The Hike Begins

Back to the beginning.  Back to St. Marks. 

The hiking segment began on the Historic Railway Trail, which claims to be the first rails-to-trails in the country. Perhaps that is fitting because the railway itself was also the first time Congress granted the company adjacent land to encourage development.

The hike begins very easily.
Just follow the paved trail all the way to Tallahassee. No navigating, no hills. Water and restrooms every few miles.

The second day is just a busy roadwalk through Tallahassee, but the third day gets out into Oak and pine forests. "Canopy Road" proclaims the sign, as massive Oaks from each side cross over and intertwine. The old gray branches are covered with small ferns and draped in Spanish Moss. An owl peeks through an opening. Some chestnuts also make their stance.

Other forest is pine. Slender new growth reaches straight for the sky in neat even rows. A woodpecker is banging holes hoping for an afternoon snack of grubs.

I laugh as I constantly note the wind speed and direction. I'm hiking into a 15 mph head wind and it doesn't matter!