9/18/2025

After an amazing day at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville presenting at their Neuroscience Seminar about Rotary’s CART Program (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) with Executive Director Tiffany Ervin and meeting with four researchers interested in CART Grants, I traveled about 40 miles west to Ocean Pond Campground, parked my car, and hiked on the Florida Trail to the Osceola Shelter, the oldest shelter on the Florida Trail, then to the West Tower Camp. 

Although Far Out reported Pygmy rattlesnakes on this trail, I never saw any snakes, bears, or other large animals. The trail was well-maintained and fairly level. After being unable to find an alternate route around a 100-yard section of swamp with water coming up to my knees, I removed my shoes and socks to wade through this area. However, I still ended up with wet shoes and socks in other sections with less obvious boggy areas until stepping into water. After hiking 12-miles NOBO on Friday and about12-miles SOBO on Saturday using nearby forrest roads, O ended up with one blister on my right foot. My feet feel much better after removing the wet shoes and socks. I am able to walk around the Ocean Pond Campground in flip flops with minimal discomfort. 

I have a beautiful campsite on the lake with my own water source and nearby bathroom with flush toilets and a great hot shower for $20/night! This sure beats thru hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Maine and paying $130+\night for hotel room!

I hope to continue doing short section hikes when traveling to areas near the Appalachian Trail, Florida, and Foothill Trails. Michael and I plan to do a section of the Foothills Trail when I go to help him in Clinton next week.