Ocala NF ECT2, Florida Y'all

“I always get chiggers in Ocala. Mostly because I hate to hike in pants and I hate bug spray. I overheat with both.

Overheat or itch, what to do, what to do.”

“This was the first time I really hiked in the pants I wore and they were surprisingly comfortable. The temps were also nice - so that helped. I certainly would have been cooler with a little more ventilation, but you're right - there's a little cost/benefit we all figure with any piece of clothing or gear. I wanted to post the permethrin/long pants idea for folks who might be thinking about February and have not yet had the joy of a chigger attack.”

“I know just the place to watch the Leonid Meteor shower - too bad it's hunting season.”

“The folks new to the Florida Wilderness could permethrin only one leg, sock and boot. Then, they could enjoy half the fun !!!

whatcha thank ?”

“Hey Y'all, long time no hear..yeah, I know I have fallen off the face of TT for awhile..I hate when life gets in the way.

I still have this trip on my radar screen for Late January and just wanted to be sure Y'all were still going.

I promise to check in on a more regular basis.

Hope everyone is doing well..;-)

Tex”

“Yep, it's still on.

Ocala NF
Feburary 7, 8 and 9th.
Mark your calendars”

“i'm in (opie1979@yahoo.com) please let me get in on the e-mail fun (directions, maps, times..blah blah)”

“I've got this trip marked.
I'll be traveling along I-10, maybe we can carpool.”

“Opie and StoveStomper...Cool - it will be good to meet some more "out of towners" like Fritz and Tex last year.

Hey Tex - Why so busy lately? Come on down and chill out.”

“I'm still a deffinate maybe.”

“Oh yeah - the walkindude too!”

“Coop - been fighting fires (literally), working p/t as an EMT and taking a class on Anatomy & Physiology. (ok, no wise cracks) I need it for my paramedic program at the local community college.

No worries, I'll be more than ready for Ocala ECT II - The Reunion!

We need to get a side "yakking" trip in this time. What are the chances Coop??

Tex”

“well i'm in Florala, AL and will be heading down and hitting I-10 in DeFuniak Springs..let me know where you are and will be going through”

“I will probably cut through Dothan and hit I-10 at Tallahassee”

“Appalachian Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
California Coastal Trail
Vermont's Long Trail
Ocala NF ECT2”

“My family & I live about 45 min. away from the Ocala NF..
Is this a 'family friendly' type of trip, or some other? We could do either, really. Just thinking about it.”

“I'll probably be bringing my baby on this trip. How old are your kids?

Humanpackmule and I are in Jacksonville.”

“dang!

now i have to wear clothes!

geez!”

“Tex - people were talking about a little paddling on Sunday/Monday - I hadn't really considered it - but it would be great fun. A whole new batch of gear to think about!

Come one come all! HPM and treebait - I will be watching to see how the third party works out. Who's got the gear and who's got the baby?

Hinds - where are you from? I'm in Orlando.”

“For the sky enthusiasts - looks like a half moon on saturday night (2/8).”

“waxing or waning?”

“I'm from Gainesville! Good to know that some of you live around here!
My kids are 13 & (almost) 7. My husband is my bping partner, also! He & I went on an AT trip last month & LOVED it!
It sounds like I've finally met some fellow women-backpackers (tb & hpm)! Big Coop??”

“what does ECT2 stand for??”

“East Coast Trekkers 2”

“oh, so some have formed a club?”

“Babys on the trip?? That means I won't have to hustle my butt off to keep up with Coop & HPM !!!”

“a loose coalition might be a better term Hinds Feet...

usually the term is used in regard to a trip planned here...

East Coast Trekkers are those can make these trips....”

“hinds feet....i just moved out of gainesville to the river, but still work here at uf......
u will love the ect group....perhaps we can share the drives if you guys ever want to go on ect trips....”

“Yikes!
I didn't know Treebait was thinking of bringing Laurel!

Yo Coop, Looks like "Bring your daughter to the trail day" is coming sooner that we thought.”

“I may bring my new granddaughter. Those bullfrogs are going to have competition at keeping us awake!
-------------------------
Trekker John - Have you forgotten? We're leading this one so they will have to hike at our speed. You lead and I'll follow as your Sergeant-at-arms. I just advanced to a blue belt in Aikijutsu, so I think I qualify to keep the rest in line.

LOL”

“PS - Trekker John - Don't forget to bring your chain saw in case any of the do slip past me.”

“Hinds Feet - I would make a decidedly hideous woman. This hike is starting to look downright busy - we made need to add a "palooza" on the end.”

“No offense intended, BC. These chat rooms are a little frustrating 'cuz I can't see who I'm talking to! OM, thanks for the offer. Do you mean the Suwannee River by 'the river'? Are YOU male or female..lol!”

“None taken Hinds.

om is all woman - as a matter of fact she might be the closest personification of Mother Nature that I know.

If you click on the screen names you sometimes get a little more info on folks. Some of us have websites or pictures where you can get a little better feel for who you are talking to.”

“BTW chili - I'm a little rusty on my amatuer astronomy - but if "waxing" means becoming full then I believe it will be waxing.”

“hinds feet...the santa fe river ....are you familiar with rum island or ginnie springs? ....near there.

lol Big Coop...thanks for noticing ..hee...

yes hinds feet, a nacherul woman ....and I don't carry an axe....:) if you go to Phils photo page, you can see pics of a lot of the people who post on TT.
ok...goin back outside...kinda chilly, but sunny, crystal blue skies and leaves falling...mmm”

“Hinds Feet - Phil's Photo Page has most of us. See if you can recognize me here w/o the beard and the tree-like hiking stick I was carrying on the AT in GA.”

“Big Coop, I just spent time teaching the kids...

waxing = building up....becoming full...developing.... "D" is for Developing... the moon looks like a "D"

waning = going away...toward a new moon...closing..."C" is for closing...the moon looks like a "C"..

sort of elementary,,,but I bet you remember it....”

“What was that again?

At my age short term memory no longer exists. What were we talking about?”

“ns...stages of the moon”

“LOL”

“gazelle, everybody! I've been thinking about it for a while, & finally took the plunge. Thanks for the tip on the photo page..enjoyed seeing the faces behind (some of) the names!
OM, yes, I know where Ginnie Springs is.
Nowslimmer, although it's hard to see your face when you're flipping or being flipped!, I don't think I could recognize you even with the beard, since we only met once, in passing, when I had 'town' & 'relief from the pain' on my mind in our short conversation...lol!”

“Om, Tex, would you like another kayak companion if you do a side trip?

Also, it would be a shame to be at Juniper without doing the spring run. I'll post this again: The Juniper Spring run takes about five hours. They rent canoes, and you can arrange for the shuttle van, at the concession stand at Juniper.

I'll be bringing my beater Prelude with racks. I can fit one other kayak on there. Would anyone like to come on Thursday the 6th or stay for Monday the 10th to do the run? I'll probably be taking one of those days off to do that very thing.

Juniper Springs has a car camping area that rates five out of five stars in my Tent Camping in Florida book. You've just got to watch the raccoons. They are smart and persistent little buggers.”

“I'm interested in a canoe either day if I get to come. Work schedule is in flux right now.
What kind of canoes do they rent? The standard crappy aluminum ones or maybe a nicer Old Town?”

“Sounds good to me Arclite.

After hiking that section I think it would be a better hike to start at Juniper and head to Alexander.”

“I would like to paddle, but work will be hectic during that time so I'll have to feel it out as the date gets closer.”

“Hey Arc -

I'm in for a side yakking trip either before or after - whatever fits your schedules better - I don't have one that I can bring, so I'd either
a) have to borrow a yak
b) share with someone
C) rent a yak
d) rent a canoe

Notice I have the rent a canoe as the LAST choice..lmbo!!

Keep me posted, I'm flexible - I know Om was interested as well, so you set it up and I'll be there!!

Tex”

“Arc, i would love to paddle the juniper run after the hiking...would that mean i would have to take monday off?...or do you plan to paddle on sunday?

tex, i know they rent canoes at juniper springs, but i am not sure about kayaks...if you wanted a kayak we would have to reserve one for you and bring it down..”

“As Arclite pointed out last time if there is a paddle trip involved we need to set aside a full day for it to take advantage of the shuttle for those who need to rent a boat. I have a canoe I can bring too.

In any event we will be hiking about 5 miles on Friday and Sunday.”

“Great, we get to rest on Saturday! At least Trekker John and I will be able to keep up on one of the days!”