfast stop after this. Machine passed by and as I was finishing, Specs caught me too. We walked together the rest of the way to the paved road.

On the big road section, we were in sight of each other most of the time. Machine ahead usually, he’s got quite the fast pace I’ve noticed. 

A little before noon, I made it to a gas station that rumors in our app claimed had really good fried chicken. As I walked up, there was Machine talking with two other hikers, Mexican Lip Balm and Cat. After a little catch up, they moved on and we got ourselves some hot food… It hit the spot for sure! 

I opted to get the three chicken fingers and biscuit combo and then made a ranch wrap out of it. Mmmm

Once back on trail, things got a bit puddly, but I managed to make it through with mostly dry feet. 

I’ve seen these mounds all over. No idea what makes them, but it makes me think of Mario Kart. There’s a track you can race where big moles pop out from underground and they always make me crash.

The last little bit was a particularly pristine looking pine palmetto forest. It led me to Sand Point Campground. There I spotted Machine finishing a conversation with the camp host. We’d been led to believe they allow FT hikers to set up for the night here at no cost. The rumors had been true! And, there were even outlets, bathrooms, showers, and a giant pavilion to sleep underneath!

Eventually there would be five of us all cowboy camping under the pavilion… Machine and I, Specs, Cat, and Lip balm. It was a tiring day and folks were taking showers and doing their own thing for the most part, but still, it’s been fun having folks around for a change!

Albums of the Day:

“Somewhere EP (2025)” by Caamp

“Boys (2018) by Caamp

Finished Audiobook:

“Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children “