Today marked the first day of my return to complete the entire Florida National Scenic Trail (FT) south to north. Last year I hiked 588.7 miles from the official southern terminus in the Big Cypress Swamp to where I was forced to stop, due to heavy trail flooding north of the intersection of US 441 and Cripple Creek Rd. This year, on May 6th, I picked up where I left off, with a goal to finish the final 513 miles to the Florida/Alabama border north of Pensacola on June 5.
"Trailer" Angel
Numerous turtles sunning on a floating log somewhere in north central Florida.
Now that we are on our way, we will take on our trail names, FireBall and Hot Chocolate. While FireBall hikes, Hot Chocolate will serve as his "Trailer" Angel, driving a RAM 3500 truck with a 25 foot 5th wheel trailer in tow. Each week for the next six months she'll meet up with FireBall to provide much needed restocking of food, supplies and companionship. This provides FireBall with rest and relaxation, starting with a meal of high calorie sustenance (usually a cheeseburger, french fries and milkshake). Hot Chocolate must always resist the temptation to share in this feast, since she hasn't earned the burn.
The adventure begins with the completion of a thru-hike of the Florida Trail, starting in White Springs, Florida. Last year FireBall hiked approximately 600 miles starting in the Everglades, but was stopped by a flooding Suwannee River. Once FireBall finishes the Florida Trail at the Alabama border north of Pensacola, we'll drive to Atlanta, Georgia for last minute supplies from REI. Then onward to Glacier National Park, in late June, where we'll wait for the snow to melt so FireBall can begin his CDT2011 thru-hike redux.
A NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL JOURNAL 2011
we are on our way, we will take on our trail names, FireBall and Hot Chocolate. While FireBall hikes, Hot Chocolate will serve as his "Trailer" Angel, driving a RAM 3500 truck with a 25 foot 5th wheel trailer in tow. Each week for the next six months she'll meet up with FireBall to provide much needed restocking of food, supplies and companionship. This provides FireBall with rest and relaxation, starting with a meal of high calorie sustenance (usually a cheeseburger, french fries and milkshake). Hot Chocolate must always resist the temptation to share in this feast, since she hasn't earned the burn.