Serenova Tract: Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience

This past labor day I visited Seranova Tract, part of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve in Pasco County. I've been working on photo processing to compensate for my lack of a decent camera, lighting, and overall photography experience. It takes a while for me to go through 50+ photos and pick the best ones to process. The daylight was shaded by dense clouds, the clouds moved swiftly with the heavy winds; however, an absent creative spark leaves my fingers idle at the keys.

A simple start: rested, hydrated, fed, and stretched... the day is flourishing.

Winding narrow brush paths stay to my sides until reaching the terraced roadway and first water body to the East.

A divergence of the path.... and so comes the dilemma of being limitless.

Too much life is left to die alone.

Her highness Heron bides her time in the shade, spying on the prey in the murky pool below.

Group and equestrian camping is offered (for free) by reservation. This makes for my first break. 

The rare leering of the Sun's glare from behind the canopy of clouds generates the first heavy shadow for the day.

Wish I knew what these are, but brightly colored berries certainly don't look edible, getting sick is worse than starvation. Luckily I got my Tanka Bar.

The power grid runs through and creates an open area to capture the wind current.

Feed the war machine
Their marching will never cease
Slaves to their instinct

Illumination shines through the clouds as the canopy begins to open, this is not lens glare.

Some SWFWMD properties allow hunting during certain seasons; however, Starkey Preserve does not for the time being, although its good for fishing.

The agility of these butterflies makes them all the more difficult to snapshot, they must be shy.

Even with the glare I was able to adjust shadow and highlight settings to reveal the exact color of this 'Humungo'.

These are sprouts (primarily termed) of the Humungo. Forests are counted by using a base (tree type dependent) of the number of the largest category of tree in an area and the younger sprouts its causes exponentially. This is how biologists evaluate a semi-accurate amount of forestry that that have pertaining to a particular property. It is also one of the ways logging companies try to appraise the value of their new Profit Land. The layers from the below the soil all the way to the canopy peak is the genesis for the thriving ecosystem it encompasses: it all starts at the few Humungos left. Different tree types seed in different manners and frequencies; more often than not, new sprouts will not be able to form (a variety on conflicting factors include weather, animals, and of course interference of man) The largest tree saps the most nutrients from the soil, but life... finds a way.

These flowers assume their position, cleaving the hefty breeze.

Horse tracks are an obvious sign of the equestrian campers ahead. The frequent rain and moist trail soil prove these are fresh, otherwise they would wash away.

The deluge of recent days causes ponds to flood out and submerge all other depressions throughout the land. Bare-footed wading comes up to near-waist-high in some areas... my envy of the cavalry is obvious.

Lastly I'll leave you with a hint of warning, these fat pink-gilled mushrooms that flourish with Florida's humidity have toxins that are deleterious to the human digestive system.

It took a while for me to finish all the content in this post, I've been having to keep up with my C and Java classes. I try to keep busy but that also means distractions. Hopefully I will get back out there soon.

Take only photographs and leave only footprints

My Terra 35 pack didnt fit me well, was too small, so I traded up from an adjustable Crestone 60. Much better fit on my lack of hips. I've been a member of The Clymb for a short while now and finally made my first purchase from them for much cheaper than any other retailer. A Geigerrig Hydration Engine, a fancy name for a pressurized water pack, that fits snugly in the hydropack pocket in the Crestone pack and works great, good buy.

 

Better support, main sack side zipper, dual hydration exits, and easily straps sleep pad and tripod chair. As for the the hydrapak, pressurization is unbeatable: being able to spray clean a wound or gear and share water germ free could be a factor of reducing infections and worse. The pack now full with about 4 Litres of water weighs about 30 lbs, my clothes are heavy and so is the water. Still in physical therapy and school starts soon.

Flatwoods Park: Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely

Training is required before anyone attempts long hikes, especially with heavy packs. After my physical therapy I went to Flatwoods Park located in the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. It has a paved trail running from Bruce B Downs to Morris Bridge Road, along with many other unpaved trails that branch off. With SWFWMD's buying power essentially shut down and the threat of developers the only way Hillsborough County can keep these wilderness preserves from being demolished (aside from taxes) is to charge a fee, a mere $2.00 only started recently 2011; however, for a daily or weekly visitor it really adds up, time to start visiting more in Pasco and Hernando.

The paved path is ladened with bikers, skaters, and runners of all kinds, due to its heavily populated surrounding region and it's peoples' strive to be healthy.

Crossroads make for wide clearings with views boundless in bearing.

Creeks overflowing in their own vitality; a good sign our water supply is alive and in good working order. Without these lands we would have no clean water to supply to the growing population of the bay area.

The side trails away from all the runners is where I reside for much of the duration of my hike.

The thin canopy of the small pine trees promote heavy growth of the underbrush below.

This trail runs along the creek but is much thicker woods and riddled with mosquitoes and reptiles.

Massive fields separated by the paths and highways keep any large game from reaching further grounds.

Evidence of recent controlled burns shown heavy upon the giant pine. 

 Harsh winds take their toll on a shallow rooted monster.

While the burns are necessary for keep the growth flourishing with nutrients some trees take a much bigger beating.

A much needed pit stop and refueling to keep up the tramp.

The towering giants hold their stride with deeply entrenched roots.

 Through sweat and aching the trail starts to open.

A wondrous site for this browbeaten lad, a watering hole and sign that shows my hike is nearly at an end.

Only about 8 miles and 4 hours on the trail in all. I've been putting together some video shoots as well, still need more footage and I'll have to write some background music for the video, but my condenser mic is on the fritz so I'll have to find another way to record.

Bad News, but not stopping

I went into surgery to get the screws and plate taken out of my elbow so I'm trapped recovering and classes start next month. I plan on getting back on the trail soon, just not soon enough. The expeditions throughout this whole blog are self funded and self produced, others that take on such documentation tasks are often sponsored and given gear along with some production budget for quality. I'll try to mix together some video into something of amateur production quality next time I can get back out there.

But all is not lost during down time, this is a period of more learning and more training, you can never be over prepared, simple as that (but you can be overpacked). Personally I've just been looking into other companies who support outdooring activities, particularly the ones that don't just manufacture or sell products used on trail, but those that live the products, and the brands have become a part of the lifestyle that comes with backpacking and trekking, while many who do already retail or produce those goods are there for that such reason. REI is a good one, they do manufacture some hiking/climbing goods and apparel, they retail other brands also. REI also endorses expeditions that encourage the purchasing of the products the sell, an effective marketing scheme (similar to Cabela's or L.L. Bean for you hunting folk). They also work with 'outdoor sports marketing,' go figure! Most of which are endorsed and sponsored hikes or documentary expeditions, used to market and test/review their products even more; regardless of all the capitalism they express, it does well for them, not me. There are plenty more, Backpacker is primarily a magazine about backpacking, nature, etc but they have loads of information about products they review, survival techniques, and nature safety on their website. Another more similar to myself would be Wahoo Hiker, he's more of a writer(and I lack such talent), but outdoor enthusiast nonetheless, but no longer updates that blog; there are too many to name them all. These companies market products they like, and do what they love in about as good of a manner a possible to still be profitable. I'd just rather it be about the experience and use the local parks and recreation department, than care much for the marketing and business of the products; but that's what makes the companies compete to make better stuff then the next guy. And this is merely a hobby of mine, I prefer something more substantial to make my living, hence my programming major.

I guess people like me is their target market, but I would never go as far as paying REI to set up their group hikes; an Appalachian hut to hut hike for $700 (they have more on all continents that go higher than $3k). I'd be the one that would get two friends and sneak around the front postings and camp shop to sleep our own way with our own shelter. We're merely walking! But of course I don't condone of any illegal activities.

Learning is a fun, progressive experience; you gain knowledge, then you test it, then you gain more knowledge, and knowledge is power! Packing the contents of your gear correctly is dire, you should how learn before going backpacking or hiking with a heavy load. First and foremost your pack should fit correctly to your size and carry the majority of the load on your waist not your shoulders. Keep everything in your pack strapped down well for balance, any heavy jostling items hanging on the outside or loose inside will shift and can easily throw you off your feet on uneven terrain.

Most hike packs have a big stow pocket at the bottom for sleeping bags or other light, compressable items. The heaviest items like water and tent poles should be closest to your spine in the center, as to attempt to be one with your torso. If your pack goes lopsided when you put it on there is probably too much weight on one side, and heavy items need to be centered correctly. These heavier items can be held in place with lighter softer items like clothing around the sides. Osprey packs has a good illustration of weight distribution. I only post a link to their site because it is their illustration and all credit goes to them, I want to avoid posting things that belong to others on my blog, I'd rather just refer readers to them and keep it original here. Keep things that need to be accessed often on the top or in easy to reach pockets with items only used in the evening at the hardest to reach places towards the bottom.

Pack's contents

This is what I have so far, which would last me comfortably for a few days or more. For lighter hikes you lighten the pack. About 25 pounds when full, varies with the seasons and how much I feel like carrying.

Most unpacked

OKC Survival knife, stones, and Letherman multitool

Books, Health, and Hygiene

Passion packed, go. I need to reduce the amount hanging outside, the sandals and mess tin will go inside when I make a bungie brace for a bedroll or tent to securely strap to the bottom after I get a good raincover. The more secured your pack is and the less jossling of supplies means better balance and less stress on your back.

The North Face Terra 35 Pack
Eureka Solitare Tent
Coleman mess tin, mug, and utensils
Ontario Knife Company Air Force Survival Knife w/ leather sheath
Leatherman multitool pocketknife
Grindstone and Arkansas whetstone
Princeton Tec BYTE headlamp
New Balance 479 shoes
Oniell Sandals
Water Proof Matches
1/4" nylon camp cord
Medical Kit
Magnet
Thread and needle
Homemade Water Filter
Garbage and ziplock bags
Tripod seat
Steel leader wire
Rubber Bands
Carabiner Clips
Gloves
Blanket
Towel
Sunhat
Clothes and socks
Hand sanitizer
Bugspray
Sunblock
Oral hygiene kit
Bubblewrap sleeping pad
My books
Zune
Sony Handycam SR-45
Moto droid
And of course, water bottles

Things I'd like/plan to add:
Thermarest self inflating sleeping pad
Solar usb charger (solio classic or kiwi u powered, not sure yet)
Consumer grade water filter (katadyn vario, or some msr)
UV purifier (SteriPEN adventurer)
Hydration pack
Fiberous Camp towel
Rainproof pack cover
Rinseless shampoo
Wax thread and seam sealer

Conner Preserve: Searing Eyes Peer Through Shaded Pillows

On Thursday July 7th around noon I started the task of Conner preserve, all of it. What I figured would take me two days, only took about 8 hours of actual hike, 12 hours on trail total, the weather made sure of that. It was fucking exhilarating...just like ice fishing.

The constant threat of downpour loomed overhead, pervading its dread along the paths. The sun peered through the clouds and it's radiant light singed my skin after so many hours, I hoped the clouds would once again overshadow the suns gaze.

The dead, dried bushes overlapping the lush green palmettos, natural contrasts flaunted by their own demeanor.

The Great Egret combs the tall grass from high above...

... but always forgoes its humble perch for the hunt of certain prey.

Life's circle fully eclipsed, one day the fate of us all.

Water, water, and more water; the unlikelihood of crossing 20 miles in 8 hours and the encroaching cloud storm encourages the idea of camp craft.

Crossing an seemingly endless horizon with the sun and the teasing droplets of rain on my back, nevermore than a few...

...Vultures menace the skies above my head, as if I were to be the next of their pickings. They perched atop their lost mooseman, who desisted his excursion, to be left a lonely dying tree...

Is that a samsquanch?

The thick brush overgrown among the once treaded tire tracks along the trail; now knee-high I whistle, stomp heavily, and walk only along the the center high ridge between what used to be low channel left by tires in hopes of avoiding any territorial serpents, keeping my eyes sifting through my future path. The thorns prove my obvious regret of my short ankled socks: lesson learned.

The steady long strides between hoofed tracks lead the presumption of deer (above any other ungulates), almost corralled in this sanctuary leaves them not very far; however, they are difficult to catch off guard, they know this land more than us. To successfully surprise these deer intentionally, you would have to take arduous, devious implementations to do so; they are far from hunting grounds. 

As I trot past she leers at me, tirelessly holding her pose, the first instinct is camouflage. I neglectfully stare through her rusted golden fur simply seeing browning leaves and pine needles, distracted by my music. As I pass the one mere snap of twig catches my ear, the music could not be muted faster along with my own heartbeat. Examining my own surroundings in silence to anything but the birds and bugs conducting their business through the trees, the warm soft sand along the path, rusting barbed wire fence on the right, and small marsh land to the far left. I spot what looks like a molding leaf off a golden brown tree (I should wear my glasses) behind a bushel of palmetto brush not 15 feet from me... and it wags! My eyes instantly change to the other side the bushel and there is a golden doe with ears to the sky and eyes as big as golf balls scrutinizing my body language, deciding the run or to stay and hide. At that instant we were in a stand off staring contest; what felt like hours could not have been more than seconds, and with a blink she was gone in a gallop through the marsh.

The king of the monarchs!

Can you spot the dragonfly? Me neither!

This is what people know as "bad country," waist high brush leaving a mystery of what lies below with every step, giving any ambush cover up to your very boot.

What seems to be a field of grass is actually a water basin about a foot deeper than what you see, perfect for snakes. Don't play ball on this field.

Couldn't really tell exactly what this was, much less how it died, picked clean.

The rain was an inevitability, it was only a question of when.

This game doesn't get rained out... you get rained in. 

The torrential downpour patters and rumbles on the fly, like a thousand horses galloping across the plains. Moisture in the air wrinkles the page's edge. Stuck in an endless story on a ride I could not predict what happens next. The comic stylings of the zune list keeps morale high.

Even after the soaking of the ground some hard work, luck, and ingenuity made a campfire possible, it took over 30 minutes and I gave up on fire, leaving the smoking remnants to my back, then five minutes later a surprising flame sprouts out!

At about midnight long after hitting all trails, about 18.4 miles total; some well earned R&R; and the rain ceased to torture me with its rhythmic beating, I packed up and headed for home.