Member News
News and updates of interest to the members of the Alligator Amblers Chapter.
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Amblers Make News at Florida Hiking Festival
Congratulations to Chapter Chair Carlos Schomaker on his election to the FTA Board of Directors. Also, contragulations to Charissa Weber for winning third place in two different catagories of the 2008 Florida Trail Photo contest.
For more news on the Florida Hiking Festival, see Activity Reviews 2007-2008.
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Ambler Member Tackles Big Cypress
Well I just had to try it! My wife kept telling me I was NUTS and she is most likely right.
Started the trail at 8:00 southern terminus, it’s about 95 miles from where we live in Fort Myers to here, (my wife sure didn’t like Loop Rd.) I had a sextuple heart bypass last August and I think she thought I might get out there and konk out! I knew that the start was in water but I just didn’t realize that it was water and mud most all of the way. Boy oh boy it’s the toughest 8 miles I ever hiked with a pack on for sure. I have had a backpack on since I was in Marine Corps boot camp in 1948 and that hike was on a hard surface. Wildlife, Well the only things I saw were six butterflies, 1 Pileated wood pecker, and one duck, both birds took off before I could really see them and that was it. I have seen a Florida Panther, BobCat mother and a little one right here where we live. For about the last 2 miles I really didn’t know if I could make it or not, but then what do you do when your out there by yourself? You have to keep pushing since you don’t want to be out there after dark standing in water! So I kept my legs moving even they were so worn out that they didn’t want to move. It’s kind of hard to find a place to sit and rest; ever tried a Cypress Knee for a sitting place, ha! I finished off my water with about a mile left but I knew I was close to the Oasis, and that’s what it was with a nice water fountain and cold water. From here I knew I couldn’t go on so called my wife and had her come and pick me up. From what the Trail Companion says I think north of Oasis is more of the same so I don’t know if I can get up the gumption to try it again or not? I only fell once and that was in Roberts Strand I think where there were all of these big Ferns and you couldn’t see the trail, well I tripped on a Cypress Knee but caught myself on my left hand and my Trekking pole in the right hand. The trekking pole is one of the best things that I bought, it saved me from falling several times and I would suggest maybe having two.
Looking back: I had too much of a load for my age, I tried keeping the pack under 20 lbs. But ended up at about 25 then add on what I carried on me, Camera, GPS, Cell phone, knife, etc. I probably ended up at about 30 pounds of carry weight, (too much!) Would I do it again – NO! Give me some solid under-footing.
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FTA Receives Regional Award
Atlanta, GA—At a special ceremony on November 14 at the Doubletree Inn in Atlanta, the Florida Trail Association accepted a prestigious group award for Volunteers from the USDA Forest Service Southeast Regional Forester, Chuck Myers.
Founding the 1,400-mile statewide Florida Trail in 1966, and working as the primary partner with the National Forests in Florida in the development, maintenance, and marketing of the Florida National Scenic Trail since 1983, the Florida Trail Association is a Gainesville, FL-based volunteer-driven organization representing more than 5,000 members statewide. Volunteer recruitment and retention is a key aspect of this nonprofit organization, as local volunteers build and maintain hiking trails throughout Florida, with a primary focus on the official statewide footpath, one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the United States and one of three overseen by the USDA Forest Service.
Nominated for successful programs that engage a broad audience of volunteers in trail work, including Student Conservation Association crews, Alternative Spring Break crews for college students, and the team-building F-Troop volunteer trail crews, the Florida Trail Association generated an increase in volunteerism from 56,000 hours in 2005 to 66,000 in 2006. Awardees included Florida National Scenic Trail Manager Michelle Mitchell and Executive Director Deborah Stewart-Kent for program oversight; Trail Crew Program Coordinator Bob Woods for logistics and implementation; and Communications Director Sandra Friend for marketing and promotion via new media such as blogs and YouTube. The awards were accepted on behalf of the volunteer effort which makes this massive ongoing contribution to Florida outdoor recreation possible.
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Clyde Butcher Muck-About (Sep 3)
A number of members participated, volunteered to staff the event and staff the Florida Trail Association (FTA) booth at this annual event. Kay Ferrara, Happy Hoofers Chapter coordinated the volunteers for the FTA booth. Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) brochures, FTA Applications and Footpath Magazines where provided to all who wanted one. Children recieved activity pages, crayons and a sticker. Also, the movie about the Florida Trail was shown in air conditioned comfort. Many questions were answered and lots of potential new members were recruited.
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Chuck and Betty Wilson (Aug 24)
Another segment of the Key West to Alaska trek has been completed. Chuck and Betty are now off of the trail temporarily and touring the western United States. Check out their weblog for the latest . . .
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‘Apple’ Palmer (Jun 29)
Palmer, Ethyl Crown “Apple,” 86, of Clearwater, died Friday (June 29, 2007) at home. She came here as a child from her native Gainesville. She was a chief accountant and bookkeeper for the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Beach Visitor Center. She was a Women’s Army Corps veteran of World War II. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, the
Florida Trail Association, North County Trail Association and a sewing club. Survivors include two sons, Samuel P., Clearwater, and Richard J., Pasadena, Md.; a daughter, Sharon Turner, Clearwater; and three grandchildren. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Chapel, Clearwater.
Ethel Palmer was one of the early members of the FTA. She has held positions throughout the organization from Chapter Chair to President of the entire Florida Trail Association. Long after her presidency, she remained active at both Chapter and State levels, she continued to come to State Board of Directors meetings and provided valuable, unbiased input right up until weeks before her passing.
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Naples News Article about Collier-Seminole State Park (Jan 19)
State Parks Are Worth Stepping Into
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