Date: March 18 2001
Trail Day: 291
Miles Today: 9
Location: Budget Inn, Okeechobee
Section Mile: FNST 909
ECT Mile: 4370
A short hike today. We carried no food or water. We were in Okeechobee by 11 AM and got a motel by 1 PM.
Had dinner at Golden Corral. The group hike is now over. I had been fearing reentering society and was planning an India trip and visiting my friends and relatives across the US. But the group hike has been a good transition and the Keys roadwalk should complete it. I won't be doing the travelling I had planned.
I have another 20 days remaining of the hike. I meet Vivek in 5 days,
complete the FT in another week and then the entire hike in another 10 days.
The hike has been a blast which I will let go reluctantly.
Date: March 19 2001
Trail Day: 292
Miles Today: 0
Location: Paradise Inn, Orlando
Section Mile: FNST 909
ECT Mile: 4370
My brothers original plan was to take a bus or train back to Orlando. The train was way too early while the bus did not go near the airport.
Looking at the costs and convenience, renting a car was a better option.
We did that and drove to Orlando.
Had food at an Indian restaurant and then saw the movie 'Down to Earth'.
The movie was just tolerable. It rained heavily all day. Florida needs it. I am also glad to be off the trail for that reason. Then dropped them off at the Orlando airport. The past 10 days just flew by. It seems as though it was ages ago we met near Beeline Expressway. Certainly going to miss them.
Had Carribean food for dinner and settled in for the night. I am now
starting to think about getting back into a job. It doesn't seem so
horrible now.
Date: March 20 2001
Trail Day: 293
Miles Today: 23
Location: St. Lucie Canal, Port Mayaca
Section Mile: FNST 932
ECT Mile: 4393
Drove to Okeechobee and returned the rental car. Walked to Lake okkechobee. Picked up groceries and had breakfast near Henry canal.
Fairly uneventful day - decided to stop after 16 miles. But when I got
there, it looked like it would rain. There was no place to set up my
tarp because they have removed all trees from both sides of the dike. Tried a spot between two palm trees about a mile further. But the wind was so strong my stakes would not hold. Walked furter. No trees anywhere. Made it all the way to Port Mayaca. Set up tarp near a vehicle barrier.
Date: March 21 2001
Trail Day: 294
Miles Today: 15
Location: Best Western, W. Palmbeach
Section Mile: FNST 947
ECT Mile: 4408
It was quite cold and windy last night. The tarp got blown all over the
place. Every once in a while a stake would be pulled out and I would
have to refix it.
Continued the levee walk. Got to the place where Kumar and I had started
our 10 day hike north about a year ago. Took a shot at the same place.
Started raining a little. I put on the raincover for my pack. The wind
was strong. I thought it would tear the cover. Walked near the water to
cut out some of the wind.
I had a good lunch and ice cream at Pahokee. On the spur of the moment
I decided to take the bus into W. Palmbeach. After a transfer it took me
to where I used to live. Got a motel room for 89$ (without tax). The room is not worth it but its spring break.
I was also surprised at how little attachment I had to where I used to
live less than a year ago. I have felt a greater feeling of belonging at hostels where I have spent just one night. I wonder why.
Date: March 22 2001
Trail Day: 295
Miles Today: 16
Location: John Stretch Park, Lake Okeechobee
Section Mile: FNST 963
ECT Mile: 4424
Talked to Vivek and finalized the meeting place. Then took the bus back
to Pahokee. Had luch at an authentic Mexican place. Good food although
the place looks like a dump. It was about 1 PM by the time I hit the trail.
Walked with very short breaks to well past sunset. Saw some sky divers
land on the levee. Took some shots. Had dinner and slept.
Date: March 23 2001
Trail Day: 296
Miles Today: 13
Location: Vivek's place, W. Palmbeach
Section Mile: FNST 976
ECT Mile: 4437
Got going early. It was half canal and half road walk. I was at the
intersection of CR835 and L-1 canal where Vivek was to pick me up by
11:30 AM. Read 'Of Human Bondage'. Havent read it in a while.
Saw a small alligator resting near the canal. Took a shot. Vivek was
to pick me up latest by 2 PM but there was no sign of him. About 6 PM
a car turned around and came back towards me. It was Greg, an old
friend from my Fort Lauderdale office. He told me Vivek had developed
severe abdomen pain.
Greg dropped me off at Vivek's place. It was really nice of him to
pick me up. Its about an hour and a half drive. Vivek was lying down
on the sofa in pain. Hope its nothing serious. Met him and Lusia.
Showered and did laundry. Went out for dinner.
Date: March 24 2001
Trail Day: 297
Miles Today: 0
Location: Vivek's place, W. Palmbeach
Section Mile: FNST 976
ECT Mile: 4437
O Day. Got some clothes and a day pack from my storage. I am now switching to a day pack. My car also started up with some hesitation. I was very glad. Accompanied Vivek for an ultrasound at a hospital. No serious problems. We were relieved.
We went to an Indian restaurant for dinner with Lusia's dad. He's funny and cracked several jokes. Here's one -
A chemist, a mechanical engineer and chemical engineer are at lunch. The mechanical engineer examines something small between his finger and thumb. The other two get curious. The chemist takes it in his hand examines it but cannot figure out what it is. The chemical engineer then takes it, rolls it, looks at it closely but is puzzled. They then ask the mechanical engineer what it is. He says - Oh its nothing - just a booger I just picked.
