SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA HIKE-N-HANG (planning)

[olddog]

Leaving out shortly. See everyone there, be safe.

[FLRider]

Eating lunch in Dunnellon right now. The bike lane was fun for the last ten miles; it sporadically dwindled to nothing.

Still, murderous road design aside, I'm having a great time. Had a flat, but am still on schedule. See everyone there!

[turtlelady]

I am traveling through the area, on my way back to KY. I hope to visit with you all for at least a few minutes this evening if I can find you before dark. I am leaving I 75 onto Cortez Blvd @ 4:30.
Turtlelady

[Grinder]

I'll be first, I guess.

The hike and hang was a big success. Big thanks to Old Dog for the 6 gallons of water he cached at the 1/2 way point. We'd all have illnesses from the ugly water that was available. one dozen people in all.

I walked up from Dade City and got lost again. Separated from the trail in a stretch that was infrequently marked and criss crossed with game trails with no real track to follow. then couldn't find it again. Walked for a long ways on a two track I found and misidentified. (they all look alike) I flagged down a pickup and asked if this road went where I wanted and he assured me I was okay That was sort of true. Two hours later, I flagged down the next pickup only to find I was still 10 miles from the water tower and headed away from it. He was nice enough to give me a ride there. Got there just in time to meet MAD777 and a bunch of others who just arrived.

Had a nice night. Turtle lady showed up.FLrider pedaled a beach cruiser bicycle nearly 100 miles to get here.

The Saturday hike was nice and brisk. Old Dog, pushing his "Sherpa" ran us into the ground. We camped next to a prairie (dry lake with grass growing in the bottom) it was beautiful. Owls, turkeys and an occasional Hog had wildlife duties.

The hike in this morning was just fine too. Hitched a ride back to my car from Old Dog and hurried home to wash off the hiker funk.

Grinder, out

[Flackfizer]

We had to fight to get the tests done, but we managed to find a doctor willing to do the Lyme Disease test. Bearfinder had eight out of ten bars, meaning he tested super positive. We dont think this is new--in fact it has probably been germinating for some time and showing up only in odd ways. Of course he never showed a bullseye, and of course he has had ticks. It may be that some of the mood disorder stuff we have been coping with is related. In a way that will be good if true. The best part is that we now can start a regime of antibiotics and get it under control. We shall see what happens next. He has been really funny about it. To him it is kind of a badge of honor--"it is a real woodsman's disease" he said to me sort of proudly. "Lyme and giardia are the diseases you get from really being out in the woods!" So in his way he is pretty psyched. I will share more as we learn more. The knee is back to normal though and we are planning this summer's AT trip.

[MAD777]

Ticks are the scariest creatures in the woods to me.
Tell Bearfinder that were pulling for him!

[Grinder]

good for bear finder
when life serves lemons, make lemon aid

[olddog]

Amazing young man! Best of luck on the procedure Bearfinder.

[dieseldeathstar]

I agree ticks are probably the scariest things out there and especially when you get them in unmentionable areas. I grew up here in Umatilla only about ten 15 men from alexander springs up on 19 so camped a lot in life I know what you mean. best of luck to him and to any one else who has to deal with that. I just finished building my first of many hammocks I really enjoy doing the work and hope to be able to make something out of it. Also I am ready for a hang guys i pretty much got a whole rig now and just need a few more things like water purification stuff and a better stove and I am ready. So if anyone wants to meet up ever and camp even let me know.

[Tinmar]

I'm interested.