Juniper Springs to Alexander Springs

                                                            OUCHCALA



After the last hike we were craving more outdoor fun. It had only been a week, and after realizing we werent going to be able to hike in the Smokey Mountains, we decided to do a 3 day 2 night hike Debis and my first 2 nighter. To be honest i was nervous. My thoughts were how are we going to do it, we almost always carry too much weight. And now we are going further and longer. The other thing that bothered me was im normally the one to look at the maps and figure out were to start and stop for the night and so on.
 I called James who has more experience than i do at this stuff. He confirmed what i thought we should do and he knew some of the are having been out there before. We get Ken on board with us and we thought there would be more people but they had to back out.
 So me and Deb had to get different stuff for dinner and what not, but we had to do it the day before we left so we could get packed up and ready to go. Yea well that didnt happen after a hard day at work and Debi having a headache. So we thought why not just go in the morning on the way up to Ocala. The weather didnt look as good as it was looking all week, with another front coming in. No worries we can handle it. We stop at Gander and get a few things and the grocery store. Then were off, knowing that we have to still pack our stuff for the hike.
 We get to Alexander Springs around 11:45 just ahead of James and Ken, we jump out of the truck and start packing our stuff. James and Ken show up about 15 minutes after us, and now we are only half packed. Now anyone that knows me ( and the rest of us ) we dont like to be the ones that are holding everyone up. But James reminds me that we are on vacation and we have no time frame, just relax. That made me feel better and i needed to be reminded of that. We had plenty of time, but my thought was we have 5.5 miles to walk today LOL.
 Well it all worked out, Debi was carrying more weight and so was I but not more than we could handle ( yea right LOL ). So let the games begins. OF course there are always laughs when we get out there and most of the time before then.
 When we get to Juniper Springs everything looked so familiar ( we have been there before hiking and canoeing ) but this time we were going North to South. There were a few first for me and Debi on this trip. The 2 nights and getting water out there. I was excited about not having to carry all of that water with us ( which is one reason for going south on this trip ).
 We start walking and the conversations start, who really knows everything we talk about we just talk.

Looks like Debis saying good bye to someone

The beginning

There were some interesting areas on this trip but the one thing that i stands out were the hills. I dont care what anyone says there are hills in Florida and i think we found them all on one trip LOL. It seemed that everyone was excited to be out here and that we were looking forward to some of the unknowns. Me i was still a bit nervous about a few things, first thing was Debis feet and blisters, and water. Was really hoping that we werent to far behind in time to be able to get to the campsite that James remembered from years past. He said it was a nice campsite, but the way he kids there was no telling what we were in for LOL.
 As we normmaly do me and Deb were in the back but me and James normally swap places, Kens speed and mine are very close at a normal walk so its not a hard pace but i like to stick with Debi and James likes to keep a eye on her too.

I love being out there for the quiet and for the lack of people. The best part of being out there is the lack of agenda. There is a small agenda like we wanted to do about 5.5 miles Friday and try for 10 on Saturday then finish Sunday. But that was about it, we like to be done with the day no later than 4 pm just to give us time to set everything up and it looked like we were right on time, there were a few little stops, i love looking at the animal tracks and figuring out what they are and where are they going ( which way, but thats not that hard look at the direction the toes are pointing ) . But i think the one thing that keeps me on my toes are the bear signs, i dont think i have seen this many signs on the trail, plenty of scat around and then we started seeing paw prints, not just toes but the whole front paw. They are amazing to me!
 The other thing i love out there are the signs ( some time the lack of signs ). Its like they have been there for ever and they are just put in the middle of no where. We had a hard time when crossing forest roads because there werent any numbers on the roads, so we kind of had to figure ( or guess ) on which one we were at. That made it a little bit frustrating at times, but James is good at distance and time so doing the math we knew we were in a general area so no worries.

first of 3 paved roads we cross ( i think 3 )

just the first day and already worn out LOL

Love this sign

and of course Debis favorites 

notice the lack of hand rail? and the smiles on there faces 

break time

 The one thing we did very well was taking breaks, they were much needed at times and again there was no hurry , we knew we had a long weekend and we just wanted to soak it all in.Breaks were about every hour and they were about 10 mins each just to keep us moving. It seemed that there were aches and pains for all of us but we were still joking around and laughing, Of course at the 3 mile mark Debis hips started to ache, but when she started feeling it she would pop in her head phones and sing to all of us. It was funny to me cuz i would sing the songs in my head with her and it made me giggle.
 We were getting closer to camp and we had been seeing signs of animals all along the trail, but these seemed to be " fresher " to us. Very clear on what they were at times, and some droppings that were lets just say not so easy to identify. We were on high alert due to the freshness of the poo and the bear tracks we had been seeing, and of course it was the conversation like is it a bear cub? if so mama aint to far, then after talking and talking about it there was a loud ruckus in the bush probably about 10 yards from Ken! hearts were pounding people ducking and a few What Thes , and out comes this turkey flying from right to left, i dont know who was more freaked out Us ( mostly Ken ) or the turkey. It was so funny and cool at the same time. Its our first ocala turkey.

bear

bigger than Jamess hand

now thats a print

front and back paws 

We got to the camp sight that at around 4 and i was ready for a great night, and it was more than you could ask for.

The best campsite to date for us

setting up

were reday

sunset

let them feet rest

While Debi set up our hammocks i went to get fire wood then James and Ken came to help after they were done setting up, There was plenty of wood around so that wasnt a problem, They guys started the fire i drank coffee all was great.that nights sleep want great at all but i knew i  got some rest.I am glad we put my rain fly on due to the heavy dew that set in. It was so heavy i thought it had rained a little, but was assured it didnt.
 We sat around camp until 945 am or so then off for the long walk, 10 miles is a long way for us but we knew the rest breaks will help. We had already done about 5.5 miles the day before and now we were entering the unknown for me and Debi on this distance. But we could do this , a break about every 2 miles would do us good.
 We came across a lady that was doing the entire FL Trail at one time, impressive to me. She was going 15 miles that day meeting her husband at Juniper for supplies and rest. She only had a day bag so she was probably moving a good pace. Again i was impressed, but not interested in doing that.
 Our first real stop was water and "lunch" for us.

"a sitting log "

Spur trail to the water hole

fill er up

The water was clean and tasted fresh so no need to filter it or treat it. We had a talk with a retired police man, and saw a couple that missed the other spur trail to Buck Lake about 2 miles back. I felt bad for them but what are you gonna do we couldnt give them a ride.
 We still had a long day but spirits were still high and the laughing continued. I was looking forward to being at camp and resting, after not sleeping the night before and starting to feel the walking everywhere i was ready. We took a coffee break just past a pond that was needed, the coffee was just what the doctor ordered. We still had 1.5 hours of walking left ( about 3 miles ) i know debi was hurting and i was, I think we were all ready.
 Good thing was we were about a half mile a head of where we thought we were. so we all got energized again just by knowing it was almost time to rest for the night. We got to a point were it was time to start looking for a good campsite but there was slim pickings. Pines arent were we wanted to be, but we came to a forest road ( dont know the number due to the lack of signs ) and it didnt seem to be any better on the other side. So we stop there and search for a decent place. Not a problem, Its time to get set up. Knowing its gonna be cold we get the hammocks just right and the fire just right. I had a lot of aches so it was a early night for me after dinner probably close to 8 or so. I think i had the best night of sleep so far in all of my trips this night! but getting out of that sleeping bag was not as fun WOW was it cold. But my aches werent as bad.

 All in all i had a blast, i love being out there with Debi and seeing that relaxing look on her face. Ken and James are great out there, they both bring so much to the enjoyment there. It is so nice to get to camp and everyone knows what to do, between setting up and fire and breaking down camp it just works out great.
 This was probably my favorite trips so far, i dont really know why, but i know it feels like all of the other trips made this one work out so nice. We "fixed" Debis blister problems, we learned that we can do longer distance if needed. We also learned that we can sleep in the cold with no problems. Ill end it with this, Ouchcala is a great place to be even if it hurts!!!!!

Here is Debis Link to here blog http://jstmine225.blogspot.com/

Here is Kens Blog, http://wewanttoseeflorida2.blogspot.com/

Hopkins Prairie to Salt Springs

Well its been a while. Way to long. We ( Debi and Me ) had to put our trips on hold for a little bit, but it was well worth it! So let me start by saying



                                          Welcome Home!!!!

 That will make sense in a little bit.
 We started off talking about doing this hike because we needed to get back into the swing of things. The weather was looking so good and well it was time. So i dug into the maps to find a good overnight hike that was short enough but long enough to make it " worth it " . We figured salt springs was a better stopping point so we didnt break up another hiking spot. I thought going south to north would be easier to figure out distance for camp time.
 The plan was meet up at salt springs at noon, drop the car off and pile up into the truck, go to hopkins prairie were we started the last hopkins hike. It would have worked out that way but Debi and me went to the salt springs marina instead. And there is zero to none cell signal out there. Well after thinking about it we drove to the right spot and met up. Better late than never ( i hate being late ).
 It all worked out great beside being late, we were only 30 mins or so behind, no big deal. We got our gear out of the truck and started off.
  The trail is easy to find, and almost as soon as we start theres a HUGE bat house in front of us. I was so surprised to see how big it was. Then the thought of wow thats A Lot of bats came to me LOL. I have pics but you get the point LOL.
 There were a bunch more cars than we expected and a lot of day hikers on the trail but i dont blame them the weather was just right. We see a couple eating lunch on a log so we do what your supposed to do and talked to them. Well they informed us that the Rainbow Coalition  was out there just a heads up. We thought HUH? whats that, well we found out. To be honest i was very nervous at first. We past a few of them on the trail and they just had a "look" about them that made me keep my eyes more open. They were all very friendly and seemed to be happy. I did want Debi to walk in front of me or in the middle of our group just to be sure. But the further we waled and the more we say of them, the easier i felt about them. We were walking in " Rainbow Land" we found out.
 Being friendly we would say hi there or what ever and they would respond the same but then it seemed they had more to say. Me being me i didnt listen cuz hey thats what i do. But Debi gets close to me and says " Did they say Welcome Home? " . I didnt hear that but they could have said anything . But the more we walked and the more camp signs we saw the more i realized we are waking in a village and we are now the visitors. It was like walking in a foreign land with people that spoke english but not in the same way. Then again another small group ( 2 or 3 ) females walk by and say hello welcome home. My jaw hit the ground, all of us started giggling to ourselves not to offend anyone. All i could think is Ok this is getting weird.
 We came around this big bend and all we could see across the lake bottom were tents and hammocks probably about 20 or so. And the signs and /or markers to other camp sites everywhere. We start hearing coughing and i look up and there is a group of guys sitting right on the trail smoking weed, and having what appeared to be a deep conversation about who knows what. And again we hear Welcome Home. I really couldnt tell you how many times i heard this along the way and how many people were out there but i could keep going and going about it. To be honest it may be one of those things that you gotta be there. Just trust me WE FOUND THE HIPPIES!!!
 We get to the end of our first day after leaving rainbow land . We wanted to get far enough away that there wouldnt be any issues, so we crossed 2 fire roads FR33 then FR55 right about 5.5 miles of a 10 mile hike. Maybe closer to 6 miles we find a spot that looks like we can do something with. Theres a clear area for a fire and plenty of trees to hang from. So we get to work clearing out some brush and start setting up camp. We were racing the sun so we dont run out of light, Debi starts hanging her hammock then i start mine. James isnt to far from me then Ken takes the easy way out and finds a area that is already cleaned out ( i think he got spoiled from the bridge night ) LOL. I decide that i didnt want my rain fly on cuz i wanted to see the stars on this clear night ( good move ) , James and Ken decide the same, but Debi chose warmth over scenery ( i didnt blame her at all).
 We get set up and now its fire time, Debi needed some rest and to eat something, Ken, James and me head out to find the wood, it didnt take long at all due to some logging and clearing out for scrub jays. We just didnt get big logs, but we got a good amount just by the spot we chose for the fire. After searching for bigger stuff to burn we all hunkered down for a nice campfire. We all earned it!
 We started cooking dinner ( after coffee of course ), Debi had some soup from one of our favorite spots to eat ( Zorbas ) and some humus  with pita. I wanted tuna melts on tortillas, worked out to be tuna not so melts but they were still good. Ken had beef stew i think and James had steak and potatoes in tin foil ( smelled great) .
The temps started to drop after playing with emergency blankets Debi and me decided to go to bed. I get into my bag and hammock fairly easy but i hear Deb having a problem, it kinda sounded like a wrestling match behind me, and some snorting and huffing, but after a few minutes she got it. Now all i could do is hope she warmed up fast. The temps dropped real fast, but the wind wasnt blowing so i knew she was set up right. James and Ken werent far behind us.
 I had a real restless night, not due to the cold but just not sleeping. I heard every sound ( yep even the Rainbow people ). I think i was up every hour. I did get a few hours of sleep later that night, from about 330 to about 630 or so, but i wasnt going to get out of the sleeping bag until there was a fire. I heard voices and i knew it was time, Everyone was up and there was a fire, and my loving wife was starting the coffee.
 Ken had ice cubes form in his camel pack bladder, and evidently in his sleeping bag. He had a bad and cold night. So i guess i wasnt the only one not sleeping. Debi didnt sleep good either. James did a lot of snoring so he got some sleep.
 We relaxed for about a hour before we broke camp and headed off, there were a few hikers that came by that morning, but no animals to be seen. After a few miles i caught a glemps of some movement a head i hollar hold up! I keep staring and still cant tell what it is, im thinking hog or small bear, James comes over and sees the same thing. We grab the bear spray to investigate and scare off this BEAST! We get closer and closer ( about 50 yards or so ) and realize we are stalking a tree stump, the best we can figure is shadows making us see movement. either that or sleep deprivation LOL.
 We get to the area Deb and me were parked at and realize that the spur trail we were walking does not go to Salt Springs it stops at the marina. Me and James decide we will walk to the springs to get the car, it was about another 3/4 to mile walk but we dropped off our bags with Debi and Ken.
 End of Hike LOL.
 Sorry there arent to many pics in this hike my battery died on my phone pretty fast.


Here is Debis Link to here blog http://jstmine225.blogspot.com/

Here is Kens Blog, http://wewanttoseeflorida2.blogspot.com/

Snack time

before

after

another before

fire time

my bed for the night