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30 March Day 20
Left Tosohatchee State Preserve about 12. Bought Pepsi at Christmas RV park. Got to Seminole Ranch ok, but followed orange blazes instead of blue, hiked an exter 5-6 clicks. Ended up on a dike at west enterance to Orlando Wilderness Park. Camped, heard truck go by, hope don't get hassled. Hiking was mostly in shade today.
31 March Day 21
Overcast this morn. Left at 06:00, off dike up Wheeler road, to Fort Christmas, long walk, part paved, part dirt. Passing Perrick housing development, it started rainning hard. Got to Chuluota at noon. Stopped at a Circle K, by a fire station. Got goodies,called Peg, told her to meet me in the afternoon, on the 3rd, at Juniper Springs, as being this close, I would be there sometime that day. Rained hard for another two hours, then sun came out. I went on to a campsite on the Econlockhatee River, under a CR 419 bridge.
1 April Day 22
April Fools day! Got up real early, in order to go by some schools, before kids got there, didn't want anyone being scared by a dirty old hiker. Nice day. In Oviedo, got more goodies and water. This area is built up, some road walking, some hiking between mupital roads. After long day a nice sight, the "Senator" Cypress in Big Tree Park. Passed through part of Camp La NoCHe, were took scouts when a Scoutmaster. Finally made it to Ocala NF, at Clearwater campground. Kilometers hiked, 26- 30 (17-19 miles).
2 April Day 23
Today, only hiked about 22 clicks (14 miles) as arranged with wife, Peggy, that I would meet her at Juniper Springs in the afternoon on the 3rd of April, as wasn't sure if I would be there on the 1st or 2nd of April. Camped south of Bucks Lake.
3 April Day 24.
Got up early, about 6 AM. Another nice day, thank goodness! Hiked to Juniper Springs, about another 22k's This day I really picked up my pace, got there just after 2PM! Peggy had just got there a half an hour before me. This ends my first half of my flip-flop FT hike.
Part 2. North to South on the FT.
6 April Day 1 (25) After 3 days of R & R, good food, and lovin', left on night bus, to Milton, in the Panhandle. Arrived there at 10 AM, on the 7th. Got breakfast at Burger King, then walked CR 191northeast, to Blackwater River State Forest. about 24 k's. Got here about 7PM.
7 April Day 2 (26)
This is the northern terminus of the FT, the trail is named Jackson Red Ground. Came to a 2nd lean-to in about 19 clicks (12 miles). Day was a little chilly, I stopped for night here. This is the only place on the FT that I've to come across lean-tos.
8 April Day 3 (27)
Ended this section, after another 19 clicks. Karick Lake is just east of CR 189, which I'll start walking tomorrow. Lake area has camping spots, water, latrines. Stopping here for day, as don't know what's down highway passed south forest border. Again, today chilly.
9 April Day 4 (28)
Today is my start of a lot of road waking (as it's not really hiking). Next actual FT isn't till I get to Ebro, and Pine Log SF (About 65 k's, 45 miles). Walked south on CR 189, then some on US 90. Got goodies 3 times at different stores. Got to Crestview. Hiding tent in an empty lot, just off highway, hope don't get caught. Walked about 37 clicks (21 miles). Feet better somewhat, as had stopped and bathed them. Having no problem with water, as refilled at those stores. Today first hot day for me in this area.
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