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The Day On The Bridge
Date : 1/8/24 — Day 7
Location : Marathon, FL
Starting Point : Sea Dell Motel, MM 51.1
Weather :
Yesterday, I crossed the Seven Mile Bridge and slept at the Sea Dell Hotel. It’s a quaint, little place with reasonable prices, just $129/night. The live-on-site manager even offered a 10% AAA discount — without prompting. FWIW, the Sea Dell also had the best cable package of any place, so far, ie, it actually offered CNBC and Bloomberg!
The motel’s other guests were friendly. As I headed out to find the nearby Publix store, one couple greeted me, “We saw you on the bridge (earlier in the day), getting poured on. That looked miserable!”. Actually, an occasional drenching beats persistent sweatiness.
Now, I’m resting at the Curry Hammock State Park Trail, MM 56.6. So far, I’ve seen no evidence of a “trail”. There is a fence, a small informational board, bike rack, trash can, and a bench. Oh, and the bench is in the shade — so I made myself at home.
I’m the 🔵.
I’ve “only” traveled 5 miles so far, but it feels like I’ve traveled much further. On the C&O Canal Trail, 5 miles per day was a good day, IMO. However, if I’m to finish the ECT in any reasonable period of time I must stretch my goals and complete 10, 15, or even 20 miles per day, regularly. Other hikers do it routinely, so I know it isn’t impossible.
My intended goal for today is Layton, FL, MM 70. That’s another 15 miles — give or take, so let’s get to it.
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Comments 6
CNBC and Bloomberg? I thought my husband was the only one!
Bah! IIRC, CNBC is the new ESPN!
Yep just keep increasing ur mileage & adjust your gear tobe light as possible & u will get somewhere!
By the way… this is getting extreme.. way back in the 20th century we only had to hike GaMe orMxCa. The PCT & CDT will soon both go all the way to iceberg infested Prudhoe Bay . Or maybe as one British guy did Tierra del Fuego to Prudhoe Bay. Still can’t hold a candle to Ewart who hiked from Capetown to Cairo in 19th century!
LOL … that’s the way of all things. More is better.
Guessing you’re either a hiking 🥾 historian or a non-American.
Most Americans, we “failed maps”.
https://gifdb.com/images/high/i-failed-maps-chloe-beale-pitch-perfect-rjpuhky2att6jzaz.gif
Thanks, Gingerbread Man!
I’m increasing … slowly.
While I loved my time with Harmonica — the only other active hiker I’ve met so far, that lanky, good natured kid is about one-third my age. When my back muscles twist themselves into knots or my knees feel a puffy when first waking up, I remind myself of that.
So far, I’ve figured out 2 things on the trail.
⭐. Given the opportunity, most people I’ve encountered are helpful and kind.
⭐. This trek is my trek. The only person I’m competing against is myself and — I get to make or change the rules … as I see fit.