I finally got to the part of the trail that read “follow the fenceline”. I didn’t
Realize that I would be following this for a few miles. The trail was marked
On the fenceline, but the brush was thick and impassible along the fence.
Animals and people had cut through the grasses leaving tunnels through
The brush for me to guess which was the correct way. I learned a couple
Of things. Both animals and hikers single track, with one foot in front of
The other. I, however, do not. My giant feet and Amazon body often
Skirted the outer sides of the track leaving my ankles sore and often
Leaving one of my legs wrapped in the thick brush on one side or the
Other of the trail. Relief from the thick brush was groves of bramble
Bushes that would grab at my pantlegs and attach my legs together
With thorny leg cuffs. “Ooch, ouch”, I felt like the vines had minds of
Their own as I would detach a piece from one leg, the other, and then figure out
How to get it off of my rear end without deploying Large Marge who
Clung to my back willing to catapult me full force into the deepest part
Of the thicket if I only leaned a little more to the side. It was a comedy
Of errors.

The last part of the day, when I was already an hour over my deadline, was
When I met “the bridges of death”. Say this in your most menacing
Voice. The first bridge was old and leaned slightly to one side or another.
It appeared as if it had not been serviced since it was built, probably
20 years ago. I looked around thinking I must have missed “the new bridge” and then inspected the
Water to see how deep it was. It was deep, with thick pasty mud. I had
No option but to cross that bridge. I knew of at least 4 people that had crossed
That bridge in the weeks before me, would I be the straw that broke the camel’s
Back? I stepped tentatively on the bridge and was greeted with creaking
And groaning of old straining wood, and a significant sag on what ever
Side I chose to cling to. Deathly afraid of heights and the fear of plummeting
To my death and the drowning when Large Marge would keep me underwater
Just a moment too long, I was presented with a gushing bloody nose
When I reached the other side. I cleaned myself up and took a picture
Of where I had come from, glad that it was over and done with.

That’s when I saw it, rising above the tall brush, what was referred to
In the databook as the 25 foot bridge. It was recently built and looked
Sturdy enough, but it was, indeed, 25 feet above the water inlet. What
Boat was tall enough to pass through this area? I traversed over the
Well built structure and even stopped to take a picture. That’s when I
Saw something that made my stomach turn….a long boardwalk-bridge
That passed the final boggy marsh. I flipped through my databook
And turned the page to read “Pass over 78-foot bridge”. How was I
Supposed to go over THAT?!?!
The bridge was between 6 and 10-foot above the bog. Just tall enough
For a careless backpacker to break their neck. The mud and marsh was
So thick underneath, you probably wouldn’t be found for days. The
Bridge was simply built with a support system underneath and 2×6
Planks nailed on top. Many of the plankboards were cracked, sagging
And broken. You definitely had to watch your step to pre ent yourself
From stepping on boards that would not support your weight. There
Were no guard rails, only posts every 6 feet. I chose the technique of
Walking as close to a support beam as I could, death grip the post that
Stuck up with one hand, the other hand stuck out in a balancing beam
Style move. I was also wimpering slightly and rapidly breathing. I probably
Said a few choice words, but no one heard. I made the mistake of
Looking away from where I was walking and my eyes welled with water
When I realized I was not even 1/2 way across. When I made it to the
Other side alive, I had to squeeze life back into my balancing hand.
It was doing such a good job that every muscle in the hand had
Cramped stiff.

The rest of the trail did have nice views, palm forest, fern thickets and
Many more armadilos. I finally broke through the forest and saw my
Husband and “the backpacker’s ambulance”.

I am now in the airport waiting for only my second plane on what will
Be 13 hours in planes and airports for a simple flight across country.
At least I will be home for Tek’s ultrasound in the morning. I figure this
Is the perfect time to describe the terrain that I saw the last couple days.

It was beautiful! Open planes with groves of palm trees, ponds surrounded
By long reeds and long legged wading birds like herons, egrets, brilliant
Pink spoonbills, Sand Hill Cranes and many other birds I don’t know.
The trail started out on a several mile roadwalk where i was accustomed
To seeing the only animals I had seen in days…roadkill and the turkey
Vultures and blackheaded vultures feeding off of them. I also saw some
Sort of carrion bird that resembled a hawk wearing a dark brown hat.
The rest of his head was a tannish color, body was brown and when he spread
His wings the underparts were black with large white tips on the last
5 inches of his wings. Very striking. If any of you bird lovers know what
It is, I would love to be filled in. I never did get a good shot of the birds,
But did get a pretty nice picture of a road kill wild pig! The roadwalks
Were somewhat disheartening with the lack of chances that the 2 most
Commonly seen animals seemed to have. Those animals were to pigs
And the armadillos, the roads are scattered with their remains. This
Makes for a rather large population of vultures. I also met a lot of unfriendly
Dogs along the way, ready to eat the mis-shapen alien with the large
Lumpy back.

On Saturday I finally met a dog of different nature. I knew she was there
Only because I heard the familiar clicking of nails on pavement as she
Followed me. I slowly turned and talked sweetly to her and was welcomed
With a shy half smile and the welcoming “U body” and low tail wag. She
Had the slight head tilt of a dog with an ear infection and it was confirmed
By seeing the puffiness of her right ear and the oozing liquid draining
From it. She was somewha skinny and had the dull coat and pot belly
Of a dog with worms. She continued to follow me and I talked to her and
Told her I would call Rich and have him pick her up and take her to the vet.
She lightly wagged in agreement and gave me another half smile. Our
Relationship changed the second I reached into my pocket to pull out my
Cell phone. She immediately tucked tail and ducked under the fence.
No amount of coaxing could get her to come back and eventually she slipped away
Into the brush.

I was so used to walking on the road that I continued to follow it on a
90 degree bend before I realized I had seen an orange trail marker on the
Fence post I had passed across the way. I turned and looked past the post
To see a little path leading to a barbed wire fence with a fence stile leading
Over it. This is when I realized what a fence stile was. I had been reading
About these in the data book and thought I would know what it is
When I got to it. This ladderlike contraption looks fairly easy to maneuver
Around. It appears that you simply climb up one side like a ladder,
Stradle the fence and climb down the other side. Easier said than done
When the simple act of continuing to walk with Large Marge strapped
To my back has become difficult. Don’t get me wrong, Marge tried to
Be an active participant, willing to plunge me headfirst over the other
Side when I leaned too far over the otherside trying to hike my first leg
Over the stile that wobbled precariously under my weight. I quickly
Caught myself and prevented a nasty fall. I was rewarded with a trail
Into the backcountry.

During this day I realized why so many armadillos were hit on the road.
The state is covered with ‘em. Around every corner I was met with a
Loud rustling in the bushes. I don’t know if you are allowed to hunt
Armadillos or not, but it should be outlawed because it is like shooting
Fish in a bucket. I think armadillos can’t see well, they seem to be
Fairly hard of hearing and probably not very bright. I became quite a
Good hunter armed with my Canon camera. All you do is walk along
Unti you hear a large racket of leaves and debris being moved. You time
Your own steps with the sounds of the animal rooting for grubs and ants.
When he stops, you stop. You can quickly get within touching range
Of any armadillo and I performed the feat almost a dozen times before
I decided I needed a new game. I was never brave enough to actually
Touch one but did get a lot of pictures! I also saw a raccoon, several
Small snakes and anoles. I had to cross 6 or 7 stiles through out the day
And worked on that technique as well. my scare of the day was coming
Across one of the largest garden spiders I have ever seen. He had made
A web that was 3 or 4 feet across and had wrapped a palm tree in so much
Webbing it looked to be covered in a net of thread. He looked sinister
And prickly and I took a picture and scooted away from him afraid he
Had friends lurking nearby. The day was still cold, but iit was nice
Enough that sunscreen was needed. I wanted to spend all day out there
But was eager to meet Rich and tell him all that I had seen. I wished
That he had experienced this part of the trail with me. His day was filled
With a small town festival complete with a chili cook off that he voted
On!

Yes, Stephanie, I’ve found myself. That means we are now trying to figure
Out how to get home. Yesterday was a really hard day for me. I couldn’t
Stop thinking about the dogs. After a really difficult day of traversing through
Almost impassible bramble patches, thickets up to my shoulders, several
VERY scary bridges, as many bloody noses from stress, and a migraine
The size of Montana I realized it was time to throw in the towel. I am
Needed at home.

Our original intention was to meet at a trailhead and then hike into a
Really cool campsite about a mile and a half in called Mosquito Camp.
In the morning I would continue on towards Avon Military Base. Once
I saw the van, aka “Home Sweet Home”, you couldn’t have dragged
Me out!

I was definitely a victim to my migraine. One of my big concerns on this
Trip is the fact that I would be stranded if I did get one. Thank goodness
For Rich. He set up the van in a great campsite overlooking Fisheating
Creek and made the bed for me. This morning I woke up feeling much
Better but with a longing to be home.

I have every intention in taking Amy up on her offer to finish off the
Last half of the walk! Maybe I’ll give her a full season to repair her
Broken ankle and we will be out here next January. See you then Amy!

Please pray for, cross your fingers for, and think happy thoughts for Tek and
Moonshine. I will try and concentrate today and will be cutting my trip
Short and will be returning home in a few days.

Today will put me just over 150 miles, only half of what I expected to
Accomplish. But if the dogs need me, I should come home for them.

Stephanie is actually looking for a surgeon to perform the surgery today.
Time is of the essence, they want to remove the leg before it breaks. I
Probably will come back before my 300 miles is done so that I can take
Him and pick him up from surgery.

I am so sad. This is such a wonderful dog that just wants to hang out
And enjoy his life. Now, he will have to do that with one less leg. Many
Dogs live healthy and happy lives with only 3 legs and they often feel
Better after surgery than before because bone cancer is so extremely
Painful. I can’t believe he has been his wonderful jolly self!

Today I hiked for Moonshine. If you would like to donate specifically to
Moony’s surgery, go to the HIKE FOR THE HOUNDS page to get info on
Where to send your check. Please write “Moonshine” on the check so
That we know to direct the donation for him specifically.

We love you Moony! You will be back on your feet (minus one) very
soon!

When I found my parents they were dashing around getting ready for
A going away BBQ for Grandma. In my dream, Dad was a short overweght
Hispanic man with a thick mustache and accent. Mom was also short
And resemled the mother on that sitcom “The 70s Show”. They explained
That Grandma was really depressed and needed to get away. I was
Livid with them and said I was leaving immediately and that Grandma
Was not coming and I wanted all my supplies back. They told me
That they had forgotten where they put them and I would have to
Wait until after the party for help finding them. In every room I
Searched Grandma would hobble in and explain to me that her knitting
Supplies had to be on top so she could gat at them easily. “Grandma,
I can’t take you with me” I would say kindly. She would just respond by
Saying something like “Sure you can Sweety!”. How was I going to
Get out of taking this kindly old woman?

I don’t remember much else of the dream except that my mom asked
Me if she could get me a glass of water. I thought that was a great idea
And thanked her while I rummaged through a closet. She came back
With a glass full of dirty pond water. It had sludge in the bottom portion
Of the glass and algea and sticks floating on the top. As she handed
It to me she claimed “Just the way you like it!”.

He said some choice words whenever we stopped and we had no break
At all from the gusting wind. We did find a beautiful place to camp last
Night. Looking one way we had a view of Africa’s bush and the other
Was a beautiful view of Kissimmee River about 30 minutes before the
Sun went down. We even had an unexpected camp visitor for a moment
Before he caught a glimpse of us, a medium sized wild boar that had
Come to get a drink. Really an awsome sight! Rich bragged about his
20+ degree down sleeping bag and how warm he was, and I shivered
Slightly and asked if I could borrow a jacket in my 30+ bag. I was much
Better with a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, flannel jammies and wool
Socks, bot still was slightly concerned. My concern was with good reason.
The night ended up being 26degrees with a wind chill making it feel
Like 17degrees! Needless to say, we froze our ferns! At 8am it was still
26degrees. We were 9 miles away from the nearest town and that
Was if we backtracked. There were no more big towns, hotels, supplies
In our future for many many miles ahead of us. We had to devise a plan
To prevent future torture. So, we hatched a plan.

We would walk back 5 miles to the nearest road where we would hitch
A ride the last 4 miles back into town. We would get warmer supplies,
Dump any changes of clothes and mail them home, and hopefully hitch
A ride back to the trailhead so that we wouldn’t have to walk the whole
Thing yet again. That would give us a set of warm clothes, cold clothes,
And lighten Rich’s pack before he was crippled permanently. Apparently,
Rich hatched ANOTHER plan while we were hiking those last 5 miles.

Rich had decided that he would be my support team for my last 175
Miles. This means, he will rent a car and meet me at set points along the
Trail at the end of the day. I can take a few things out of my pack and
Lighten it up and hopefully conquer 20 miles a day by myself. I thought
It was a novel idea! Our next problem was to figure out where we
Sleep if it is freezing again at night. That was resolved when the only
Car available to us was a giant white cargo van that Rich referred to
As “The backpacker’s ambulance”. We will sleep in the van!

Some of you may say approaching the trail in this way is cheating. However,
I’m still hiking, I’m still carrying a 30 pound pack, and I still am trying
To reach my goal of 300 miles. I feel sad that Rich won’t be able to join
Me, but I will see him every night when he picks me up and takes me
To our roadside camping spot.

As I walked along I saw the familiar silouette of a fellow packer coming
Towards me. At first I mistook him to be a lost Boy Scout as he was
Wandering aimlessly along the trail towards me. Maybe he’s a drunk Boy
Scout?! He turned out to be a very small older guy with a well trimmed
Grey beard and a zest for life. He wanted to take every bit of the trail in
So he swerved back and forth to experience everything. He was hiking
Around the lake but was playing around with the idea of going where
I had just come from.

We welcomed each other fondly like old friends. It was interesting how
You instantly became brethren with those stupid enough to also strap
A large amount of weight to their back and carry with them their small
Life in a big pack.

We chit chatted for a while. He also was familiar with the people that were
Hiking 2 weeks in front of me and even considered getting a ride and
Catching up with them. I assumed from his age snd lack of a schedule
That he was retired. He told me his trail name was Grits. He had a old
Aluminum pipe frame pack with a big canvas sack. I instantly wanted his
Walking sticks that were 2 gnarled branches thar were shiny from age
And use. Next to each other, he looked like he should be there and I
Looked like an imposted that had raided REI. After chatting for quite
Awhile, we parted ways and I was once again blazing ahead.

I am around 105 miles into my walk now! Yippee!

Now, I was assured that there would be a warm lightning storm this
Afternoon starting at around 1pm and was HIGHLY advised to stay off
The dike around the lake as it is clearly the highest point in the area.
That is good advise considering I am walking with what is equal to 2
Lightning rods!

It is 2pm now and I have heard only one thunderclap. It was poring this
Morning, but was very warm. I was fine walking through the rain (I now
Have a poncho), but I was not ok with the idea that I was going to be
Stuck out there in a lightning storm. No rain in several hours. I should
Have just gone for it!

By the way, today is the hubby’s birthday. Happy birthday Rich!

Geez! I hope I didn’t wake up Granny Rice and the rest of the tenants!
They need their sleep after spending several hours at the bar last night
For a post Superbowl party.