The Florida Trail Begins!

At the start of the trail on the south end

This is a very short interlude blog between other blogs to share with you some of the pictures of the Florida trail, which I have in fact begun hiking.

Unlike previous trails, the elevation profile of this trail is pretty flat

But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. That orange blaze on the tree shows the trail goes right in the water. And under the water as well as on the land you have to watch out for these deep solution holes in the rocks. The ones in the water are covered in mud, which makes it even trickier

Currently, I am 48 miles in and it usually takes a week for the blogs to catch up with me in real time. But in the meantime, I wanted to share some of these pictures with you.

Sunrise in the Swamp. I walked right through that.

Just before a big rain storm in the swamp. Not a place you want to be in a big lightning storm or cold rain.

Where there’s water of course there’s mud. Yep, it came up to my knees.

Thanks again to all of you for reading.

I’ve been sharing these first three days with three lovely young men Trip, Dukes, and John. Now that we’re out of the swamp, I expect them to pull ahead of me.

Having come from Oak Hill camp, trudging the whole time in water, this sign speaks for itself

Finally out of the swamp to some lovely trail magic. Note the piles of dirt these hikers took out of their shoes

8 responses to “The Florida Trail Begins!”

nanettedm

January 13, 2025 at 8:57 am

Kudos to you!,I’d rather hike a mountain!Even with water shoes, swamp water up to your knees, means wet boots!

The pictures say it all! Be safe! Nanette

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1. judy thompson
  
  August 21, 2025 at 11:21 am
  
  Having followed my husband (before and after marriage) over endless mountain paths, I can appreciate hikes like this, and the fact that I don’t hafta anymore. You people are amazing.
  
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Sally

January 13, 2025 at 9:59 am

wow. How many more swamps?

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feliscati

January 13, 2025 at 7:29 pm

What an interesting and unusual hike this is! Something that you will always remember and not many people will have done. Will make for very unique memories and good stories. I’m sure!

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feliscati

January 13, 2025 at 7:31 pm

what an unusual and different trail to hike! Something you have never done before and that not many people will ever do! Will make for unique stories and memories.

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sbdelattre

January 14, 2025 at 7:41 pm

Omg, Mary, walking in water and in mud up to your knees! What a challenge – I hope you are experiencing some good parts of the hike. Whew!

love,

Susan

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ShelbyCd

February 5, 2025 at 1:53 pm

wow! I’m now catching up on all these new blogs and your just amazing! So happy and blessed to have you as a mentor of mine Mary. Love you!

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Romana Hüsler

February 12, 2025 at 11:22 am

You really honor your name. Wish you luck and happy trsils. Of course. Romana

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