FNST 5

4 May Day 27 (53) Followed roads, including US 441 for about 13 clicks, before getting in to Osceola NF. Stopped at West Tower? campsite, has water latrine. Hiked about 20 clicks (13) miles today.

5 May Day 28 (54) Got to, stopped and took shower, washed clothes, at Ocean Pond Campground. Charges a fee, so hiked on. Stopped and camped about a mile above Olustee Tower and Memorial.

6 May Day 29 (55) Finished section 17 in about 2 miles. Stopped at store on US 90 & CR 231, got goodies. Walking down 231, came across guy shooting snakes in creek with pistol, kept on going, in a hurry. Walked into town of Lake Butler. Got hassled by a town cop here, wanted my ID, etc. Told cop I was just hiking thru, not showing him anything, as he had no probable cause to stop me. He got mad, but backed off. He did spot check me every 5 minutes, as I walked out of town. Got to the New River, on CR 100, was a tall bridge over it, and woods on west side. Waited till no traffic on road, then got in woods and hid my camp. It was also dusk, I didn't want to go on, as don't know if there is better place to camp, down the road. Did at least 32 clicks (20 miles).
7 May Day 30 (56) Stayed on CR 100 to Starke, as needed supplies, bought stuff at Winn-Dixie. Talked to guy here, as was was putting stuff in pack. Offered me a ride down highway, so had him drop me off were trail heads into Camp Blanding. Hiked thru camp, got water out of Lake Lowery, but didn't camp, as crap and ass wipe all over, soliders didn't dig cat holes. Heard some truck noises, helo fly overhead, but no one saw me. Hid and camped in thicket near east boundary fence, as had no permit.

8 May Day 31 (57) I got up at 4 AM, to get out of Blanding. Had to hop fence, couldn't find a walk-thru or stile. Walked up road, to Mike Ross Gold Head Branch SP. Charged me 50 cents to hike thru. Water in Gold Head stream looked real pure, so loaded up water bottles. Out of the state park, followed and turned on a maze of short roads. Got to a big pipe pumping water into Etonia Creek, at dark. Camped, and cleaned up. Must have covered at least 40 clicks (22 miles) in 17 hours, am exhausted.

9 May Day 32 (58) Today, hiked partway into Rice Creek Sanctuary. On SR 100, caught ride to Palatka for resupply, goodies. Called Peg, told her I should be at Juniper Springs on the 12th, just for her to get there before dark, in late afternoon. Caught ride on SR 20, back to trail. Hiked about 3 clicks more, to a campsite. Hiked about 24 clicks (15 miles). Saw a group of wild pigs.

10 May Day 33 (59) Finished section 14 today. Didn't follow Barge Canal to Rodman Dam. Was hiking in a thunderstorm, it was late afternoon, so went over the barge canal bridge on SR 19. Rodman rec area charges fee, so got water there, and went on just past FS 77, camped in woods. Everything damp, still sprinkling. Hiked a little less than 20 k's (13 miles).

11 May Day 34 (60) 60 days on the FT! Got water at Lake Delancy, as passed through. Camped.just south og SR 314. Hiked about 26 clicks (16 miles). Hot day.

12 May Day 35 (61) Soild 2 months hiking the FT, it's Done! Got up at 5AM, another nice day. Hiked to, and arrived at Juinper Springs at 5:30PM, after hiking my last 26 clicks (17 miles) of the FT. Peg was waiting, we drove right home.

The dream is alive, to make the Florida National Scenic Trail a 1300 mile arc from the Florida panhandle to the Big Cypress swamp. The longest unbroken segement is now just over 450 miles. A 110 mile section, from Apalachicola National Forest, thru the St.Marks National Wildlife Refuge, has been certifed by the USFS as scenic.

Many FTA members are blazing and maintaining new and established trail sections.
Checkout the FTA Web site under the National Trails/Clubs Section!
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