Green Swamp hike 'n hang

[edhess]

I took a few days from work to get away for a quick hike and hang. The Florida National Scenic Trail transits the Green Swamp rambling through pine flatwoods, ancient sand dunes, and oak hammocks. All told, there are more than 80,000 acres in the Green Swamp. Perfect for wandering without being lost. The Green Swamp basin is also the headwaters for some of central Florida's most popular rivers including the Hillsborough, Withlachoochee, Ocklawaha, and Peace Rivers.

My get away also marked my video directorial debut with a new Canon G12. I have no idea what I am doing, but I'm having a great time. Try not to laugh too much at the video, but hopefully it will give you an idea of some of the great natural areas we have in central Florida.

edo

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqJdb...2dFAAAAAAAABAA

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nuLQ..._order&list=UL

[TFC Rick]

Awesome stuff Edo!! Thanks for taking us along

[olddog]

Nothing amateurish about that video Ed! Enjoyed the hike, thanks for taking us along. Will miss ya up on the ridge maybe you'll be able to make the 2nd Annual hike & hang in Richloam in March.

[Shug]

I bet that sand hiking is a bit tiring......
Nice to see that Florida Swamp.
Shug
Went to Clown College in Venice in 1979....stayed at the Venice Villas. And three years Winter quarters at the Venice Arena with Ringling.

[Fronkey]

Man, I miss Florida! Thanks for letting me remember my home and watch out for skunk ape.

Fronkey

[Bruciehi5]

Thanks for the look at the map, I like maps! I like the little palms too, I don’t think we’ve got them around here. Yeah, no tents allowed. Death to tents, I say! lol **** fine humble abode, nice and comfy looking. I would have liked to have seen more of the hunters tree chairs. I didn’t know there was such a thing. Very well spoken commentary made your video a pleasure to watch!

[edhess]

Thanks guys. I enjoy exploring both sections of the Green Swamp. Gotta be careful with the East tract though. All that water brings out some vicious mosquitos.

TFC Rick & olddog, sorry I cannot join you for next weeks hang. I've got an AT section hike the second week of March that I need to try and get in shape for. I'm going to get in some miles with the pack to see if I can strengthen the legs a little.

Shug, with your Ringling Bros background, I figured you made your way through Venice at one time or another. We really miss having the Clown College in town. Not to mention the annual circus parade. Great stuff.

Fronkey, those skunk apes are tricky buggers. They could be hiding in the palmettos right next to you and you'd never know it. Except for the stink. As you know, Florida hiking and camping has a beauty all its own. But your videos in the great white north are pretty darn beautiful in their own right.

Briciehi5, you are speaking right up my alley. I love to look at maps too. Those little palms are called palmettos. They are sort of like a strawberry in that they grow in runners. Most fires just burn the green fronds and it takes no time at all for new growth to appear. Very important in keeping Florida's sandy ground from eroding away. Thanks for watching the videos.

edo

[Black Wolf]

Gotta love the FT .. awesome video guy !!.. that wasn't water you got tanked up on .. that's thar' Florida Tea .. Skeeter nets and DEET .. a FT must !!

[richtorfla]

Nice video debut Ed! That Green Swamp is a beautiful place aint' it. Glad you got to get out and hike! Good luck with more prepping for the AT adventure!

[Old River Rat]

very nice videos. i have studied the FT and would like to walk some of it in the future. i love florida. looking closely at the suwannee section. thanks for sharing your hike.