FL>Ocala National Forest>Hidden Pond>7/20-23/2013>The No Underquilt Hang

[Life Scout]

We will be up friday night. We did see bear tracks on the road at pat's island TH when we were there a week and a half ago. Night hikes are always fun.

[FLRider]

We will be up friday night. We did see bear tracks on the road at pat's island TH when we were there a week and a half ago. Night hikes are always fun.

Which, actually, brings me to a good point. I've been out with the majority of the folks who've responded so far, and I know you're all very responsible people.

Still, a short PSA: make sure you hang your food! Ocala is rife with bears (and other critters) that'll steal your food, no sweat. I've, personally, seen three bears in less than a mile of trail (and less than an half-hour) near where we're going to be hanging. And I've seen a lot more sign of them along there, too.

So, please be careful and hang your food further away than I did the night Duffy and I met.........it's probably worth it at Hidden Pond.

[Floridahanger]

I will be there Friday night. Thinking around 5ish. That should give plenty of time to have a leisurely stroll in ~2 hours or so at the end of the heat. Still good light to find a great hang way before making supper.

FLRider- Good call on the reminder. It can never be said enough...

[lilricky]

I'll be there Friday late afternoon/early evening.

[sandykayak]

Just saying "hi.".

Now that I'm retired and have the time, outings are restricted by the doggies. Although I did buy a FL Sherpa (aka baby stroller) from Craigslist for $35 and could wheel 'em in a short distance, this is neither the time of year nor location. PLUS someone dumped a cute Jack Russel/toy Fox Terrier puppy into the back yard of an empty house and I'm looking for a good home for him!

My "winter" UQ is JRB Shenandoah Summer Quilt. I later got Arrowhead's Jarbridge River UQ to take off the edge in summer. Tried it on the deck and it works great.

http://www.Arrowhead-Equipment.com/kick-***-quilts.html

Have fun.

Sandy Kramer
Miami

[Floridahanger]

Sandy, it's nice to hear from you. We missed you at FH3 and will hope to see you at FH4.

Lilricky, about what time do you plan on being there on friday? Maybe all of us planning to be there Friday can go in together. Safety in numbers and all that. Remember, you don't have to be fast, just faster than the next person. Bears, you know, thanks to FLRider calling them all in for this hang

[lilricky]

I'm leaving from my furthest north ABC Store that I service, which is in Ocoee, around 4pm. Drive time from there should be about an hour, so I should be at the trailhead at 5pm. Oh, FLRider, I don't think I heard the bear story when you and Duffy met. Care to share?

[MedicineMan]

Scanning this thread makes me long for the beauty of the Ocala....hope you guys take lots of pics and vids. It's been a long time since I felt sand betwennxed my toes or hung under Spanish moss.

[Duffy]

I don't think I heard the bear story when you and Duffy met. Care to share?

I will:
Rider, please correct me if my memory has failed me...but as I recall, JohnnyWalker and I had arrived early, and found the 4 best trees in the forest to hang from. Problem was, they were about 50 - 75 yards from the main campsite, but, what-the-hey. We turned in just after dark. FLRider arrived sometime later in the night, and hung near the main campsite. Of course, he dutifully walked 50 - 75 yards away to hang his food bag....! I was amazed in the morning to look up and see a food bag hanging next to my hammock!!! I paid him back in spades the next night, though, as I narrated and loudly applauded his efforts at throwing a line over a 20' branch (well away from everyone's camp!). Results: a hopelessly tangled line, good memories, great friends.

[olddog]

Ya'll are making this sound like fun! Still hanging every night here in Maine with day temps lately getting into the 90's and nights in the 70's but the humidity is lower. Can't wait to hear the stories in the fall.