Shortest Hike Ever!

This past weekend, I finally had the opportunity to hike with friend Mike as he exits the Panhandle and entered my weekend territory. The plan initially was to hike around 20 + miles over the weekend. By the time we eventually set off on a rather late morning start on Saturday, the mileage goal had changed to “let’s just see where we get to.”

It turned out to not be very far, but an incredibly enjoyable hike. Mike is 3 months into his thru-hike of the Florida Trail. It's a thru hike that dreams are made of. No daily mileage goals, just comprehensive exploration of all things in, on, around and near the Florida Trail. He is full of stories and experiences, both of the trail itself, and other hiking, outdoors, people and places.

As we set off hiking through the forest along the Suwannee River we spent as much time talking and laughing as we did hiking. We would stop mid-stride just to make a point in conversation, and these frequent breaks seemed to get longer each time. I was quickly and easily converted to his hiking philosophy.

Our final weekend mileage tally was only 9.5 miles over two days. Admittedly, that’s less than I’d usually hike in a single day, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every mile (and there were a lot of minutes per mile!) About 6 1/2 miles into the hike we stopped for lunch at a picnic table on the bluffs overlooking the river. It was a cool day, and stopping for more than a few minutes to talk prompted the desire for a hot drink. We boiled up water for coffee, and another, and another. During which, it got colder. Eventually, I ended up putting on my warm long johns and sweater over my hiking gear. I was pretty obvious we weren't hiking on this afternoon. After scouting around for a decent place to camp, we decided the best spot was right there where we were at the picnic table, so we camped.

Day turned to dark, and lunch and coffee became dinner and hot chocolate. It was a cold night, but the hot sustenance, the dropping of the breeze, and all the warm layers (including a fleece blanket wrapped around me under my raincoat) helped make it pleasant for sitting at the table enjoying the evening. We had a few light frozen rain and snow dustings, but not enough to worry about or get anything wet.

Overnight was cold, but not unbearable. Next morning, our necessary hot breakfast turned into a VERY LONG breakfast/lunch. But we finally managed to get ourselves in hiking mode and back on the trail. It was a very pleasant afternoon hiking across the final few high bluffs and gullies of the Suwannee. Late in the day, almost to the end of our massive 3 miles hike, Mike was walking about 30 -40 ft ahead of me and scared up a small black bear, which burst out of the palmetto brush beside me before plunging back in in surprise when he saw me. He didn't sound like he went far, and Mike has not yet seen a bear on his trip, so we waited a while to see if he would re-emerge, but he must have rustled quiety off unseen.

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