Footprint Summer 2024 Vol.40 Issue 2

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STELLA "ACORN" ARBELAEZ

FOOTPRINT Magazine

Summer 2024 Volume 40 Issue 2

TRAIL COMMUNITY EDITION

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf Thru-hikers Share Their Tales

It's All About the People

How the Sandhill Chapter Reimagined Itself

Footprint

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B O C A R AT O N — G A I N E S V I L L E — J A C K S O N V I L L E — P A L M B E A C H G A R D E N S S A R A S O TA — TA L L A H A S S E E — TA M P A — W I N T E R P A R K — R E I . C O M

Love it like you built it.

Because you did.

In support of Florida’s vibrant outdoor community, since 2014 the co-op has been able to contribute over $100,000 to stewarding the Florida Trail and other natural spaces around the state.

Come by and see us at your local REI before heading out to enjoy the fresh air, or visit online at REI.com.

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Florida Trail Association

FloridaTrail.org

Contents 5 Executive Director's Corner

by Royce Gibson

6 2024 Trail Awards

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by The FTA Staff

8 Thank You to Our Donors!

by The FTA Staff

11 Interview with Hailey "Flo" Dansby: A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf

by Jane Pollack

21 Stella "Acorn" Arbelaez Pursues Life and Art on the Florida Trail

by Hailey Dansby

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32 An Interview with the FT's Youngest Thru-hiker "Horseshoe"

by Hailey Dansby

COVER IMAGES Morning on the Trail, Acrylic on board by Stella Arbelaez.

34 Congratulations to the 2024 Thru-hikers

by The FTA Staff

OUR MISSION The Florida Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes the Florida National Scenic Trail, better known simply as the Florida Trail. With the Forest Service as our primary partner and administrator, we provide opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education and contribute to meaningful volunteer work.

The Footprint Magazine welcomes your comments. The editors are committed to providing balanced and objective perspectives. Not all letters received may be published.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. communications@floridatrail.org Footprint Editor Florida Trail Association 1022 NW 2nd St Gainesville, FL 32601

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35 Walk The Distance Collaboration with The FTA

by Britt Moore

36 IDIDAHIKE 2024 A Triumphant Team Effort In The Panhandle

by Abe Christian

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39 Happy 90th Birthday, Jim Kern!

by Jane Pollack

41 It's All About The People: How The Sandhill Chapter Reimagined Itself

by Jane Pollack

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About Us

The Magazine of the Florida Trail Association

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION 1022 NW 2nd Street Gainesville, FL 32601 Toll-Free: 877-HIKE-FLA Tel: 352-378-8823 Email: fta@floridatrail.org Website: FloridaTrail.org Facebook.com/FloridaTrailAssociation Digital Magazine: Issuu.com/FlaTrail

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Michelle Duncan, PhD Vice Chair: James Powell Treasurer: Elwood McElhaney Secretary: Leslie Wheeler Directors: Tiffany Bright • Karl Byars Tom Daniel • Eric Emery • Rick Robbins Charles Scott • Chelsey Stevens • Chris Stevens Bill Turman • Ryan Worthington

FLORIDA TRAIL STAFF

Executive Director: Royce W. Gibson Administrative Director: Janet Akerson Trail Program Director: Adam Fryska Communications and Outreach Manager: Jane Pollack Membership and Marketing Manager Britt Moore Panhandle Trail Program Manager: Brandie Dziegiel North Trail Program Manager: Jeff Glenn Central/South Trail Program Manager: Tara Smith Operations Manager: Abe Christian GIS Program Coordinator: Christina Mallica Gateway Community Coordinator: Austin Burton Next Generation Coalition Coordinator: Emily Padden

FLORIDA TRAIL FOOTPRINT Editorial Team: Jane Pollack • Britt Moore • Adam Fryska Layout: Sean Lucas ©2024 Florida Trail Association All rights reserved.

Contributors retain copyright to their work but give the Florida Trail Association permission to use to promote FTA and the Florida Trail. Articles are subject to editing for clarity and space. Materials will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Opinions, observations, and endorsements made within the Florida Trail Footprint do not necessarily reflect those of the board or staff of the Florida Trail Association.

The Footprint (ISSN 1064-0681) is published quarterly by the Florida Trail Association 1022 NW 2nd Street Bulk rate postage paid at Pontiac, IL. 4 Florida Trail Association

National Scenic Trail System

OUR MAGAZINE

MEMBERSHIP

The Footprint is published by the Florida Trail Association, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization focused on Florida hiking and trail building. Since 1966, the primary mission of our organization has been the care and protection of the Florida Trail, a 1,500-mile footpath across the Sunshine State - Florida’s own National Scenic Trail.

As a Florida Trail member, you receive a subscription to The Footprint magazine, membership in a local chapter, a local newsletter with local activities, opportunities for outdoor skills training, participation in regional and annual conferences and more. To become a member, you can visit our website, mail in the form on the last page of this magazine, or call 352-378-8823.

OUR GOAL To provide outreach to our readers through informative articles that express appreciation for and conservation of the natural beauty of Florida; to inform our readers of Florida Trail Association efforts; and to provide information on Florida hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities.

CONTRIBUTORS

Please contact the editor at communications@ floridatrail.org to discuss ideas for feature stories prior to submission.

ADVERTISING Reach a highly targeted demographic of Florida outdoor enthusiasts by advertising with us or becoming a regular sponsor. Your advertising dollars directly support production and publication of this magazine and assist the Florida Trail Association in fulfilling its mission. Call 877-HIKE-FLA or email communications@floridatrail.org for more details.

Postmaster: Send change-of-address form 3597 to: Footprint, 1022 NW 2nd Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 The Footprint is printed with soy-based inks on paper with post-consumer content

FloridaTrail.org

Executive Director's Corner

by Royce Gibson, Executive Director

expanding our Next Generation Coalition to include a part-time year-round staff position.

Emily Padden, a current coalition member, started as the Next Generation Coordinator on July 29th.

Later in the issue you will learn about a new app for your phone where you can virtually hike the Florida Trail. This will enable us to share the trail with a much wider audience and educate them about the various landscapes, views, plants and animals.

Finally, the Florida Trail Associations official 2025 calendars are here. You will soon receive our 2025 calendar appeal in your mailbox or inbox. Again, this year we had so

many great entries. Congratulations to the winners. These make great gifts for friends and family over the holidays.

Until next time,

I

hope everyone is having a great summer.

We have been busy off trail and out of the heat getting ready for the next field season, updating our maps, adding products to our store, and planning outreach events.

We have plenty of upcoming opportunities to have something for everyone.

The Florida Trail Association (FTA) just ended our 2024 fiscal year, and we are in the process of getting ready for our audit. I will give a more comprehensive update in our next issue but we have made great strides in our effort to implement our 2023-2026 strategic plan. Thank you to all the members and donors who contributed to this success.

In this issue we are highlighting our volunteer award winners, our donors, and those who have thru-hiked the Florida Trail this past season. We also focus on our youngest known thru-hiker, the remarkable progress of the Sandhill Chapter, and the amazing artistry of Stella “Acorn” Arbeleaz.

Additionally, we interviewed former FTA staff member, Hailey Dansby, about her thru hike focusing on the Gateway Communities and passport locations.

Hailey was bitten by the hiking bug on her trek across Florida and has resigned as our Gateway Community Coordinator. Former Next Generation Coalition member, Austin Burton, has been selected to replace her.

Catherine Selin, our Panhandle Regional Trail Manager, also resigned to go back to school and will be interning with our program at the Forest Service. Brandie Dziegiel has been selected to replace her. Thanks to a generous grant from a family foundation, we are

DONATE TODAY AND RECEIVE OUR 2025 CALENDAR AS A THANK YOU GIFT!

FLORIDATRAIL.ORG/CAL2025 Footprint

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Congratulations To This Year's Award Winners

by The FTA Staff

Leslie Wheeler and Vernon Compton celebrate receiving the Cornelia Burge Volunteer Service Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

T

he Florida Trail Association’s annual awards serve as a way to recognize members, volunteers, partners, and supporters for their incredible contributions to the FTA and the Florida Trail. Every year, we ask our partners, members, and volunteers to nominate people in the community for their exceptional contributions.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the FTA. Every year, hundreds of people from Florida and beyond contribute thousands of hours to building and maintaining the Florida Trail! Our volunteers make generous contributions of their time and resources to help preserve the Trail for the enjoyment of future generations.

2023 Award Winners were announced at the FTA Annual Meeting on April 20th, 2024 in Gainesville, FL at the main library downtown.

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Florida Trail Association

Jane Pollack presents the Trail Maintainer of the Year Award to Next Generation Coalition member Hattie Spring.

CORNELIA BURGE AWARD

North Florida Trailblazers – Leslie Wheeler

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Indian River – Pamela Hale Western Gate – Vernon Compton

CHAMPION OF THE FT

Nathan Boyles – Okaloosa County Commissioner District 3 Stephen Stipkovits – Florida State Forest, Little Big Econ and C. H. Bronson State Forests

ACTIVITY LEADER AWARD Happy Hoofers – Carmel Hind Highlanders – Diane Dammiller Indian River – David Newkirk FloridaTrail.org

Loxahatchee – Mary Miller North Florida Trailblazers - Walter Bryant Sandhill - Leo Dugger Sandhill - Maria Fiedler Tropical Trekkers – Barbara Quinn

SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD

Apalachee - Mike Tucker Central Florida – Kelley Galvin Choctawhatchee – Jim Wilson Happy Hoofers – Kathleen Bonvouloir Highlanders – Cathy Leavers Loxahatchee – Bett Connell North Florida Trailblazers - Ira Eick North Florida Trailblazers - Tracey Tyrrell Panhandle – Christina Doucette Sandhill - Dorothy Morrison Tropical Trekkers – Richard Knapp

Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles and Deputy County Administrator Sheila Fitzgerald receive special recognition for their efforts in funding acquisitions for the Yellow River bridge project.

JOHN WEARY TRAIL WORKER AWARD

Central Florida – Jerry Rogers Choctawhatchee – Keith LeFevre

CHAPTER TRAIL MAINTAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Suncoast - Joseph “Java Joe” Dabes Big Cypress – Cody Peacock Black Bear – Margaret Nonnemacher Central Florida - Pete Law Heartland – Paul Pace Highlanders – Mike Tamborrino Indian River / Central Florida – Doug Kverek Loxahatchee – Douglas Adams Next Generation Coalition / Heartland / Central Florida – Hattie Spring NF Trailblazers – John Hinton Sandhill – Dan Peterson Tropical Trekkers – Rich Quinn

25 YEAR MEMBERS Kathleen Etherington Diana Clark Mark Rimmer Margaret Brabham Catherine Amoss Eva Bailey Bill Lindholm

Dorothy R. Williams Russ Klette Timothy Hodges Arnold Klein Paul Kirkham Cathy Muckler Margaret Vandiver Edward Walker Jim Nolan Jocelyn Cox-Hargrove Paul Kirkpatrick George Blakely David Robinson Sherrill McNeece Florence Adams Nancy Tunnell Robert Rowland Beverly Wilburn John Davis Barbara Lasky Joan Grey Grayal Farr William Shay

50 YEAR MEMBERS Susan Hofstein Maryellen Kirwan Betty Loomis John Sutphin III

ADMIN OF THE YEAR

Kate Adams, Fisheating Creek Chapter

MAINTAINER OF THE YEAR Margaret "Hammer" Nonnemacher, Black Bear Chapter

FRIEND OF THE FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners Bob and Judy Erdle Deb Bussinger Alex Creager Sheila Fitzgerald

PARTNER GROUP OF THE YEAR Creekside High School Engineering Club

Florida Trail Association board chair Michelle Duncan presents director Josh Johnson with a gift of appreciation for his board service.

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Welcome To The Florida Trail Association

Thank You Donors!

July 2023 through June 2024 Contributions

$25,000+

Masera Family Foundation

$10,000 – S24,999

William and Barbara Gibson Run Bum Tours LLC

$5,000 - $9,999

Northwest Federal Credit Union PNTS - Partnership for the National Trail System

$2,500 - $4,999 Fidelity Charitable David Waldrop Western Gate Ed & Willa Wolcott Zpacks

$1,000 - $2,499

Anonymous Jerry Aron Richard and Beverly Avery Paul & Patricia Bisset Colee Family Charitable Fund Tom & Anne Daniel Joe & Valerie Fountain Sandra Friend and John Keatley James Glancy Marjorie and Robert Jackson Paul King Angela Kruth and Jonathan McCarthy Give Miami Mighty Cause Foundation Ruth Morley Patty Muller Valerie and Aryan Rochon Tropical Trekkers 8

Florida Trail Association

FloridaTrail.org

Bill Turman United Charitable Gertrud Walden Richard Ward Gordon Ward Richard and Lisa Warren Leslie Wheeler Ted and Trudy Winsberg David Young

$500 - $999

Peg Albert Lon and Daniella Allen Walker Banning Craig Boswell Michelle Chandler-Raley and Lindsay Raley Joseph Chase Abraham & Angela Christian CLAK LLC Stephen & Kelly Cobb Knights of Columbus Beverly Cox Christina and Kenneth Doucette REI Florida Florida Hikes Kaye Gaines Andrea Glenn Joseph and Pamela Hale Jim & Mary Huggins Amanda Hus Jelks Family Foundation Wilhelmina Korevaar Elwood & Patricia McElhaney Mary McKinley Network For Good Paul Palmer Jr. & Mollie Palmer James N. Powell

Photo courtesy of EWY Media - stock.adobe6

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elcome to the team, Tara!

Tara became the South/Central Trail Program Manager in May 2024. Prior to joining FTA, she was a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Florida and Colorado for 19 years, while running her own appraisal firm over the past 5 years. Tara also has an extensive retail management background in the consumer electronics and cellular industries.

Tara was raised in a military family and happily moved around the US and the globe for the first 16 years of her life and then went on to move around the U.S. while grand opening different retail chains. Tara graduated from Troy University with a BS in Psychology. She calls Florida her home and has resided in the Central Florida area for the past 12 years with a short stint in Denver, Colorado.

She is a very proud mom to her son Hunter, who recently graduated from the University of Central Florida. She and her son have been racing, riding and adventuring on bicycles for the past 12 years.

Tara has gained an extensive knowledge of the trail systems throughout Florida from camping, hiking and biking, which has also fostered Tara’s love of the outdoors.

Rick Robbins & Susan Carr Michael and Darlene Robinson Frank and Christine Ross Tom Spaulding Mary Starzinski & Kathy Petteruti Betty Steffens Anne Tanine-Maserati Darryl Updegrove Vanguard Charitable Bob Warren

$250 - $499

Michael Agneta Holly Alexander Bill and Sue Allison Amer Online Gregory & Deborah Anderson Joseph Archazki Marty Atkinson Ginger Bigbie Ramona Bowman Barbara Bradley Kerri and Robert Braley Amanda Cannon and Jeff Starks Patrick Cavanagh Jill Chandler Charities Aid Foundation America CyberGrants Kay and Tom Clements Paul Coia and Laura Wright Alicia Conrad and Ship Mallard Deborah & Robert Crowder Bob and Ruth Anne Crowell Robert Deckert and Mary Walton Krysta Deitz William and Christine DeLoache Earthshare Janice & Ira Eick Owen Eigenbrot Grouper Element3 Health, Inc. DBA Grouper Signe Evans Farout Lauren Farrell Mary Anne Freyer Carolyn Fries Chris Friesen Jim and Maaret "MK" Frost Maria Frosth Lewis Garrish Doug Gluck Scott Goral Martha Gray John Grob Diane Haines Janie Hamilton Joel and Kathy Hickox JT Horkan Lynn Hughes James Husted Bruce Israel

Phyllis & Syd Jackson Doug and Sarah Jenkins Bobby and Karen Johnson Michael and Cyndi Kay David and Lauren Kellen Julie Kellum James and Joanne Kelly Gwen Kirby Paul Kirkpatrick Martin Klapheke John and Kathleen Koons Douglas Lammers Frank Lamson Brad Landy Heather Lewin Margaret Little Ida Little Amanda & Jason Livingston Scott and Darcie Lunsford Eileen Maloy Gloria and John McAvoy Henry McElreath Bob McElroy Denny Monfort Warren and Nancy Morgan John Nasuta Bernice and Stephen Nemeth Michael and Virginia O'Keefe Frank Orser Travel Country Outdoors Howard and Carolyn Pardue George Patton Eileen and Gary Peters William Piriczky Barbara and Richard Quinn Anthony Rawson Diane Roesch and Rollin Patrick Robert and Kathleen Rowland Stephen and Donna Roy Jack and Susan Schofield Ingrid Schultz Buzz Scott Edward & Elizabeth Selby Jan Shakespeare Connie Sol Denise St.Sauveur Jeffry Stern Harry and Margaret Stopp George Stovall John Tonka James Ward George Weaver and Janet Kistner Paul Wernicke Mary Westrick William Whale Bob White and Amy Doyle-White Helen Wigersma Ed Williamson James Wilson Rhonda Wise Donald Wunz Footprint

Welcome To The Florida Trail Association

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ustin is passionate about helping others build their own relationship with the outdoors. He believes that the Florida National Scenic Trail offers the perfect opportunity to bring together businesses, governments, and families to further protect the trail and create lasting memories for all who enjoy the trail.

His love for outdoor recreation and trails stems from growing up 20 minutes away from a National Park and numerous metro parks which provided over 200 miles of trails to explore. His goal through his work with FTA is to ensure others can have similar grand experiences in the outdoors.

Prior to joining FTA as an employee, Austin was a member of FTA's inaugural Next Generation Coalition. He studied environmental science at both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. While a student, he interned for several voter engagement organizations, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the City of Gainesville, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the White House. He grew up in Akron, Ohio and enjoys taking too long to read a book, attempting to cook something edible, and forgetting to take enough water on long runs and bike rides.

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Welcome To The Florida Trail Association

Introducing the Florida Trail Passport

E

mily is a native Floridian from Satellite Beach and a lover of all things outdoors.

She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Anthropology and Geosciences.

Emily has worked in a variety of outdoor settings with various environmental groups, having completed a season with the Montana Conservation Corps as a backcountry trail crew member, served as a Stewardship Assistant in Acadia National Park, and, of course, volunteering with her local chapter of the FTA. Emily joined FTA’s Next-Generation Coalition in 2023 as a coalition member and transitioned to the role of Next-Gen Coordinator in July 2024. She is passionate about encouraging youth involvement in trail recreation and maintenance, working closely with communities across Florida.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and unwinding in a hammock with a book or her latest knitting project.

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Florida Trail Association

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS FLORIDATRAIL.ORG

FloridaTrail.org

Interview with Hailey "Flo" Dansby

ded in my DNA, and my interests have always been concerned with some form of playing outside in the swamp or scrub or springs or sea. Stepping into backpacking in college was natural– I loved the type-two fun aspect of my first backpacking trip in Apalachicola National Forest. Despite carrying too much and wading through flooding, and clambering over blowdowns after a hurricane, I was hooked. This past November, recalling Out and About’s advice, I did the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail to make sure I was up to the task of attempting the full FT. I absolutely was.

Fortunately I had the gracious support of FTA leadership to take a leave from my work here so that I could go and experience the Trail with the promise of promoting the Gateway Community program, documenting my experience, and forming connections with businesses and community leaders along the way. Since returning I’ve used the experience to strategize for the program, improve hiker relations, and better promote our Gateway Communities. Walking through Florida made me feel fiercely loyal to this place and reified my desire to share its wonder with others.

Not many people associate Florida with hiking or natural beauty beyond coastal landscapes.

I think our state has a lot of work to do in general and work to advocate for the intrinsic value of our wild and scenic lands is just a small slice of that pie.

by Jane Pollack, Outreach and Communications Manager

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE IN A FLORIDA TRAIL GATEWAY COMMUNITY?

stone, I met several CDT thru-hikers and was tongue tied around them, overwhelmed by imagining what they had experienced. Starting work with FTA, thru-hiking was slowly demystified as I befriended long distance hikers, heard their stories, took mental notes of the tools of the trade, and the language they spoke. I thought to myself I would love to do something like that. I dreamed of it. And then I decided that I probably could do something like that.

I grew up in Florida and spent a lot of time outdoors– I think Floridiana is embed-

There are so many it's hard to choose just one! In general it was special to me to travel to the communities I’ve worked with and see folks I’ve partnered with or befriended but to also make new connections in a very organic way. The kindness afforded to me was overwhelming in so many places. I think the most serendipitous Gateway Community experience happened in Blountstown in the Panhandle. I hadn’t yet had a chance to visit this community so I didn’t really have any expectations but knew it would be a haven on a longer roadwalk. I walked into town with my friend Wildflower and though we had just eaten, we stopped at an adorable little pink bakery called Sweet Magnolia Bakery on Main Street. We were immediately warmly greeted by a local Trail Angel who offered us a stay at her home. We already had lodging set up at the Calhoun Motor Lodge, but she was so enthusiastic and it felt great to be recognized for what we were doing. The owners of the bakery were kind and inquisitive asking about our travels. I got to give them the Gateway Community and Passport Program spiel and

Footprint

Summer 2024

A THOUSAND MILE WALK TO THE GULF AS A FLORIDIAN, HOW DID HIKING THE FLORIDA TRAIL COME TO YOUR MIND AS A MAJOR GOAL? HOW DID IT FEEL SIGNIFICANT TO TREK THROUGH YOUR HOMELAND?

I’ve been fascinated with long walks since reading about John Muir’s surrender to the natural elements and goodwill of others in A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf. It made me long for a reality where I could embark on such a journey. When I worked in Yellow-

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Hailey points out the Gateway Community sign heading into Clewiston.

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Florida Trail Association

FloridaTrail.org

In the Kissimmee River region, the Florida Trail winds through majestic oak hammocks. hear about their experiences meeting other thru-hikers who stopped at the bakery. Once we left and continued along the sidewalk, a shopkeeper from the jewelry store across the street waved us down and called out “welcome to Blountstown!”. We passed the most lovely mural that highlighted Blountstown’s local charm and stopped to photograph it then continued on to the hotel we booked.

When we saw the hotel room our jaws were on the floor because this motel had pulled out all the stops in terms of comforts and style.

The property manager, Maria, came by to offer us cold cans of Coke and to do a load of laundry special for us. She’d already hosted some thru-hikers and was stoked to help us out. Overall, Blountstown was charming and friendly to the hiker cause. As a tired, hungry and stinky hiker, it's comforting to be welcomed so warmly in town.

WHAT ROLE DO OUR GATEWAY COMMUNITIES PLAY IN ENHANCING THE HIKING EXPERIENCE ON THE FLORIDA TRAIL?

The Florida Trail is unique in the fact that you travel through more urban areas than other long distance trails. I talk about this a lot in my work: for thru-hikers, the Gateway Communities are really an important part of the journey because we literally rely on them for the essentials. We’re totally a captive audience and at the same time, we’re eager to glean a sense of place and awe from every place we walk through. The experience of walking to and through Gateway Communities is so different from driving to them for work. When you’re walking from place to place with all your belongings on your back, people respond differently when you

show up in that vulnerable way, and it's really special when that response is positive. Hiking the Trail confirmed my theory that Gateway Communities provide context for the Trail, because you go into a community like Clewiston and you’re able to learn about the culture and history at the Clewiston Museum right off the Trail, have a meal at the Roland Martin Marina Tiki Bar and hear tall tales from bass anglers, and then have an exchange with international birders visiting town at the continental breakfast at the Best Western.

In Lake Butler, City Hall welcomes hikers to camp out front and does outreach with residents to explain why backpack laden individuals are lodging there. Up in Saint Marks you might get to commune with other outdoorists who boat or hunt or fish as you seek out some good country food. In Pensacola Beach, locals at restaurants wanted to share the place they

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FTthruHIKE board member Ari Hirschman welcomes hikers past and present to Billy Goat Day in Lake Mills Park near Orlando. call home and the visitor center employees taught me that the sand we traversed on the beach is made of worn down quartz from the Appalachian Mountain streams connecting hikers to a legendary, ancient footpath. With moments like these, your relationship with a town deepens beyond simply stopping to get your resupply at a Dollar General.

WHAT WAS YOUR INTERACTION WITH THE TRAIL COMMUNITY LIKE? BOTH THE HIKING COMMUNITY AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY OF TRAIL ANGELS, FTA VOLUNTEERS, AND RESIDENTS OF TOWNS ALONG THE WAY.

I was really struck by the abundance of material and emotional support that surrounded the Trail. Again, having worked for FTA, I knew that this Trail has a smaller community and fewer hikers than other big trails. After being immersed in that small community, I think the size makes for an even more close knit group with fiercer dedication to the cause. FT Thru Hike is a non-profit that supports hikers and they knock it out of the park with their Thru-Hike Kickoff and Billy Goat Day celebrations. Attending both of those events as a thru-hiker nearly moved me to tears multiple times because volunteers give their time, care, and knowledge so freely.

And there’s a good bit of overlap between 14

Florida Trail Association

volunteers who help hikers and volunteers who work with FTA to maintain Trail and do outreach. I think this year we saw a lot more buzz around the Florida Trail than other years and we had several Trail Angels who usually help on the Appalachian Trail come down to support hikers, which really made for a special experience. At one point I am thinking “I’ll never get to experience hiker hunger, there’s too much Trail Magic!”. The depth of the community aspect on Trail is something I never could have anticipated. It keeps alive a spirit of trust and goodwill that I think is culturally subversive in the best way. It gives me hope for humanity. On a personal level, receiving so much generosity and kindness was healing and inspiring. In a fast-paced, individualistic, and money worshiping world, it can be hard to accept help without discomfort or a sense of obligation. My interactions with trail angels, volunteers, kind residents in town, and other hikers changed my outlook on what it means to receive and give support.

WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY ALONG THE WAY? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Physically, my challenge was my body rebelling against the stress I was putting it through pounding down on flat ground with an extra 25 pounds on board. My left knee and hip have some injuries on their scoreboard and FloridaTrail.org

they definitely rebelled against what I was asking of them. At certain points I am changing my stride to engage different muscles and ease the pain and I am hiking with tears running down my face. I did lean heavily on Ibuprofen. They make them in hotdog and hamburger form now and sometimes you can get red ones sometimes white, so you won’t get bored. I hiked with a tramily (trail family) basically the whole way and they really were my “buoys” with stuff like this. When you’re in pain it's tempting to get into your head to get out of your body and start questioning if you can really do this or not. My hiking friends and namely Wildflower helped keep me grounded in the moment and literally take it step by step. We all passed around KT tape, tennis balls, biofreeze, tiger balm, advice, and well wishes. Hamilton saved me by offering up her IT band brace. Being with folks who care about you and want you to finish the Trail really eases some of the suck.

Mentally my biggest challenge was staying true to my goals for the hike and deciphering my own hiking style. While hiking with others is a gift, it could also be a challenge. Through rising to that challenge I learned to better advocate for my needs and also when to strike out on my own even when it's tempting to follow a crowd. Sometimes you owe it to yourself to be a stick in the mud. I think in this life virtually everything is negotiable and people in general are forgiving and caring as long as you can communicate well. If anything, hiking this Trail really drove home that lesson. I also noticed that when I felt off or untethered or preoccupied with interpersonal conflict, the physicality of walking and the immersion in natural areas brought so much comfort and regulation. Even if you feel alone, you’re surrounded by living breathing beings.

WHAT DID YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPES AS YOU TRAVERSED THE TRAIL?

Before I left, another thru-hiker Hummus told me that hiking NOBO on the Trail makes the landscape of Florida “just make sense” which was a neat thing to meditate on when starting my journey, and at the end, I returned to that idea and it really resonated. There is so much contrast throughout the Trail as you move between urban areas, farmland, young or disturbed forest, and older growth forest. It's striking to wade through a landscape riddled with limestone solution holes immersed in the cypress trees decorated with epiphytic gardens in Big Cypress National Preserve and then get spit out onto a network of dikes and levees that result from

Thru-hiker Wildflower mails out some Gateway Community postcards. the draining of the Everglades. You see the resilience of the flora and fauna that persist despite the force of humankind exerted on the land. The Trail travels past acres upon acres of sugar cane fields and cow pasture and then plummets you back into a wilder, more ancient feeling stretches of forest. Within the forest in the southern region, the subtle differences in elevation and moisture yield dramatic results in the scenery. Wizened live oak trees tower over you and invite you to consider the extra-human wisdom stored within their trunks and canopies. Step by step, the vegetation changes and the closer you look, the more you see.

Traveling the Trail east of Orlando, I was plunged in and out of forest immersion, seeing houses and sprawl creeping up to the edges of Trail corridor. I particularly loved the muddy, humus scented palm hammocks

that created tunnels above my head. Ocala National Forest holds breathtaking wildness: upland pine forest, sandhills, and prairie stand strong, managed with prescribed burns.

There’s something exhilarating about seeing the sun cast a golden glow onto the redbrown grasses and fallen pine needles at dawn and dusk. You can tell when you approach the cavernous turquoise gems of Alexander and Juniper Springs because the vegetation is lifted and crowded into hammocks, more green and lush than the pine dominant areas.

North of Ocala, there's continuity in the shift between pine forest, prairie, and hammock interspersed with ephemeral wetlands. It gets more fragmented by human activity until you reach the Suwannee River, where the river makes its mark on the landscape, carving out high bluffs and sandy beach banks.

Larger, hardwood trees spring up and woody Footprint

flowering shrubs populate. After Hurricane Idalia, the landscape-altering forces of nature are on full display, with old growth hardwoods twisted and ripped out of the ground or snapped in half, their canopies obscuring the Trail. The black water, however, remains unchanged, meandering with a whisper of ripples, catching the sun’s rays and lapping the banks.

The landscape formed by flooding and receding blackwater and eroding limestone resumes as the Trail meanders along the Aucilla sinks into the big bend of Florida.

The Trail traces the coast to where the Saint Marks River spills out into the Gulf, enticing with the scent of salt air. Veins of tidal creeks and saltmarsh and palms crop up to form vistas that vibrate and twinkle in the changing wind and light. The landscape is full of drama here, as though it were created with the colorful brushstrokes of an Impressionist painter. The saltwater touches everything, including springs that were once fresh. The mud underfoot is distinct. Before the salt has the chance to settle in, the Trail draws you into the Apalachicola National Forest characterized at the south end by the nimble and creative Sopchoppy River, which has a smaller floodplain letting vegetation settle on its banks. It's true spring now, and azaleas and fetterbush break out in pink all around me.

Here, I watch carefully where my trail runners tread, for amphibians, insects, and carnivorous plants are surely underfoot; with any slight loss in elevation, I enter a gum and titi swamp to wade amongst mud, water, and roots. The forest feels like it is panting. You dry out on the road to the next section of rolling hills and more upland forest. Econfina and Eglin are all clear sandy bottomed creeks and a fresh cast of woody plants and a carpet of toothpastecolored deer moss. Each step is cushioned by a bed of deciduous tree leaves and pine straw and the air feels crisp. By the time you think you’ve started to smell salt again, you cross the Navarre bridge to Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore. This is the reward. Flanked by dunes and Carribean blue seas, the shore invites you to slow down and savor the culmination of a thousand mile walk to the gulf.

WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE ROADWALKS?

I went into this hike having more context and knowledge about the roadwalks on this Trail than the average informed hiker. I have an understanding of some of the challenges we face as an organization that result in these road walks existing and an appreciation for the efforts to close them. That being said, Summer 2024

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Salt marshes ebb and flow with the tide in St Marks National Wildlife Refuge Footprint

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The Florida Trail through the new section in Smith Lake Preserve.

the road walks are quite challenging. I had a really sobering experience as the Trail follows Deer Park Road, Nova Road, and SR521 for 31 miles on the Eastern Corridor around Orlando. My tramily was ahead of me and after turning a bend I saw them all stopped.

Once I caught up, I learned that a vehicle had swerved off the road nearly hitting one of them. The rest of the miles that day felt mournful and drawn out. There was a lot of fear and fatigue in all of us. Why were we hiking in these crummy conditions, totally at the mercy of these giant steel death traps hurtling towards us? I was painfully aware of the miniscule margin of error a driver has with hikers walking on a narrow shoulder on a high speed road. Finishing the long road walk didn’t feel as much of an accomplishment as sort of a by-the-skin-of-the-teeth escape. There are several other larger stretches of road walking that blend together in the background with general unpleasantness of exposure, motor sound and air pollution, and the burden of needing to be alert at all times. It brings me back to the idea of taking it step by step and looking for glimmers of enjoyment as you walk. Company soothes the monotony of road walks and so do headphones and music.

You can view it as paying due to experiencing the majesty of the wooded and natural

parts of the Trail. But the fear of the Deseret Ranch roadwalk did get me fired up about the need to close our gaps and also work with communities to ensure hiker safety. As more of our state develops, I know that FTA and other conservation organizations are working to close gaps of connectivity with a sense of urgency. It's not just important for hikers, but also for all Florida wildlife. I would advise hikers to weigh their options carefully on road walks and prioritize their safety and well-being above all else. Staying alert, wearing bright colors and taking a shuttle past a road walk are all valid ways to make it work.

Hailey with her “tramily” at the Northern terminus of the FT! 18

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HOW WAS THE HIKING EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR YOU? WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AS YOU APPROACHED THE NORTHERN TERMINUS?

I recently wrote this to a friend, a thru-hiker I met on the OTLHT, and I want to recycle it because it feels very true: I now have more trust in other people, myself, and the universe because of my experience on the Trail, because things go wrong and get scary and can hurt, but you ultimately keep moving. Approaching the terminus I had to pinch myself

because it was celebratory, like I made it, I did my dream. But I also had a sense of dread to close this door, leave the Trail, and start again a whole new chapter. I wasn’t sure I was ready.

But I reminded myself that it's all part of the hike’s ethos, you keep moving.

I'm really grateful to my original hiking partner Wildflower and my tramily of Tank, Highlander, and Hamilton. We all grew up together in a way and being part of this group made things overall much more fun and memorable. All these folks had hiked big trails before and I learned a lot from each of them as a first timer. Wildflower especially helped me remember to play all the time and that even on the worst days, we can create energy that is fun and spirited if we choose. Finishing as a group was a testament to the work we dedicated to sticking together, because any relationship takes work. There was a moment after we asked visitors at Fort Pickens for a ride back to Pensacola Beach and we finally found someone up for the task and we just piled hurriedly into the back of his pickup with all these tools and were huddled together in the whipping wind watching the sun set and its light play with the colors in the sand and water on either side of us. There was this immense feeling of peace and an understanding that the destination was maybe the least interesting and important part of all of this, but wow, what a poetic way to close it out.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONTINUING JOURNEY! WHAT’S NEXT IN STORE FOR YOU?

Well my happy sad news is I am leaving the FTA staff to work for an adventure tour company in Acadia National Park, Maine. I will be teaching guests about the area’s natural history and leading them on hikes. I’ll be back in Florida in the winter and will put on my FTA volunteer hat, then I’ll hop on to the Appalachian Trail in early 2025. I am so incredibly moved by FTA’s work and am honored to have been part of the staff for nearly two years. Thanks to you all and happy trails! I am on instagram and do my best to post photos and stories on there so feel free to follow me @hailerr.

An alligator along the Econlockhatchee River.

Hailey poses with a mural in Gateway Community Blountstown.

Reaching the finish line at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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Stella "Acorn" Arbelaez Pursues Life and Art on the Florida Trail

by Hailey Dansby

ATRAVESADA I had the pleasure of meeting Stella “Acorn” Abelaez at FT Thru-Hike’s Kickoff in 2023 where we talked briefly about her experience thru-hiking in 2020 and her artwork. After following her art journey on Instagram and later following her footsteps on the FT, we were able to connect for an illuminating conversation. Stella walked me through her path to the Trail and how that experience carried her into actualizing her dream career as a fine artist working in multimedia. She is currently heading into her final year as a Fine Arts MFA student at the University of Central Florida.

Can you give us a brief bio? Who are you as a hiker and an artist?

I was born in Cali, Colombia. At age 15 I moved to New York with my mother and sister. We lived in Briarwood, Queens, where the art teacher at the local junior high recommended that I pursue entry to the high School for Music and Arts in NYC, which I entered as a sophomore. I attended the

Fashion Institute of Technology in New York (FIT SUNY), and graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts Illustration. Living in New York City was a great learning experience; everything was magnified in awesomeness during those years and it was the best playground for an artist. After college, I freelanced in fashion illustration and studied at the Art Students League to build up an academic drawing portfolio, so I could get into the Walt Disney Animation internship in Orlando, Florida, as they were staffing their new feature animations studio. I did three months of intensive animation study and I was invited to join as a special effects animation artist. That began an exciting chapter of my life, where I worked on movies such as The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Mulan. I met my former husband while promoting Pocahontas on a European tour.

I fell madly in love and eventually moved to live with him in Burbank, California, where I worked for Dreamworks and Warner Brothers as a special effects artist. Once our daughter was born, I focused on being a mom, which

was an amazing time in my life. I worked freelance jobs as a prop artist as motherhood allowed, pursued a certificate in early childhood education and homeschooled our daughter. Eventually my ex-husband’s work took me back to NY and then Florida, where I was during the divorce, which was a devastating event for me. I was crushed and went into deep depression. Things only got worse when my daughter decided to go back to Los Angeles to finish high school there. After she left, I wouldn’t leave my room and developed toxic habits such as addiction to social media and self deprecating thought patterns. I’m talking about two or three years during which I was deeply depressed.

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Stella poses on the Trail with a deer skull perched on her hat as the first iteration of her nature goddess headdress.

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After some time, only our beautiful Dogo Argentino, my little “BooBoo,” a spunky little 9 lb poodle, remained. While dealing with depression, BooBoo would look at me with big eyes that said “Come on, pick me up, let's go for a walk!” Eventually I started walking a little bit and I’m like “Well okay, this feels good!” I remember renting a kayak at one point and it felt magical, like a fantasy world, when I saw the water shimmering and heard the sounds of flowing water. After being so depressed and void of life, following my self imposed cave, I was suddenly kayaking and walking in nature, and my senses were reawakened. I realized that not only had I been in a cave while I was depressed, but I had also been there while I

Stella “Acorn” poses at the Northern terminus of the FNST with BooBoo, aka “One gallon Ninja.”

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was married. Even though I had been a Girl Scout leader, troop camper and a caretaker, I lived in a cave, limited by the expectations of others.

For my 48th birthday I joined a local MeetUp group to hike a short section of the Appalachian Trail, a 37-mile run from Blood Mountain to Neels Gap. Boo walked with me, and I thought my legs were going to fall off.

It was so hard, but I did it! I was hooked. I had always wanted to empower my Girl Scout troop to be immersed in nature that way.

Once I experienced it myself, it was like night and day. I came back to Florida and hiked a few more miles on the Florida Trail with the same group and completed my first solo hike of 70 miles on the PCT—while visiting my daughter in 2017. And I was like “Okay yeah, this is what I want to do.” This whole time, I was using a homemade backpack and gear from my car camping days. It was very guerilla.

I guess I am a daredevil in my own way.

In Colombia we say “Atravesada.” I have FloridaTrail.org

always been that. “Atravez” means through the current, in the way, inconvenient. So that’s me, I am inconvenient. If life is flowing and life is telling me okay well, we’re just going to continue feeling sad, I stop myself and I go the other way. I realized that it is okay to be inconvenient. Always inconvenience others, because by doing so, you are setting your boundaries and you are committing more to yourself. As long as you’re not hurting anybody, I think that is what gives you the tools to develop your abilities in whatever area you want to thrive in. That's who I am as an artist. The more that I dive into my practice the more I hear a voice inside me that says “Come on, chicken! Come on, let's go!” and I see that I need to keep breaking my own boundaries. Hiking allowed me to do that again.

When I went on my thru hike I walked a lot in silence, and I could hear a little voice that said “You always wanted to be a fine artist, you should do that.” As a commercial artist, I thought of myself as being someone

on a storyline, an evolution of being with a beginning, middle and end. This way of thinking still resonates with me. Also, it is important for me to show transformation and opposites. Because I want to touch people who are where I have been. People who are in a depressive state and do not see the light at the end of the tunnel, I want to remind them that transformation is possible.

The first 2D piece that I created during my MFA program is entitled “To My Own Self I am True,” and depicts me literally going through that transformation from brokenness, to a place where I elevate myself and become someone that I never expected:

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Page 24: Morning on the Trail.

Stella Arbelaez. Acrylic on board.

18”x 24”. 2023.

Page 25: Before Love, 2023.

Stella Arbelaez. Acrylic, gold leaf, gold string, fabric, desiccated leaves, and natural twig on board.

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To My Own Self I am True, 2023. Stella Arbelaez.

Charcoal and soft pastels on Arches paper. 82" x 84”.

else’s pencil, and now my inner child's voice was encouraging me otherwise. What did I have to lose? I started inquiring in a more committed way and that's when I decided to apply to the Fine Arts MFA program at UCF. How did those experiences culminate on your 2020 thru-hike? What made you take the leap to hike the whole Florida Trail?

After my divorce and before I started hiking, I had internalized patterns of self degradation that took away my confidence. The best way to get out of that funk was to go hiking and to say “I am tired of being someone that I am not,” because I had never considered myself a loser, or someone who didn’t believe in herself. I was ready to do something really hard. For decades, I had wanted to pursue an MFA but once work and marriage happened, it was out of the question. Then divorce happened, leaving me to think that I was not good enough for anything. The Trail was a way

of me saying to myself “I’m going to do something really hard, and I am going to prove to myself that I can do it.” While I was worried about not finishing, and I was afraid for my physical well being, I was also so tired of the alternative! I was sick and tired of myself. I wanted to walk away from myself, yet there I was. Turns out I actually liked who I found on the Trail. I hated the part of me that was stuck in a cave, believing I wasn’t good enough. I have heard the saying “No matter where you go, there you are.” When I heard this expression I thought it was a bad thing but no, it is an excellent thing. There you ARE! Many of your recent works have been tied to the theme of self-discovery.

How does this relate to your time spent in nature on your thru-hike?

Walking the trail had a huge impact on my work. All of my work up to date is about some kind of self-discovery or evolution.

In animation, there is always an emphasis Footprint

Page 26a: Diving Upwards, 2023.

Stella Arbelaez. Triptych. Lower panel. Acrylic and oil on canvas.

16"x 32". While experiencing the deepest phases of depression, remember the light we carry and reach for a way out of it, listening to your true nature.

Page 26b: Diving Upwards, 2023.

Stella Arbelaez. Triptych. Middle panel. Acrylic and oil on canvas.

16"x 32". Beautiful and terrifying at once, the Florida landscape and forces of nature play healing roles, taking those who are willing to let go of the past towards a new life.

Page 26c: Diving Upwards, 2023.

Stella Arbelaez. Triptych. Upper panel. Acrylic and Oil on canvas.

16"x 32". Beings collide with Florida native birds to be given a new life, void of depression and filled with hope.

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a Nature Goddess, an alter ego who protects Nature from human’s folly. Boo Boo is in my arms as an innocent lamb, because he inspired me to go out into the world again. Spending time in nature for a long period of time has allowed me to reconnect with my healthy self, step into my power, and trust in myself again.

“Morning on the Trail” was one of the few paintings I completed in over two decades. It is based on an Edward Hopper painting titled “Morning Sun,'' which shows his wife gazing contemplatively out of an open window onto an industrial landscape. Hopper’s wife actually paused her career as an artist to help him with his career. I painted myself in that same pose, reflecting on my own life and the autonomy I experienced while on the Trail. The tent feels cavernous to signify how small I felt out there.

Again “atrevasada”, I am not going the same way as Hopper’s wife, I am pursuing my own life and my own work. My work stems from my lived experiences on the Trail.

I made a piece in 2023 called “Before Love” and it is an image of me at five years old, the same little girl who told me “you need to go and do what you want to do.” I elevated this young girl by surrounding her with gold leaf. Gold is important in Colombia’s history and signified strength, wealth and health in indigenous and religious colonial art. I wanted to elevate this child and her message to go

and do what you need to do to be happy. The rays of sun signify each member of my family, coming back to myself and feeling supported by my family members present because they are at the core of my being, no matter what.

The barefoot feet connect me to the earth.

“Diving Upwards” shows an evolution that explores what it is to be in the depths of depression. I felt like I was coming from the inner depths of the ocean. There is a vast space above, and I had to be cognizant of it to drive myself towards the light. For me, leaving a depressed state was a very purposeful decision, because I was not medicated. Then I ascend to the second state, the second image in the triptych, because I chose to dive upward.

I am surrounded by the Florida landscape and forces of nature, which we know in Florida are scary. I am letting myself be taken, surrendering and listening to Nature, and my own nature that is telling me to let go, while being fully aware that depression is always present as part of my story, a reminder to not ever go back. Birds join the forces of nature to at the end, create the third scene, where depression is no longer present. It has been left behind, and myself and the people around me have become free. Florida native birds develop human arms, so either the birds are becoming humans or the humans are becoming birds, signifying a joining with nature.

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How else has your thru-hike shaped your artwork?

Initially my thru hike was going to be an art hike, where I would paint on the trail, but I think it was mile 100 when I dropped my 5 pound painting kit. I kept sketching, but I couldn’t haul the extra weight, walk for miles each day everyday, and sit down to paint afterwards. Still, there would be none of my current artwork without my thru-hike experience. Actually, I would probably still be in my room feeling sorry for myself.

There's a piece I made that is a portrait of my good friend and thru-hiker Jeffrey Kazar, who I met at NOBO MM 860. At the time that I painted this, he was about to start his first attempt at the Continental Divide Trail.

I wanted his portrait to be immersed in the environment in which I found him, so I added natural elements to it, creating an interesting play on texture and materials. This portrait honors the adventurous, focused, and irrepressible spirit present in all thru-hikers, who at times risk their lives living amongst nature while in pursuit of their unsung goals. I don't think Jeffrey could ever stop hiking.

I created “Edge of the Exosphere'' from two photos I took on the hike. I stained the paper with coffee to build the richness of the surface and because I am Colombian, a culture where this earthy and aromatic material Summer 2024

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is so important. The coffee connects to the nature of the mud I found myself coated in during my hike. I wanted to capture bare feet on the earth to show the groundedness and connection there.

My hike is my work in one way or the other. Everything I do at this moment is because of the hike. I left me at first, and then I went on a hike to return to me. The phrase “go take a hike” is something I find myself repeating. Living in the modern world, “keeping up with the Joneses” and keeping up with society’s expectations, one forgets being part of nature, and one jumps on the bandwagon of over consumerism. It all ties into the hike.

Having hiked affects not only my work but how I live and the choices I make on a daily basis. It made me realize that our resources are not unlimited.

Can you describe your artistic process and the mediums you work with? What is it like to be in the MFA program at UCF? An important part of my emerging practice and process has been embracing my various

personas and a way of thinking that prioritizes “me.” As an artist I need to protect myself, my time, and my space to give to the world.

Otherwise, I cannot create. This is my ultimate way of protecting my practice.

When I got into the master’s program, I was overwhelmed with possibilities. It felt like a “deer caught in the headlights" moment, in a good way. I hadn’t painted seriously in over 20 years, but I was determined to go back to my artistic practice for none other than myself. Other than wanting to talk about the trail and my transformation through it, I had no idea what to do. So I went outside to draw with pastels, because I love their feel. I just sketched studies of an oak tree and the ferns and moss growing there. To me, pastels have a rawness and familiarity that leaves me free to take in what is there at the moment. These impromptu sketches helped break the ice for me.

For my first midterm I came up with the concept of “The Broken Woman,” to express the breakage I had felt before my hike. By using a mass produced mannequin, I lean into my fashion illustration background to show the commodification I felt and that although my body had been used, discarded and entrapped by media and consumer culture, I still had a good heart inside of it. I initially wanted to show breakage with lines cutting throughout the mannequin but when I displayed my work, a professor asked: “Why don’t you bust her? Create the damage that you felt physically.” I brought her outside and took a sledgehammer to her and whacked her, filled with anger! I’ll never forget that at that moment, the director of the program, Professor Jason Burrell, was coming into the building. As he saw me hammering this fiberglass figure, he shouted, “Go, Stella, Go!” It felt amazing. In this program you are put under the fire, but you are also pushed to evolve your thinking. The instructors question every choice you make: “Why the gold? Why this rip? Why these colors?” They offer their educated opinions and research resources left and right, and you extract what makes sense to you. It turns out to make your work better.

Looking back I should’ve been less timid with the breakage but at the time it was quite radical to me. “The Broken Woman” is now one of my favorite pieces, not only because it was my first work created as an MFA student, but also because it helped me release a great amount of anger in physical form. It is definitely a cathartic work.

“Playing in the Forest of Life '' is an allegorical self-portrait. I developed the concept from a tiny 2’x3’ sketch, of a seated female form that became a tree. My printmaking

professor suggested that I worked the composition as a tryptic, so the concept evolved to include a young female form full of vitality, with children playing between the two older women. I lifted the older female's features so that she seemed at peace and strived to capture joy and playfulness in all of the subjects.

For production, I transferred my original concept sketches onto the wooden panels using a grid, gave it a red wash and I started carving away. I gathered reference photos and drew each of the six panels in more detail as I went along. This was in September 2023 and I just finished carving the whole thing in April 2024. I see this work as a celebration of life, of the ages and stages of life. There is a nest with a couple of Florida Mockingbirds, the official state bird of Florida, feeding its young.

They’re well known for their aggressiveness in defending their nests. I included them here to pay homage to the family unit, which I had the fortune to experience as a mother and former wife. Underneath each section there

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Page 28a: Stella uses paracord, a tablet holder, and her trekking pole to create a painting easel while traversing Big Cypress National Preserve during her Thru-Hike.

Page 28b: Stella sketches the scenery from Lakeport campsite on the Florida Trail at mile marker 129.2.NOBO Page 28c: Portrait of Jeffrey Kazar from Akron Ohio, 2023.

Stella Arbelaez. Oil on canvas paper, dried natural elements, acrylics and textured gesso on board. 16"x32".

Page 28d: The Edge of The Exosphere, 2023. Stella Arbelaez.

Acrylic on coffee stained Arches paper. 42”x42” Page 29: Oak Studies at Flat Island Preserve, 2022. Stella Arbelaez. Soft pastels on Canson paper. 18”x 24” (6”x7”e/a).

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is a reminder of the passage of time. I really enjoyed working on this piece because wood comes from Mother Earth, which connects my materials to my work, you know, my actual practice, and the original idea.

At UCF, our thesis for the MFA in Studio Arts program consists of three parts.

Part one is the body of work/research, where you show 10-20 pieces in a graduate gallery exhibition. Part two is the thesis paper, which needs to be formatted specifically to meet the university’s requirements for academic publication. The thesis paper is where you detail the process, reflect on the understanding it brings you, and cite your sources. The third and last part of the thesis is the oral presentation and defense of the paper. I am expected to display my selected works in a public gallery show, present my thesis on a slideshow, answer questions from the public, and then my committee. It is the thesis committee’s work to have a thorough and clear understanding of how my work fits within the canon of Art and how I intend to continue growing as an artist.

What else would you like to share with us?

Our graduate gallery show opens on February 20, 2025, at the UCG gallery, with thesis defenses beginning the following week (indi-

vidual dates TBA). I am excited to see hikers' reaction to my work. I just want to feel that connection with them and see their reactions.

I want to hear what they have to say, good and bad. I'm eager to see the public reaction to my work because it is very exploratory.

And that's something that's empowering for me, for a person who at one point thought I was diminished and not worthy. And I'm like, no, I'm not only worthy, but I need to share my work and project it out into the world and show that I am a product of nature and part of a community, and part of humanity. For me, the lines are blurred between exposition of the Trail and exposition of myself, because there’s no real separation there anymore. It’s my Trail! I am part of it too, and it's available to everybody. So many people don’t know about it. So it's important for me to make the Florida Trail be known and to give it a chance to heal other people as well. I’d also say I haven’t seen that many Latinas of middle-age in this state of being. And we as Latinas are all atravesadas, believe me. However, there are many women who are still in a traditional role where a male partner calls the shots. But I don’t feel that is true, that you cannot do something unless you are with a man. I have a perspective maybe of being Americanized enough to say “of course I can do that by myself.” And I don’t know if that comes

from being an Americanized Latina or having come to an age of understanding where it is important to project my individuality and independence.

If you’d like to see more of Stella’s work and see what she does next, follow her Instagram account @stellaarbelaez.art and check out her YouTube channel @stellaarbelaez2025 which shares hiker interviews from her thru-hike and artistic process videos! You can visit her website at StellaArbelaez.com.

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Page 30: The Broken Woman, 2022. Stella Arbelaez. Mixed media. Front view. Fiberglass, Acrylic paint, steel, 3DPrinting, wood, Electronic device. 85”H x 24”W x 20”D Page 31: Playing in the Forest of Life, 2024. Stella Arbelaez.

Triptych. Woodcuts and prints on Newsprint and linen Artist Proof.

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An Interview with the FT's Youngest Thru-hiker "Horseshoe"

by Hailey Dansby

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FLORIDA TRAIL SPECIFICALLY?

First reason was my curiosity of mainland Florida. I never explored anything except driving through it so being able to see the whole stretch of Florida in one hike was amazing. Second was it was the perfect winter hike which is when my dad and I both had the most time off work. Not many other trails had that option so we didn't have much of a choice if we wanted to hike the whole trail together which was important because being able to start something and not finish it is simply no fun and takes away the feeling of accomplishment somewhat.

HOW DID HIKING WITH YOUR FATHER IMPACT YOUR EXPERIENCE? CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER HAS CHANGED? CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, FOR EXAMPLE WHERE YOU GREW UP AND WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU AREN’T HIKING?

Hello! My name is Zachary, trail name Horseshoe. I was born and grew up in the Florida Keys for the majority of my childhood. We moved to western Massachusetts when I was about 11 because my parents' family was all there and we also wanted to live a greener lifestyle which wasn't really possible in the Keys. We spent winters down in Florida for about four years after that to escape New England's cold weather because acclimating to those temperatures was truly rough. I'm big into playing musical instruments such as the guitar, banjo, piano, drums and bass. I am also into sports, mainly hockey but love to dabble into everything I can.

with my brother (Jeremy, aka "Turn Around”) in his college gap year while Jeremy continued the trail and finished. Now in my college gap year me and my dad did the Florida Trail!

Hopefully, my 12-year-old younger sister will pick up the tradition and do a thru-hike with him as well.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY’S THRUHIKING TRADITION?

My father (Sir-Renity) thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1995 and did the long trail twice. He is big into hiking and it is his greatest passion. Me and my brother both grew up hiking many a weekend trip in the Adirondack peaks of New York and both fell in love with hiking as well. My Father hiked half the AT 32

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Hiking with my dad was an amazing experience. Through all the tough times this trail gave us, it was great to have a supportive person always there. Also, through all the amazing parts of this beautiful trail it was awesome to share it with somebody. Me and my dad were always close but hiking together for almost two and a half months was a true

bonding experience that I encourage everybody to try. If you have the opportunity to hike a trail with a parent, or a family member of any kind, do it. It's an experience that you will remember forever.

WHAT WAS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE WHILE HIKING THE FLORIDA TRAIL AND WHAT HELPED YOU OVERCOME IT?

The greatest challenge while hiking the Florida Trail was most definitely the seemingly endless roads and dikes. On those long road walks staying out of the realm of boredom was a true challenge. What helped me get through it was definitely my dad being there to talk to. I can't imagine hiking those long roads all alone and kudos to all the people that did!

Having somebody to keep me occupied and in high spirits couldn't have helped more with making the time fly by on those long straight asphalt lines. Another thing that helped were the amazing trail angels along some of the roads. Every trail angel we met was truly amazing and it made the hike that much more enjoyable.

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TRAIL TRAIL

THEN YOU THENLOVE YOU LIVE LOVEWILDLY. LIVE WILDL

WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER YOUNG THRU-HIKERS?

Going into the hike there probably won't be anybody else very close to you in age if you're below 18. I personally didn't meet anybody within four years of my age and I'm 17. Starting out I was thinking that people would treat me like the youngster I am. Turns out it was just the opposite! I didn't feel as If I was treated any differently than anybody else and it seemed like people didn't think about the fact that I was young. The hiking community is extremely caring and always includes everybody. Any of you young people out there going into your hike don't think twice that you're younger than everybody else, ain't nothing but a thang.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? HOW CAN READERS KEEP UP WITH YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?

My next adventure is either the Pacific Crest Trail with my brother or the Norde El Camino which runs along the coast of Spain. Hopefully, I can fit in one of them next year but if not I'll be out in the woods, regardless! My father has a YouTube channel, in which we blogged his AT hike with my brother and our Florida Trail hike. So the easiest way to follow our adventures is through there. The Connecting name of the people Connecting people to nature keep Florida, Florida to nature to keep Florida,toFlorida channel is Sirrenityandtheboys. Special thank you to Hailey for including me in the Footprint and happy trails to you all!

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Congratulations 2024 Thru-hikers

by The FTA Staff

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ongratulations to the 2024 thruhiking class of the Florida Trail! A thru-hike is no small feat, especially given Florida’s challenging terrain and unique obstacles. Since 1966, 445 brave souls have been recognized as completing the Florida Trail in its entirety. In 2025, we will likely exceed 500 hikers!

Visit floridatrail.org/end-to-end-hikers/ for more information.

S – Section Hiker T – Thru-Hiker (completed the hike in one season) E – Hiked the Florida Trail as part of the 4,000-mile Eastern Continental Trail route

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2024

Chris Goodman Brushy Bert BrianNickel Morainer Jarrod Bradfield Wanderer Jeffrey Jones Icebox Gordon O'Steen Cowford Ian Worth Betty White Brian DuCommun Caboose Carolyn Ellison Merlot Kaitlin Thompson Gaia the Womble David Robb Daniel Gensemer Harmonica David Brock Lightningbolt Casey Gilliams Knot Donna Dean Stambler Reed Allen Firefly Dave Briggs Just Dave Caleb Emerson Highlander Taylor Santa Hamilton Travis Pollard Firewalker John Borst II Magician Eric Sorensen Tank Hailey Dansby Flo Ashley Vines Wildflower Collin Erb No Way Tim Horkan The Hork Eric Wilcox Mav"Eric"k Eleni Hatzis Roundabout Christine Bianchi Woods Mairin Dos Santos Mighty Jason Pursell Halfway Zachary Dus Horseshoe Koty Sapp Trash Panda Danya Saadawi-Sapp Loins of Arabia Russell LaCourse Boston Joshua Acey Spectre Shannon Holiday Dairy Queen FloridaTrail.org

Parrish, FL Mayville, WI Rock Spring, GA Ocala, FL Jacksonville, FL Niceville, FL Hot Springs, NC Harrisburg, PA Elk River, MN Minnesota Australia Lowgap, NC Golden, CO Nashville, TN Miflord, Ma Sarasota, FL Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Tallahassee, FL Port Byron, NY Medina, NY Gainesville, FL Charlotte, NC Sarasota, FL Jacksonville, FL Gulfport, FL Troy, MT East Lyme, CT Elgin, IL Mill Creek, WA Cummington, MA Millinocket, ME Millinocket, ME Dudley, MA Brandon, MS Mexico, NY

T T,E T T,E S T T T T T E T T T T T T T S T T T T T S T T T T T T T T T T T

formation about the locations you're virtually passing through, as well as some of the notable flora and fauna in the area. Stay motivated with notifications as you pass other participants on the virtual trail, adding a competitive edge to your journey.

To sign up, create an account using your email and make a $5 donation to the Florida Trail Association to access the Florida Trail map.The app divides the trail into four sections: Southern Region, Central Region, Northern Region, and the Panhandle. Once you make your donation, you will receive an email with an access code that will grant you permission to each section of the trail.

WALK THE DISTANCE We're thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between the Florida Trail Association and Walk the Distance for an immersive virtual hiking challenge! Starting August 19, 2024, and running through October 25, adventurers like you can embark on a virtual journey through the Florida Trail. Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a runner, or just looking for a push to meet your fitness goals, this challenge is for you.

This app functions as a step tracker, converting your daily steps—from chores around the house to strolls with your dog— into progress on the Florida Trail. It integrates seamlessly with iPhone, Android, Fitbit, and Garmin to monitor your activity.

Using the Walk the Distance app, not only can you track your progress along the Florida Trail in real-time, but each milestone you reach will unlock interesting tidbits of in-

Footprint

At the end of the challenge, the participant who has logged the most miles will win a Florida Trail Ringer shirt and a pair of our new Florida Trail socks by Point6. So lace up your shoes and get to stepping!

Don't forget to tag us on social media to get featured, or use the hashtags #FTAWalkTheDistance and #StepUpForTheTrail to see how others are getting creative with their step goals!

How to sign up Download the Walk the Distance App  Available on iPhone and Android.

Create an Account  Sign up using your email or link your existing social media account.

Connect Your Device  Pair the app with your Fitbit, Garmin, or use your phone’s built-in step tracker.

Select the Florida Trail  Navigate to the trail options within the app and choose the Florida Trail.

Make a $5 Donation  Pay a $5 donation fee to the Florida Trail Association to gain access to the map.

Start Your Virtual Thru-Hike  Begin logging your steps and watch your progress along the trail in the app.

Enter the Official Florida Trail Virtual Hiking Challenge  Find the challenge details within the app and register for the event starting August 19, 2024.

Track Your Miles  Keep track of your daily steps and miles logged on the app.

Compete and Complete  Aim to log the most miles or complete the thru-hike by October 25, 2024.

Share Your Progress  Share your achievements and milestones on social media to motivate others.

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IDIDAHIKE 2024

by Abe Christian, Operations Manager

A TRIUMPHANT TEAM EFFORT IN THE

T

PANHANDLE

he 2024 IDIDAHIKE was a true team effort, culminating months of planning and collaboration that raised over $17,000 for the Choctawhatchee, Panhandle, and Western Gate Chapters. In March, over 200 enthusiastic hikers traveled to Florida’s Panhandle to enjoy breathtaking trails within Blackwater River State Park and Eglin Air Force Base, including the iconic Demon Bridge, the longest suspension bridge on the Florida Trail.

The success of the event was a testament to the tremendous volunteer effort from all three chapters who cleared the trail, led hikes, transported hikers, and solicited donations. The Choctawhatchee Chapter Trail Hogs deserve immense credit for their tireless efforts leading up to the event. Several months prior, crews meticulously maintained miles of trails across Eglin, Nokuse, and the Choctawhatchee River Sections. This included regular maintenance cycles, replacing rotten puncheon boards, extensive chainsaw work, and a complete route reblaze–all while continuing their commitment to maintaining trails outside the IDIDAHIKE route. Their dedication ensured trails were in 36

Florida Trail Association

pristine condition for everyone to enjoy.

The event was hosted on the 625-acre Spanish Trails Scout Reservation (STSR), which proved to be an exceptional venue with ample campsites, a spacious lodge, and enticing trails around a picturesque lake. The complete traditional scouting lodge ambiance was made possible by the invaluable help of Chris Sams, Director of STSR and the Scouts of America.

The event itself wouldn't have been possible without the crucial behind-thescenes work of individuals like Section Leader Keith LeFevre and Eglin Air Force Base's Natural Resources Branch personnel Justin Davis. Discussions began last summer to secure access to sensitive military training areas and a required Eglin group recreation permit. Additionally, Justin Davis and Eric Jackson created an emergency action plan and map with evacuation routes in case of unforeseen circumstances.

The event included Friday night music from a local two piece band and Saturday's speaker added delightful touches, with the weekend culminating in a lively silent auction featuring a diverse array of items, from FloridaTrail.org

kayaks to artwork. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the silent auction, which proved to be one of the most successful in IDIDAHIKE history. The sell-out of the limited edition t-shirts further boosted the fundraiser's success. The weather, initially unpredictable, ultimately cooperated, transforming the weekend into a truly enjoyable experience.

The most rewarding aspect were the positive comments from participants and hearing their enthusiasm for the trails and the event itself, made all the hard work worthwhile.

The 2024 IDIDAHIKE serves as a model for future events, showcasing the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared love for Florida's natural heritage.

Special thanks to the 2024 IDIDAHIKE administrators, led by James Wilson, Christine Hale, Kenneth Doucette, Anne Daniel, Bob Deckert, Charles King, Darryl Updegrove, Carolyn Fries, Michelle Duncan, April Matteis and Mary Walton.

IDIDAHIKE 2025 will be in March and will take place on the Cross Florida Greenway near Ocala. Learn more and RSVP by visiting floridatrail.org/ididahike now!

Anne and Abe helping at check in table.

Hikers on trail.

Some of the aution items.

Lyonia Branch boardwalk.

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Demon bridge.

Covered awning.

Hikers waiting for food in cafeteria.

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Florida Trail Association

Infrastructure on trail.

FloridaTrail.org

Happy 90th Brithday, Jim Kern!

by Jane Pollack, Communications and Outreach Manager

Jim Kern camping on his expedition.

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n August, the Florida Trail community will celebrate the 90th birthday of its founder, Jim Kern. Jim Kern's legacy is woven into the very fabric of the Florida Trail, a 1,500-mile-long footpath that meanders through the state's diverse landscapes.

Upon returning home from a trip on the Appalachian Trail in the mid 1960s, Jim Kern found himself wondering if there was a long-distance trail in Florida. His imagination was sparked by visions of the stunning sunsets over Big Cypress, the sweeping views from the banks of the Suwannee River, and a trail that wound through the wilds of the Ocala, Osceola and Apalachicola National Forests, out into the panhandle. This dream trail would showcase the diverse and beautiful landscapes of Florida, offering hikers a unique and immersive experience of the state's natural wonders.

In 1966, driven by this vision and the desire to make it a reality, Jim Kern set out with Miami Herald reporter McGregor “Mac” Smith Jr. and a group of Boy Scouts to scout a route for such a trail. Their journey marked the beginning of what would become the Florida Trail.

Even at the age of 90, Jim Kern remains an active and enthusiastic adventurer.

At the time of writing, he is on a birding and hiking expedition in South America. Kern's

Jim Kern's 1966 Fakahatchee expedition. adventurous spirit reminds us all of the importance of preserving our natural world and continually seeking out its wonders.

As we celebrate Jim Kern's remarkable milestone, we also honor his profound impact on the FTA community and the enduring legacy of the Florida Trail. His efforts have

not only provided countless adventurers with a means to explore Florida's natural beauty but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the preservation of its wild spaces. Happy 90th birthday, Jim Kern! Your dream has become a reality that continues to inspire and connect people with the great outdoors.

The first work hike in Ocala National Forest, 1966.

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BUY NOW Florida Trail Association

FloridaTrail.org

"It's All About The People" How the Sandhill Chapter Reimagined Itself

by Jane Pollack, Communications and Outreach Manager

W

hen I joined several members of the Sandhill Chapter at Cypress & Grove Brewery recently, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Laughter and friendly banter echoed through the taproom as they shared stories and successes.

It was easy to see how their kindness and camaraderie played a crucial role in rebuilding their chapter. A relaxed Tuesday evening felt like a celebration of their collective achievements. The Sandhill Chapter is an enthusiastic and welcoming group serving Alachua, Levy, Gilchrist, and Marion counties.

Known for their fun, easygoing nature and passion for the Florida Trail, Sandhill members are a joy to be around. Within a short span of time, the Sandhill Chapter has revitalized itself with dedicated members and diverse activities, a strong organizational foundation, and an ambitious mission to foster a strong community dedicated to enjoying and maintaining the Florida Trail in North Florida.

The Sandhill Chapter of the Florida Trail Association has united North Florida's hikers since its chartering in 1980, when the first meetings were held in members' living rooms.

The chapter hosted the inaugural North Re-

gional Fall Conference in 1983 at Suwannee River State Park. A subchapter, the Sandhill’s Kinfolk, later evolved into the Suwannee Chapter. The Sandhill Chapter maintains the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River from Suwannee River State Park east to White Springs and along the Cross Florida Greenway between Dunnellon and the Eastern-West Corridors junction in the Ocala National Forest.

If you’ve seen more of the Sandhill Chapter within the past year, that’s because they have participated in multiple local outreach events, including Bat Fest at the Lubee Bat Conservancy, the Bartram Frolic in Palatka, and the first Annual Flying Pig Parade, where members “hiked” through downtown Gainesville dressed up as Sandhill cranes, a testament to their fun nature and creativity.

These folks know how to have a good time while advocating for the Florida Trail. This year, the group is set to host IDIDAHIKE along the Cross Florida Greenway, where the iconic land bridge stretches across I-75. This section of the Florida Trail takes hikers on a walk through history, following the route of the failed 1930’s effort to build a Cross

Florida barge canal. Other chapter activities include bike rides on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Rail Trail, paddling on the crystal-clear Ichetucknee River, visiting museums to learn about Florida's cultural heritage, and, of course, hikes on local trails. The group hopes to host more activities on the Florida National Scenic Trail this upcoming season.

Activity Leader Leo Dugger shared that the catalyst for the chapter’s success traces back to the fall of 2002 when Elizabeth Van Mierop, a longtime member of the FTA, recognized Dot Morrison's leadership abilities and recruited her to be an activity leader. Dot and her friends, who enjoyed various outdoor activities, began hiking weekly on Thursdays.

They hiked from late fall through spring, avoiding Florida's summer heat, and sometimes kayaked or biked during the warmer months. Over the years, the group grew as more people joined, with Dot organizing hikes

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A Sandhill Chapter hike in Goldhead Branch State Park.

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and shuttles. Despite challenges such as navigating flooded trails or dealing with wild bison on Paynes Prairie, the group continued to thrive, fostering a strong sense of community among its members. Leo joined the Thursday hikers in 2004 after retiring and eventually became an activity leader alongside other dedicated leaders.

The Thursday hikers have managed to keep the group connected even through the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting their activities to follow safety guidelines. Members recounted how eager folks were to get outdoors during those uncertain times.

Today, the Thursday hikers continue to meet, mainly welcoming new members through word of mouth. The group's history is rich with memorable hikes, adventures, and the camaraderie of its members, who come from diverse backgrounds but share a love for the outdoors and each other's company. Longtime Sandhill member Bob emphasizes that one of the most important things the FTA does is provide opportunities to experience the Florida Trail. Jack poignantly shared, “it’s about the people,” noting that the FTA brings together people with different beliefs 42

Florida Trail Association

and ideas, yet these differences never hinder having a good time on the trail. The enthusiasm of these members not only sustained their hiking group but also laid the foundation for an organized and strong chapter, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Maria played a crucial role in creating a sense of community by organizing potluck dinners and bringing people together. The cooperative spirit among members was evident as everyone was willing to help and support the chapter's initiatives. This collective effort led to a well-coordinated and engaged community. Each member brings their own unique skills and talents to the chapter. Dan, for instance, was particularly interested in initiating trail maintenance. A couple of years ago, Sandhill wasn’t conducting trail maintenance in an organized way, so Dan stepped up to become the Trail Coordinator. He pointed out the “working gap,” noting that working people are often too busy to volunteer until retirement. Dan hopes to remedy this by working with the Next Generation Coalition to recruit volunteers from the younger crowd.

The Sandhill chapter has made efforts to welcome the younger generation by offering FloridaTrail.org

hikes and activities on weekends and evenings. Ashley, a Sandhill chapter member and inaugural member of the Next Generation Coalition was initially brought into the fold through the Coalition. Her journey within the FTA community began as an undergraduate who fell in love with the trail while hiking. She shared, “Throughout college, many of my conservation jobs were always close to the Florida Trail, so I always had that connection and sense of home across the state.” Ashley is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for participants and has helped the chapter establish a strong presence on social media. She has enhanced the chapter's visibility on Facebook and Instagram by posting regularly and creating engaging graphics.

She wishes she could do more and emphasizes the need for more young people to join. She

Each year, Bob leads hikers on the 'Walk Across Marion County,' traversing the entirety of the Florida Trail within the county.

Leo Dugger led a unique hike where Rick Robbins, a soil scientist, collected soil samples for hikers to observe. Rick illustrated how soil types determine the ecosystem in an area.

Sandhill Chapter members enjoying the trail.

Dan and fellow Sandhill chapter members participated in a cleanup at Hogtown Creek, removing over three thousand pounds of garbage in just a couple of hours.

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noted that the Next Gen Coalition served as a welcoming entry point into the FTA community. She fondly recalls a memory from a Next Gen-led volunteer work party when a group of hikers passed by and thanked them for their trail maintenance efforts, underscoring the rewarding feeling of giving back to a trail that provides so much joy for the public.

The chapter's success can also be attributed to a strong organizational foundation.

FTA Executive Director Royce Gibson acknowledged the need for help in the Sandhill chapter and organized a meeting to discuss elections, introducing Eve to key leaders like Maria, Bob, Jack, and Leo, who were actively leading hikes. Members developed a dedicated Executive Committee (Ex Comm) with full participation from all members. Eve, who moved from Miami to Gainesville in 2023, 44

Florida Trail Association

utilized her experience from the Big Cypress Chapter to streamline efforts in the Sandhill Chapter. Ernie also migrated north and brought a wealth of experience to the Sandhill Chapter, addressing concerns similar to those faced by the Big Cypress Chapter, where members were overburdened with multiple roles. About two or three years ago, a chapter operational manual was developed to tackle this issue. Eve and Erie collaborated with Kay Ferrara of the Happy Hoofers to create a Chapter Operating Procedure (COP) for Big Cypress, and they brought that expertise to Gainesville. Ernie also gave a nod to chairperson Rick, who possesses “the unique characteristics of a good leader that gets things done, but is still pleasant to be around.”

Over the past year, the chapter has seen numerous successes, including a great numFloridaTrail.org

ber of activities for members, the addition of over 50 new members since the beginning of the year, increased engagement with the Marion County (the fastest growing area in the state), and the production of a very professional newsletter, thanks to Ernie. Though these accomplishments certainly jump off the page, the real gain is palpable when you’re with the Sandhill Chapter–a sense that you’re surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals whose efforts truly embody the mission of the Florida Trail Association.

Former staff member Hailey Dansby and Sandhill member Ernie Lynk at Bat Fest near Gainesville.

F L O R I D A

T R A I L

A S S O C I A T I O N

FLORIDA TRAIL

FEST

WHITE SPRINGS, FL FEBRUARY 7-9th, 2025 Sponsored By:

FLORIDATRAIL.ORG/FTF Footprint

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FTA Chapters List of Florida Trail Association Chapters

ALLIGATOR AMBLERS CHAPTER Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Carl Kepford 239-253-4255

APALACHEE CHAPTER

Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Shellie Johnson 239-898-0125

BIG CYPRESS CHAPTER

Miami-Dade and Monroe Susan Bennett-Manns 305-213-1500

BLACK BEAR CHAPTER Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia Ed Riskosky 315-374-6500

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER

When you join the state-wide Florida Trail Association you automatically become a member of your local chapter based upon your zip code. However, members may attend the activities of any chapter and may transfer to any chapter they wish simply by informing the FTA Office.

Florida Trail activities are organized by our local chapters and are led by authorized volunteer activity leaders. Many of our activities are open to the general public so you can get to know us before you join. Activities can be found online at floridatrail.org. Click on "Get Involved" then click on "Find Your Local Chapter." From there, check out the map to determine your local chapter. Activities are usually posted on the chapter websites, Facebook pages, and Meetups.

Participants in activities must sign an Assumption of Risk form and agree to accept personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of accompanying minors. Always contact the activity leader in advance for more information, to let them know you are attending, to find out any special requirements or equipment for the activity, and to check for any last minute changes.

Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Bill Turman 407-413-2950

CHOCTAWHATCHEE CHAPTER Walton and Okaloosa James Wilson 281-543-4802

FISHEATING CREEK CHAPTER Hendry and Glades Margaret England 863-517-0202

HAPPY HOOFERS CHAPTER Broward Lynn Thompson 954-372-7480

HEARTLAND CHAPTER

DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk David Waldrop 863-605-3587

HIGHLANDERS CHAPTER Lake and Sumter Gene Bouley 352-360-3722

INDIAN RIVER CHAPTER Brevard and Indian River Bill Alexander 321-693-7369

LOXAHATCHEE CHAPTER Palm Beach Janet Miller 561-385-8676

NORTH FL TRAILBLAZERS CHAPTER

Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, and Union Ron Fish 904-504-4359

PANHANDLE CHAPTER

Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Ken Doucette 772-485-1923 46

Florida Trail Association

SANDHILL CHAPTER

Alachua, Levy, Gilcrist, and Marion 352-378-8823 Rick Robbins 352-445-0201

SUNCOAST CHAPTER

Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Sue Bunge 727-504-8574 FloridaTrail.org

SUWANNEE CHAPTER

Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Vacant

TROPICAL TREKKERS CHAPTER Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Tom Clements 772-486-2816

WESTERN GATE CHAPTER Escambia and Santa Rosa Christine Hale 850-723-5112

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FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION NON-PROFIT ORG PRSRT STD U S Postage PAID Pontiac, IL Permit No. 592

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Sandhill chapter members take 5 during their hike.

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