[at-l] Last Ruck of 2000

I'm subscribing momentarily for two reasons:

First to wish all my old list buddies the most joyous of holiday seasons.  I 
miss all of you ladies and gentlemen.

Second, to share the skinny on yesterday's Orlando area Ruck.  Besides 
myself, present were Wanchor, Bluetrail, Del, Vagabond, Navigator, Joan 
Hobson and the special guest of the day, Nimblewill Nomad.  It was a 
wonderful day full of trail talk and food -- what else!

Nomad has completed his southbound hike of what he is calling the Appalachian 
Mountain Trails, starting at Cape Gaspe in Canada and ending at Flagg 
Mountain in Alabama (the southernmost peak reaching 1,000 feet).  He is 
taking off a couple weeks for the holidays and then will be resuming his 
southward trek to Key West.  Much of the meeting yesterday was to prepare him 
with route information for the Florida part of the hike.  It will be much 
different than his '98 hike through Florida which occurred during El Nino and 
necessitated a lot of road walking around submerged trail section ( of which 
there were many).

Since those in attendance included the Florida Trails VP of Trails and the 
Chairman of the Long Distance Hikers Committee, Nomad received all the latest 
info on trail developments and conditions.

Nomad is in incredible condition considering the millions of steps he has 
behind him.  The balance of his hike will be at a slower pace as he has many 
friends, including yours truly who will be accompanying him on parts of his 
Florida hike.  For those who know Nomad, the passion for hiking and that 
sparkle in his eye capture everyone in the room.  And it was truly inspiring 
to see him demolish a spread of holiday goodies inadvertently placed within 
reach!  ;-)  His hiker appetite is in full force.

The amount of thruhikers on the Florida Trail has doubled this year, and the 
enthusiasm and publicity continue to grow.  A word of caution to those 
inclined to add this to their winter itinerary.  First, some of the Trail is 
located on private lands, and a FT membership is required to do a thruhike.  
Secondly, the Trail passes through the Seminole Indian Reservation at 
present, and there is currently a monthly limit of 8 hikers.  January is 
full, and February is filling fast. Something to be aware of in the planning 
phase.

Glad to bask in the warmth of the electronic campfire, however briefly.

Happy trails,

Rich Evans
Orlando
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To:            "Nina Baxley" <infpeace@yahoo.com>, <at-l@backcountry.net>