[ft-l] Re: FT-L digest, Vol 1 #162 - 5 msgs

[ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net (R Jones)]

MAN...I'D LIKE TO  DO THE HIKE BETWEEN CLEARWATER AND JUNIPER SPRING .....
READ #3
----- Original Message -----
From: <ft-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net>
To: <ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 1:03 PM
Subject: FT-L digest, Vol 1 #162 - 5 msgs


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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Camping @ Alexander or Juniper (tamara jicha)
>    2. Re: How to fully benefit from this List (Doug McCoy)
>    3. Reply to marl@nickpvb.com (Richard W. Schuler)
>    4. Re: Camping @ Alexander or Juniper (Steve Landis)
>    5. Ocala-area hikes (FTCracker@aol.com)
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 11:38:17 -0800 (PST)
> From: tamara jicha <jichat@yahoo.com>
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [ft-l] Camping @ Alexander or Juniper
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> Mark,
> General gun season closes around Jan 15th.  There may
> still be some bird hunting in Feb. but I rarely see
> any bird hunters (I think most prefer private
> property).
> Alexander Springs or Juniper are both nice places to
> camp, but for swimming, I think the kids would enjoy
> Juniper Springs(because they have a jump-off area).
> Will you be car camping or backpacking?
> The bridges between Alexander and Clearwater are very
> slick right now, but in good condition.
> Alexander Springs rents canoes year round.  $10 for 2
> hrs., 12 dollars for 4 hrs., or $26 for a 7 mile trip,
> with a ride back.  They allow 3 per canoe as long as
> they're not over 14 yoa.  They also require a $20 cash
> deposit per canoe.  Rental can be made with a credit
> card.
>
> Happy Hiking!
> Trail Talker
>
> __________________________________________________
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> Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month.
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>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 2
> From: "Doug McCoy" <dlmccoy@ntmail.okeechobee.com>
> To: <ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Subject: Re: [ft-l] How to fully benefit from this List
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 18:21:48 -0500
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> Here is my quick bio. I live in Okeechobee, work for the Highlands County
> Health Dept. and am most well known to the hiking world as the section
> leader for section 4 of the FT, Okeechobee to Bluff Hammock Road. I am 40,
> my wife Pat is 35 and we have been active in the FTA for about 6 years. I
> have taken a few trips on the AT, the longest being a week with Sue & Jed
> Turner in Virginia. My wife and I recently appeared in the latest issue of
> FLorida Hiker in an article on trail angels. We have opened our house to
all
> ECT and FT thruhikers, we had 8 last year and really look forward to
seeing
> more this year. If you have any questions on the trail From Lake
Okeechobee
> to Hwy 60 I generally have the answer. Look forward to seeing you on the
> trail.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TOKTAADN@aol.com <TOKTAADN@aol.com>
> To: FT-L@mailman.backcountry.net <FT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 8:40 AM
> Subject: [ft-l] How to fully benefit from this List
>
>
> >It's great to see some trip reports from relatively new posters!  For a
> while
> >there I felt like I had a near monopoly on the traffic on this List.  Now
> >that things are cookin' a bit and the weather is starting to cool down, I
> >thought I'd take a moment to give a brief history of this list and how we
> >could get more use and enjoyment out of it as we get out there and hike
our
> >wonderful trails.
> >
> >My buddy Jeff Walters is a website programming wizard.  He and I had
> exposure
> >to hiking lists like this for other trails.  He set up a wonderful
website
> >for backpacking called Florida Backpacking Trailplace about 4 years ago.
> We
> >talked about the idea for a mailing list for Florida Trail hikers.  Jeff
> had
> >the technical know how and created a List from within the confines of a
> >noncommercial ISP account.  My part was to send emails to every hiker and
> >Florida Trail member I knew asking them to join this new list.  I
notified
> >hundreds of hikers, had cards printed up, and talked it up at chapter
> >meetings until we got a critical mass of subscribers.  Once we got about
> two
> >dozen Listers, the List began to function as we know it today.
> >Unfortunately, Jeff's ISP noticed the heavy volume of emails generated
from
> >his account and shut the list down.
> >
> >Enter Ryan Brooks, who has several servers dedicated to the needs of
hikers
> >from all of America's great long distance trails.  He agreed to run the
> list
> >from his servers and from the www.backcountry.net website.  He also makes
> >webspace available to any of us who want to post hiking pictures or
> journals.
> > And he does all of this at no cost to any of us.  It is a noncommercial
> site
> >generating no revenues at all for him.  It is a true labor of love for
this
> >patron whom we all owe such a debt of gratitude.
> >
> >My hat is off to Ryan and Jeff who made this all possible!
> >
> >HIKING GEEKS RULE!!!!   :)
> >
> >As a veteran of several hiking lists I've seen the ebb and flow, the good
> >times and bad.  When a list is functioning at its best, it can be
described
> >as an electronic campfire, where we gather 'round and share our thoughts
> >after a hard day's hike.  Some posts are informative.  Some seek
> information
> >from more knowledgeable hikers, some share jokes and stories.  Strangers
> are
> >introduced and become quick friends as the campfire works its magic.  And
> >some engage in good natured debate about that latest piece of gear.
> >
> >The true magic of any campfire is the making of new lifelong friends.
And
> >the electronic variety is no different.  That is why we owe it to
ourselves
> >to get the word out to our hiking buddies about this list.
> >
> >This list can be whatever we make it.  Anything of a noncommercial nature
> >that instructs, questions or entertains as it relates to Florida hiking
> >either directly or tangentially can be posted right here for your hiking
> >buddies to peruse.  The more posts to the lists, the more relevant the
list
> >becomes.  When a list has low volume, it lacks personality.  It is a very
> >democratic platform.  No one has a privileged position.  Whether you
joined
> >in the beginning, or yesterday, you are a full and equal member of the
> ft-l.
> >Feel free to contribute -- or not -- as your level of comfort dictates.
I
> >can't think of anyone (perhaps with the sole exception of myself!) who
has
> >overposted.
> >
> >Most lists develop a small core of active posters who generate the bulk
of
> >the postings with a silent majority known as lurkers who chime in only
when
> >they have a specific request, or a specific insight into a topic being
> >discussed.  This is entirely normal and the ft-l is no different in that
> >regard.  But when list volume gets low, each subscriber should consider
> >starting a topic (known as a thread in the lingo) to jump start the list
in
> a
> >new direction.  Sometimes a single post will generate a dozen replies and
> >spawn new threads that go in different directions.
> >
> >Periodically, as subscribers come and go, it is appropriate for each
> >subscriber to post a little biographical sketch which normally causes a
> burst
> >of new list activity.  Since it is the start of the hiking season here in
> >Florida maybe we could all take a moment to do that now.
> >
> >Another thing we could all do is to tell our hiking friends about this
> list.
> >Generally, the more list members there are, the more enjoyable and
> >informative the list is.  Take a moment at your chapter meetings to tell
> FTA
> >members about the list.  People who swore a couple years ago that they
saw
> no
> >need for a computer are joining the information superhighway everyday.
> Each
> >of us needs to get the word out.  How about a blurb giving the
> >www.backcountry.net website address in your chapter newsletter?
> >
> >If we can get all the section leaders aboard, what a wonderful
information
> >exchange the list could be for maintainers and hikers!  We already get
more
> >timely trail development info here on the list courtesy of Kent Wimmer in
> >Tallahassee.  In many ways this list is an instantaneous statewide
> >newsletter.  Let's get our chapter leadership to plug in.
> >
> >That's not to say that this list is an organ of the FTA.  That won't
> happen.
> >Early on, there was some grumbling heard from some in the leadership
simply
> >because this is an unregulated communication tool outside their control,
> and
> >they feared it to some extent.  But I think as more of us understand just
> >what this list is about, we find that any such fear is misplaced.  Have
you
> >told your chapter leadership about the list, and what you get from it?
And
> >if you are in leadership at the state or chapter level, have you
> communicated
> >your experiences to your peers around the state?  Should the list be
talked
> >up at regional and state conferences?
> >
> >In summary, I hope I've given you some food for thought.  I guess you can
> >tell that I'm an advocate for a broader ft-l membership with more active
> >postings.  Cyberhiking can be a very positive force for good.  I wanted
you
> >all to see how this list works and how with a little effort on our parts
we
> >can make it even better.  I hope I succeeded in some measure.
> >
> >Happy trails,
> >
> >Solar Bear
> >_______________________________________________
> >FT-L mailing list
> >FT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> >http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/ft-l
> >
>
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 20:17:55 -0500
> From: "Richard W. Schuler" <rschuler@mpinet.net>
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [ft-l] Reply to marl@nickpvb.com
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> I have extensive experience on the FNST in the Ocala.  I would suggest you
> might want to start at Clearwater and go north and save the other end
> (Juniper to Pats' Island is a no hunting area) for another time in the
event
> you want to hike it sometime in hunting season.  Yes hunting season is
over
> in Feb.  The board walks between Clearwater and Juniper tend to be very
> slippery when wet and caution should be used.  For the most part they will
> be over dry land and you can walk beside them if you desire.  (They are
not
> that extensive.)  Alexander Springs should be open and active.  The
Seminole
> Randger Dist Office telephone # is 352 669 3153.  You could call them and
> get specifics.
>
> Dick Schuler
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 08:44:02 -0500
> From: Steve Landis <landis@epix.net>
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [ft-l] Camping @ Alexander or Juniper
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> You can also rent canoes at Juniper Springs, see the attached link.  We
> will be down again (from PA) in a few weeks and Juniper is one of our
> favorite places for a short day hike and a paddle.
>
> http://floridatraveler.com/travel_articles/juniper-springs.htm
>
> Also would appreciate any day hike recommendations from the list.  Got
> some good advice last year - from Sandy I think - and hiked some of the
> newly completed trails around Ocala.
> Back to lurking, Thanks,
> Steve
>
>
>
>
> tamara jicha wrote:
>
> > Alexander Springs rents canoes year round.  $10 for 2
> > hrs., 12 dollars for 4 hrs., or $26 for a 7 mile trip,
> > with a ride back.  They allow 3 per canoe as long as
> > they're not over 14 yoa.  They also require a $20 cash
> > deposit per canoe.  Rental can be made with a credit
> > card.
>
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 11:18:30 EST
> From: FTCracker@aol.com
> To: <ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Subject: [ft-l] Ocala-area hikes
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> Hi, Steve!
> Glad to hear you're visiting again. What's your radius for hikes...around
Ocala? There are several brand new trails open, some short enough to take
the kids. Most notably:
>
> Marshall Swamp Trail -- off Sharpes Ferry Rd, two lights south of SR 40 on
SR 33, turn left. Trailhead on right about 4 miles. beautiful 2.5 mile walk
through hydric hammock, much of it on boardwalks. Best done in winter when
mosquitoes are minimal. One-way, so either leave a car at the other end (new
Baseline trailhead for greenway trail) or turn around and come back.
>
> Johnson Pond Trail -- off CR 39 just 2 miles north of SR 200, west of
Ocala. Nice 2.8 mile walk through sandhill, rosemary scrub, pine flatwoods,
and hardwood hammocks, past a large flatwoods pond.
>
> Silver Springs State Park -- just opened a new campground. 8 miles of
trails broken up into 4 different trails, all accesible from one trailhead.
Two go down to the river for beautiful views. Lots of new interpretive
markers, best I've seen yet. Just off SR 33 about a mile south of SR 40 at
Silver Springs.
>
> Cheers, Sandy
>
>
>
> --__--__--
>
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> End of FT-L Digest
>