New Joints…Let’s Go!!

Days 1-3 — 27 Miles

This is the spot where it ended for Cowboy three years ago after 500 miles. His friend Stan drove up from Sarasota to pick him up and he made it a celebration by bringing a bottle of champagne to celebrate his friend’s accomplishment! Today Stan drove us back up to mile 500 on the Florida Trail. As it happened, we passed close by an icon on the FT, the 88 Store in the Ocala National Forest. We stopped in to show Stan around. When you’ve been hiking in the woods for a few days, it’s a welcome oasis. 

Stan enjoying a frosty mug! 

Soon enough we reached the trail, took a few photos and said goodbye. It was surreal being back at the same place, but three years later. I haven’t backpacked since October when I broke a bone in my ankle. Cowboy has only done a few 3-6 mile hikes with his pack. Both of us were feeling out of shape and questioning our life choices, LOL. It was warm, about 80 degrees and there was some walking on sandy forest roads. But there was also a clear Etoniah Creek and pretty deer moss.

Etoniah Creek

Deer moss — kind of looks like snow if you squint!

After 8.5 miles we got to the Iron Bridge Shelter, filtered some water and ate dinner. We opted to set up our tents, although the shelter did look inviting. The next morning we slept in, then had a nice time eating breakfast with the two young thru hikers who slept in the shelter. They are 18 and 23 year old brothers. They don’t have trail names yet but are known as the Boat Brothers because they grew up on a boat along with their parents and 3 other siblings. This reminded me that one of the best things about hiking is the cool people you meet along the trail. 

The Boat Brothers!

 I was also reminded to be thankful for the volunteer trail maintainers who made a way across the wet areas. I am also grateful for the forest service employees who do prescribed burns. The fire keeps the woods healthy and safe. 

My dry shoes and I are grateful for trail maintainers

The forest service employees checking on a recent burn 

It will be green again very soon

On a road walk we came across 2 southbound thru hikers who had skateboards and we got to see them skate down a hill! Later I found out it was none other than Jupiter Hikes and Sprocket! More road walking led us to Barbara’s water cache. She was taking her trash can to the street so we got to say hi and thank her. At the end of day 2 we had hiked another 11.5 miles and were hot and tired and ready to sleep! Day three was a short day of 7 miles. But it was a sandhill ecosystem and we actually had 350 feet of elevation gain. That’s a lot for Florida!!

At Barbara’s water cache!!

If you look closely, you can see a hill!! 

We walked through the beautiful Smith Lake Preserve. Then Gold Head Branch State Park, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. We were rerouted a little because there was an active prescribed burn happening. The firefighters showed us how to walk around the burn. We ended our hike talking with a day hiker who is a tugboat captain in Tampa. Again, I’m so happy to meet really interesting people! We only hiked 7 miles today because up ahead is the military Camp Blanding section of 7 miles, and we were too tired to hike 14 miles today.

Smith Lake Preserve

Gold Head Branch State Park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps

Civilian Conservation Corps marker

Trail closed! Detour for the prescribed burn

Handy dandy detour map