For the new year celebration, Laurel and I went down to Orlando to visit Marine Second Lieutenant Derek Sindler, an old friend from our Panama days. After a long night on the town, we welcomed 2009 and washed away the the liquor from 2008 with a dip in the Wekiva Springs near Apopka. It was a fairly mild January day but the 68 degree spring water still bit pretty hard. There was only one other person swimming, and I think he was northern European so he doesn't really count. Archival advertisements we saw on display claim this water "cures rheumatism and kidney ailments" so I think it was an all-around good way to start 2009.
Derek acting out bible stories. I'm am not sure what that piercing glare on the left is.
Palmetto and (Sand?) Pine forest.
Derek and Laurel on the Sand Lake hiking trail.
Recreation and Leisure Expert Brandon Quinn and I made plans to hike 49.5 miles of the Florida Trail through the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The Florida Trail Association fought hard to get the trail through the refuge and when the Feds agreed, it made for the only opportunity for overnight camping in a National Wildlife Refuge. Our plans were all finalized when I realized I overlooked a minor detail-- the only way to cross the St Marks River is by boat. Lacking Huck Finn engineering skills and money to hire a boat, our only option would be to wave down a Mullet fisherman and ask for a lift. We were already on a tight time schedule so we called it off. I think we will try again when the seasonal pool floats get stocked at the dollar store later this year.
As an alternative, we headed down to Apalachicola for some sailing aboard Brett Rudder's boat. We were both fairly excited because the winds were really whipping following a cold front that passed the previous day. But when we got out on the water the excitement turned to nervousness.
As an alternative, we headed down to Apalachicola for some sailing aboard Brett Rudder's boat. We were both fairly excited because the winds were really whipping following a cold front that passed the previous day. But when we got out on the water the excitement turned to nervousness.
Here Brandon is trying to keep the jib from blowing away.
The wind was just too strong for these land lubbers. The highlight was when I was trying to raise the main sail and a gust of wind pulled half the sail grommets off the boom. Picture me with two arms and one leg trying to keep the sail from blowing any more, when the US Coast Guard cruises by. My eyes stayed glued to the task at hand, trying to look as confident as I could in a desperate situation. I still can't believe they didn't stop and see if we needed help.
We decided to turn around and motor back in rather than sink Brett's boat.
Brett Rudder near the beginning of the St Mark's Bike Trail. I reckon' he is pondering whether you can get saved on a 3rd Sunday.If Tallahassee has one recreational claim to fame, it must be the St Marks Trail. Once the busiest railroad in the South, now a holdout for the only inline skaters left in the world. To my delight, Outside Magazine mentioned the trail one time about 5 years ago. The author suggested that the rusted-out appliances that litter the trail might have been placed there for nostalgia, but I can confirm those are indeed authentic rusted out appliances.
The route we took was 21 miles each way, starting at a lofty 88 feet above sea level you get to ride downhill on the way there, but you have to climb 78 feet on the way back.
The route we took was 21 miles each way, starting at a lofty 88 feet above sea level you get to ride downhill on the way there, but you have to climb 78 feet on the way back.
I was going so fast you couldn't see my spokes.
Brett checks out some of that authentic junk.
The St Mark's River was our destination and we sat down at Posey's Oyster Shack for some sweet tea and french fries that taste like seafood.
St Mark's River. To the right are the ruins of San Marco de Apalache, a four hundred year old Spanish fort. It was later occupied by both the Union and confederate forces during the War of Northern Agression. Great American Andrew Jackson also executed a Brit and Scot here for aiding the Seminole Indians in raids against the United States.
I can't figure this one out. Confederate flags for sale are a fairly common sight, but never have I seen the vendors also offering Pride flags to go with. I know this is supposedly the "New" South, but I can't help but think that the Pride flag is just bait so these guys can commit a hate crime.