Exploring the Beauty of Fall on the OTL Trail: Powerline Road to Loop 4 Dupuis (01/31/2025)
I successfully completed hiking the Ocean to Lake Trail by hiking the section from Powerline Grade to Loop Four of Dupuis (11.4 miles in and out). It seems like only yesterday that I started at Hobe Sound Beach, but it was nearly 2 years ago! The day was stunning, and the trail was in excellent…
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A Waterlogged Trek Along the OTL Trail–Corbett WMA–Powerline Road Eastward (07/11/2024)
With all the heavy rains we had this summer, I expected a wet trail. However, I did not expect a day of water aerobics! With two sections of the Ocean to Lake (OTL) Trail left to hike, I did not want to let a little rain get in my way. I began my hike on…
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Beautiful Savannah Views and Old Buggy Roads on the OTL-South Grade Road Westward (05/24/2024)
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…
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Exploring the Mystical Corbett Wildlife Management Area – OTL Trail East from South Grade Road (05/07/2024)
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…
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Eyeglass Pond and Wetlands Walk on the Ocean to Lake Trail (04/15/2024)
I had just over 20 miles remaining of the 62-mile Ocean to Lake Trail, and I have gotten to the point where I need to hike the dreaded out-and-back to complete the miles as there is a lack of Uber drivers in these remote areas for a drop off. So, I parked at the south…
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Dupuis Grade Road to Lake Okeechobee-OTL Trail (03/20/2024)
In retrospect. It would have been smart to park at Lake Okeechobee and hike to Dupuis WEA, but being so familiar with Dupuis, I didn’t even think of it until I was already on the trail, looking back at the smoke from the prescribed burn. I drove through Gate 1 at Dupuis WEA and shortly…
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Dupuis WEA–Loop 4 (03/12/2024)
Determined to see some wildlife this time (other than birds), I began my hike in the afternoon and was on the trail at 1:20 pm. This time, I parked at the Cypress Boardwalk parking area, about seven miles inside Gate 1. I hiked just over a mile to loop 4 and the OTL Trail. (The…
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Lake Kissimmee State Park (02/27/2024-02/28/2024)
I arrived at Lake Kissimmee State Park shortly after noon, stopping at the office to check into my site and get recommendations for hiking trails. I drove away with the park map loaded into my Avenza app. A small winding road took me through the park and finally to my campsite—one of two small sites—about…
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Dupuis WEA–Loop 3 (02/14/2024)
The third loop—Happy Valentine’s Day to me! I had hiked the first two loops of the Dupuis Wildlife Management Area during the summer and fall of 2023, and I wanted to hike the last two before the hot summer weather and daily rainstorms arrived. With help from some Facebook folks (Florida Trail Lox Chapter), I…
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Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (01/31/2024)
After a night spent camping at the Collier-Seminole State Park, I began my drive home, and I decided to fit in just one more hike. The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park was not far away, with a website that claims it to be the largest state park in Florida with an “emphasis on the preservation…
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Footprints and Ripples 