Date: March 26 2001
Trail Day: 299
Miles Today: 16
Location: Near Billie Swamp Safari
Section Mile: FNST 1009
ECT Mile: 4470
Continued along the canal and then a roadwalk. Talked to an Indian
(American) for a while. He was driving a jeep and stopped on the road
and started chatting - very friendly. Looks like the Seminoles are the
richest tribes in North America.
Ate lunch at a restaurant - quite good. Then went to Billie Swamp Safari - very expensive and touristy. Camping - 15 $. So decided to move on. Got a lot of time to read.
Date: March 27 2001
Trail Day: 300
Miles Today: 18
Location: Near I-75 rest area
Section Mile: FNST 1027
ECT Mile: 4488
300th day on the trail. Third last on the FNST. About 200 miles left to
complete the rest.
A few more miles of road walk and trail switched to a dirt road. Became
quite remote then. Lots of wild life - alligators, deer and fish. Saw an
animal run away - could be a Panther although it was somewhat short.
Also entered into a staring contest with a deer. Lasted about 10 minutes
and then it walked away. Sridhar - 1, deer - 0. There are small pools
with a good number of fish in them. Watched them for a while.
It was dirt road walk all the way to I-75. Got some junk food and went
back to the trail and settled in for the night.
Date: March 28 2001
Trail Day: 301
Miles Today: 18
Location: 10 Mile camp
Section Mile: FNST 1045
ECT Mile: 4506
Today's hike was through the Big Cypress Forest - very remote with very
few dirt roads cutting it. I had been told there was no water for about
25 miles and was carrying 2 bottles of water. The day was hot and I
finished both of them by noon. There was a broken pump near a campsite
with a long plastic tube nearby. Figured out that by opening a valve,
putting the tube into the hole and sucking on it, I could get water.
It was a big relief. This area is supposed to be all swamp but is now dry.
Had picked up food from the rest area before starting off for 3 days.
Its all junk jood and am now sick of it.
Turned out to be a long and tiring day. Was very glad when it was over.
Date: March 29 2001
Trail Day: 302
Miles Today: 17
Location: FT terminus, Loop Road
Section Mile: FNST 1062
ECT Mile: 4523
I was very thirsty all night. Twice I dreamt of drinking - once just
water and then coconut milk. It rained in the morning and I collected
the water flowing from my tarp and drank it - 2 gulps. I had set up tarp
for shade, not expecting rain and found water on my ground sheet in the morning. Walked most day with a dry mouth.
Started out very early. The miles went quickly. Data points came well
before I started looking for them. Finally got to the ranger station
and drank about 40 ounces in one shot. Then drank another 40 over breakfast. I am also very short on food and need a proper meal. I can barely eat the junk food I have.
Came to a campsite with a pump. Suriyan would have loved it. Bathed. But
its not the same if you have to pump it yourself. Suriyan would have bathed with relish. Certainly missed my brothers today.
Got to the terminus of the FT today. It ends with a whimper. Doesn't
even say its the terminus. The Hike for Hope bunch have left their
names scratched on the bulletin board. I wish they wouldn't do this
grafitti. They are supposed to be hiking for a good cause. They can
start by being more responsible. I have also seen their fliers
littering the trail at several places.
Anyway, took some shots at the trail end. So its been the
International Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail, Benton Mackaye trail, Georgia Pinhoti Trail, Alabama Pinhoti Trail, Florida Alabama Roadwalk, Florida Trail and now the Key West roadwalk. Another 200 miles to go. I was thinking of walking along some canals but am quite sick of them now. A roadwalk sounds better now. At least I'll get some food.
Big Cypress NF is a good section to hike in. They are blazing it now.
They are doing a thorough job. The older stuff is barely adequate.
Date: March 30 2001
Trail Day: 303
Miles Today: 25
Location: Tamiami Canal, near S333 lock
Section Mile: KWR 25
ECT Mile: 4548
Walked along Loop road. The canal is thick with alligators. There should
be one every 50 feet or so. Saw several otters. Took a shot of one of them.
Had 2 rangers stop me and run a check on my ID. The second was a very
good looking woman. Its amazing that I never had my ID checked when I was on the trail and now the very next day they have done it.
Had lunch at Mikassookee restaurant. I havent eaten properly in 3 days
and was ravenous. The first taste of food and sip of beer were out of
this world. Tried to get an idea of what stores and motels are along
the way. Got highly contradictory information. Looks like here people
drive with their eyes closed.
First day of the Key West Roadwalk (KWR). I will try and stay in a
motel tomorrow. I need to eat and drink a lot more to get back into
balance. Nearly done reading 'Of Human Bondage'. Its supposed to be an
autobiographical work. I wonder if the author hasn't distorted many of the events. Its a powerful book nonetheless.
Date: March 31 2001
Trail Day: 304
Miles Today: 15
Location: On Krome Ave, near N. Kendall Dr.
Section Mile: KWR 40
ECT Mile: 4563
Started off very early. Had breakfast at Coopertown. Peoples knowledge
of facilities continues to be poor.
I was done with most of the hike by 10 AM. Got to the Mikassookee
Gaming Resort. I am quite worn out and was ready for a motel day. But
it was 99$ a night. Its good that its priced so outrageously. Makes
making a decision very easy. Called Vivek and Mari. As usual could not
get in touch with anyone. I am also very short on cash and many of
these places dont take credit cards. I should not have cut it so fine
cashwise in such a remote place. Anyway, the casino for obvious reasons
has ATM machines at every turn. Withdrew money. It should now be good
till the end of the hike.
Decided to continue on and cover some more miles putting me a days hike
away from a hostel in Florida city. I may take a day off there. Now
walking along Krome Ave (Rte 997). Not a safe road - narrow shoulders,
heavy and fast traffic. However, there is a small canal besides the
road with about a foot of water. Since, its very inconvenient to
fish, its teeming with them. Spent some time watching them.
Came to a nice pine stand besides the road and decided to stop. Its
getting difficult to find good camping spots.
Also saw the first road sign for Key West. It stated - 142 miles. It almost came as a shock to me. I know the hike is ending but it had not sunk in fully yet. I could be in the Keys in two and a half hiking days. April 10 still seems like a good finish date.
Date: April 01 2001
Trail Day: 305
Miles Today: 3
Location: Hotel Caribe, Homestead
Section Mile: KWR 43
ECT Mile: 4566
Started raining late night and had to set up tarp in the dark. I am
also sleeping near where someone got killed in a traffic accident.
Theres a cross marking the spot. I am well off the trees and very safe.
Went past numerous farms, nurseries and fruit stands. Had a breakfast
of fruits, fruit drink and Tamales. I have never had Tamales - a
little surprising because I usually try out all foods. Very slow
day and could never get into the rhythm of the hike. Most people now
speak exclusively Spanish. I know a few words of Spanish and am trying
them out. I like Hispanics and their culture.
I was thinking of staying at the hostel, but need to call a lot of
people. I also want to drink some beer, as the last week has been quite
hard. Hostels have all kinds of restrictions so I decided not to go there.
Had lunch and dinner at a very good Mexican restaurant.
