Florida Trail Association

“Went to my first Florida Trail Association - Central Florida Chapter meeting last night. Party time! This is the organization that established and maintains the Florida Trail. Good group of folks who are interested in hiking. Surprised at how old most of the members were. It really seemed more like a retiree social club. Are most trail associations like this? I will probably end up doing some trail maintenance hikes with them.”

“They are in Florida!”

“LMAO! Did they drive golf carts to the meeting?”

“posting under the wrong account.

What I meant to say was most trail associations are like that in Florida.”

“trail associations are like that in many places.”

“They had to be wearing black socks -striped shorts and blue canvas tennis shoes, right?

Hey COOP-the trail sounds neat-watch out for snakes-and gators and bird sized mosquitoes-and scorpions and sinkholes and sand fleas-should be a blast.”

“Yeah JOSH MAN - the FL Trail has a way of making flat land and warm weather exciting/dangerous. Many friends from up north would much rather camp in bear country with a little snow than they would slog through thigh deep swamp water - oh wait so would I.

Yeah - the guy in charge of trail maintenance (who's hand was shaking the whole time) was asking for volunteers to help take the 2000 lbs of recycled cans in to get 32¢ a pound to fill the FTA coffers. That's a hard earned $640.

Great people - I'll catch up with them in 30 years.

I did get a neat patch and sticker! As well as a good dayhiking book for Central FL.”

“I find many volunteer organizations to be like that, Coopinole. A lot of retired folks get bored and need to either feel useful or be in charge again.

We have an abundance of retired folk.”

“Big Coop, you've hit one of my major pet peeves about outdoor organizations I've run into - every one is so damned old.

The NCTA meetings I've gone to are like that. Sierra Club meetings are like that. It seems very strange to me.

That's why I like TT. It tends to attract a younger following.”

“'Coopinole' - good one Arc. I much prefer that to 'Semincoop'.

I agree with you RF. I think it's the same vibe that has us here on TT and those folks at those meetings.”

“

"I will probably end up doing some trail maintenance hikes with them."
Big Coop
5:12:17 PM
1/11/02

Have you done any work with the group, yet, Big Coop?

I finally joined last Saturday. By Sunday night I even had a Trip Report in the newsletter. Our local group has a lot of old folks, too. Being much younger(in spirit), I never felt that I belonged in such a group. But they have some great meetings. I've been to several over the past few years and enjoyed every one.
last edited: 11/10/05 9:20:05 PM”

“bump for BigCoop.”