Out of eight days, so far the sunshine state has delivered one day of sun, one day of gale force wind, and six days with rain. It’s been a little rough. But a couple of days ago I met some lovely people who brightened my spirits.

A couple of hikers arrived and set up their tent beside mine. Their trail names were Morpheus and Fifty-cal. I’ve never had a trail name or gotten into the hiking culture but trail names are a thing (nobody knows anybody’s real name). Anyway, Morpheus told me that a famous Appalation Trail angel (a person who helps hikers) named ‘Freshground’ was in Florida and serving breakfast to hikers the next morning in a town about five kilometres from where we were. I couldn’t believe my luck!

As I approached town, I saw people waving at me from a gazebo across a wide expanse of parkland. That must be it, I thought with excitement. It felt like years since I had eaten anything but oatmeal and ramen noodles (it was barely a week).

“Come in come in,” Freshground boomed! “Wash your hands, would you like some coffee, how about eggs? There are home fries and blueberry pancakes ready and bacon is coming right up. Help yourself. How many eggs would you like? What’s your name?” And so on. About eight hikers were there eating breakfast. As I had barely seen or spoken to anybody for almost a week it was all very overwhelming. When I left, my belly was full of deep fried bacon, I was warmed with hot tea and kindness, and I was given a trail name …Blueberry. Of course.

Other than the weather, I’m doing ok. There have been no more nightmares, the wildlife has been no problem and I’ve got my trail legs. I generally get an early start, hike around 25 kilometres and set up my tent around 4ish to beat the bugs (give or take depending on the rain).

I spent one night in a cabin to dry out my gear but the next day, within two hours of being back on the trail, I was soaked again.

This afternoon a couple of hikers passed me and told me that two storm fronts were meeting and that we would be getting slammed with even more rain. It was at the start of a 100 plus kilometre backcountry trail that would be tricky to get off. This morning I started walking before daylight trying to get warm and had already covered 27 kilometres. My tent is still leaking and a cold front is moving in. I sat down. Continuing felt like no fun, not to mention, potentially unwise. And that was it. I decided to change course.

I texted my friend Ann. She and her partner Scott have a place here in Florida and had already generously invited me to spend time with them. So that’s the new plan. I’m heading there tomorrow by train. I will let the storms pass, get my tent sorted and spend time with wonderful friends.