Warming Up
I arrive in Orlando 3 days before the planned restart of my Florida Trail hike. Even though it was starting to snow again in Denver, my flight was on time, and I lucked out with a front row seat and interesting seatmates. A short Lyft ride got me to the hotel, where I unpacked and double checked my gear. After so many trips now, you'd think I’d have the packing thing down pat, and yet I still managed to forget to put my hiking shoes on when we left for the airport. Fortunately, I noticed soon enough to be able to turn around and get them. After a quick review, everything else seemed to be there.
The next morning I take another Lyft to the Bear Pond Trailhead and hike 14 miles back to Big Tree Park, where I left off last year. These miles make up the northernmost part of the urban Orlando corridor, and run all on paved bike paths and sidewalks. Fortunately, the weather was mild, I was ‘slackpacking’ and carrying nothing but snacks for the day, and the miles passed quickly. I do manage to miss a junction and earn an extra 1.5 miles or so, but it was a quick and easy backtrack. The nice thing about getting this section out of the way is that when I start again on Sunday with a fully loaded backpack, I’ll be out of the city already and in the forest again.
Friday is mostly a rest day, waiting my turn for a couple families with kids to finish with the waffle maker in the morning, a 2 mile walk to REI for a fuel cannister(can't fly with that!), and a long, leisurely lunch at a cafe close by. The sugary pancakes call to me, but I get a mixed greens salad with chicken instead. It turns out to be delicious, and I don’t end up missing the pancakes. I confirm my rides with the local ‘trail angels’ who are transporting me to and from Billy Goat Day, an afternoon BBQ, pot luck and meet-n-greet for thru-hikers and the local trail supporters, and wait for my ride to the campground.
Billy Goat Day is very enjoyable. The eponymous Billy Goat is there, celebrating his 82nd birthday. He's been thru-hiking 30+ years, and has ligged over 50,000 miles. I get to meet many other hikers doing the trail this year, as well as many local trail supporters, volunteers, and more. It’s nice to put faces to so many familiar names from social media. After a couple short speeches, a long lunch, and group pictures, I get a ride with all my gear back to Bear Pond Trailhead and have enough light left to hike in a few miles. I call it a day, and get ready for a 27 mile stretch to Alexander Springs that I’d like to cover in a day and a half. I’m hopeful, as the springs sound like a great place to spend an afternoon.
