Hanging in FL State Parks

[Cannibal]

You may run into some situations in the National Forest campgrounds with semi-homeess people who are living in the campgrounds. We camped at Fore lake about a year ago and the residents were rather iffy. One guy approached us trying to sell watches. I guess we were the only women who had camped there in awhile, we had to wait for the men to get out of the womens' bathrooms. I wouldn't camp there without a male escort or two.

...and Meth-Heads! I never saw any, but was constantly being warned about them by local LEOs. I think there is a thread over on Whiteblaze about this very topic right now.

[Cannibal]

Wasn't a thread, but a post. Probably a bit over-zealous since it was about 3 years ago, but hey, it is WB.

[NorseAmerican]

You may run into some situations in the National Forest campgrounds with semi-homeess people who are living in the campgrounds. We camped at Fore lake about a year ago and the residents were rather iffy. One guy approached us trying to sell watches. I guess we were the only women who had camped there in awhile, we had to wait for the men to get out of the womens' bathrooms. I wouldn't camp there without a male escort or two.

From trail journals I have read, Gators, Bears, Pigs, Cotton mouth and Rattlers are not any issue, but watch out for young white guys in pick ups and Pit Bulls. One End to ender was attacked 3 seperate times by pits, though no injuries. Make me wonder if one shoould carry one of these http://www.ula-equipment.com/helix.htm (potty trowls) or bear spray and gun.

[Ramblinrev]

wicked expensive trowel just to take a dump.... I'll stick with my orange one.

[NorseAmerican]

Would serve as self defense well against bad dogs though.

[groundless]

YES; filter good! Some powdered lemonade mix helps A LOT! The water is terrible (mostly), but abundant in most areas. Does not taste good at all. I started leaving water caches ahead of hikes (I did sections on the weekends).

Yep filter and then filter and then once again if really bad. Florida water is filled with all kinds of bad stuff.

[Cannibal]

Yep filter and then filter and then once again if really bad. Florida water is filled with all kinds of bad stuff.

Did you know?

Some of that useless trivia floating around in my head for you guys. While the water in Florida tastes terrible (really it's bad) it is in fact not unhealthy. The Spaniards used to sail their ships as far up river as they could to collect water both for drinking and ballast. The reason was they were searching for the water heavily laced with Tannin, which is what gives the water that lovely brownish color and repulsive flavor. It acted as a preservative for the water during their trek back across the sea. Tannin has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti parasitic properties and the water from Florida was considered one of the best sources. Some even claim that the legends of the Fountain of Youth originated because of sailors extolling the virtues of the fresh water found in Florida.

It still has many, many bad things in it due to all the agriculture and livestock in modern Florida, but that nasty taste after filtering, boiling, and treating is really a good thing. Cancer researchers are even doing some clinical trials with Tannin derivatives. Still tastes like crud and I don't miss it, but thought I'd share this with the group in hopes that it leaves my brain and goes to yours; like getting a song out of your head.

I can tell you where the term "cracker" comes from too. Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with race or color.

[groundless]

yep it's not the tannin to worry about, it's all the chemicals from runoff. Which is why we don't eat freshwater fish. I was in the nursery business for a long time and I can't tell you what actually made into the water, but it is bad. Filters work well.