Ocala NF ECT2, Florida Y'all

“That's Florida in 2003 y'all.

I've got three weekends in mind. I would appreciate it if we kept it to one of these.
January 24, 25, 26
January 31, Feb. 1, 2
February 7, 8, 9

I'm thinking Alexander Springs to Juniper Springs.

Friday night somewhere along the trail. Saturday night at Scattered Porn. (Ask Rad and Om, they know what I mean)

Wadda ya say?”

“I'd say the chances of me attending are pretty good. I have family in Gainesville, a stone's throw away from Ocala NF.

What does ECT mean?”

“East Coast Trip.”

“Provided I dont get smashed up in another car collision (that kept me from going this year), I will be there. I cannot make it on the first weekend in February.

The other two dates look good.”

“The ultra double secret email has been sent to those on the double ultra secret email list.”

“I may try for this one if my wife doesn't kill me for having a trip scheduled five months in a row.”

“Remember, that which does not kill you obligates you to performing foot rubs and watching movies you hate with your spouse.”

“Chili, meaning not Jan 31 to Feb 2 right?”

“Correct, hpm.”

“Groovy”

“I'm past the "Watching movies I hate" stage. Won't do it. I will terrorizewatch the kids while she goes with friends to see the movie I hate, though...”

“My patch says "East Coast Trekkers"...

Anyhoo, I'm doubtful, at best.
I'm off 2/15-23 tho.”

“I stand corrected.”

“HPM...you may sit now. ;)

It is too early to speculate on whether I can come. But I did note with interest that, despite my appearance at the Florida ECT last year, I failed to make the the double ultra secret email list. Is that a hint?”

“You were on it!
I used the addy from your profile.

Is it still valid?”

“Hmm..I'm with Fritz...as an alumni, I didn't see myself on the email list either.

I'm coming and any of the dates are good right now.

Om said something about MLK weekend - I think she's got something planned already..

Man, I cannot WAIT to see y'all again!! Wooo Hoooo!!

Tex”

“HPM should also have something already planned for MLK weekend too, unless he's going to try and sneak out of it. Don't think the scouts'll go for that.”

“can i get on the email list?
what's the temps down in florida in the middle of winter anyway? like 60 during the day?
it's pretty flat, right?”

“OK, I got the double super secret email now. Thanks, not sure when it came in, my "new mail" indicator must have failed me.

Ductape, last Feb. it was around 80 during the day, 60 at night. Don't know if that was typical.

Oh, and yes, 'flat' would be a pretty accurate term.”

“Pretty flat? Hahahahaha!
Jan./Feb. are the only cool months of the year here. There's still a good chance of 70s/80s during the day.”

“On the topo maps they show a line with every foot of elevation change.”

“better start training as soon as im up and walking around again”

“And they are a mile apart.”

“This trip, I'm bringing gaiters..no way that white sand it sonna give me blisters again!!

ductape - it's warm enough to swim in the Springs!!”

“Nope, I got MLK booked up.
Backpacking Cumberland Island with my Scouts.

Folks the secret email thingy was a joke and it was sent to everyone who attended last year using the emails in their profiles.

Ductape all the info will be posted here, don't worry, you won't miss out. Temps can be from 60 to 85 during the day and 40 to 60 at night. Check weather.com for Ocala, Florida.

Tex, if we make it the first date listed you could make it an All-Florida week.

Laurel might just have to go to camp grandma so both Treebait and I can go.”

“Don't start laughing yet. I know a lot of people that never get blisters but do here.”

“Hey, suits me fine! Which camp grandma? They're only 3 miles apart, and will probably fight over her!

GRANNY WARS!”

“If I wear off my "trollness" by then, maybe I can come along also. I should have many BP trips under my belt by then!! Plus, I will have many opportunities to walk that area beforehand to get a feel of the place. Heck, I just might turn out to be the freakin GUIDE!! Wouldn't that be a hoot!
If my name appears on the "invitation only list", only then shall I know.

Oh, BTW, that "white sand" you spoke of ...... a few years ago, it was established as the official Florida State Sand.”

“Hey Trekker John, you're invited!”

“They invited me !!! Look... right here .. . see it !! And you said they were all a buncha .. . well....
T H A N K S
Oh, if a lot of my gear looks new and unused (or barely used) . .. it is because it IS !!! Hummmm... maybe I can drag it all down a dirt road a few times like I did my Harley jacket to make it look "seasoned" !!!
If anyone wants to pre-hike the trail beforehand, count me in.
. (Florida Native by CHOICE)”

“Dude, everyone is invited.”

“I'm in.”

“Dude! The lurker madman actually spoke! It's a miracle!”

“get ready for the snipe hunt.”

“I'll bring a bag for him to use.”

“hey, i INVENTED the effen snipe hunt !!
hope to see you there ! :o)

I'll teach you the " Pine Cone Shuffel "”

“any of those times sound fine for a florida ect
for hiking/camping in florida....winter is the only time for me.

(....the mlk weekend/week is a backyaking thing exploring the beautiful santa fe and itchetucknee rivers (,maybe even get close enuff into the suwannee to spot a manatee)....for any snowbird ect/tt folks ...will be gathering/camping in the primal native florida wilderness of my yard and putting in from my snake and gator and banana spider and otter infested swimming hole...heh... ... mite get blistas on yer fingas, but not on yer feets. ) but that will be "the nother thread"”

“Free chiggers for all the snowbirds!”

“lol treebait....thats fer sure!”

“I don't know if Laurel will go on this trip or not. It's a little early to say. At least by that time she'll be able to hold her head up, lol!”

“Woo Hoo!

I'm good on all weekends and lookin' forward to it.”

“Jan is out for me, my Mom is down for the month of January! Yes that's right 31 days of Snowbird Mommy!

So close and yet so far away! Have fun you guys!”

“Well, Well, a week in Florida, now that would be a cryin' SHAME..lol

Om, you have a yak for me or a place to rent one..mebbe a week in gatorville wouldn't be so bad..I do after all have 5.5 weeks vacation....

It's looking like the first weekend you mentioned HPM is the one with the least conflicts. I'll pencil them all in until we make a final decision.

Frtiz - lotsa sunscreen this year, oh fair one!!

Tex”

“mmmmmmmmmmmmm.......I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread.
Never really hiked in Florida yet.”

“dude, as fast as you walk and as flat as floridia is....you could do the entire northern part of the florida trail in one weekend! :)”

“walkindude- c'mon down! From what I've heard of your mileage prowess you may end up at Jupiter springs on the first night.

Somebody remember to bring up shuttling and parking as the date gets closer. I think both parks charge $10 for overnight parking - so we'll have to figure a low cost solution.”

“HMP
It's a bit far off to say yes or no but I'd like to make it. As far as my walkin speed, I set sail when I solo or with other fast hikers but I also like them social hikes too. Nothing like the great company of a bunch of TTers!!!

Love ya OM!!!”

“Love to see you there WD.

Hike at whatever speed you like, It's all good.

I just wanted to get the date in there so folks could plan ahead.

Heck, I have to plan that far ahead in order to do trips. I already have March 2003 spoken for.

Coop, parking is pricey at both spots. However I am going to look into ways we can all save a little cash. There are lots of places along the trail to drop a car.

I have never done the section between Alexander Springs and Buck lake but I did the trail north of there up to juniper with Rad and Om. Very nice, but there wasn't a nice swimming hole like at Hidden Pond.

Might have to do some scouting this winter.”

“I will probably do a little scouting myself. I now have family that lives in Ft. McCoy (little town on the west edge of the forest) so I will make a few trips up that way before our hike. There is a parking lot with trail access on 19 about 2.5 miles from Buck Lake. I may do a little dayhike loop and check it out.”