Ocala NF ECT2, Florida Y'all

“I know I can't to backpack down there eather NS!

8)”

“There is a rescedule fee and I'm busted right now”

“That sucks BB!

8(”

“Pay the reschedule fee from your food money and sponge your meals from the group. I'll be happy to share my spider soup with you. And we should be able to dig up some alligator eggs for breadfast.”

“You eat that?

8)”

“Travel light and eat what the land affords. You'll really enjoy the scorpion and marsh grass platter.

BTW, don't wear an alligator belt or bring an alligator wallet. One smell and the gators go into a frenzy.”

“I do want to try it how does it taste?

8)”

“A little like pork actually.”

“COOL!!!!

8)”

“It's hard to tell, because people usually fall asleep or drop into a deep trance while eating it. When they wake about 8 hours later, they don't remember.”

“crap. if bbinkley cant make it, i need a ride or rider. i can drive, but i dont want to solo. please please please is there someone between indy and fla who would ride with me or let me catch a ride with them?”

“Here's a review of the Juniper run from Trails.com - it sounds lik it would be fun, I just won' be able to take the extra day off.

"Juniper Run is a winding, 7 mile, 3 1/2 to 4 hour paddle on crystal clear spring water through hardwood forests and tropical foliage along the bank. There are no signs of civilization except for a dock about half way on the run which provides for an easy place to stop and have lunch, although there are a few nice stop-off points before and after the dock if you want to avoid other canoists on busy weekends. There are very few beach areas, but enough places with high ground where you can pull over and de-bark comfortably. When we took this trip there were many downed trees and logs that hung across the run, causing us to duck very low in the canoe, sometimes having to lay backwards as there was only 2 or 3 inches clearance. Don''t bring any kind of fixed back seat. With the tight turns and many obstacles, this is not a good choice for a novice, even in the bow. To avoid "bad words" being exchanged, it is suggested that the stern-man discuss with his or her partner in the bow some simple commands to assist in navigation. It''s a beautiful run and sometimes can have abundant wildlife. We saw many waterfowl, wild turkey and a baby owl; we saw no turtles or alligators. The run opens up at the end, but is mostly shaded by the many trees lining the bank. It''s very enjoyable, but can be a bit of work navigating trees, stumps and vines."”

“nowslimmer - not sure if your post was serious about cabin reservations - but if it was - this site says that you don't need, or possibly can't even make a reservation. Also, It doesn't mention anything about cabins (I don't remember seeing any their?) Apparently all they have are RV and tent sites. Do you have a tent? hehe”

“"To avoid "bad words" being exchanged, it is suggested that the stern-man discuss with his or her partner in the bow some simple commands to assist in navigation."

to be the stern man...on the juniper run in a canoe....you have to be a yogi like jesus,,,,LOL....

it is GREAT FUN ! you may get wet, but probably not eaten by a gator.

nowslimmer, did you read arclites last post?”

“did you read arclites last post?"
om

Thank, om, yes. I was trying to make a reservation for a tent site. I get 50% off the fee. I searched and searched on the internet, but I could not find a telephone number or anything else, except NRRS. I was not anxious to register with NRRS, in case they don't handle Junifer Springs. Somewhere, while looking, I saw cabins mentioned. At this stage I would only be interested in learning price, size, etc. My post turned out to be confusing on the issue.

I really would like to reserve a tent site, and then others, up to the park limit, would be welcome to there. Arclite did not say that he had a reservation. So I figured that I would hear from him. Naturally, he would be welcome to share the site. (And I doubt that he gets the 50% rate.)”

“Thanks for the link. It clarifies things__no reservations and no cabins, like you said. So I'll plan to arrive about noon or earlier on Thursday.”

“BTW, I picked up an Esbit Pocket Stove and a Tikka. Ha, this Tikka is nice. BUT! OMG, is this keyboard ever stained and dirty. This Tikka really lights it up. I even think some of the things here are growing. Wow. There, that is better, I turned the Tikka off. I don't think I want to wear it while I'm eating. There may be things that I would rather not see.”

“Nowslimmer - yeah, that Tikka can really light up a room. One warning - do not wonder "just how bright is this thing" and stare straight into it while you flip it on. Also, don't stare directly at others wearing it - it's like looking at the sun!

Actually, I just picked up oneof those Photon II microlights. I had been trying to read with the Tikka at night and the pages of my book were nearly blinding. This Photon is tiny and casts a pleasant little glow, just right for reading. I will put a piece of velcro on it and attach the other to my hat so I can use it like a headlamp while reading (I picked up that tip hear somewhere).

I plan on joining everyone at 9:00 am on that Friday.”

“Actually, if we are starting from Juniper, then we will be dropping off shuttle(s) at Alexander. I culd just go to Alexander and wait {{nervously}} for Trekker John and whover else to drop off the shuttles and then bring them back to Juniper.

If we have more than John's van can handle then we can leave my truck at Alexander as well (just mak sure to send another car with John).

I guess we can iron all this out as the date gets closer.”

“Tex - I gather from some of your posts that your travel plans will not bring you through Orlando International? If they do - just give me a holler.”

“2scoops - Perhaps you could meet with CMB and the others, and together rent a vehicle that can carry all of you. This may be more economical than putting wear on your own vehicles.

I have used rentals instead of my own vehicle numerous times in Florida where there is no mileage charge. That way I have a newer, more reliable vehicle, as well as saving the wear on my own.”

“Coop that sounds like a much better plan for shuttling.
Let's get together with Trekker John and do that.”

“I was checking to see what the weather is like down in Ocala. . Today looks ok but you guys are going to freeze tomorrow and the rest of the week. It shows a low of 18° Thursday, 23° Friday and 26° Sat. Looks like winter finally made it to you guys.”

“Ewker - the trips not till a couple of more weeks.”

“I would be interested in campin thurs. Keep me informed.Yo bear!”

“SS, I know that. I was just checking to see what it is like down there NOW.”

“Yep, we're looking for record-breaking cold this weekend! Woohoo!

On the downside, it does mean I have to run around covering up plants and such. My breakfast nook (!?) looks like a greenhouse.”

“Maps have been sent.

Except for maps for Nowslimmer and Opie who I will give to them at the trail.

Yo Opie. Will Miss Opie be joining us too?”

“nope *evil grin*”

“Ah sooo..........”

“Oh boy Oh boy I can't wait to get my map!!!!!

8)”

“To all of you recieving maps: Let us know when you notice one of the primary features on the map. You'll know it when you see it, and you'll be hiking right past it! LOL!”

“That is so true!

8)”

“we'll be going to 14 strip clubs and the 3 closest hooters!!”

“And that's just the first day.”

“Does that mean you'll be happy that I'm not along?

Geez what is it that strip club girls have other than crabs?

Lol”

“Police records?”

“So true!

8)”

“so true!

8|”

“So will I need sand pegs for my tent?

And does the trail that we are going to be on just all sand and no dirt?

8)”

“South of Gainesville at the Micanopy I-75 exit there used to be a strip club that had a lot of UF coeds working there earning money for school. Big billboard ads along the way. Very nice young ladies (I am told. ;) Of course I would never be seen in such a place!)
They make an excellent hamburger plate (I am told). Good place to have lunch!”

“Ya that does sound like a good place to have a good bite to eat!

8)”

“It's both sand and dirt. You will not need sand pegs.”

“Thats cool thank you for the info!

8)”

“Don't be giving him that kind of info. He'll be on his way tonight when he hears that!”

“I don't think there are any strip clubs in Tampa.”

“CMB - it's sand but hard packed, particularly on the trail. There's so much other junk on top of the sand (thatch, palm fronds, pine needles etc.) that you rarely deal with walking through beach like sand - although we did hit some spots near Hopkins Prairie last year.

What I'd like us all to run into is a long strip where the trail is underwater - that's real fun.”

“Well, the area's been getting a bit more rain lately, BC, so you mat get your wish.


Maybe we'll see one of those hairless bears!”

“If Opie doesn't want to come on this trip that is ok. You can come up to Nashville and you can ride with me when we go on the Red River Gorge Trip. I noticed that your a maybe on that trip. You can just leave Opie at home for that trip :)”

“treebait - yeah, the hiking around here has been very wet lately.

For the interested...around Orlando - because it's so flat the flood plains can be quite wide, then on top of that the soil has a layer of clay beneath it that does not allow the water to leach through. So we end up with trials / ditches full of warm, dark, leafy water. I think the part of the woods for this hike is elevated enough and is far enough away from the St. John's and the other spring runs to avoid that kind of flooding, but we may get some good ol' fahion rain puddles.

Water on the trail in August is an adventure. Water on the trail at 18 degrees might be no fun.”