The Wilton Hilton (ECT Day 53)

• Hiked Today: 21.6 miles
  • The Florida Trail (879.8 – 901.4)
• Total Hiked: 1,112.3 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: sunny and clear, 33-63°F

Snowbird Motel to Hillcrest Baptist Church 

I left the motel a little after 8:00 am. Normally I’d take advantage of the room and stay longer, but today I had 21 miles to get to another spot that would be cozy as well. The Hillcrest Baptist Church is another one that takes hikers in, but it’s much more than just letting us tent on their property. The FarOut comments rave about their kindness and also said they have a hiker “shack” with laundry and showers. So that’s why I got going “early”… to get there.

See you Snowbird, you were good to me.

Walking out of Bristol, Florida via the roadside FT

About 3 miles down the road, walking into Blountsown, Florida via the roadside FT

In Blountsown, I treated myself by stopping into a local coffee shop and got a large hot french vanilla latte or something of the sorts. I still never really know what to order when I part from straight black coffee. Even so, I’m rarely disappointed, I love a good sugary syrupy drink from time to time. And this hit the spot. It was another cold morning and all that caffeine and goodness running through my veins had me in a cheery bouncy mood.

Crossing the mighty Apalachicola River. It’s a big one. Being up high on the bridge allowed a view of the forest at the same level as the tips of the trees. It brought me back to the bridge leaving the Keys 

Lovely green space right in town.

Walking up to this place I mistook it for someone’s house at first and it did give off cozy house vibes. I liked it a lot.

Most of today was roadside walking. I had expected it all to be, but was surprised in the middle of the day when there was a short riverside trail section. For about 2-miles, I followed along the Chipola River. Not near as big as the Apalachicola, but still sizable. Its water appeared turbidly muddy. I had lunch along its banks at a cleared camp spot.

Bauldree Branch

Tried to get a tad healthier food this time around… southwest chicken wrap with spinach, avocado, and colby jack cheese! Scrumptious.

The Piggly Wiggly had the most diverse selection of chicken and tuna packets I’d ever seen. This one would be a game changer if available all over.

I took this pic to show the wonderful flat 2 feet section of grass running parallel along the shoulder. Perfect for road walks, as opposed to the immediate angle down to the ditch.

Hillcrest Baptist Church!

I arrived a little before 4:00 pm. I’d been texting Pastor Forest about my arrival because he’d asked me to keep them posted. Walking over to “the hiker shack,” which I’d find out is deemed the “Wilton Hilton” (named after one of the founders), a hiker came out to greet me. It was Machine and he was super kind and gave me a tour of the place having zeroed there today.

I felt very welcomed right away and amazed at the very hiker friendly style of this place. They provided hiker boxes, a bedroom, refrigerator and freezer, outlets, shower, and laundry. Everything we need… they had it. Truly a special place on the Florida Trail.

I got cleaned up and then at 5:00 pm Machine and I were invited to dinner inside the church fellowship area with Pastor Forest and his wife Becky. After a prayer, we dug right into a delicious homemade chicken and rice dish, along with some sweet tea. They even had cake, but I was already stuffed full and it had some nuts which I’m allergic too. The conversation was lovely and I enjoyed getting to know them some and listening to their fun stories.

A hiker called Cliff arrived in the evening and three of us hung out for a bit in the Wilton Hilton. It’s nice to bounce ideas off each other and ask questions about stuff ahead and such. This trail has been one of my most solo ones ever, so I’ve really appreciated the social aspects when I get them. This stay at the church was great for that! Can’t say enough wonderful things about their kindness.

In the log book I wrote them a little rhyming poem…

“What a joy it was staying here,

Leaving tomorrow, I’ll be so renewed with cheer.

Your kindness shown filled me up

And also the sweet tea so delicious in my cup.

Thank you so much for the love you share,

It matters to all of us how much you care.

Onward the trail leads, but we’ll remember this place 

And think about how we might make space.

Space in our hearts to lend our own helping hand

As we travel all across this great land.

Love spreads love and it started with you

All of us hikers, we’re inspired anew.”

Albums of the Day:

“Poems, Prayers and Promises (1971)” by John Denver

“Live/Unplugged (1999)” by Alanis Morissette