Florida Trail Association Winter16

1Footprint Winter 2016

FOOTPRINTVOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: JANIE HAMILTON TRAIL BLAZERS CHAPTER

MagazineWinter 2016 Volume 33 Issue 1

Florida TrailAssociation

A Secret Revealed in the Villages Growing Community

Boosts FTA Membership

A Silver Lining in the

Sunshine State Contest to repair and

Rebuild

221 People Go The Distance

Taking the Path

2 FloridaTrail.orgFlorida Trail Association

Cover photos: Reflections

Rachel Skeen@RachelFelicity

FloridaTrail.org


FEATURES5 Reflections by Carlos Schomaker

7 FTA BlazeMaster Kits & Trail Manual by Tom Daniel

8 When Good Choices Matter Most by Alex Stigliano

9 Gathering Florida Trail History by Sandra Friend

10 The 2016 Florida Trail Kickoff by Sandra Friend

11 221 People Go the Distance by Ed Talone

12 News from the North by Jeff Glenn

16 A Secret Revealed in The Villages by Glenda Moore

18 Janie Hamilton North Florida Trail Blazers. by Karl Borton

21 University of Florida Volunteers See the Trail in a Whole New Light by Karl Borton

26 Capturing Nature A Photo Essay by Rachel Skeen

34 An Outpost With No Name by Ed Talone

36 A Silver Lining in the Sunshine State by Alex Stigliano

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ContentsDepartments and Features

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DEPARTMENTS

5 President’s Message7 Forward Footsteps8 Kudos9 Trail Tales10 Trekking the Trail12 News from the North

16 Highlanders18 Volunteer Spotlight21 Chip In Crew26 Snap Shot30 2016 Donor List34 Hiking History36 Conservators Corner 38 Chapters

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OUR MAGAZINEThe Footprint is published by the Florida Trail Association, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization focused on Florida hiking and trail building. Since 1966, the primary mission of our organization has been the care and protection of the Florida Trail, a 1,300-mile footpath across the Sunshine State - Florida’s own National Scenic Trail.

OUR GOALTo provide outreach to our readers through informative articles that express appreciation for and conservation of the natural beauty of Florida; to inform our readers of Florida Trail Association business; and to provide information on Florida hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities.

CONTRIBUTORSContributors are welcome to submit items for our various departments as well as trail and association-related news. Please contact the editor at [email protected] to discuss ideas for feature stories prior to submission.

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION5415 SW 13th Street

Gainesville, FL 32608Toll-Free: 877-HIKE-FLA

Tel: 352-378-8823email: [email protected]: FloridaTrail.org

Facebook.com/FloridaTrailAssociationDigital Magazine: Issuu.com/FlaTrail

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Carlos SchomakerVP Trails: Tom Daniel

VP Outreach/Development: Holly ParkerVP Membership: Eve Barbour

Secretary: Leslie Wheeler Treasurer: Pam Hale

Directors: Eve Barbour • Christopher Boykin David Denham • Megan Digeon • Auz Gage Gary Knecht • Jim Powell • David Waldrop

Jan Wells • Adam Wiegand

FLORIDA TRAIL STAFF Administrative Director:

Janet Akerson • 352-378-8823

Membership and Retail Coordinator: Diane Strong • 352-378-8823

Trail Program Director:Alex Stigliano • 828-333-1529

Volunteer Program Coordinator:Karl Borton • 570-574-3240

North Regional Representative:Jeff Glenn • 352-514-1455

FLORIDA TRAIL FOOTPRINTEditor: Alex StiglianoLayout: Sean Lucas

© 2016 Florida Trail AssociationAll rights reserved.

Contributors retain copyright to their work but give the Florida Trail Association permission to use to promote FTA and the Florida Trail. Articles are subject to editing for clarity and space. Materials will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Opinions, observations, and endorsements made within the Florida Trail Footprint do not necessarily reflect those of the board or staff of the

Florida Trail Association.

The Footprint (ISSN 1064-0681) is published quarterly by the Florida Trail Association 5415 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608

Bulk rate postage paid at Gainesville, FL.Postmaster:

Send change-of-address form 3597 to: Footprint, 5415 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL

32608.

FootprintThe Magazine of the Florida Trail Association

The Footprint is printed with soy-based inks on paper with

post-consumer content

MEMBERSHIPIf you’re not already a member, join now. As a Florida Trail member, you receive a subscription to The Footprint magazine, membership in a local chapter, a local newsletter with local activities, opportunities for outdoor skills training, participation in regional and annual conferences and more. Call toll-free 877-HIKE-FLA for more information.

ADVERTISINGReach a highly targeted demographic of Florida outdoor enthusiasts by advertising with us or becoming a regular sponsor. Your advertising dollars directly support production and publication of this magazine and assist the Florida Trail Association in fulfilling its mission. Call 877-HIKE-FLA or email [email protected] for more details.

Deadline for articles for the Winter issue of The Footprint is March 20, 2016.

Deadline for chapter activities covering July - October to appear in the electronic version of the The Footprint fall issue is May 1, 2016.


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Carlos Schomaker FTA President

President’s MessageReflections at 50

The Florida Trail is at fifty. This October

marks an important milestone for outdoor recreation in Florida. A half-century has passed since the first blaze was daubed

purposefully onto a single tree. That tree grew for years before it was so boldly tagged. It reached mutely for the bright Florida sun near a small lake that hung on the southern rim of America’s first National Forest east of the Mississippi River. The National Forest, Ocala, was named after a Timucuan village encountered by Hernando de Soto as he travelled north and then west from the Gulf of Mexico. The Spaniard’s trek kicked off in the Tampa Bay area in 1539, way before there were recreational hikers, or National Scenic Trails, or a United States of America. His thru-hike wasn’t easy or friendly, even with hundreds of armed companions. It ended, for him at least, in a feverish demise along the Mississippi River. Many things have changed since then.

Florida Trail at fifty—Those of us who know and care about it will celebrate this anniversary. The hard work and dedication of many will be honored; the good times and camaraderie will be remembered. This is as it should be. But this birthday celebration should mean more to us. This anniversary should be a wake-up call for those that cherish the trail—a reminder that time passes, situations and conditions change, and new challenges require new ideas and new strategies. As this is being written, dozens of National Scenic and Historic Trail leaders and professionals are converging on Washington, DC for the annual Hike the Hill, a week-long effort between the Partnership for the National Trail System and the American Hiking Society. This event aims to increase “congressional and federal agency

leader awareness of funding and other needs that sustain the

National Trails System”. Representatives of trail non-profit groups, like the

Florida Trail Association, meet to discuss current initiatives and legislation with their federal partners,

congressional staff, and each other.

The people that attend Hike the Hill will be inspired by the

collective strength of many advocates working together to complete and protect these American public treasures. They will also be frustrated by the reminder that policy and progress move slowly and fitfully, in the face of opposition, conflicting interests, and even apathy. The work is necessary, but it’s not easy. It’s a bit like the work of reinvigorating and strengthening the Florida Trail Association, except it’s conducted in bigger buildings where people are uncomfortably overdressed.

Volunteers painting a blaze

1966 2016


Carlos Schomaker FTA President

Still, it helps to keep perspective. Hernando de Soto and his band of not-so-merry conquistadores had it worse, and the native tribes that met the expedition weren’t thrilled with their communication efforts, either. Prior to his 1539 adventure, after some lucrative time spent helping to plunder the Inca Empire, he returned to Spain, was knighted, and shipped off to Cuba with a mandate to conquer Florida. It was a grand adventure, no doubt, but it proved fatal to him. All we’re trying to do is build a great long-distance trail for the people of Florida... so cheer up and help us celebrate the Florida Trail at 50!

As we head into the anniversary of the Florida Trail at 50, I’d like to share a few of my wishes for the future of the trail and this association. More FTA members and volunteers will become aware that their work—our work—is part of a larger effort to leave a wonderful outdoor resource to future generations of Americans. Selfless pride is a real and worthy thing. FTA members will create a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that draws in many fresh people and resources committed to saving and stewarding this piece of natural Florida. FTA’s members will appreciate the contributions of all our government partners, national or local, to a successful Florida

Trail. Although disagreements will sometimes happen, we’ll work together for a trail worthy of National Scenic Trail status. (Alternately, those who still gripe about “when we gave up the trail to the guv’mint” will personally donate the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to buy a complete private trail corridor—and then let anyone use it…) FTA’s partners will continue to recognize the value of citizen volunteers and advocates, and will further appreciate and understand the challenge of training, managing and motivating them. Veteran trail maintainers and grizzled thru-hikers alike will recognize that their trails will only gain long-term support when the real focus is on the single mother in Ocala with young sons who itch to get outdoors… the retired couple in Tampa who want to day-hike together for exercise… the teacher who takes her fourth-grade class onto the Florida Trail for a ‘critter hike’… the baby born today, who will need the experience of a cathedral of oak and Spanish moss on a breezy February day twenty years from now, when she’s struggling with the problems of her life. That’s worth celebrating.

KICCO Volunteer Work Party, Nov. 16-20, 2015

FloridaTrail.org


Forward Footstepsby Tom Daniel, VP Trails

Tom Daniel

18 FTA BlazeMaster Kits You may have noticed that I’m rather compulsive and repetitive when it comes to blazing standards – the methodology and techniques. On my watch as VP Trails we’ve produced a “how to / best practices” video, two BlazeMaster videos, led blazing workshops at two Trails Skills Trainings (2014 and 2015) and presented too many PowerPoint presentations in various venues to count.

The crowning contribution was the production and distribution of 18 of Bob Deckert’s BlazeMaster Kits (one for each FTA Chapter). Bob devoted part of his summer to designing, testing and fabricating these kits. The positive outcomes are less volunteer time blazing, easier work on the arms and hands, and uniform blaze size. Choctawhatchee Chapter has been using BlazeMasters for over ten years. When there’s a lot of blazing to do, the BlazeMaster is the tool to use.

FTA - Trail Manual Why do we NEED a Trail Manual? So that our staff and maintainers do not have to self-interpret what’s expected of them, and to achieve a level of consistency over the 1300+ miles of FTA volunteer-maintained trails. With limited exception, trail standards for clearing and blazing are not self-evident. After a year of input from volunteers and many hours of revising and re-revising, the FTA - Trail Manual is now final and available to the FTA membership on the FTA website. The final version was posted in July and updated with a Sign Library section in December. The Manual serves as a guide to trail volunteers and FTA staff for both the Florida Trail (aka Florida National Scenic Trail) and the Florida Trail System of trails. The FTA Trails Committee met and adopted the Manual on July 11, and the Board of Directors did the same on July 18, 2015. A special thank you to the FTA Volunteers and Staff who provided guidance and feedback! What is Next? The “swan song” for this update of the Manual will be to wrap the entire Manual into a single PDF for the FTA website.

Personal Note: My term as VP Trails comes to an end soon. The expressions I recall from my military days are “short timer” and “two digit midget” (less than 100 days). After over five years in the VP position it is time to pass the torch. I will re-retire to the Florida Panhandle and enjoy family, friends and especially the grandchildren.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me through the good and difficult times.

Tom Daniel, VP Trails


Kudosby Alex Stigliano, FL Trail Program Director

Alex StiglianoTrail Program DirectorFlorida Trail Association

Alex Stigliano

This past December, 2015, 3 members of the Panhandle Chapter helped locate a missing hiker after

her group split into three separate groups while hiking an 18 mile section of FNST in Econfina Creek Water Management Area. Richard Wages, Rick Tutunick and Eric Lewis found the missing woman after spending 4 hours by herself in near darkness late in the day. These FTA volunteers work in the Econfina Creek WMA regularly performing trail maintenance. Their unique expertise and fast response prevented a potentially hazardous situation. The missing woman’s out-of-state group consisted of experienced hikers; nurses, EMT’s, and current & ex-military. You would think this group was ready for anything. But anything can happen on the trail, and a couple bad decisions can, and often do, snow ball into an unexpected emergency. 10 miles into the hike, two members stopped as one began experiencing health issues—shortness of breath and apparent dehydration. Inadvisably, the other 5 hikers kept going. Three miles further, the group then split again, into a group of three and a group of two. The two faster hikers, they reasoned, would complete the last 5 miles to the car at

the last hiker was found alone and off the trail. Understandably frazzled after spending 4 1/2 hours lost and by herself, she was elated to be brought back to her party. The lessons we can learn from this scenario are apparent:

Avoid separating your group unless absolutely necessary,

Take the time to research the hike and form a plan B before heading out, and

Familiarize the group with pertinent heath issues, and be prepared to deal with those issues.

This underscores the usefulness of our FTA Activity Leader Guide. You can find this resource on our website under Volunteer Resources. Taking the time to fill out the emergency paperwork and reviewing it with the group before the hike can prevent a fun day hike becoming an emergency.

When Good Choices Matter Mostthe trail head, and they would then pick everyone up along a section of road passing near the trail. In the waning light, it was uncertain if the second group of hikers would be found, but even more serious, one of the two advance hikers began to feel his body going into diabetic shock as they reached the trailhead. Fortunately, the group had contacted our FTA volunteers before leaving on the hike. Curious as to the success of the hiking outing, FTA Section Leader, Eric Lewis, drove to the Econfina trailhead to check in on the group. When he arrived, Eric encountered the two advanced hikers as they arrived at the trailhead, one was in full diabetic shock. Eric immediately called 911. With paramedics and firefighters on their way, Rick and Rich were called in to help locate the other five hikers. The sun and temperature were dropping fast. Rick and Eric hiked in on foot as Rich drove the forest roads hoping his headlights would be seen and might attract the hikers. The first two hikers were found within 15 minutes. The other group of three had unfortunately separated themselves further. 2 emerged onto the highway and hitchhiked back to the trailhead. With a coordinated search,

FloridaTrail.org


Trail Talesby Sandra Friend

Gathering Florida Trail History

John and I were sitting at dinner at a nice steakhouse in Las Vegas this fall when our conversation turned to the Florida Trail. For two years, we’ve quietly been revisiting

trail sections, talking to maintainers and hikers, and digging up great stories to share as part of our new book commemorating 50 years of the Florida Trail. To our surprise, the lady across the table from us, Yvette Cardozo, began to recount how she and her friend Pat were slogging through Big Cypress in the 1970s and ran into Jim Kern and a work crew blazing the trail. Yvette had stories to share about their participation in work hikes, and to our surprise, Pat had photos from their hikes. We’ve been fortunate, as we travel, that there are many people willing to share their stories about their involvement with the Florida Trail. Some of these people haven’t walked beyond their own little section of the trail, while others have traveled around the world with FTA friends. Our book, “The Florida Trail: Florida’s National Scenic Trail,” will be available in time for the 50th anniversary celebration this fall. In addition to our own photography and personal experiences, we are weaving together stories from many others who have had a part to play in the sweeping arc of the Florida Trail’s history. An integral part of this special edition will focus on FTA history and traditions, and it’s here we can use your help. We’ve personally participated in many ongoing, decades-old chapter activities like the Big O Hike, the I-Did-A-Hike, the Panhandle Trace Hike, the Ocean-to-Lake Hike, and the New Years Eve Campout. But if your chapter has a tradition (even one that no longer is going on) you’d like included, please get in touch and let us know the details. If you have a story or a cool old photo you’d like to share, get in touch at [email protected]. We’ll be wrapping our research soon.

Did you know you can now easily spread your donation to FTA across several months or years?

Go to FloridaTrail.org and click

Please consider putting your donation to FTA on a recurring basis. You decide the amount, you decide the frequency,

you control your account, and it all benefits the FTA.

By clicking on the donate button, you will be directed to our secure donation page from Network for Good. Network for Good is our partner and a is a leading giving platform

for non-profit organizations.

Donate

Ensure the Florida Trail’s Future.

Remember the Florida Trail Association in your will.

Contact FTA at [email protected]

or call 352-378-8823.


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Seeing hikers off into the wilds of Big Cypress is always fun, especially when they haven’t spent time in the swamp before. Adding the twist of the 50th Anniversary of the

Florida Trail made this years’ kickoff extra-special. Coordinated by the Florida Trail Hikers Alliance with participation by the Florida Trail Association, the Kickoff gives hikers fresh to Florida a chance to get to know each other before departing northbound on the Florida Trail, and to talk with experienced hikers who can help answer their questions about what it’s like to hike the Florida Trail end-to-end. More than two dozen volunteers floated in and out over the three day event, which culminated in a special presentation by Jim Kern, the founder of the Florida Trail. Jim came to Oasis Visitor Center at Big Cypress National Preserve to see thru-hikers off on their journey and to share his memories of the first exploratory hikes to create the Florida Trail back in 1966. As expected, most FTA members and thru-hikers did their best to get photos with Jim at the Southern Terminus monument. Volunteer Karen Miller will be sharing some specific stories about this year’s thru-hikers in the next edition of the Footprint. Meanwhile, enjoy these fresh-from-the-event images of hikers and volunteers. Our thanks to all who participated, and especially to the kind folks at ZPacks, who made history themselves as our first sponsors of the annual Florida Trail Kickoff.

The 2016 Florida Trail Kickoff

Trekking the Trail by Sandra Friend

Jim Kern joins Audrey Minnis, Rich Quinn, and Bar-bara Quinn at the Southern Terminus monument. Members of the Tropical Trekkers, this thru-hiking

trio is now headed southbound on the Florida Trail.

This year’s Warrior Hike contingent (wearing their packs) includes four young veterans from Florida:

Dylan Tearle from Palm Bay, Daniel Caballero from Panama City Beach, Henry Lehman from West Palm Beach, and Michael Goetz from Homestead. In the middle are Warrior Expeditions founder Sean Gobin

and 2015 Florida Trail thru-hiker Ricky Cardona, who is coordinating VFW visits and providing trail

and gear expertise to this year’s crew.

Scott, Alex, and Melanie were among the first hikers to depart on January 6. As they headed up the Florida Trail, 12 hikers had already left Oasis Visitor Center before them since January 1 with

intention of continuing to Fort Pickens. Another 34 would leave during the three days of the

2016 Florida Trail Kickoff.

FloridaTrail.org


In 1966, Jim Kern acted on an idea and scouted out a route for a trail through Florida. Not content with conventional means, his research even included exploration from the

air, taking advantage of his pilots license. In the end though, he put on a pack and with his boots marked out the initial route of the Florida Trail. His first end to end hike has been followed by 220 others through the end of 2015. While a large number, 93, have come from Florida, people from 39 states and 6 foreign countries have completed the trail. Interest in thru-hiking the trail picked up in 1998, with the advent of the concept of the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT). These folks begin at Key West hoping to reach Canada. To date 69 of 221 finishers have made the longer trek. Most hikers go solo, although in 2001, a group of 6 starting at Key West went the distance. Just over 75% of the finishers did a thru-hike. The longest section hike took about 20 years. Almost all the hikers begin in the south which presents a dilemma. You get better weather, but Big Cypress is definitely the roughest part of the entire trail. Those that begin at Key West have the advantage of a break in period before they hit the swamp. That route is more than 80% off-road including 70 miles of levees that provide fine views of the Everglades. The last year without a recorded finisher of the Florida Trail was 2003, I do not expect there to be another one. Check out the list of finishers on our website. If you have finished the trail and are not listed, let us know at headquarters.

221 People Go the Distance

photos by Rachel Skeen, @rachelfelicity

by Ed Talone

Warrior Hike supports combat veterans transitioning from their military service by

thru-hiking America’s National Scenic Trails.

WarriorHike.org

Florida Trail Association is a Proud Partner with Warrior Hike

WarriorHike.org

http://WarriorHike.org

http://AmericanHiking.org


There has been a whirlwind of activity on the trail in the North Region this season. At the time of

writing, there are less than 10 miles of trail to maintain in the 320 total miles between Clearwater Lake in the Ocala National Forest and where the Florida Trail first meets the Aucilla River. One of the major goals of the Florida Trail Association is to maintain each mile of trail at least once a year and in the North Region, that has been accomplished. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers in the five regional chapters, the trail is a prime example of what a National Scenic Trail should be. Also a huge thanks to

fall, and it was a fantastic Suwannee River rendezvous for sure. This is the most remote part of the river section. There is very little road access to the trail. Fortunately for hikers, the Holton Creek River Camp, part of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, is directly on the trail. Visitors can take advantage of hot showers, screened in platforms, and a nice canoe launch. The state was kind enough to donate space to us, and we had a nice camp setup right on the river. Seven volunteers worked 128 hours to maintain nine miles of trail, some of which had not been maintained in a couple years. There’s nothing like putting your canoe in the water for a paddle after a long day of trail work!

North OcalaOctober 25 to November 5, 2015This project was the first in a long series sponsored by our friends at the National Forest Foundation. The Black Bear Chapter of the FTA is responsible for 40 miles of trail on the eastern corridor of the FNST on the Ocala National Forest. As one of the premier backpacking destinations on the entire statewide trail, it is crucial to have this section well marked and well maintained each season. Thanks to a large turnout for

Massive trees line the trail in Holton Creek including some of the biggest in the state

FTA Technical Advisor Dave Solomon looking fierce, yet well

hydrated on the trailthe massive volunteer crew at our 3rd Annual Trail Skills Training this past September who maintained 17 miles of the Ocala National Forest in one day! There have been so many excellent Volunteer Work Parties this season, many of them staff led and many led by the chapters. Below are some highlights of the season:

Holton CreekOctober 1-5, 2015The first Volunteer Work Party of the season took place immediately after the 3rd Annual Trail Skills Training this past

by Jeff Glenn, FTA North Florida RepresentativeNews from the North

FloridaTrail.org


Beards aplenty this year as the crew worked hard in Juniper Wilderness

this event, the trail has never looked so good. 16 volunteers contributed just shy of 500 hours to complete 25 miles of trail. The Black Bear Chapter has done some remarkable work in the past year to re-energize itself; many new members and active trail maintainers, new section leaders, a new and enthusiastic Chapter Chair, and a really successful Meetup site has done wonders for chapter publicity.

The 3rd Annual Maintenance MarathonNovember 5 to November 15, 2015If there ever was a section of trail in north Florida that needs to be maintained more than once a season, it is the Osceola National Forest. Trail that winds through pine-flatwoods that flood regularly, combined with such a long growing season makes this annual event extremely challenging. In nine days of maintenance, eight volunteers spent 300 hours maintaining the 21 miles of trail through the National Forest. Blood, sweat, and tears fuel the work

in these parts, as the heat and briars show no mercy. If there is one area in the entire region where you can watch the growth envelope the trail as soon as you mow past it, it is here. Despite these challenges, the trail is now in excellent shape for the thru-hiking season. Many of the damaged boardwalks and puncheons will repaired and replaced in February 2016. Thanks again to the National Forest Foundation for making this project possible with their generous grant funding.

Juniper Wilderness – January 15-23, 2016If you want to talk about a legacy trail project amongst FTA volunteers, go no farther than the annual Juniper Wilderness event. The members of the Black Bear Chapter (formerly known as the Halifax-St John Chapter) have worked the same trail for decades. Some active members helped participate in the very early years of the Florida Trail. For many years now, this event has been hosted by Dick Shuler, former president of the FTA and still a strong

supporter. At his private camp, known as Owl Pine, volunteers can spread out and enjoy a large established outdoor kitchen area, electricity, and plumbing. Many volunteers routinely come from out-of-state year after year to lend a hand during this week-long project. Juniper Wilderness is unique as only one of two wilderness areas on the FNST and as such, it prohibits the use of mechanized tools—hand tools only. 10 miles of primarily dense oak scrub make this section quite a labor to work. Almost 20 volunteers contributed 540 hours during this project and completed the entire wilderness section, which includes Pat’s Island, the setting of the famous story, The Yearling.

The trail work season is still in full swing, and there are more projects scheduled for the region. Many talented and dedicated volunteers continue to make the FNST in North Florida an unbelievable place to hike and enjoy the best of the wildness our state has to offer. If you are interested in joining a Volunteer Work Party, visit the Floridatrail.org.

Before

After

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Show your FTA colorson and off the Trail.

Be the first to sport the

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Order online atftashop.floridatrail.org

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FNST logo and you can write on it with marker to personalize

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Support the Florida Trail Association - Get outside and hike on the Florida National Scenic Trail along

one of Florida’s most beautiful sandhill communities. Meet at the picnic area of Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park to register and catch a shuttle ride to the starting point located on Camp Blanding Military Reservation. The hike through Camp Blanding is 5.9 miles and then crosses SR 21 into Gold Head Branch State Park for an additional 4.9 miles. Along the way you may see gopher tortoises, whitetail deer, fox squirrels, pileated woodpeckers and various other birds. If you are real lucky you may get a chance to see one of the largest Indigo snakes ever spotted in Florida. The hike passes by some of the most pristine spring fed lakes in Florida, follows along two ravines and gives you a chance to view the results of prescribed burning. The entire hike is 10.8 miles with take-out points at 3.7, 5.9 and 7.8 miles. SAG wagons will be available at the take out points.

Sign in begins at 8:00am and will continue until 10:00am in the recreation building located across from the picnic area of Gold Head State Park. All hikers must register before hiking and sign back in upon their return. Door prizes will be given out at the end of the hike so be sure to keep your ticket stub. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch if you like. No pets allowed. Tickets are $20 per person. Ticket does not include the State Park entrance fee of $5 per carload

for up to 8 people. Proceeds from the event go to support the Florida Trail Association. The Florida National Scenic Trail is a continuous hiking trail covering approximately 1400 miles through the State of Florida, starting down south in Big Cypress National Preserve between Miami and Naples and continuing up into the panhandle to Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola Beach.

Email: [email protected] or call 352-258-3058 for more information.



Highlandersby Glenda Moore

“The Villages the most active 55+ community in the U. S.!” the newspaper headline

heralds. Indeed, The Villages tops many lists across our country. These 55+ers are fueling a surge in members of our Highlanders volunteer chapter the likes of which has not been seen, well, since ever. For those of you who have never heard of The Villages (Where have you been hiding? The woods?), the following is a very brief historical synopsis: The megalopolis that is The Villages straddles three counties in central Florida: Lake, Sumter, and Marion. Wikipedia describes The Villages as “a master-planned, age-restricted community” and states that “the U. S. Census ranked it as the fastest growing U. S. city for the second year in a row. The Villages has more than doubled its size since 2010; about 114,350 people now live there.” The recession

that ravaged the country from 2008 – 2010 caused barely a ripple in The Villages; construction of houses went on uninterrupted. What began in the 1960s as the lowly idea of selling land tracts via mail order was changed to a mobile home park concept in 1970 and in 1980 was taken in hand by Gary Morse, who was the man with the master plan to make this plot of land the premier destination for the nation's retired. The Villages is really his story. Retirees came, they saw, they built. Central Florida will never be the same. Enter two men who live in The Villages with a passion for the great outdoors, hiking and our Florida Trail Association, which promotes them both, and you have what Bob Schultz calls, “a ripe area for alerting people about the “Inside Florida” (variously called the Real Florida or Florida before Disney). The message being, there is a beauty

and diversity to Florida that has not been paved over, people. Bob Schultz and John Grob are those two passionate men. Both are out-going and story-telling adventurers – the kind that draw rapt listeners and belly laughs. Their many years of hiking have given them plenty of fodder to amuse and inspire. In the past twelve months (September to September) they have spear-headed the growth of the Highlanders chapter members from Sumter County from 29 to 80 members – a whopping increase of 176%! The Highlanders chapter consists of Lake and Sumter Counties, and the vast majority of The Villages residents live in Sumter. Almost all of these new members in Sumter County are Village people. Bob has spoken at local libraries, which are always looking for speakers in areas of interest to the general public. Like a lot of us, he hands out FTA business cards to hikers he meets along the trails and leaves brochures in trailhead kiosks. The Villages has its own newspaper, the Daily Sun, which has the largest circulation in the area, and Bob has established a rapport with their leading outdoors reporter, Mike Salerno, who has asked Bob to send in videos and pictures of our Highlanders chapter activities. (It sounds like Mike has Bob on speed-dial.) However, Bob advises, “The return [on these activities] is worse than negligible, but the word is still being sent out. I work on the premise that all information doesn't die, it stays with the populace waiting for an interested party to make an inquiry. It's all part of revealing that which seems to have been an inadvertent secret: hiking possibilities in Florida.” If Bob is the man of vision, John Grob is the prime mover. Bob said he had little success getting things moving (boots on the ground) – even his work with environmental studies students at Lake-Sumter State College proved unfruitful – until John established a hiking club in The Villages and started leading hikes in their north central Florida area year round – including spring and summer, no less. That's radical! We fair weather

A Secret Revealed in The Villages

FloridaTrail.org


hikers of fall and winter only gasp and tip our hats in grudging admiration. John is an enthusiastic salesman (his own very apt term) for the Florida Trail Association. His introductory remarks at the start of each hike stress the importance of joining the FTA. He's a successful pitchman; many follow him down the trail and often sign up for FTA membership. In addition to recruiting, John is also a faithful trail maintainer for our Highlanders and other area chapters. Upon questioning concerning his hiking club in The Villages, John advises he has no planned hiking schedule. When he feels like a hike, he'll send out a notice on their club website two to three days in advance. Most of these hikes average four to fifteen hikers, people who initially have not hiked in Florida and don't know what's out there. They'll usually do an out-and-back hike, and he said year round they might average three to four hikes a month. When asked about the negative aspects, such as heat and bugs, of hiking in Florida in all seasons, John the salesman with thirty to forty years of hiking under his belt and nine of those in Florida certainly knows his “product.” He'll say, “Give it a try; you'll find out it's not so bad. Get out early and finish before noon and you've had a great trek in the woods before the worst of the heat.” This encouragement works! He says he's getting better and better at the persuasive, “Aw, come on! You'll like it!” When asked about the best hikes, he repeats what an old friend once told him, “There's no such thing as a bad hike, only some are better than others.” His goal, he says, is to get people out of their rocking chairs and involved in the activities of the FTA, whether it's the Highlanders, Florida Crackers, or Sun Coast chapters. He passes on what's going on in the areas and in the meet-up universe to his troopers. Reporter Mike Salerno and John also work closely together. John says the paper is great about getting out anything he sends in. The tried and true outreach methods are still utilized, of course. John organizes informational meetings in The Villages four times a year to publicize his hikes and get people revved up to get out on the trail. Constant doings and happenings abound in The Villages where tables and booths are manned

to promote Florida Trails, and members make sure the FTA is well represented at the sprawling Villages Outdoor Expo which draws a crowd of 10,000 or more each year in late February. So, we see the formula for recruiting people who appreciate nature and being out in it – wherever you live – is to open your mouth and share your passion for this great big gorgeous state we live in. It shouldn't be an inadvertent secret. To paraphrase Bob Schultz, we just get out the word. Our secret – hiking possibilities in Florida – is too good to keep.

Up a tree on a John-led hike

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John makes introductory remarks

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Volunteer Spotlightby Karl Borton, Volunteer Program Coordinator

Janie HamiltonNorth Florida Trail Blazers.

FTA picked Janie Hamilton for the 2016 Winter Volunteer Spotlight. Janie is a long-time member of the

FTA, and is a dedicated Section Leader in the North Florida Trail Blazers Chapter. Read her interview below. How did you hear about the Florida Trail Association (FTA), and why did you join the organization?I’ve always loved the outdoors. I grew up in Florida hiking in the woods behind my house. After moving to Gainesville in the early 70’s, a close friend and I had somehow stumbled across the Florida Trail. We hiked a section between Hwy 100 and SR 20. I believe it was about 20 miles total. We had a map that we gotten from her father, who worked for the Forest Service. There was supposed to be water from hand-pump wells along the way, but they were all dry. We carried boiled eggs and very little water. The

Can you describe your first hike with the Florida Crackers Chapter?For a while, I had received the Footprint Magazine, and had wanted to join some of the hikes that were highlighted in it. But I was hesitant. I had not hiked in many years and thought (like many new members do) that these Florida Trail hikers would leave me in their dust. I saw a hike posted by John White in the Ocala National Forest Juniper Wilderness area and decided to contact him to check it out. I was very familiar with the Ocala National Forest but had never hiked it. I called him several times before the hike to ask questions. He was always more than happy to answer them and encouraged me to tag along. Shortly into the 14-mile hike, which was mostly bushwhacking, I felt that I was back in my element. John even let me lead while he followed on as the sweep! We hiked using a very old map, which showed all the jeep trails, and finally reached a section of the Florida Trail just outside of Hidden Pond. To this day, I can still say it was one of my most favorite hikes. Afterwards, John gave me a copy of his map so that I could bring my brother back to see this beautiful area. I took a few others on that hike, and I’m proud to say that I still have that map to this day!

What do you love about hiking?

I love getting out in nature and spending time with good friends who I’ve met on the trail. There is so much beauty out there that you never see until you get out on foot. You also meet some very interesting people on the trail.

How did you transition from hiker to trail maintainer? Trail maintainer to Section Leader?

I don’t exactly remember when I first went on a work hike, but I do remember how surprised I was to find out that they used machinery to mow and maintain the trail. At first, I was a little set back to think that we were out there disturbing nature and that we had to mow the trail just so someone could hike on it.

reason why I remember the boiled eggs so well is because we had run out of water and found them almost impossible to eat without choking. This was in the middle of the summer! Nonetheless, the pines were large enough to provided us with some shade. It took us all day, and we were exhausted, but so glad to have hiked that section. I passed by that trail many times over the coming years, while traveling back and forth to the beach, and thought many times about hiking it again. It wasn’t until I moved away from Florida for a short time and returned in the early 90’s that I decided I wanted to get back out in the woods and hike. I didn’t feel comfortable hiking by myself, so I contacted the Florida Trail Association and joined the Florida Crackers Chapter. They were so welcoming and fun to be around. I had found a new family of friends that enjoyed the outdoors as much as I did. I was hooked!

Volunteer Spotlight

FloridaTrail.org


But then I realized that the trails I had been hiking on were a product of a trail maintenance event. This realization put my mind at ease. To give you a little backstory: I had been a member of the Florida Crackers Chapter in Gainesville, but was living in Clay County, which usually falls under the North Florida Trailblazers Chapter. One day, I saw a Trailblazer Meeting Notice at the Gold Head Branch State Park and thought I would go by and check them out. That is when I met Paula Snellgrove. She was the Chapter Chair at the time and had brought enough food for 20 people, even though only a few showed up. After that meeting, I started to join in on some of the work hikes that they were having around my area. Her husband, Alton, was the Trail Coordinator and would head up the work while Paula would supply lunch for us all. It was hard work, but we always had a great time. They were such a fun group that I couldn’t wait for the next work hike! Shortly after I joined their group, their Section Leader had to move out of state with his job. Since I lived close by the trail, Alton asked if I would consider taking over as Section Leader. I did not feel qualified, but he said he would handle all the paperwork; All I had to do was check-in on the trails and let him know when they needed some attention. Well, that seemed simple enough, and who wouldn’t want a job that involved hiking the trails every few days. It became my relief from a hectic professional career. I had lived in Keystone Heights for several years and had hiked in Gold Head, but never in Camp Blanding or the Keystone Airpark. I went out every chance that I could, and soon it had become a part of my life. We had a small group of volunteers that did all the trail maintenance for our entire chapter and before long, this group became a close-knit trail family. Since then, I’ve taken on more roles and have come to understand how important and rewarding it is to volunteer. It’s truly a unique experience to care for the trails that you love. Now, I’m working to pass on the torch to the next generation of trail maintainers. I know I can’t do this forever; but at the same time I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

How long have you been a member of FTA? A Section Leader? I’ve been a member of FTA for 18 years and a Section Leader since 2001. Currently, I am the Section Leader for the Gold Head Branch State Park, Camp Blanding Military Reservation, and the Rail Trail Section from Keystone Heights to Lake Butler.

What is your favorite part of being a Section Leader?

I love meeting the hikers that come through my section. I sometimes give them shuttles or drop things off to them. I have the opportunity to meet some very interesting people, and I love hearing their stories. I enjoy sharing information about the Florida Trail and bringing awareness to the importance of preserving it.

What is your favorite volunteer project/event?Each year I look forward to our annual I-Did-A-Hike fundraiser. This year the fundraiser will be held on March 12. Randy Madison founded this event back in 2008 to introduce new faces to the trail and raise funds to support the Florida Trail Association. Every year we attract more hikers to this growing event. Last year we had 175 participants, and this year we are expecting to bring-in even more. Besides serving as a fundraiser, this event is a great way to engage the community and promote the Florida Trail. A lot of our participants are first

time hikers, and they tend to leave our event excited to have hiked the Florida Trail. This year I’m looking forward to showcasing a new section of the Camp Blanding Trail, which was opened in February of 2015. This new section is very scenic and wraps around Magnolia Lake and a smaller body of water called Lost Pond. The views are breathtaking and I think participants will love it.

See I-DID-A-HIKE Info. On Page XX.

What is your favorite section of the Florida Trail? Why?My favorite section is the Suwannee River trail. You can hike for almost 60 miles along this historic river. There’s ample water supply, you can camp almost anywhere, and the scenery is like no other in Florida. You have a great view of the river, pass over spring fed creeks, and see all types of wildlife.

How does your Chapter recruit new members?The North Florida Trail Blazers recruits new members through Meetup.com and through events like the I-Did-A-Hike. The meetup site has been one of our best recruitment tools, and we sometimes have to put people on a wait list for our hikes. Once people decide to hike with us, we try to make it an experience they will enjoy and want to come back for.

What is the best part about volunteering on the Florida Trail?The best part about volunteering on the Florida Trail is meeting people who enjoy the outdoors as much as I do. Seeing hikers using the trail makes all the hard work worth it and inspires me to keep the trails looking their best. I also love getting out there by myself to enjoy the serenity of it all. As time has gone by, I realize how important it is to share what I have experienced in hopes that the next generation will keep it going.

What is the biggest adventure that you have ever done – on or off the trail?My biggest adventure was hiking Grand Gulch in Utah. A group of friends and I took a 6-day backpacking trip through this region. We flew into Denver, CO, drove about 800 miles to Arches National Park, stayed overnight, and

Meetup.com


woke up to snow. Then we continued on to Grand Gulch, where we spent 5 days hiking in the canyons. When we started the hike, there was just a little trickle of water in the bottom of the canyon. But in just a few days we found ourselves trying to navigate across sections with more than six feet of water. Along the way we saw pictographs, petroglyphs, and ancient Indian ruins. We hiked a trail marked with cairns, took baths in 50-degree water, and warmed ourselves on large rock platforms. We also climbed what seemed to be a thousand feet up boulders just to see the ancient ruins. It would get down to the 20’s at night and as high as the 70’s during the day. What a great trip this was! Also, in the late 70’s, I took a cross-country road trip in a VW van. We started in Florida and drove all the way to California. Along the way we visited New Orleans, Colorado, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite.When you’re not on the trail, what do you do? (Interests/Hobbies/Work)I love to garden, spend time at my river cabin, and kayak on Florida’s waterways.

What advice would you give to someone, who is interested in volunteering?Do something that you really enjoy doing. And have fun doing it!

If you could only have one item while hiking, what would it be and why?My son made me a hiking stick out of wood about 14 years ago. Every time I would return from a backpacking trip he would burn the date and number of miles I hiked onto my stick. Unfortunately, I lost it after a kayaking trip on the Santa Fe River. I was loading my truck at the 27 boat ramp, set it outside my vehicle, and drove off without it. If I could get it back, I’d take that item out hiking with me. That stick was so special to me and holds so many good memories.

What is the most dangerous situation that you’ve ever been in on the trail?I once camped through a hurricane. At the time we knew a storm was coming, but we didn’t know how bad it would be. This was the year when we had four bad hurricanes. We wanted to get the trail maintenance done, and decided to go out anyways. The wind howled all night. But we survived, and ironically, the most dangerous part was driving home. Trees and telephone poles were down all over the place. It took me hours just to get home.

Do you like hiking alone or in a group? Why?I enjoy hiking in small groups most of the time. I also like hiking alone in areas that I am familiar with and feel safe in. There is something about getting out there by yourself that only the people that have done it can understand.

Are you more of a hunter or gatherer? I used to be a hunter, but now I’m more of a gatherer. I used to love to hunt because it would allow me to get out in the woods. I grew up hunting and owned my first shotgun at age 15. I don’t hunt anymore as I don’t like killing anything. Now I just hike and enjoy the wildlife.

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REI.com


Hiking the trail gives you one perspective. Volunteering gives you an entirely new view.

As hikers we see a green tunnel and a series of orange blazes that tells us that we are on the right path. As trail maintainers, however, we start to see the trail in a whole new light. No longer do we see a clear footpath, but instead we see the handiwork of our many volunteers. We see loppers, saws, brush cutters, and mowers. We see palmettos being cleared, deadfalls cut, and grass mowed. We see trails being constructed,

by Karl Borton, Volunteer Program Coordinator Chip In Crew

University of Florida VolunteersSee the Trail in a Whole New Light

and bridges rebuilt. We see a beautifully manicured trail that allows us to get out and enjoy the places that continue to inspire, energize, and rejuvenate us. We see a trail and the trail community that built it. Most of the time our work goes unnoticed, which is how it’s designed to be. We cut the trail in such a way, so that it looks natural and so hikers can enjoy the beauty of our wild places. That’s why hikers sometimes forget that there is a dedicated volunteer workforce behind the Florida Trail.


Each year, hundreds of volunteers donate their time and energy to build and maintain our beloved trail. Their hard work allows millions to experience what many call the “Real Florida.” To celebrate and share their work we take citizens out on the trail to experience it through a new worldview. Through staff-led Volunteer Work Parties, FTA takes its partners out to showcase our volunteer’s labor of love. We believe that these educational experiences allow the public to see the trail through a new lens. As part of our program, we give participants the opportunity to clear trails alongside our staff. These educational programs help connect our community to Florida’s wild lands, and ensure that we inspire and foster a culture of service, so that we can one day pass the torch to those individuals who care to protect the trail. That’s why we seek partnerships with organizations like the Florida Alternative Breaks Program (FAB). This program is sponsored under the University of Florida to help foster a culture of service. Similar to FTA’s mission, FAB strives to create a society of active citizens by encouraging the alternative break movement.

With the help of FAB, we recently connected with a group of college students from the University of Florida. Over the course of 3 days, these students had the opportunity to learn more about the Florida Trail, the FTA, and the role that volunteers play in our National Scenic Trails. They also had the opportunity to engage in hands-on stewardship of the Florida Trail through a FTA sponsored Volunteer Work Party. The Volunteer Work Party involved approximately 3 miles of trail maintenance at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Despite muddy and soppy trail conditions, these students rose to the challenge and we’re able to work together to clear the trail corridor. Now, instead of an overgrown bushwhack, hikers are easily able to navigate the Florida Trail, near the St. Marks Lighthouse (Florida’s second oldest light station). We’re proud to have partnered with FAB, and extremely grateful for their service. To read more about the student’s experiences, check out our volunteer interviews below.

Gator Chomp!

FloridaTrail.org


INTERVIEW 1NAME: ANDREA MENDEZ Age: 22Major: TelecommunicationsMinor: Latin American StudiesHometown: Winter Haven, FL Graduation: 2016

Why did you choose to join FAB?I love that the FAB community is a group of service-minded individuals. That is what first attracted me to them. I also love that FAB forces you to get outside of your comfort zone, and challenges you to change how you see the world. FAB does a fantastic job in this regard, and through this program I am inspired to better serve my community.

Why did you choose FTA’s service trip?When you watch a documentary, there’s a barrier between you and whatever you’re watching. But when you immerse yourself in that environment, you come out with a better perspective of the topic. That’s why I chose this trip. I didn’t have a strong environmental lean, and wanted to experience the Florida Trail first-hand. Now, I feel I have a better connection to the trail and a better understanding of the mission of FTA.

What were your first impressions of the trail, and how did that change?I guess I was expecting to see the Wizard of Oz’s yellow brick road. I expected the trail to be all nice and neat, that the trees would slighty curve in, and that it would be this beautifully manicured footpath. However, I was shocked to see it overgrown with palmettos, bushes, and scrub trees. At first, I also felt conflicted about clearing the trail. I thought ‘why are we cutting down the forest, just so people could hike it.’ But the more we worked and the more questions I asked, the I more began to understand why it’s so important to provide access to nature. We’re cutting a path through the forest, so that others could experience the beauty of our wild lands. That’s

something I believe is so important, because as a society we often have lost our connection to nature. Hiking trails like the Florida Trail, allow us to reconnect and have an appreciation for nature.

What did this trip do for you?I grew up in a family of boys, who are all twice my weight. In this type of family, you begin to start feeling a little weak. Like I can’t lift things, etc. But going out in nature, and engaging in trail maintenance is really empowering. It’s not a destructive power; but it’s a constructive power to better your world. This trip gave me a sense of strength, and the understanding that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

What was your favorite moment on the trail?When our two groups met in the middle of the trail. We started off on opposite ends, but when we met it felt like a goal was accomplished. It was great to work as a group towards a common goal.

What did you learn from this trip?I learned that everyone can make a difference. By taking small steps, together we can accomplish great things.

Do you feel volunteerism is important to the Florida Trail?Absolutely. We have a lot to lose, and volunteering is the first step in preserving the Florida Trail.

Are you a hunter or a gatherer?I’m a hunter. I know what I want to go after, and I pursue it. Hunters don’t let things get in their way. There’s a lot of barriers in life, and if you have more of a hunter spirit, you’ll get farther with your goals.


INTERVIEW 2

NAME: KAELAH CHANEYAge: 21Major: Agricultural and Biological EngineeringMinor: GeologyHometown: Boca Raton, FL Graduation: 2018 (5-Year Program)

Why did you choose to join FAB?I was introduced to FAB by my roommate, because she was on their E-Board. She knew I’d be into it, and encouraged me to join the program. I think it’s great for students to encourage others to serve their communities.

Why did you choose FTA’s service trip?FTA’s trip interested me because it focused on environmental preservation. I’m really green, and am interested in environmental sustainability and how we interact with nature. So, being able to work on trails is one way for me to expose myself to nature to have a better appreciation of our natural world.

What were your first impressions of the trail, and how did that change?It was crazy; I thought ‘this is what we are clearing?!’ It was so overgrown. The trail wasn’t even there. But afterwards it was exciting to walk back to see the fruits of our labor. We created an obvious path, and we were no longer trying to blindly make our way through a mass of palmettos.

What did you like most about your Volunteer Experience?I really enjoyed the trip, because at first we (FAB participants) didn’t know one another. But over the course of three days, we became a close knit group. We all bonded over the trail, and came together to solve problems. I also think its super cool that people got out of their own comfort zones to try something new. Not everyone was an outdoorsy type, but everyone gave 110% to help to clear the trail.

What did you learn from this trip?I learned that volunteers are extremely important to the Florida Trail. Until this trip, I often took for granted that the trails would be clear of palmettos, brush, and fallen trees. But now I know that volunteers contribute so much behind-the-scenes to build and maintain the trail.

Do you feel volunteerism is important to the Florida Trail?The trail grows back so quickly and when no one is there to maintain it - it quickly becomes impassible. Even with the amount of volunteers that we had, we could only get so much done. Our volunteer base needs to be massive in order to maintain the trail. I think it’s extremely important for people to volunteer, even if they’re only contributing in a small way. Everything adds up, and together we can accomplish something great.

What’s your favorite part of walking trails?Immersing myself in nature to take a break from my busy schedule.

What is your favorite piece of gear? Why?I like the SteriPEN. You can’t see what it’s doing, but I know that it’s doing its job. Its amazing technology!

Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?I’m a gatherer, because I like to put myself in different situations and absorb knowledge; rather than seeking answers. I like to gather knowledge and learn from other people.

FloridaTrail.org


FTA 50th Anniversary

March 18 - 20, 2016 Hosted by the Suncoast Chapter of FTA

Also visit our FTA MEETUP.COM siteWithlacoochee State Forest • 915 East Stage Coach Trail, Inverness Fl 34452

Gps lat 28.728294 , lon -82.414800

We are pre-booking sites so that hikers who want to camp will have a campsite for the event. Sites are limited! Any sites not reserved and paid in full by january 31st will be released back to the campground.

All camp sites have water and electric • Two bath house facilities on-site

Sites are $20 per night — $10 per night if you are 65 +years old Limited to 2 tents or 1 RV trailer — Total of 30 sites booked, 10 sites already reserved

Parking fee waived for the event (normally $2.00 fee) • Reservations taken now would have to be made directly through the campground at the new increased rate.

50% deposit or full payment upon reserving, non-refundable if your plans changeContact Sue Bunge at [email protected] to reserve your site.

Camping at Holder Mine Campsite — No advance resrvations available — �rst come �rst served

Contact info. for questions concerning the eventGordy Hawkins - cell: 727-480-1516 (only calls before 8 pm) or e-mail: [email protected]

Sue Bunge - e-mail: [email protected]


Snapshotby Rachel Skeen, @rachelfelicity

Capturing NatureA Photo Essay

Four years ago I hiked a trail that I had never seen (the Florida Trail), even though it was only 20 minutes away from my house! I had lived the majority of my life so close to the forest, yet I never allowed myself to seek it out and experience its

wonder until my senior year of high school. That is when a friend invited me to hike in the Seminole State Forest. I believe that invitation and experience was the inspiration for me to start a Travel+Adventure blog with three of my closest friends. Simply put, we wanted to do what my friend did for me: connect people with the outdoors and encourage others to find adventure in their everyday life. So over a year ago, we started a blogging adventure that has now reached over 700 followers on Instagram, brought us partnerships with outdoor companies, and helped us form relationships with other likeminded individuals who love nature - just as much as we do! Throughout this journey I found an interest in photography to document the places that I’ve visited. Many of my adventures are on the Florida Trail. I love hiking the trail because of its varied and unique ecosystems. You can hike six miles on the same trail, yet pass through four or five different scenic areas of plant life and the surrounding environment; from sand and low bushes to towering trees and mulch-covered trails. I find great adventures elsewhere in this country and around the world, yet for now I always come home to Florida and to the trails that I love.

FloridaTrail.org


FloridaTrail.org


Editor’s Note: See Rachel’s adventures below, and follow her on her blog www.TheSisterhoodOfTheTravelers.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rachel Skeen is currently in her Junior year of college as a student in the Nicholson School of Communication at UCF. She is aiming to be a Program Coordinator for volunteers at a local, national, or perhaps even an international organization; or quite possibly to go into the outdoor industry as a trip guide. Rachel is an avid hiker of the Florida Trail, who always has food in her daypack and loves the color turquoise. Her passions are the outdoors and missions work; her blog The Sisterhood of the Travelers being her way to encourage others to find adventure!

www.TheSisterhoodOfTheTravelers.com


$1001 and aboveBanning, WalkerBarbour, EveBrown, DawnDaniel, TomEarthShareMontooth, Estate of MarthaNorth FL Trail BlazersSchomaker, CarlosWaldrop, DavidWells, JanWheeler, LeslieWinsberg, Ted

$501-$1000Baldini, ErnestAnonymousDavis, FredHale, Joseph and PamPardue, HowardRiskosky, EdScruggs, MargaretWanninger, ErikaWard, Richard

$101-$500Akerson, Randall and JanetApalachee ChapterAvery, RichardBarrett, DavidBenevity FundBenton, LindaBerkley, KarenBraly, KerriCastille, ColleenDavis, KatDeLoatch, RobertDigeon, MeganDorzan, RonEagleton, JimFlaris, AnthonyGlass, ChrisGluck, DougGriffin, Jr, BillGrob, JohnHancock, RalphHearn, S.J.Hopkins, AshleyJelks Family FoundationJelks, Allen

2016 Donors

The Florida Trail Association DonorsThank you for supporting the FTA mission

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Keatley, JohnKing, PaulKnecht, GregKoons, JohnKoussiafes, PerryLane, PaulaMartin, RonMcKinley, MaryMinter, JudithMuller, PattyOrser, FrankPalmer, Jr., PaulPanhandle ChapterParker, .HollyParsons, StewartPatton, LindaPfeffer, RonaldPoole, FrancisPorro, HildaRichardson, TomRiley, Terry and PatriciaRoddy, AlanRussell, KarenSaunders, RobertSchuler, RichardShay, LarryShivvers, RebeccaSleeper, MarkSmith, RobertSteffens, BettyStern, JeffrySymes, AlbertTaylor, MarthaTrail DamesWagner, SueWatters, AllenWerner, GaryWiegand, AdamWigersma, HelenWilliamson, JeanWinter, CatherineWood, Craig

$1-$100Abels, KathrynActive NetworkAdams, PatrickAdams, RobertAdams,Nancy & TerryAlderson, DougAllstateAlmquist, ByronAmoss, Catherine MAnderson, AlisandeAngel, WilhelminaAshton, PaulineAustin, JamesBabcock, StevenBaker, .JohnBaker, StuartBaldwin, GailBales, LauraBarrocas, .GabrielaBauerschmidt, SandyBaxter, RobertBeach, MichaelBerauer, BenBesbekos, KathrynBigbie, SamuelBisset, DouglasBlair, Jeff

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Drusts, ElseDuffie, DarleneDurnell, PeterEdson, GuyEick, IraEngel, MarcEnnis, MichaelEvers, ConnieFarrier, RodneyFenner, JohnFerrari, JanFischer, GuyFisher, Charles JeffreyFite, MikeFlanders, CynthiaFlaris, Jr., AnthonyFrank, FrederickFreed, VanFribourg, MichaelFrizzell, A CGalassini, MartinGangwish, RobertGardner, LuGeorge, GlendaGiving CampaignGjonnes, EricGlenn, AndreaGoeldner, DianeGold, ShirleyGoodrich, RaymondGraham, RichardGranberry, ArthurGriffin, DawnGriffin, KathyGriffith, DaveHale, Christine

Harvey, ThomasHawkins, ElizabethHeartland ChapterHeister, WilliamHerring, BobHerting, JerryHetrick, LawrenceHiggins, KenHill, BarbaraHitchingham, CharlieHodgman, BarbaraHoerl, MonicaHolden, AnnaHoopes, BradHoover, HannaHopkins, Clyde RHusted, JamesJackson, LauraJackson, SydneyJarvis, Joan LindJohnson, AudreyJohnson, GordonJohnson, KennethJohnson, UlrikeJones, Jr., L.B.Jones, WilliamJustice-Obley, DebbieKellermann, RoseKelly, JamesKidd, DaveKimbrel, JamesKing, JohnKirk, BobbyKirwan, MaryellenKlinko, MadelineKmet, Ted

Kortz, GabriellaKosakowski, LawrenceKramer, LaraKudla, TomLake, TeresaLawson, BobLeavers, CathyLee, ChristineLePage, WilliamLevin, JoelLewis, BrianLindsay, GuionLirot, ArthurLittle, MistiLivingston, BuzLutton, PamelaLyonnet, ConsueloMaloney, MicheleMarkovich, ElizabethMartin, BobMatteson, NancyMaynard, LouiseMcAliley, JanetMcClain, DaphneMcDaniel, GeorgeMcGinnis, ShannonMcLaughlin, BonnieMeeks, MakedaMelgaard, HomerMeng, BillMichaels, William M.Milani, JamesMiller, JanetMitchell-James, Carol-AnneMontgomery, JaneMoritz, Barbara GenthnerMorris, JillMoses, GalenMosler, AllenMrgan, DanielMurphy, GerryNafpliotis, BarbaraNassau, JosephNeale, DonaldNeuman, GaryNied, DennisNixon, MaryNonnemacher, MargaretOates, CharlesO’Keefe, MichaelOsteryoung, JerryOwens, JimPaladino, MadelynPassalacqua, PeterPattillo, AnnPayne, StevenPearsall, JuliaPeterson, CarlPiedlow, NancyPitman, Sandy

FloridaTrail.org


Plante, BonalynPospesel, HowardPrestwich, KennethPrew, DicksonRamsbottom, VirginiaRavinski, DonaldReder, LorraineRegner, MichaelReige, RobertReihart, MarkRichards, ClaudeRoach, ChristinaRoberts, GeneRobinson, MichaelRodgers, AnnRodriguez, SaraRoesch, DianeRohal, DavidRoss, DanielRushton, BettyRusso, CarlSager, BarbaraSaunders, DianneSchultz, ChristinaSchultz, IngridSchultz, RobertScott, Charles & Diane

Selby, EdwardShaffer, LetiziaSilk, NoelleSims, GregSmith, BarrySnyder, SharonSpahn, DavidSpeed, KerrySpinks, JackSpitznagel, RonaldSt John - Ayre, HayleySteinbicer, JudithStephens, JanetStolting, StevenStonwater, PhillipStopp, HarryStoppello, KevinSummers, CathySutphin III, JohnSwallows, LeviTaguri, BrendaTanner, DoloresTarbell, WilliamTate, TomTesta, CarolTesta, RickThomas, Daniel

The Florida National Scenic Trail is a federally-designated, non-motorized, recreation trail that meanders approximately 1,300 miles across some of the most beautiful, unique

landscapes in the entire country.

For up to date information visit the U.S. Forest Service online at http://www.FS.USDA.gov/FNST

Thompson, PeggyTimmons, LarryTolzek, ZenonTonkin, RichardTowe, MargaretTrotta, JudyTuten, StevenTwerdochlib, SuzanneUeatch, GregUsher, JoanVickers, RichardVoll, RonVormwald, JerryWalden, TrudyWalker, DennisWallisch, AllisonWatson, ReesaWeaver, GeorgeWells, DarylWestrick, Mary AliceWilliams, JaneWilliams, WilliamWilson, HughWood Jr, DonaldWunz, DonZimmerman, DeanZimmerman, Deborah

http://www.FS.USDA.gov/FNST

http://www.FS.USDA.gov/FNST


Hiking Historyby Ed Talone

At the turn of the 20th Century, Los Angeles was still a relatively small city, but a problem was looming

that had to be solved; a lack of water. The solution lay not nearby, but over 200 miles away in the Owens Valley. Water and lots of it was available via the Owens River. A city engineer, William Mulholland came up with the idea of buying up the water rights for the region. In 1905 construction began on what ultimately became the 338 mile long

An OutpostWith No Name

Los Angeles Aqueduct. By 1913 it was finished and Los Angeles as we know it was born. In 1992, Sue Lockwood and I were thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. One of the most daunting sections was the Mojave Desert. One 35 mile section though followed the Los Angeles Aqueduct. At various points along the underground aqueduct, hatch covers were left unlocked so that hikers might get water. The trick was to

tie a rope to a container with a handle and lower it into the pipe. You really had to hang on tight because that water was going downhill fast! Many a hiker lost their containers and we all wondered if they held a yard sale where all the stuff came out in LA! Sue and I were prepared though and even had the luxury of dousing our heads in the icy cold water. Eventually we moved along and as the shadows got longer we began to think about camp. Just then a man appeared on the horizon to the east. He appeared to heading towards us. I looked over and he waved for us to stop. He asked where we were headed and seemed not surprised when we said “Canada.” He asked if we needed a place to camp and said that if we walked straight east “something might come up.” He left, and only then did I notice that he had not told his name. We had time though, so we headed east across the desert. After about 30 minutes a small cluster of trailer like buildings appeared. Most were white or the color of the sand and thus blended in with the surroundings. People obviously lived here, although I saw no generators. The man we had met before and his wife greeted us and immediately asked if we wanted a shower. They explained that their water was limited and that each person was entitled to “four pulls on a chain.” Each pull caused the water to run for 30-40 seconds so you really had to plan your shower! It was nearly dark now and a couple other people joined us for a delicious dinner of homemade burritos, salad and what they called “LA Champagne” (water). At dark, one man disappeared for a few minutes and suddenly we had electric light. I asked where the generator was and everyone got quiet. Finally, the man’s wife said that we might see things tonight that seemed odd, but that they would appreciate it if we forgot about it. I joked that I could not even remember their names! This drew a big laugh (It should since no one had bothered to offer any). Anyway, we enjoyed hot coffee and homemade apple pie for dessert. I saw no stove but I knew better than to ask!

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FloridaTrail.org


The next surprise came when they asked if we wanted to go for a ride after dark. Well we found ourselves rumbling across the desert in an old water truck. No headlights were necessary and I’m not sure they would have worked anyway. Our destination of course was the aqueduct at the very spot Sue and I had filled up. They fed a hose down into the pipe and I expected to hear a pump, but there was not a whisper of sound. I asked the man who “made electricity appear” how the tanker filled and he waved towards the truck and said that “it filled itself!” Of course it did. After awhile we headed back with the tanker filled up and Sue and I said our goodbyes. Our camp was a couple hundred yards away on top of a concrete slab. A fan rumbled faintly underground, something to do with the aqueduct probably. When we got there, we were surprised to see Karl Diedrich from Michigan who was also walking to Canada. We were setting up on the slab

when suddenly pulsing red and green bands of light appeared in the sky. We were mesmerized! I looked over at Sue and Karl and being as they were both from Michigan, they knew. What we were seeing was a spectacular show of the Northern Lights. Both agreed that it sure was odd to see them in Southern California…. Finally, the light show ended and we prepared to sleep. I glanced over at the outpost and thought about lights without generators, pies without stoves and water that pumped itself. Did they have a way to make the northern Lights appear in the desert? I fell asleep wondering what else they could do. Twenty three years have passed since that day. Sue is gone, and I bet you can’t lower a bucket into the aqueduct anymore… but if you turn east at just the right spot and walk about 30 minutes at a normal pace, an outpost might appear. If it does, stop and say “Hi”. Just don’t ask anyone their name.

Photo courtesy of Diane Dammiller

by Sandra Friend

It has been said that hiking the Appalachian Trail is like climbing Mount Everest 16 times. But did you know that the cumulative elevation gain on an end to end hike of the Florida Trail is currently 21,830 feet? The tallest peak in the United States, Denali, is 20,322 feet. So all those ups across 1,100 miles add up! Find more Florida Trail facts and trivia at FTHikers.org/trail

PHOTO: TRIVIA - You may not notice the elevation gain as you hike the Florida Trail, but every mile makes a difference! Especially along the Suwannee section, Twin Rivers State Forest, Ellaville.

http://LNT.org

FTHikers.org/trail


When you were a kid, hanging out with your friends, did you play “pick-up” games of

football, baseball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, kick the can, or any other sport with rules? If you did, then you can probably remember those brief, and sometimes not so brief, disagreements about whether a foot or ball was out of bounds, or whether there was a foul, or maybe an argument about the score. One kid says this, another confident player insists on the opposite, and so begins the classic dispute wrought in all

A Silver Lining in the Sunshine State

the parabolic drama of youth. Well, if you were one of the thousands of people that supported the Florida Trail during the Michelob Ultra, Superior Trails Voting Contest, and you remember the scene I just described, then you probably know where this article is heading. If not, read on. Because there is an inspiring conclusion to this stormy tale that you won’t want to miss. It all started on September 1st, 2015. Ten trail projects were chosen by the American Hiking Society to participate in a voting contest sponsored by Michelob

Ultra—you know, that watery, flavorless liquid that purports to be beer. The rules of the Superior Trails Voting Contest were simple; the public, via the internet, would have two months to vote for their favorite trail project. The two trail projects with the most votes would be awarded $25,000. The ten trails one could vote on included many well-known and some lesser-known trails. Each project provided a unique insight into the challenges of building and maintaining trails throughout the U.S. Some projects were capacity building—they would use the money to form a team of people to build community support for their trail. Other projects planned to buy much needed equipment. And one very special trail—you’ll never guess which one—proposed to use the award to rebuild a section of boardwalk through a tidal marsh. The Florida Trail Association was picked to join the top ten contenders after submitting plans to replace the wooden boardwalk crossing the Spring Creek Salt Marsh, in St Marks National Wildlife Refuge. St Marks, located just south of Tallahassee, hosts a 40 mile section of the FNST. Unlike Gulf beaches further south, this coastline is undeveloped. It offers hikers a snapshot of the Florida coastline before the development of seaside condos and hotels. The second growth maritime hardwood forests here host a plethora of wildlife, making a journey through the refuge a rewarding adventure. The passage through here, however, has been challenged by the destruction of a key piece of infrastructure. Nearly a decade ago, powerful storm surges pushed up the mouth of Spring Creek, tearing away the boardwalk that connected the footpath through the salt marsh. Without the elevated pathway, hikers would be forced to either labor through 2-3 feet of muck and mud, or walk well out of their way to bypass the crossing altogether. The need for a new boardwalk was obvious to all. But where the money to build this structure would come from was not apparent.

Conservators Cornerby Alex Stigliano

Spring Creek, Group shot of ‘Hike to See What Your Spring Creek Project Donations Will Repair’

FloridaTrail.org


effect too many people.” Obviously, we were not dealing with people taking the integrity of the contest seriously. Plagued by technical issues and glitches, our campaign began to lose steam and morale. By the end of the contest, our project had lost its lead and the opportunity to gain funding to rebuild the Spring Creek Salt Marsh boardwalk. The FTA staff was dejected. Our efforts, initially successful, had been derided and derailed. The same was true of many of our most ardent supporters. But not everyone was ready to give up. Shortly after the end of the campaign an optimistic contingent of supporters from the FTA’s Apalachee Volunteer Chapter began to organize a grassroots fundraising campaign. The concept was simple—if you had supported the Florida Trail with a vote during the campaign, why not donate some money? We established a page on the FTA website dedicated to the fundraising campaign. And then the most amazing thing began happening—people donated money. Donations of $20 and donations of $1,000 began pouring in. I am so very proud to say that we raised the money needed to rebuild the Spring Creek boardwalk in under two months. If you were one of the folks that donated, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your support meant so much in the wake of such a disappointing experience—a silver lining. The Florida Trail is a beautiful public resource, but it clearly wouldn’t exist without the generous support from you! Thanks.

Which brings us to the Superior Trails Contest. For the first two weeks after the voting opened on September 1st, it appeared to be anyone’s prize to take. Different trail projects would surge into the lead and then be quickly overtaken by a blast of votes for another project. Following the voting was entertaining, and for those who were engaged, the contest was sort of like watching an extended horse race. Then, in the third week, the Florida Trail association took the lead and began to pull away. We were elated. That’s when the accusations, finger pointing, and childish poor-sportsmanship began to emerge. Supporters of other trail projects took their allegations to the world of social media. Comments like, “how can they call themselves a trail, it’s just a bunch of swamps,” and “this is the presidential election of 2000 all over again, Florida cheats on its votes” were hurtful to the supporters of the Florida Trail and the staff of the FTA. Suddenly, the joy of winning was being ruined by a loud contingent of ignorant outsiders. Their accusations undermined the tireless work of our supporters who volunteered to canvass their communities and petition their friends. And in reality, the fact that the population of Florida—the second most populated state in the US—is three and four times the population of states of the other trail projects is enough explanation to justify the success of our campaign. Still, these detractors were successful in petitioning against our trail project. On October 1, one month into the contest, Group 360 Worldwide, the marketing firm managing the online voting, upended the voting process. In one afternoon, thousands of votes were reduced to just a couple hundred. Voters would now have to register their e-mail address. This required them 1)

cast their vote, 2) look for an e-mail from the marketing firm, and then 3) follow a link within the e-mail back to the voting webpage to then finalize their vote. When I tried this for the first time, I never received the confirmation e-mail. I waited and waited, and still nothing. My experience wasn’t unique. Dozens of supporters e-mailed and called us reporting the same problem. Even more frustrating, when supports wrote to Group 360 Worldwide customer service, their e-mail was kicked back as undeliverable. When I wrote to the “Senior Account Executive” managing the contest, I was told the problem was fixed. But 14 days later, 3 days before the end of the contest, people were still reporting their e-mails being returned as undeliverable. I forwarded several of these e-mails to Group 360 Worldwide and the Director of Marketing for Michelob Ultra. Their response amounted to “oops, it’s been working since you e-mailed, but it didn’t really

A need for a wooden walkway

Spring Creek Salt Marsh Original Bridge in Ruins

The end of the existing boardwalk


ALLIGATOR AMBLERS CHAPTER Charlotte, Collier, and LeeCarl Kepford 239-253-4255

AA Sub Chapter FISHEATING CREEKGlades and HendryMargaret England 863-674-0695

APALACHEE CHAPTERFranklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and WakullaDawn Brown 850-668-0091

BIG CYPRESS CHAPTERMiami-Dade and MonroeDavid Denham 350-667-8643

BLACK BEAR CHAPTER Flagler, Putnam, and VolusiaLinda Taylor 386-774-0734

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTEROrange, Seminole, and OsceolaBill Turman 407-359-8318

CHOCTAWHATCHEE CHAPTERWalton and OkaloosaRichard Kersten 850-683-0803

FLORIDA CRACKERS CHAPTERAlachua, Levy, Gilcrist, and MarionMitch Sapp 352-332-2065

HAPPY HOOFERS CHAPTERBroward and HendryLynn Thompson 954-609-4727

HEARTLAND CHAPTERDeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and PolkDavid Waldrop 863-605-3587

HIGHLANDERS CHAPTERLake and SumterHoward Pospesel 352-589-2543

INDIAN RIVER CHAPTERBrevard and Indian RiverRichard Loudon 321-638-8804

LOXAHATCHEE CHAPTERPalm BeachRoy Moore 561-422-2189

NORTH FLA TRAILBLAZERS CHAPTERBaker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, and UnionWalter Bryant 904-704-6218

When you join the state-wide Florida Trail Association you automatically become a member of your local chapter based upon your zip code. However, members may attend the activities of any chapter and may transfer to any chapter they wish simply by informing the FTA Office. Florida Trail activities are organized by our local chapters and are led by authorized volunteer activity leaders. Many of our activities are open to the general public so you can get to know us before you join. Activities can be found online at www.floridatrail.org Click on “About Us” then click on the “Upcoming Events” button on the left. Local activities are usually also listed on the chapter websites, Facebook pages and Meetups. Click on “About Us” then “Our Chapters” for links to local chapter sites. Participants in activities must sign an Assumption of Risk form and agree to accept personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of accompanying minors. Always contact the activity leader in advance for more information, to let them know you are attending, to find out any special requirements or equipment for the activity, and to check for any last minute changes.

For more information about chapters and links to websites/meetups/photosgo online to FloridaTrail.org/about-us/chapters/ then select the chapter

PANHANDLE CHAPTERBay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and WashingtonCharissa Thacker 850-814-5365

SUNCOAST CHAPTERCitrus, Hernando, Hillsborough,Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and SarasotaSue Bunge 727-504-8574

SUWANNEE CHAPTERColumbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and TaylorIrv Chance 386-330-2424

TROPICAL TREKKERS CHAPTERMartin, Okeechobee, and St. LucieJim Couillard 772-485-8367

WESTERN GATE CHAPTEREscambia and Santa Rosa Helen Wigersma 850-484-0528

FTA ChaptersList of Florida Trail Association Chapters

FloridaTrail.org

www.floridatrail.org

FloridaTrail.org/about-us/chapters


MY GIFT TO THE FLORIDA TRAILDESIGNATIONS

eANNUAL FUND

Provides funds to ensure a steady income stream for

Florida Trail Association opera-tions. It’s how we keep the lights

on and The Footprint coming.

eENDOWMENT FUND

Provides an ongoing endowment to the

Florida Trail Associationfrom interest earnings.It is the gift that keeps

on giving.

eTRAIL

PROTECTION FUNDSupports land acquisition and

trail constructionprojects with the ultimate goal of protecting the trail corri-

dor and completing the entire Florida Trail. Independently funds

programs like F-Troop, trail crews, and outreach to imple-ment programs wherever they are needed within the Florida

Trail System.

eMAP FUND

Provides funding for updating the Florida Trail’s maps

and databook.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND GIFT FORM

FUND AMOUNT

MEMBERSHIP TOTAL _______________

GIFT TOTAL _______________

GRAND TOTAL _______________

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

MY GIFT TO THE TRAIL

ORDER BY PHONE 877-HIKE-FLA ORDER BY FAX 352-378-4550 ORDER ONLINE www.floridatrail.org

Name ___________________________________________________ Daytime Phone Number ______________

Address _________________________________________________ Email ____________________________

City ____________________________________________________ State _______ Zip __________________

I am making a gift to the Florida Trail Association and want my gift designated to:

Annual Fund Endowment Fund Trail Protection Fund Map Fund

My gift is In Memory of _____________________________ In Honor of ______________________________

To order merchandise from the Florida Trail General Store, visit www.FloridaTrail.org

or call the Florida Trail office at 1-877-HIKE-FLA.

Please mark one of the boxes below if you are joining or renewing your membership in the Florida Trail Association

$35 Individual $50 Family* $125 Sustaining* $250 Supporting* $1000 Individual Life $1500 Family Life* $30 Senior (65+) or Student (18-23) $45 Senior (65+) or Student (18-23) Family

*Includes spouse and children under 18. I do not want my address shared with FTA-affiliated organizations

Employer/Occupation ___________________________

Spouse Name _________________________________

Spouse Occupation _____________________________

Number of children _____________________________ The Footprint magazine? Digital Printed

I learned about the Florida Trail from _____________________________________________________________

Please send a gift membership to:

Name _____________________________________

Address ___________________________________

City ______________________________________

State _____________ Zip _____________________

Daytime Phone Number _______________________

Email _____________________________________

Ship membership package to Me New Member

SEND FORM AND PAYMENT TO:

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION 5415 SW 13th St., Gainesville, FL 32608

PAYMENT OPTIONS: CHECK: Make checks payable to “Florida Trail Association”.

CREDIT CARD: Visa Mastercard American Express Discover

Credit Card Number: ____________________________________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________

Signature: ________________________________________ Security Code (3 or 4 digits): ________

www.floridatrail.org

www.FloridaTrail.org


Florida Trail Association

5415 SW 13th St., G

ainesville, FL 32608

Create Your Volunteer Profile Online! You can start volunteering today!

www.FloridaTrail.org/NewVolunteers/

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Florida Trail Association Winter16

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Transcript of Florida Trail Association Winter16