I quite haven’t succumbed to GPS or even printing out maps on google when it comes to Hiking the Florida Trail. I figured eventually if I head west I’ll hit Lake Okeechobee or civilization which ever comes first. Worst case scenario I head north and pick up the nearest crossroad.
About 20 miles into the trail I settled down for the evening, knowing as the crow flies I have about 8 miles left, the next days hike will be a leisurely stroll. But nature has a way of humbling the human spirit, during the first day I shared my water with Fergs, my Chesapeake Bay Retriever, so we didn’t have to traverse any canal banks or water holes saving time and skipping any unscheduled alligator feedings.
By Nightfall we were down to 16oz’s of water we started with 153oz. During the night as I recouped from the long walk fergs and I drank about 10oz’s.
We left at first light and covered about 5 miles by 9:00 am, with still no sign of Lake Okeechobee I was able to find a water hole for Fergs, tying her to a pine as I went down between the cattails filling empty water bottles with dark water. I picked a spot by a fallen tree figuring if this was the time for an alligator to rear its ugly head he would have to earn it and at the very least I could hear the crackling of splintering branches before I loose my fishing reel hand. My Kersaw knife blade open in my left.
Fergs was ready to go, no water yet for me, I could of boiled water at that time but instead I opened a can of tuna and drained the water into a plastic cup, I was able to get about 4oz’s of water which did the trick and Fergs ate the tuna. We walked for another 5 miles before we made it to a main service road where we were able to hitch a ride to our rendezvous point.
I don’t think I ever felt so thirsty, that night while looking up at the stars I only craved water. Fast forward to this weekend and for the first time in twelve years my wife and I went on a date without our kids. It was awkward to say the least, she could not focus on enjoying herself, as her head was still at home. As we listened to The Funky Blue Roots Band she stared off into a deep abyss and I looked at her wondering who she was. I thought about how much she laughed when we use to go out, before kids, and then it struck me that the thirst I felt exactly a week ago was back. My thirst wasn’t for water but for that time and place when I could make her laugh, smile,and live in the moment.
Later that night Fergs and I went for a walk and all was right with the world, she was back with the kids.
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Wow, I had to go get a drink of water after reading this! I really enjoyed hearing the “rest of the story” too.