Acorn Hits the Trail Again.

 

Recently, I decided to take some time and hike the 32 miles of Big Cypress on the The Florida National Scenic Trail. The FNST is a 1300 mile footpath that crosses the state from one end to the other. The Big Cypress section begins at the southernmost end of the trail, found at  Oasis Visitor Center. This section is well known for its difficulty due to high water levels, deep mud and wildlife. With this hike, my intention is to start working on a much anticipated art project of painting the Florida National Scenic Trail as I hike it from end to end. It is something I have been wanting to do since I first set foot on the trail, shortly after I was given the trail name "Acorn", about 3.5 years ago.

Grand Canyon NP to Amarillo to the AT, to Tuscany

Confused? I don't blame you.
Last time I wrote an entry here I was starting my journey across the nation and back to my home in FL.
Although a short time has passed, a lot has happened. I will be brief in my recollection of events, not from lack of wonderful memories to share but from lack of time and eagerness to start sharing my current memories. 

Eastbound to FL from CA, Day 1. Los Angeles to Route 9

After spending 2 months in California, I decided to take a different route on my way back to FL and travel mostly on HWY 40.  I figured the weather would have improved significantly between mid January and mid March for me to do so safely while driving hotel Prius.

Day 10- Back to the City

Back to the city

Just when I thought my adventure was over, it extended itself a bit more.
Due to extenuating circumstances, my ride was unable to come get me at 10 am to take me back to my car, which was waiting for me an hour away in Acton.
I was now worried because I had to make it back to the city in time for my daughter's spring concert at 2pm.

Day 9- Miles 506.5 to 517.8

To Hiker Town!

Morning came much too soon this day. With less than 3 hours of sleep and the wind howling behind me, I broke camp and packed in a "record" 45 minutes time. I wanted desperately to get out of the high wind tunnel where I was forced to camp the previous night.

Day 8- Miles 494.2 to 506.5

Can I do this? 

Last night, in the middle of the woods and afraid, I had one of the most bizarre and comforting dreams I've had in a long while.

Somehow, I had been taken hostage by some scary people somewhere in Africa. I was placed in a high ceiling room wearing handcuffs against the wall. The room was white filled with natural light. There was a long table lined with delicious fresh fruits and vegetables in the middle and there were some official looking people coming in to partake of a feast. I felt excluded, alone, scared and confused.

Day 7- Miles 482.6 to 494.2

Vacation vs. Challenge

This morning I woke up thinking about a comment one of my friends wrote on my Facebook posting of this outing. "Nice vacation!", he wrote.
Few people I know are willing to spend their treasured vacations this way. Spending nights in frigid temperatures covered by a thin piece of fabric, daring to expose themselves to potentially dangerous animals and weather, climbing steep and hot mountains and walking endless valleys and roadsides with a 30+lb bag on their back. I know I am not one of them.

Day 6- Miles 474.2 to 482.6

To casa de Luna

I had determined that today was going to be an easy day. It was cold and windy so I waited a while to get out of my cozy sleeping bag. After studying the map and the elevation changes ahead, I was set to reach Green Valley and Luna house and call it a day. It would be a short hike to a restful night before a steep ascend the following day. 

I had been out of data for the last few days and feared I was worrying my family and friends with my silence so I had to go to town. I also needed to arrange my pick up location with the trail angel willing to help me get back to my car in Acton, so I could attend my daughter's concert on Sunday. I had to go to town.

Day 4- Miles 460.6 to 464.0

A fair weather camper

That's me and I am the first one to admit it. More than once, I have been known to scratch a night or two in the woods at the mention of rain and head for the local Motel 6. 

Today I did not have such a choice. I woke up to a crispy cold morning with a lovely, semi foggy view. It was perfect for a coffee and hot protein oatmeal breakfast.

Day 3- Miles 454.1 to 460.6

Walking with a new friend

Jesse and I continued our hiking and camping conversation in the morning and decided that we would walk together a few miles on the trail to try out his new pack, gear and shoes for the first time.
While he packed, I walked around the beautiful grounds of Hiker Heaven and took some photos.

Day 2- Mile 447.1 to 454.5

Vasquez Rocks and Hiker Heaven

I woke up to cold, fat drops of condensation falling on my face. Any part of the tarp I touched with any part of my body or gear became wet with freezing condensation.
It took me a while to break camp and dry my gear enough to pack.
I had a nutrition bar for breakfast while my guardian enjoyed the sun as I packed.

This was the first time I ever pitched a tarp. Here it is, with a "porch" set up using my spare trekking pole. The trail is immediately behind the tarp. 

Day 1- Miles 444.1 to 447.1

With my DIY backpack loaded at 30lbs (with food and 3 liters of water), I left the Acton KOA late at 3:30 pm. I paid $10 p/day that I would be out on the trail for parking and was determined to spend the night out.I walked 3 miles in 2 hours with some effort on the slight ascends. This will give you an idea of my physical conditioning at the moment. I'm 48 years old, chubby and no Cory Everson. Do you remember her?

The first challenge I found was crossing the Santa Clara river. Although small, it was running quite fast from the recent rains. Walking up and down its muddy banks, it took me around 40 Minutes to figure out where to cross it safely several times with pup in tow.

Base Weight, Food and Other Info

My DIY bag

I'm relatively new to backpacking and distance hiking. I'm also on a tight budget and dislike mass consumerism; so I try my best to up cycle and recycle as much as I can everyday. It is a very conscious choice that I am happy to make from an environmentalist's perspective.

These are the items that I carried for my first solo trip, 73 miles of the PCT.

First solo hike: PCT mile 444.1- 517.8

During my recent visit to Los Angeles, I decided to take a week to walk part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail or "PCT" while I waited for one of my daughter's school performances to happen.

After having lived there for over 15 years, I thought I had seen enough of California. Until now.
This land is amazingly beautiful and diverse. After a week of debate, research and getting feedback from experienced PCT hikers on FaceBook, I decided to tackle the last bit of section "D" and some of "E" for 3 reasons:

1- There are no dog restrictions on these sections, which means my little Booboo (aka "One Gallon") could come along.

Walking the Old Zoo trail

Yesterday BooBoo and I hiked the old zoo trail and a bit more, about 9 miles altogether. It was a rainy, cold and muddy morning. It was perfect for hiking.

It almost brought tears to my eyes, to walk in some of these places where my mind still sees my little girl running eagerly, playing and laughing when we used to homeschool while living here. She also turned 15 yesterday, which made this hike even more significant for me.

Leaving the Boxed Room

It seems like this blog should be named "Never home instead".

I am going on a journey again. Only this time I am taking my home with me.

Shortly after I came back to FL, I purchased a home in a small suburban town about an hour away from Orlando. The house is solid, of cinder block construction, decorated with cedar and stone siding. Wood and stone reminded me of the forest and the place where I longed to be. It was love at first sight. There is a small patch of tall bamboo that sway with the wind in the side yard and well established palm trees in the front. It has a small backyard that resonates with life after a storm. At night, when I look up to the sky, I can see bright stars shining against a pure dark background, with black silhouetted branches of tall trees framing the view. Almost nightly, I hear an owl's hoot and I am treated daily to countless greetings from birds and insects that share this space with me. Although it sits in a small lot, it has enough earth around it to someday be able to provide me with plenty of food and nourishment.