Where Did Cindy-jo Go?

It’s a Saturday, and I work all day. Normally this is not a problem, but a benefit to my pocketbook. This day was no different. Busy as usual.

Here’s where the delema begins… It’s Marcus’ birthday and the gang is going to Myakka River State Park to camp for the night. They’ve chosen to park it for the night at the Bee Island primitive campsite. It’s just under a 2.5 mile hike in, and they forgot their adult beverages at Marcus’ house.

So, I hustle. I get my work done. I stop at Greg’s and pick up his flask. I stop for groceries at Publix, the liquor store for adult beverages, the gas station, and home to pack my pack then change clothes and orient myself with the park map.

By the time I got to the park, it’s already around 9:30pm. I found the trailhead thanks to a little back and forth text with Greg, and now I had to hike in, alone in the dark. I must be well versed at this at this point. During the drive to any trailhead I get on I get that adrenaline pumping rush. I’m scared, but excited, and now I have to do it. Hiking alone in the dark is not a preference, but a necessity at times. Once, I got the pack on and hit the sand walking, everything relaxed and I started forward. Greg and Taylor hit me enroute saying they needed to stretch their legs, so they began the walk to meet me somewhere in the middle.

The night was dark, quiet, and off in the distance in every direction is the light haze of civilization. Spanish moss and creepy trees, noises from a variety of animals in the distance, and some not so distant, stars, it was beautiful out. The temperature was cool, but nothing a light jacket couldn’t handle. I logged into Strava and sent a last goodbye.

About 1.5 miles in they approached me with headlamps blaring. We made our greetings and pushed on toward camp. Matt was waiting for us, tending to the fire. Marcus was already down for the count, in his hammock, snuggled up for the night. The four of us stayed up and enjoyed the fire, I dished out the adult beverages. Taylor was first down, and one by one we followed.

My alarm is set for 6am. So, yeah… That was awesome. From then on I slept off and on having insane dreams about toddlers and buckets and privys and boyscouts, lots of boyscouts, who invade your campsite. It wasn’t a nightmare, but I remember the dream giving me that “Oh crap! Get packed and get out of here quick!”, feel. Strange.

I was pretty much the first one to get up and start packing. The group woke up slowly and we had coffee and rapped. Packing it up, I hiked out with the group. My solar charger had questionable charge in it. I had let it sit after charging a little too long. And the same went for my recharge stick. I got down to 18% on my phone, and with recharge only got back up to 48% with the stick. In we went.

At the trailhead we parted ways. Sweaty hugs all round. I plugged everything in and here I am, in my truck, charging up. The radar had said earlier that there was a 76% chance of rain, but it wouldn’t hit until 7pm. In the meantime there were supposed to be thunder clouds and lightening. It’s overcast and it’s just after 1pm, but if you asked me, good to go for more hiking. My plan is to wait for electronics and go back in.

The wind is kicking up, but that won’t be a problem for me until I hit the open plains. The sun just started to shine. Charge!

So, I received word back from Snickers:

Dear Cindy-Jo:

In response to your email regarding SNICKERS®.

All sponsorship proposals are initially handled by our sports agency, Team Epic. Please direct your inquiry to Mars.Sponsorships@anepiccompany.com or call 908-979-5050 and they will compile your request for review and forward to the Mars Sponsorship team.

Thank you for inquiring with Mars Chocolate North America and we wish you every success in your future endeavors.

Have a great day!

Your Friends at Mars Chocolate North America

Case ID 41566300

Its the 17th of January. As much time as I have put in this year in work outs, I know I could do better. I really need to turn this training up a notch. In my defense I had a pretty hefty setback with my knees hurting this year. I’ve been lucky lately, but I know they aren’t the same as before last year’s hike, but they are the only knees I have. The big lesson? Don’t hike with so much crap on my back. I’m still 11 pounds over on pack weight, but I still have six months to figure it out. That time is going to fly though.

I joined a gym called New World Defense and Fitness. I joined up so I could get into a self defense class, which will help for every day life and especially if some weirdo approaches me in the woods. So I get double the benefit, plus the gym also offers crossfit, which I’d very much like to try soon. Tonight was my third class. I love it, but a lot of how much physical energy I put into the class has to do with who I’m partnered up with and who is teaching that night. I partnered with a younger girl tonight and we both were on and off taking it seriously. Plus, the head instructor tonight really didn’t let us kill it with the warm up or cool down.

So, what did I do? I went for a little stair climbing downtown after class. I ran up and down the six floors of stairs ten times. Yeah, that about did it.

Another development. I picked up some UFC Neoprene Gel Gloves from Dicks Sporting Goods today. I like them, but I had to take them off a few times during class tonight and they aren’t the most efficient to put on and pull off under quick changes in routine. Actually, also today a friend on Facebook suggested I take them back. Moreso, because he felt the ones I purchased didn’t provide enough protection, it had nothing to do with their efficiency. Oh well. I will most likely just go and buy what he suggested next week, but this week I got what I got until I get some more time off and can get back over to Dicks.

I also purchased some new Acer sneakers. Not that they have anything to do with hiking, but in the meantime when I’m not near a mountain, it is definitely not unheard of for me to do some urban hiking, or run, on concrete. Crazy thing, apparently I wear a whole size up now from what I used to wear. Did my feet get flatter from last year’s hike? Is this even possible? Time for some Google searches on whether that can happen. I love Acer sneakers. I am that person that goes to the sporting goods store and literally tries every pair on sometimes three and four times. Do not ever go to the sporting goods store with me if you are in a hurry. It doesn’t matter how many shoes I try, what brands, etc., I always feel best in Acers.

Well, tomorrow comes quick. More to do before bed, and hopefully I’ll get a decent work out in before getting ready for work tomorrow.

So, while I was hiking last year I pretty much had an overwhelming craving for two things: Beer and Snickers bars. I’m sure a nutritionist could point me in the direction as to why that is, but all I know is the thought of chocolatey goodness hitting my tongue at the end of a long hike is what got me through many a mile.

I figured this year, while I’m hitting up sponsorship from companies like Osprey and Mountain House, I might as well hit up the one food product, candy if you will, that I couldn’t do without. Why not? Right? I mean, if everywhere I go this year there is a Snickers Bar waiting to greet me, how cool would that be??? Hell, I might even walk an extra 700 miles just because of the promise of all that chocolatey goodness right around my next corner. Mmmm… yes.

My mind just escaped me… Anyway… So, I got online and looked around the internet this weekend to try and find whatever information I could about sponsorship opportunities with Snickers. I’m not going to lie, my search was not some big multi-month task. I basically went to their website where they give no such information. There is, on the other hand, a form you can fill out. So, I filled it out. We shall see…

Keep your fingers crossed for me someone from Snickers contacts me back. If I don’t hear anything within the month, I’ll look further to see if I can find more information on my own. In the meantime, it’s time to locate info on some of the  other brands I love.

Patagonia, Osprey, Mountain Hardwear, Mountain House, Gatorade, Oboz, MSR, Sawyer

Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery
927 Cape Coral Parkway
Cape Coral, FL

I stumbled into Nevermind after walking into the wrong bar, next door, first. Also a very cool atmosphere, but not where I was headed. I saw someone come out a back door and decided to investigate. Bingo. A hostess greeted me on my way in. She directed me to the stainless steel bar in front of me and asked if I’d like to sit there. I agreed.

I asked the waitress what their darkest beer was and she replied the Bell Cow Porter. It’s pretty fantastic. Smooth, heavy, loaded with flavor, and has a distinct chocolate after taste. I also ordered the Volcano Spring Rolls. They were pretty amazing as well. Fried spring roll with crab and cheese filling, a spicy sauce complimenting. Yummy.

The atmosphere is hip, the service is spot on and the place just gives a great overall vibe. I love Nevermind! Only problem, I was hoping they had wifi and they would be a tad on the more hang out and chill bar type atmosphere instead of the restaurant atmosphere I found myself in. I really do not regret staying and eating. It was delicious. Plus, my bill was just at $20. Perfect, paid in cash, and I was out.

On to find wifi.

Let’s Tarantino this. Shall we???

I woke up at 3AM determined to pump out major miles. Unfortunately, I did stay up pretty late the night before, 10:30pm or so. You would think I would be tired, and I was to some degree, but my enthusiasm took over and I was on the trail by 4AM, no problem.

At that time of day the sun is not yet out, its cold, and you get to be the first one who walks through all the spider webs that have been built going across the trail. Most of them you get to break with your face. It can get annoying, but its all part of the experience. Good times.

My legs were in a pretty good amount of pain when I first started out, but not to the point of which it would keep me from my goal. Since I have experience at this game, I knew pain would be a part of it and usually if you just keep walking, eventually you don’t notice it all that much.

I saw my first bear, even though I was wearing a bear bell. He was sitting on the edge of the trail when I was first approaching him. When he noticed me, like most brown bears in that area, they are timid, so he began to take off like the wind. In the midst of his escape though, he stopped, I guess once he felt he was at a good distance from me, turned around and watched me as I continued past. His little face just peaking over the brush. It gave me a strange creeped out feeling, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me from proceeding. Goodbye bear!

By late afternoon, I made it to Nell’s Gap. Nell’s Gap is sort of a famous stop along the trail. You have no choice but to walk through their property while hiking. Literally, you must pass their hostel and bathroom to connect to the other side of the trail. On your way through it is almost impossible not to notice the big tree where through hikers throw their footwear up into, and it stays and hangs there helping to welcome visitors. So, its a tree full of boots basically. It’s kind of funny. I guess by the time most of the through hikers going south get to that point, they are on their last few miles of the trail and tradition has it, in a fit of joy, they throw your boots up there. Celebration!

At Nell’s I decided to get my fist shake down. A shake down is where a representative of the outfitter goes through your bag with you and helps you determine what items you can live without so that you can potentially save on weight in your pack. I ended up leaving behind 6 pounds, sending all that gear home via post. 6 pound is a lot, which proves how much weight I stupidly packed to begin with, but my pack was still way too heavy when I left there. When all was said and done I walked out of the outfitter with a pack that weighed in at 34 pounds. This includes food and water. So, not terrible, but not good either. The outfitter wanted me to remove another 4 pounds, but I was reluctant at the time. I took a moment and weighed my fanny pack separately. (My gun and ammo were in there.) That alone was three pounds, reminding me I should have gone with the KalTech 380, not the Glock, but whatever. Too late at that point. Back out there!

Also, by this time both my big toes were going pretty much numb and when they weren’t feeling numb they hurt like an SOB. So, I made mention of this to the guy doing my shake down and the next thing I know a girl is trying to sell me new shoes, which she was successful at. I ended up with a pair of Oboz. The shoe is great, and there was more room in the toe box, like she said, but they never stopped my toes from becoming completely numb. So, I got sold to a degree, but I gotta say, they weren’t a terrible purchase. I do believe I suffered through all the rocks and roots on the trail a little better thanks to the heavier sole of the Oboz.

Anyway, while I was in the shop, in walks Greg and Chase, two hikers I had been previously walking with. They were going to continue to town, eat at a restaurant, and sleep in a hotel. They said they just needed a break back in the real world. I can’t say I blamed them. It had been hot and rainy much of the time we had been hiking, so…

I decided to hike on from Nell’s Gap, no shower, but I still couldn’t just head straight back out. All my electronics needed charging, so I grabbed a sandwich and a drink before the shop closed and hung out outside on their patio and waited for my phone and chargers to be restored with power. In the meantime, I chit chatted to other hikers and dilly daggled. It was taking forever for my phone and charger to restore, when I met a nice woman and her sister who offered to let me use their turbo charger. That finally got the ball rolling. Before I knew it, I was back in electrical business.

The woman and her sister gave me their story while I waited. Turns out they were finishing the last 30 miles of the trail. It had taken them 17 years to section hike the whole thing and they had done it all together. It was their time to get back in touch and get back in touch with nature at the same time. They said their friends and family were back at their homes waiting to throw them parties for finishing. They were excited to complete the trek, but it was almost bittersweet. Now they would be done. What next? I also met a young man, who was a local just stopping to have a bite to eat. He asked me if I had seen any bears yet. I told him I had right before Nell’s. Then I told him how the bear strangely stopped, turned around and watched me walk by. He said that bear is pretty much a staple in that area and thats just what he does. Funny. Anyway, that dude pushed on and I thanked the ladies for their help with my charge, then I hiked on toward the next camping area north of Nell’s.

When I got to the campsite, about a mile away from Nell’s it was almost dark. There were a number of other campers on site already, but everyone was asleep, or at least on their way to sleeping. I had to let one tenter know I wasn’t Bigfoot as I strung up my hammock near them. Nighty night.

So I hate to do things this way, but when I first purchased this web address, I assumed I would have constant access to the internet throughout my travels. Once I found myself out on my first of many treks, the attempt at the world record for hiking the Appalachian Trail self-supported, it didn’t take me long to figure out that assumption would be wrong. So, what I chose to do instead was write everything down the old fashioned way. I do have to admit that got to be a chore when I had put in big miles that day and found myself cooking dinner at 10pm, and I did slack off once it was made apparent to me I would have to get off and not complete the trek, but I managed to record a good amount of what happened to me while I was out.

So, the next few posts will be edited versions of this trip, hopefully in some sort of order, but I’m not promising that will be the case 100% of the time. Anyway, enjoy the lessons, stories, legends and assumptions.

This was one hell of a trip either way, and to have been able to complete 1,121 miles in 60 days was still a feat and a half. I’m so lucky I got the opportunity to try my hand at suffering. I plan on doing this again next year, and hopefully that attempt will prove to be successful. We shall see.

So, I got up at 2AM and I was out of the shelter by 3:45. Made my way to the southern terminus, Springer Mountain. When I got there I called Sammy and let him know my solar charger was not working at the moment so I had no charge left in my phone. All I needed was for him to verify that when I hit the Spot Tracker on, which I thought was 4AM, it was actually tracking me. Unfortunately, he was barely awake and his internet was not functional either. The two of us were a pair, I tell ya. Finally, I threw caution to the wind and said I was just going to start walking and hope it was tracking. Sammy said he would call me back when he had confirmation.

Eventually, Sammy did call and all was well. I didn’t see anybody on the trail for hours. It was dark and quiet. In the early afternoon I started to get a bit tired and hungry, so I made my way to a clearing off the trail and set up cooking. Maybe half into my production, an old guy (Grandpa) and his 16 year old grandson (Veddar) stopped also. They were asking about the next spring, which I knew nothing about, but they decided that spot looked like a good place to take a break too.

I packed up my stuff once I was done and wished them well. We sort of leapfrogged from there on the trail a few times.

At the next break, I ended up chatting with Chance (Spoon Fed), his dad Greg (Froggy) and a girl they were tagging along with, Ashley (Fickle Goat). I ended up also tagging along with this group. We hiked a long day, then stopped for the evening at a picture perfect spot on the trail. In fact, someone had spent a huge amount of time prepping the firewood for us, plus it had an extraordinary view. Everyone said it was fire karma since earlier in the day I had prepped firewood at a site near Blackhawk Shelter.

At camp, Chase let me use his phone charger. Also, I started noticing my bug spray wasn’t quite cutting it. I was starting to get welts from bites all over me. Made a list for the outfitter, this included new bug spray. Crashed for the evening with the intent of getting up early once again.