Getting ready for the Florida heat and preparing for the reports to come. I hope we have some good pics and reports.
Getting ready for the Florida heat and preparing for the reports to come. I hope we have some good pics and reports.
Enjoy and have fun with your family,before they have fun without you
the true struggles of being a hammock forums member.
Not much to report. A quick hike in Friday evening after hitting Chick-Fil-A for some on the road dinner. The whole purpose of which was to grab some honey packets to have with breakfast this morning. Yep, forgot to ask for the honey. Oops.
The trail was exactly what I remembered from Pats Island trailhead and luckily some traffic earlier in the day had taken out all the spider webs. As I was leaving the car the wind kicked up and the sky darkened. I was hoping for some cooler weather and hiking in the rain. Not so much on either account but the breeze was refreshing.
It was good to see some familiar faces and a few new ones around the pond. Our favorite watering hole had shrunk to a shadow of it's former size. The clear cool water of the past was now a warm, algae-laden puddle. Even with the drop it size it was still a refreshing escape from the evening's heat. We enjoyed swapping stories of past trips and future plans around the campfire until late then hit the sack. I awoke a few times throughout the night to water the local flora to a sky filled with stars. It was so nice to be out in the "piney woods" even in the heat.
In the morning I slept in, enjoying my pain-free night's sleep in the hammock. A quick breakfast, pack-up, and a round of good-byes was followed by a group hike back toward the Yearling Trail. The plan was to hit the springs at Silver Glen. I got back to my car and drove to the entrance while the rest of the group headed up the trail. When I arrived there was already a line to get into the Springs. I squeaked by but didn't see any of the rest of my party. I asked inside about folks walking in and was told they didn't accept folks on foot. I took a dip in the spring then a power nap in the shade while waiting to see if the rest of the guys made it in. I woke up surrounded by a sea of bathers but no smelly hikers in sight. I hit the road for home after some additional sights that will haunt my dreams. Gotta love Florida state parks.
Just a quick start to the weekend reports. I hiked in from Hidden Pond Short. It sure was hot the sun clear with no predicted rain clouds. Got to the camp at about 4PM. Florida Hangar, Birdiesgirl and Big Country and kids were there as I arrived. Shellback might have been there or arrived later not sure. Life scout got in soon thereafter. Florida Hanger was into fire building when I got in . Mark dragged a log a mile or so to camp to be sure we had wood.
Because of the temps I took a bit more care finding a site. Found one overlooking the pond, exposed to the breezes, but near the central area. Yeah Me!! Then went and soaked in the pond to cool and get water. The pond was at least 85 degrees in the shallows, deeper it was a bit cooler.
Visited, cooked and ate until dark. I lasted until 9:30 before hitting the hammock. Slept until sunrise with two get up calls. The sky was perfectly clear then with a bright moon near full lighting things up. No under insulation needed the first night.
Saturday, four of us hiked the five miles to Silver Glenn Spring. We spent all day there. Soaking in the 72 degree spring , napping and visiting. Hiked back in the heat ,which got old, but we made it in one overcooked piece. There was storm clouds all over but the rain missed us. The intermittent shade was welcome. Once again, after resting it was time to cook dinner. I went to bed just as it got dark. Again slept all night. however, I got chilly and added a pad under me in the early am hours. Someone measured 60's during the night.
Got up Sunday, coffee'd up, ate my oatmeal, packed up and hiked out. It was clear and heating up already during the 8:30 to 9:30 hike. I was glad to change shirts , get into the AC and drive home.
CAVEATS; My phone doesn't get service in the National Forest, so it stayed in the pack No pictures. Sorry. But others took many. About everyone on the planned list showed up, but names go in one of my ears and out the other. So don't be offended if I didn't list YOU.
Grinder, Out
grinder
Trip report to follow after I sleep and let it all soak in.
Grinder was right that Sat night/Sun morn hit 69* outside the tarp and 70* next to me.
Enjoy and have fun with your family,
the true struggles of being a hammock forums member.
On the road in I saw a good looking young bear.
grinders setup.
hidden pond short view.
The Florida trail.
Silver Glenn recreation area was worth the hike. Crystal clear 72° spring water.the crew of hikers who braved the heat to make it to the water.
The Silver Glenn Recreation area was really nice. Look at the water pictures closely and you will notice people set up in knee deep water with tables, chairs and umbrellas. No one hassled them. The place wasn't jam packed with people either. Some of the boat people came into the swimming area at one point, the Marshals got right on that and had them leave.
Part of that secret was the limited parking for perhaps 100 cars. There were at least 10 cars waiting when we crashed the line on foot. They let us in (YEA!!!) No more cars get in until someone leaves. We left at 3:30PM and there were six cars waiting in line then too.
grinder
a few more in camp.
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