Another five miles completed! With less than fifteen miles remaining of the Ocean to Lake (OTL) Trail, it has become more difficult completing large sections at a time. For the remainder, I will need to hike out-and-backs.
On this day, I hiked ten miles total through the Corbett Wildlife Management Area —five miles out and five miles back. I parked on South Grade Road, a very dusty, bumpy road, and I headed east into the forest, immediately sensing something magical and mystical as I wove my way through the twists and the turns of the slash pine and cypress forest, the “Hole in the Wall.”
Far Out promised me that I’d be wading through water in this area, but the trail was dry (That was okay with me.). Birds called from the trees, and orange blazes, like breadcrumbs, led me in the right direction. I love shade. This was one of the prettier sections of the OTL Trail that I have hiked. Small green ferns sprouted from the recently-burned earth, colorful wildflowers stood out against tall green grasses, and bromeliads clung to cypress trees.
I took the recommended side trip to Bowman Island (also dry) and sat in the much talked about plastic chair for lunch, staying far away from the fire pit and all the hornets buzzing around it-eh. Back on the trail, I continued my hike towards the prairie (also dry).
The day was too hot for wildlife, and I was feeling the heat. I passed my mark from my previous hike, and turned around. I’m a snacker when I hike—dry apricots, banana chips, chick peas, cheese, and nuts. I always bring lots of water with me, but I could tell on this hike, I needed more electrolytes. With no bench in sight, I stopped for a break, settling on the ground, looking up into the tall pines shading me. Just what I needed!
Back at my car, with about fifty-two miles of the OTL completed, I began planning for my last two OTL hikes!
Footprints and Ripples 
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