Highway rides and night stops at gas stations

This morning we packed up early and headed back to the trail. The place we ended up at last night actually wasn’t that bad. And fortunately, when we hit the road, the trail didn’t become as wet and swampy as we had anticipated. It looks like a particularly dry autumn which should bode well for us. The Florida trail is incredibly unpredictable. Every time I walk a particular section I can expect very different conditions.

It was a calm morning as we walked through the pine forest. We started walking around 5:15am, which was a wonderful feeling. I’ve really been enjoying this schedule. It feels so good to have a solid routine again. I’m very curious to see how we will maintain this as the weeks go by. Even having averaged 37 miles a day for 9-10 weeks this year, I know this won’t be easy. We have to average 38 miles per day for the 6 weeks until New Year’s Eve. I’m really wondering how I’ll hold up and how things will be different this time. But walking with someone has been a dream. I think that will play a big role in my overall mental state.

When I finished the CDT and the edge-to-edge calendar year triple crown, I was able to walk around with Steam Engine for a while. It was a unique change of pace to be doing big miles with someone else. Even if it only lasted the last two hundred kilometers. However, I have never done such a long ride for an extended period of time with another person. When I walked with Punisher earlier in the year, we were doing «big» miles together. We averaged 30 miles a day for the first 5 weeks. At the time, that mileage was absolutely enormous. But what we are doing now is much more difficult and time-consuming. Not to mention, Slide and I have hiked about 8,600 miles this year. Getting started is one thing. Accumulated mileage and mass mileage take their own toll.

The morning passed quickly and the miles were nice and easy. The trail was flat and covered in pine needles. It was so fun that I even played with some dollar bill origami! Which I haven’t done since January, when I was previously in Florida. I can turn a dollar bill into a ring very easily. But I had a hard time turning the dollar bill into a collared shirt and tie. Although at some point I could understand it. Today I didn’t have the mental capacity for it. However, it was fun and a while passed.

By the way, when I was in Denver before I saw Sparkle, I bought this cute little “water bottle.” It was shaped like a bear and looked like a gingerbread bear. I bought a pink one for Sparkle and I bought the Christmas green one for myself. The bear is adorable and I have been filling him with all kinds of juices and other drinks. Now I take daily photos of the bear filled with different colors. So you can expect to see a lot of unnecessary photos of my teddy bear bottle, filled with various drinks.

My cute teddy bear bottle.

The section of the Florida trail we hiked later in the morning was perfectly groomed. The trail passed several long bridges and walkways. They are definitely some of my favorite Florida trail features. This trail is well loved. People always seem surprised when I talk about this path and the love it receives. Support for the Florida Trail is immense and many people volunteer their time and energy for this trail and the community. You can see it clearly on every boardwalk and bench you pass by. Many of which are old Eagle Scout projects, which is a really lovely thing.

It looked like we were going to have a pretty long day. But the good thing is that we had a delicious variety of attractions to entertain us. In the middle of the day there was going to be a gas station. Then we could probably end the day at another gas station. Which is the best case scenario. The only thing better than ending a day with a stop at a gas station is that you can probably start the next day with another stop at a gas station!

Another lovely little section of the boardwalk.

The entire first half of the day flew by. My body felt good and the forest was well shaded. It was a comfortable and relatively calm morning. Then around noon we left the forest and hit the road. We would follow it for a few kilometers, and in the process we would pass through the small town of Ebro. The trail took us over a large river over a bridge. Then we finally headed to the gas station that had a subway inside. There was actually a lady sitting at one of the small tables in front of the subway. I had already had some drinks and snacks and then sat there waiting for my submissive. I ate a coconut popsicle and the lady next to me asked me if we were going to do the Florida trail. He saw my PCT socks and had apparently worn them many years ago. She was also doing the Florida Trail heading south! But today I was resetting at the motel next to the little gas station. There aren’t many hikers around here, but it’s good to see there are some.

We crossed a bridge on a road on the way to the Ebro.

I ate half a sandwich while we were sitting there and then packed the other half for later. Then I loaded up my other drinks and snacks and we got ready to leave. Making a pit stop right in the middle of the day was absolutely perfect. He was now full of fuel and energy. Plus, I brought a Red Bull to drink for the next few miles before heading back into the woods. The rest of the day will be much easier after this stop. For the next few hours we continued along a road. Which eventually took us through a really nice state park area.

Filling the bear with juice after refueling at the marathon gas station.

As we walked I had a strong memory of this place. For a second I thought I might have come here before when I lived in my vehicle. I spent about half of 2021 living in Florida, driving, working to stay, and visiting all the springs and state parks. Florida has a lot of really nice state parks that a lot of money is spent on. This place brought back a strong memory for me, although it is probably due to the fact that I came here in 2023 along my ECT trip.

Continue on the paved road toward the state park.

We didn’t spend much time exploring the state park. But I walked along a beautiful boardwalk that had a platform at the end overlooking a lake. There were huge Cypriot trees growing in the water around the lake. The sun was just beginning to set and reflected in the dark blue water. The landscape here is so unique.

The promenade that led to the lake, surrounded by Cypriot trees.

There are many incredible places in the United States to explore. I have climbed many mountains and experienced an incredible variety of terrain. I wouldn’t say this part of the country is one of my favorites by any means. There is something about it though. Hiking in Florida is unlike anything you’ll experience on the Triple Crown trails. Sure, it doesn’t have altitude, huge peaks, views of exposed landscapes, etc. But the ecosystem down here is unique. There is so much life here. So many birds, insects and plants. I think I have certainly gained a deeper love and appreciation for this trail after this year.

After passing through that area of ​​the park we continued briefly along the road. Then we would generally get back on the road for the rest of the night. Only at the end of the day would we get back on the road. The sun set as we continued along an old sandy road. I always notice that I’m getting tired when my feet start to slip more on the loose sand. And the trail continued like this for a few more miles before rejoining the pavement.

A vibrant sunset to end the day. When it got dark we continued through the forest and finally got back to the road.

It was around 8 pm when we took another road again. Luckily, it was pretty quiet as we walked in the dark. Our sights were set on a marathon gas station not far away. In reality, that would be a little more than 40 miles in our day. Slide checked the map and realized there was a church just down the street from the gas station. It was a quarter of a mile away, but you know we didn’t care. We could use the extra mileage anyway. So that was our intended plan for after we stopped at the gas station.

Slide forward along the road in the dark.

The marathon still had some hot food, but I really wasn’t in the mood for any of that. But they had a real smoothie machine! And I feel very spiritually about that. I made a mint sprinkle shake while shopping. Then I had a couple more drinks and some snacks for dinner. I figure we can come back here in the morning for breakfast. But I filled up on drinks anyway. That way I don’t have to worry about buying them in the morning.

Slide and I sat in front of the gas station for a few minutes before continuing. My smoothie hit the spot! I wish we could have pulled down the tents right then and there. Even though the church was right down the street, I was ready to be done. After a while, we started going down.

The church was absolutely perfect and exactly what we expected. The area was quiet and didn’t have many structures around it. Behind the church was a large flat gas field ideal for camping. And other than the noise of an air conditioning unit, it was pretty quiet. I set up my tent and then ate some snacks inside. But I was very tired and didn’t last long. Then I finally did my stretches, rolled over, and fell asleep.

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