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.