Footprints and Ripples

I stepped onto the narrow trail ready to enter the pine forest. The temperature in my car as I parked showed 82 degrees, and my weather app predicted it to reach 90—which of course means that it will feel like 100 plus. Another hot Florida spring day on the OTL.

It was quiet as I hiked along the winding trail. Although I heard lots of birds, the animals had opted to stay somewhere cooler–smart. Saw palmetto reflected silver in the hot sun and bromeliads clung to tall cypress trees. Everything was still.

I enjoyed this part of the OTL; there was something comfortable about the old buggy and forest roads I walked along. I hiked past the grassland/savannah which appeared hazy in heat. I came across very little water or hog destruction on the trail.

I made it as far as the canal, just past the Little Gopher Campsite. When I had problems finding the blazes to continue, I took it as a sign to turn around. I stopped at the campsite and lunched on the ground in the much-appreciated shade of the pines. The campsite had benches around the fire pit, but they were out in the hot sun–a much better choice on a cool day.

I returned to my car after an eight-mile hike, ready for the bumpy, dusty ride to the Corbett entrance. I’ve completed about 52 of the 62 miles of the OTL thus far, with about 10 left to go. I’m getting there!