November 12th, 2008 Sandra Friend
As of October 25, the long-awaited Nokuse section of the Florida Trail is now open, reflecting two years of hard work by members of the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, an effort led by Bob Deckert and Tom Daniels. This 20-mile segment between SR 81 north of Bruce and US 331 north of Freeport gets the Florida Trail into the woods and off a lengthy roadwalk that was a bane of hikers due to its lack of places to stay or camp. Having explored some of the route when it was first negotiated in 2006, I can say there are some great surprises in store for hikers, including some of the highest elevations on the Florida Trail.
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November 7th, 2008 Sandra Friend
Urban walkers just lost access to one of the longest waterfront trails in Florida - the Friendship Trail, atop the old Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay - because serious structural deficiencies were found in the bridge. The bridge hasn’t had vehicular traffic in years but is a popular destination for walkers, bicyclists, and in-line skaters, but the problems with the structure are severe enough that the bridge was shut down as a public safety measure. There’s always Bayfront Drive, but it’s not quite the same as walking OVER Tampa Bay. Here’s the details from ABC News.
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October 10th, 2008 Sandra Friend
Thanks to recent heavy rains in South Florida, the Everglades is flush with water like it hasn’t been in a long time. What does it mean to hikers? Closures! I was down there in Big Cypress for Labor Day Weekend and the water was already waist-deep on me in places that are normally knee deep. I can’t imagine just how deep things are now. Here’s two alerts I came across in the past day:
“The River of Grass is flowing” Water levels at Shark Valley may impact your visit…. Essentially, the paved road is underwater so the tram isn’t running as often, your bicycle needs water wings, and hikers will share the road with the all-too-feisty ‘gators. Read more…
Water is flowing over Loop Road. Don’t even THINK of driving to the southern terminus of the Florida Trail until it recedes or you may find your Toyota in the canal with the rest of the wildlife. Here’s the official alert.
Meanwhile, enjoy the wet wilderness while it lasts … and take a snorkel!
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October 1st, 2008 Sandra Friend
It’s been almost seven years since I met Bart Smith at an FTA Annual Conference, when he sought me out to say “how’d you like to do a book together?” The result of our chat was Along the Florida Trail, which I section hiked to write and he thru-hiked to photograph. He already had two excellent books with notable authors, Earl Shaffer and Karen Berger. And after he packed up the things he left at my house while he was hiking and headed home to Seattle and family, we kept in touch now and again but not like we did while collaborating.
This spring, Bart’s wife Bridgie got in touch to tell me the exciting news that Bart would be wrapping up 16 years of hiking ALL of the National Scenic Trails, and he’d do it to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the National Trail System. She asked me to work with them on content for his website, which I was honored to do. Today Bart met his goal: all trails complete! Here’s the story.
His website’s a beaut, too, with slide shows from every National Scenic Trail. Be sure to take a virtual hike with Bart down the Florida Trail! Bart’s website: Walking Down A Dream.
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September 29th, 2008 Sandra Friend
According to a recent story in the Fort Myers News-Press, both Lee and Charlotte Counties were successful in obtaining grants to acquire new lands that will benefit both the Florida Saltwater Circumnavigation Trail and Florida hiking.
Galt Preserve includes 105 acres on Pine Island which will be rid of its exotic species before amenities are added, including observation deck and fishing pier, picnic tables and hiking trails, and a launch point for paddlers. Where Buck Creek flows into Lemon Bay, Buck Creek Preserve will include similar amenities and an open-air classroom.
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