7/11/25

Due to the inability to hike the Florida Trail within Eglin AFB due to closures for military exercise, we traveled 1 hour, 45 minutes to the trailhead on US 331 at the eastern edge of Eglin AFB. This was a beautiful hike beginning about 6:20 AM on relatively smooth ground going through wooded areas mixed with prairie areas. 

The orange blazes marking the FT are well-placed most of the time, but somehow I got turned around in the Lafayette Creek area and ended repeating a 1-1.5 mile section right at the middle of my planned 12-mile hike to Forgotten Creek Campsite at SOBO mile 142.2. 

I rejuvenated my spirit by taking a soak in the cool, clear, and very refreshing river! After arriving at the campsite about 1:30 PM, I rested, drank lots of water with Liquid IV electrolytes, filtered water to drink, and took another refreshing dip in the creek! 

was able to set up my new tent without any problem, enjoyed a wonderful dinner consisting of Raman noodles with chicken, added olive oil, beef jerky, trail mix, and water flavored with Crystal Light. This meal felt like a gourmet meal compared to the very distasteful freeze-dried food used on the AT! 

All is quiet in the woods now, and the temperature is going down from the max of 94 degrees with a heat index of 105 earlier this afternoon. My Ursack Almitey bag is safely hung away from my campsite with all food and garbage. Bedtime will come quickly tonight since I hope to start hiking at sunrise around 5:30 AM tomorrow.