The Unbelievable Kindness of Strangers

This morning I woke up a little before 6am and just laid there. Last night it had been a bit cold, but I never pulled my sleeping bag out. It was so hot when we got to camp that I just used my sleeping bag liner. As it got colder overnight I probably should have grabbed my quilt, but I never did. It wasn’t too bad. But wasn’t ideal. Though it began warming up early once more.

Eventually I started to pack up and heard Long Shot doing the same. Once I was done I headed over to the main building to use the bathroom. Everyone else was cowboy camping in various places around the property. But they weren’t moving as of yet. It was a long day yesterday so that was understandable. I was a little sore, so I couldn’t imagine how everyone else was feeling. Even having been out on another thru hike 6 weeks ago I was still feeling the miles this morning.

Slowly but surely everyone began to get up. Then around 7:30am Jeff came back to the property with breakfast in tow! He brought Cuban coffees and breakfast sandwiches for all 8 of us. His generosity was unbelievable. Allowing us to camp on the property itself was such a kind thing. But then to treat us all to breakfast was just a whole other level. He really went above and beyond.

Cuban coffee for the road walk!

As we were leaving he called me over to his truck and gave me one of the long sleeve shirts for his excavating company. Then held out his hand and swiftly placed money into my hand. Telling me that he wanted to help my journey in anyway he could. And that if I ever saw another hiker who needed help he would want me to do the same. What an incredible stranger. We only met yesterday and yet here he was, taking care of me in every way that he could think of. It made me emotional and I felt so blessed. To be able to start this hike on such a note was quite a powerful feeling.

After we ate everyone finished packing and we got ready to walk. I hugged Jeff again and thanked him for everything. He asked that I give some updates over the course of the year, as he isn’t on social media. That would truly be my honor. It’s the morning of day two of my border to border calendar year triple crown hike. And yet here I am, receiving truly some of the most incredible trail magic that I ever have on any trail. The experience all around felt incredibly special.

Some lush brush alongside the road and water.

When we left there we began road walking once more. I was incredibly energized from the large Cuban coffee and sandwich. I listened to some music and edited and uploaded a new blog and video to my Instagram. Then we left Big Pine Key and began crossing bridges and enjoying ocean views once more. We have about 8 miles to go before we come to the 7 mile bridge. A long segment of the trail which has no side walks or walk ways of any kind. We will be walking just off the road for the entire bridge.

As I walked I was up ahead with Long Shot. Our pace has been really similar which has been great. He is dang fast and clearly has to slow himself a bit to walk alongside me. When he wants to he can just take off and fly. But it’s nice to have someone to pace with. Most of last night we were walking nearby one another.

Heading toward Bahia Honda with Long Shot up ahead.

After an hour or two we passed by Bahia Honda State Park. The ocean was stunning as we crossed over the bridge approaching the park. Then there was a walkway of sorts heading down to the park. We decided to just sit on the boardwalk for a quick break. Everyone is sore from yesterday so it’s important to stop and stretch as frequently as we can. As we sat there the rest of the crew arrived. First Lemon and Matcha. Then Dirty Mike. Then Caboose who had been waiting behind with Nana and Mama’s Girl. But apparently the two of them decided to take the bus down the road to give themselves a break. Not everyone is out here with the goal to walk every last mile of the trail. Nana Man has done this section of trail many times before. And alot of this crew is mainly out here to have fun, see one another, and do whatever they please. That’s the wonderful magic of thru hiking.

Taking our first break of the day right by Bahia Honda State Park.

Everybody sat on the boardwalk for quite a while enjoying the break. Then continued along, making our way toward the 7 mile bridge. We would get one last break before the bridge began though. There was a gas station just a couple miles down the road. We stopped there next to grab more water and other drinks. Then use the restroom as needed before we no longer had the option. There is no where to go on the 7 mile bridge. So it’s truly not an option for me to have to pee. I went a couple times just to be sure. And tried not to drink too too much.

One last break before the 7 Mile Bridge!

It was already super hot out as we made our way toward that next gas station. I grabbed a couple drinks inside and while I was paying, the man behind me offered to take care of them. He was very curious about what we were doing and had heard about the AT previously. I told him that it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. And was very happy to do so. That’s not something that happens everyday and was such a nice surprise.

Then I joined everyone outside to drink my drinks and have a snack. Once we left there we would only had a mile to go before we got onto the 7 mile bridge. The bridge was going to be a long and tiring stretch, both physically and mentally. You really have to watch your step and watch out for cars. Otherwise something pretty bad could probably happen.

I can’t believe that we’re already 40 miles in!

Along the walk we passed by so many familiar places. Every sign or building brought me back to the Eastern Continental Trail. It’s crazy how quickly your memory could be jogged. I remembered every last place where we stopped off to break or where I had a picture taken.

Finally just after noon we got onto the 7 mile bridge. Then would be arriving in Marathon once we completed it. Today we’re only doing about 26-27 miles, which is really nice. Yesterday was a really long day. So it would be lovely to get to camp at a reasonable hour tonight.

Crossing over the 7 Mile Bridge! The views of the ocean were unreal.

By the time we got onto the bridge it was the hottest time of day. I could feel my calves getting sun burnt, but it was already too late. They got a bit red yesterday and it came back quickly today. Typically I tan very easily, so my arms and legs won’t burn. But the sun down here is very strong and I just forgot about that factor.

The 7 mile bridge was monotonous but not too bad. I listened to music and managed to zone out. But by the middle half I was feeling a bit sore and ready to take a break. I didn’t spend enough time last night sleeping on my back. If I want my hips to truly rest and reset overnight I need to sleep on my back. I knew that, but couldn’t resist laying on my side for most of the night. Typically I’m good about stopping myself and forcing myself to lay flat. But last night I just caved and didn’t bother. Which was certainly a mistake. I’m just more sore than I normally would be because of that, I think.

Cars were whipping by up on the bridge, but luckily everyone was paying attention. We didn’t have any close calls. It was just tiring having to pay close attention to the road to be sure we stay safe. But singing along to music and jamming out definitely made the whole process more enjoyable.

On the 7 Mile Bridge.

From the bridge we even saw some large rays in the ocean! Which was bright blue and so beautiful. I just spent my time staring off into it when I wasn’t watching for cars. I could feel my calves continuing to burn while I walked, which wasn’t ideal. I had applied sunblock a couple of times. But the damage was already done. The slight burn that I got yesterday was easily irritated and reinforced by the scorching sun. There weren’t as many clouds in the sky today like there had been yesterday.

Eventually though we made it to marathon! It was such a relief to be done with the 7 mile bridge. Now we only had about 9-10 miles to go for the day! At this point I was sore and hungry and ready for a break. Luckily we would be enjoying all of those things soon. There was a restaurant when we first got off the bridge which Caboose had been excited about. I couldn’t remember if I had eaten at this location while I was hiking before. But if Caboose says it was a good spot then it definitely was.

Long Shot and I arrived at the restaurant first and waited for everyone to catchup. It was tough to say where everyone was because they weren’t necessity walking the road. A couple hikers had tried to get a boat hitch across the water just for shits. Then another two had decided to take the bus to marathon. Caboose texted that he was about 2 miles behind with Dirty Mike. So Long Shot and I just grabbed drinks and he ordered an appetizer.

Once we got onto Marathon we headed here for lunch.

I was really hungry but had no idea what I was craving! After everyone else arrived I finally figured it out though and ordered some lunch. I got a bowl with rice, beans, avocado, and steak. It absolutely hit the spot and was exactly what I needed. I was so dang hungry! We’ve been burning serious calories left and right.

When we had arrived at the restaurant I was exhausted and so hot. The few areas where I was sun burnt were sore too which didn’t help. But by the time that we left it was closer to 5pm and the weather was perfect. It cooled down a bit and then the wind picked up. After that I was feeling so much better! Those last 9 miles would be smooth sailing.

Loved this sign.

After we paid we continued walking through Marathon. Which we would be passing through for most of the remainder of the night. At one point I decided to call my mom and talked to her for a big.  That was really nice. Then we came upon her another hiking buddy! Clean Shave, who I met last year in Florida before. He’ll probably be staying over by the same state park where we plan to end our day.

Matcha posing in the sharks mouth.

The sun was getting close to setting around this time. I was hopeful that we would at least get to our campsite by 8pm. Tonight needs to be a nice early night so I can get a good night sleep. The next hour or so was tough though. I was exhausted from the heat and my body was feeling the soreness of the big miles. Though around 6pm we stopped off for a final rest break. I did my stretching routine and then felt so good after that.

A bunch of hikers heading through Marathon.

We still had about 3-4 miles to go, but at least my knees and hips weren’t really bothering me anymore. I grabbed a strawberry milk from inside the gas station. Then drank it on the curb as we all did some very necessary stretching. By the time that we left that spot I was rejuvenated beyond believe. My inner and outer knees weren’t hurting hardly at all anymore. The stretching certainly did the trick!

The next hour flew by so fast. Long Shot and I were up ahead talking and making good time. Both of us were sore though and ready to call it quits. But we wanted to get to the state park where we planned to spend the night. It was first come first serve, but apparently held sites for backpackers.  So I was hopeful we would find a spot.

Night crept in and the sky was completely dark after a while. The stars were out and were exceptional. Luckily a bike path is pretty easy follow, even in the dark. We got to the campground just around 8pm which was a relief. I’m ready for a good nights sleep and a fairly early start tomorrow.

Ending our day at Curry Hammock state park.

I got my tent set up and was inside quickly. Then did my stretching and did some writing and video work until my eyes wouldn’t stay open anymore. My sentences became jumbled and I knew it was time to call it a night.