I climb out of my tent to check the stick at the waters edge to see the water had dropped over two feet, what a difference that would have made yesterday. The river was rushing by pretty fast and the fog was following along for the ride. I get my camera out to try to catch this image.

Blackwater River Fog

Hoping to stick to my plan and get more Photographs today we head off back up the dirt road to where we left the trail. Shortly we get to Blueberry Hill and take a couple of Photographs from Blueberry Hill.

View from Blueberry Hill

About a mile and a half into the day I cross a dirt road and right back to the campsite I was at last night. What a waste of time! The trail continued right behind where my tent was not sure why the data book sent me down a dirt road to a campsite on the trail. I shrug it off and start back down the trail right into knee deep water just to get the day going right. This is better than what the trail looked like last night, well it was completely underwater last night. We keep going listening to the sloshing of my boots till we come upon a creek, I hope I see a bridge soon. Yes there is a bridge.

Bridge Over Small Creek

As if walking in a circle wasn’t bad enough I step into a rabbit hole or something taking me to the ground pretty quick and hurting my ankle, nothing severe but just adding to the difficulties of the pack weight it wasn’t very comfortable. We push on into an area that was recently part of a prescribed burn.

Prescribed Burn Area

Now coming down a hill I get tripped up on some roots and try to catch myself only to build up enough speed to make a better crash face first into my camera bag! As if my ankle wasn’t enough now I am sitting here debating the whole trip, is it worth finding out later the feeling in my sides are more than just sore maybe I’m causing some damage, is it worth risking the loss of my laptop or worse my camera??! I get back up and head down the trail more discouraged than ever I arrive at a crossroads on the trail one goes to a campsite about 4.5 miles off the Florida Trail along a blue blazed trail and the other brings me further down the Florida Trail. I sit for a while upset with myself for the decision I am even giving myself but I know that heading down the blue blazed trail will end all the pain and the orange blazes will continue an unknown distance before the inevitable early withdraw. I am sure the packs would overpower me sooner or later so I decide to give up hopefully to try again at a later time with lighter packs. I don my packs and start following the blue blazes to end my journey, short lived but still an adventure.

Boardwalk Blackwater Forest

Then we came to Blackwater River, I’ve never seen it before but it looked very high with a very strong current. I see handrails stepping down into the river but all the steps are under water. After we cross over Blackwater River, it wasn’t long before we came to a section of the trail that was under water. You could see the orange blazes marking the underwater trail. Into the water we go quickly it gets over my boots and up to my knees, not too bad but now I have soaking wet boots and socks. Shortly after walking across a little dry land we come to another water crossing this one looks like an underwater ditch I poke around with my bamboo walking stick and realize it quickly gets over three feet deep. I start heading in as the water reaches my waist and camera bag I turn around back to the dry land. Is this normal? Is it even passable? I can see the other side its only twenty maybe thirty feet away. I don’t mind swimming when dressed for it but usually I would much prefer to stay dry. I don’t even care to walk to my truck in the rain. This was not the way I wanted the day to go, I knew water slogging was part of the trip but I wasn’t ready for it today. I go over all possibilities in my head. What do I do now? I have no clue how bad the trail is ahead, if this is supposed to be a little stream under normal conditions with waist deep water slogging ahead?? I just imagine the update on the Florida Trail right now “Trail Closed South of Blackwater River Due To Extremely High Water”

Green Tunnel

In I go as the water reached my waist I had had to pick my camera bag off my chest to keep it above the water. Diego was swimming right along side me with his packs and all he was doing great untill we reached the other side he got in a hurry and tripped me up knocking me down into about a foot of water getting my camera bag wet. After about another 100ft we came across another underwater section this one went on out of sight the orange blazes and their reflection in the water zig zaging through the woods marking the underwater path. (If I was with it a little more I would have taken a Photograph here and what a beautiful image it would have been.) This one was even deeper as I sank in all the way up to my chest holding my camera bag out of the water, and Diego swimming along side me like a champ as we weaved through the underwater forest. So on we go in and out of the water till we come to some land that climbs uphill hopefully leading to dry land for the rest of the day.

Diego after Water Slogging

We head down the trail a little further until I realize we are heading downhill again, thoughts of more underwater forest are discouraging, but then I see a boardwalk hop up on it and realize its over 6 inches of water, why a boardwalk over 6 inches of water after water slogging through chest deep water?

Camp at Blackwater River

We eventually reach the campsite for the night it is at the end of some dirt roads at the edge of the Blackwater River. Blackwater River is very high and only about 6 inches below my tent so I put a stick at the edge of the water to see if its rising or receding. After getting a campfire going and hanging my clothes to dry my mind starts to wonder about all of the difficulties I am going through, not the water slogging but the extremely heavy packs, the risks I am taking with my electronic gear, I can feel the toll on my waist its a different pain not just sore muscles. I just chalk it up to a rough day and head on into the tent for a very needed night of sleep.

When I got up Greg (my neighbor) was already packing his campsite up. Greg told me the storm was coming pretty fast and it would be raining in a couple of hours. Greg offered to bring me into town to a hotel and bring me back as soon as the weather cleared up. I called my parents to let them know I made it through the night, they also were very concerned about the weather and they thought it would be a good idea to go to a hotel.

Hurricane Lake

I packed up and took the ride into town with Greg. Greg’s daughter was kind enough to call around and find me a hotel in town that would take me and Diego. They brought me to Milton Florida to a small single story hotel with tile floors and a mildew smell. I took Diego out for a walk before the rain came and found a ten dollar bill woohoo.

Day 4

I awoke in my stinky little hotel room and checked the weather channel to see what the day was looking like. Looks like the worst had passed. It was a light sprinkle outside but still overcast and nasty, I think we were in what was the eye of the storm that was now diminishing and moving on.

At about 9:30 I called Greg to see what the plans were he said he was going to call Jimmy (the campsite host at Hurricane Lake) to see how the roads were. Greg called me back to let me know the roads were good and we would head back in about an hour.

When we got back to the campsite it was still raining so I set up my tent as quick as possible to get me and my stuff out of the rain. Here I laid in my tent at two in the afternoon I tried to stay awake as much as possible but a nap was inevitable. The rain stopped just after dark and my thoughts were on the trail, would they be too wet or even impassable?

It was a long night, Diego got upset a few times about something outside, his low rumbling growl growing to a snarl and then he let out a few nasty barks. Whats out there? Then a crash in the bushes within 100ft, it sounded big. I listened closely for a minute but not so much as a leaf crackle. I got up put on my sandals and with Diego by my side we went outside to investigate. I shined my flashlight every direction looking for the reflection of eyes or any hint of a wild beast lurking in the forest. I realized that if it were to be a bear I was supposed to be talking and making noise to let it know I was a human. I started talking loud… HELLO, WHO’S OUT THERE?, ITS JUST ME AND MY DOG DIEGO. I don’t know what to say. Then I started feeling kind of silly standing out there in my underwear and sandals talking to an imaginary bear.

First Camp Morning Light

The morning light was coming through the trees with a reddish orange glow. I got up packed up camp and we were back on our way. The packs were still heavy but somehow felt a little better. We passed a couple of forest roads I believe were North Hurricane Lake Rd. I could then see a shimmering silvery glow through the trees, there it was Hurricane Lake becoming clearer as the trail curved us into a great view through the tall pine trees.

First View Hurricane Lake

A few minutes later we arrived at the entrance to North Hurricane Lake Campground where we would rest for the day. There was several campsites front row on the lake and several more spread out through the campsite I chose one right on the water. As I was setting up camp I met my neighbors, my “Camp Angels”, Greg, Amber and their son Sean, while Diego met their dogs OhGee and Ricky, two Australian Shepherds. After I got all set up Diego and I went down to the lakeside to a bench under a young tree relaxed and took in the view.

OhGee and Ricky

My neighbors invited me over for a sandwich, definitely a welcomed offer, roasted chicken with lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo things that would be tough for me to pack-in. After lunch and a short nap I was able to wrangle some thoughts down on paper.

Later that evening I was again invited over for some lasagna cooked over the campfire and apple crisp also cooked over the campfire for desert they even had ice cream, wow they really know how to camp. As we were enjoying dinner and listening to some jazz on their radio that was often interrupted with updates on Hurricane Ida headed straight for us. The conversation switched to my plans which had not changed I was still going to get up hike to the next campsite and wait out the rain.

I finished my evening off in front of the fire writing in my notebook and taking a mental inventory of everything I was carrying and what could be left behind.

As I laid in my tent I was wondering what sights and adventures the next day would bring, what kind of weather I would be subjected to, but much more optimistic and ready for the journey.

Diego and I at the beginning of the Florida Trail Nov. 7th 2009

I heaved my heavy packs on and we said our good-byes and was on my way, within 100ft I came to a”T” intersection in the dirt road and looked closely for the next orange blaze with none in site I took a right and hoped to see another one soon, no luck, so I turned around headed back across the intersection, as I was passing I got a glimpse of the white Suburban as it fired up and started its way back up the forest road. What a strange feeling, I’ve never been dropped off in the middle of no-where. I started running toward the Suburban as it sloshed through another wet spot splashing more red clay on the white paint. I was yelling “Stop, Wait, Never Mind I don’t want to anymore I’ve changed my mind come back take me home”… I imagined, for a second, but shook my head and started once again searching for the next orange blaze, there it was off to the right and to the left was a kiosk with a mail box and a bench marking the official terminus of the Florida Trail and the Alabama Trail.

I removed my packs to re-situate the load and sign the log book, a small spiral note book, I signed Marcus Adkins Thru-Hiking the Florida Trail November 7th 2009, and also Diego Rivera my dogs full name  after the famous Mexican artist married to Frida Kahlo. After signing the log I took the first picture of the journey of Diego and I clean and ready to go.

I looked at my packs hearing my brothers voice echo in my head “Those packs are way too heavy” I knew they were but I was hoping my will power would carry some of the weight. I had way too much food to begin with and was carrying things no long distance hiker would consider bringing on such a journey. I re-situated my packs and heaved the heavy load on my back, and strapped to the shoulder straps was my camera bag with my camera and laptop resting on my chest.

I only made it 3 tenths of a mile before the heavy load brought me to my knees the camera bag was weighing down my shoulder straps to a painful pinch on my collar bone. I rested for a moment and came up with a solution to strap my tri-pod to the backpack relieving some of the load off of my collar bone. With the weight re-distributed I started off once again feeling like I could go on, but that feeling was short lived. The weight of the packs was torturous and shortly brought me back to my knees. I sat there for a moment trying to come up with solutions made a few adjustments and then checked my GPS to discover I had only moved another 1/2 mile, getting up was getting harder but I pressed on hoping for a full mile before I would need another break, as I walked the thoughts of giving up were trying to make a stand, but I shrugged them off to push on a few more steps only to again be defeated by the weight and now the the mental struggle making a strong presence. Here I am a little over a mile in and already entertaining thoughts of calling it off. Do I not have what it takes to accomplish such a long journey?

The pain of lugging the heavy load was stealing the enjoyment of the beauty that was surrounding me, diminishing all thoughts of actually taking a Photograph, narrowing my vision to nothing but the path in front of me and searching for the next orange blaze one torturous step after the other. Three and a half  miles in and I was already defeated, trying to come up with scenarios and excuses to “save face” with all of the people I had told of my journey to Thru-Hike the Florida Trail. Most of all the “nay-sayers” the ones who would have the most “I told you so’s”. The thought of years from now the comments of “Remember when you thought you were going to Hike the Florida Trail?” – “What a Dumb-Ass!” So it went on and on, torture, physically and mentally, half a mile, rest then push on, four tenths of a mile, rest then push on. What the hell am I doing out here?

4.8 Miles in, where the hell is this damn Beaver Creek Rd I was supposed to be crossing at 4.1 miles? I checked my map and my GPS, with no “transport button” I had to don the backpacks again and try to walk a little further with my mind and body protesting every step. 5.3 miles finally Beaver Creek Rd which, by the way, was the mileage I was supposed to be crossing North Hurricane Lake Campground Rd for the second time! By 6 miles in the sun was starting its descent faster and faster as I searched the landscape for any possible campsite. As I rounded a corner and passed through a fallen tree with a section cut out the width of the trail, I found a spot that at the time looked as good as any campsite. I stomped around back and forth  trying to make a flat spot to set up my tent, then I laid down my tarp and continued to stomp it down as flat as possible, set up my tent and hung my food in a tree just out of the reach of bears. I called my parents to let them know where I was at and how things were going, almost hoping for them to ask me if I wanted them to come get me.

I climbed in to my tent ready for a very needed rest. Reflecting on the day and how torturous it had become with the few extra pounds I was not used to carrying. I was wondering if I had what it would take to push on and make another day let alone complete the 1100 mile journey. I decided that in the morning I would hike the almost 2 miles to North Hurricane Lake Campground and rest for the day. Hopefully after a day of rest and a trash can to throw away any unnecessary weight I would be able to move on with lightened packs and hopefully a lift in my optimism.

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November 7th I will begin my Thru-Hike of the Florida Trail, with my dog Diego, this is approximately an 1100mile hike from the Alabama – Florida state line in The Blackwater State Forest to Big Cypress Preserve at the edge of the Florida Everglades that will take around four months to complete. I will be posting here along the way about my adventure as often as possible, you can also follow me on twitter (@MarcusAdkins) where I will be tweeting in real time (depending on my phone batteries and signal)

Fernandina Beach

This has taken a lot of planning, from proper gear to permits. I became a member of The Florida Trail Association, a requirement to hike certain areas of the Florida Trail, and highly recommended, they are very helpful with information and they arrange the permits for Eglin Air Force Base, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, and inform other private land owners of your plans to cross their land. They also have the most up to date maps of the complete  Florida Trail. I have also purchased annual passes for Florida Parks and National Parks. I have also subscribed to Florida Hikes not a requirement but @SandraFriend (follow her on Twitter) has been very helpful with questions I have had and her website is one of the most informative sources on Florida Hikes and Florida Trails all over the state of Florida with down-loadable .gpx and .kml files.

Florida Caverns State Park

I upgraded some of my gear with some very helpful advice from @KevinMims and @TravelCountry (follow them on Twitter) where I got my new @OspreyPacks backpack, my @Hardwear sleeping bag, my Kelty tent and a few other necessities for my Thru-Hike of The Florida Trail. The list of gear that could be obtained to make my pack lighter and make the journey more comfortable is unlimited, just like the amount of money that could be spent, unlike my bank account.

Raccoon at Fort De Soto

I have had mixed experiences with family and friends about this journey, most are very supportive, and some have some fears they project on me like what about the snakes and alligators and bears (oh my!) I should be so lucky to get a glimpse of some of these animals and a Photograph to share with everyone, i will be keeping my eyes open for Florida’s very rare and elusive super fauna the Florida Panther.

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Please leave a comment to share your thoughts, advise or tips, Thanks.