The Final Stretch: 10 Days to Go on My 10,000-Mile Journey
This morning, we woke up at the motel, ready to tackle the day ahead. Thankfully, my mild sun poisoning from yesterday had subsided, and it was a relief to see Slide feeling much better too, after his more severe sun poisoning incident. It's incredible to think about the various challenges and experiences one encounters during a long-distance hike like this. And it's even more astonishing to realize how these once-unfamiliar situations have become a part of my everyday life.
I've lost count of the number of times I've dealt with sun poisoning and hives this year. Unless my reaction is severe, causing hot flashes and chills, I've almost become immune to these minor ailments. It's easy to forget about these challenges when you're immersed in a year-long hiking adventure. I can't help but imagine compiling a list of all the unique experiences and ailments I've encountered over the course of this journey.
It was a pleasure to see Slide feeling rejuvenated. After packing up our belongings, we enjoyed some leftover pizza and food from the previous night. On our way out of town, we stopped by the same gas station next door, where the same friendly lady was working, just as she had been exactly a week ago. We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go, and I grabbed some coffee, drinks, and snacks for the day ahead. They had these adorable cake snowballs that looked like little snowmen, and despite not being my usual favorite, I couldn't resist their charm, especially after a year without them.
I believe this might be the first snowball I've indulged in all year.
As we left town, we began walking along the levee once more. I followed my routine from the previous week, enjoying a coffee for breakfast and saving my breakfast sandwich for later. The sandwich, though simple, was incredibly satisfying. And for dessert, my snowball exceeded my expectations. We walked along the paved levee, making our way towards Moore Haven. Today was going to be a repeat of last week, walking from the motel through Moore Haven and eventually reaching Clewiston. The only difference was that we planned to spend more than one night in Clewiston this time.
The next couple of days are crucial for adding those final miles to reach our 10,000-mile goal. After that, we'll have the remaining miles on the Florida Trail and the connector trail through the keys. So, our strategy is to spend tonight in Clewiston, do an out-and-back tomorrow, stay in Clewiston again, and repeat the process the following day.
Walking along the levee as the sun rose, I felt a sense of déjà vu. We're currently in a Lake Okeechobee fever dream! My main concern is the lack of motivation to create YouTube videos due to the repetitive nature of this section. I'm unsure how to make this part of the trail entertaining for my audience, especially when I've already generated an immense amount of content this year. I tend to be overly critical of myself when I don't meet my own high standards.
By noon, we were back in Moore Haven, following our routine from the previous week. We ordered food from the Mexican restaurant, this time opting for breakfast burritos with chorizo and potatoes. The food was just as delicious as we remembered, and we grabbed some drinks and snacks before continuing our journey. We walked past the lounge and package store with the captivating mural of dogs playing pool, watched over by a lone cat in the corner.
After a couple of miles of road walking, we returned to the levee. Last time, we walked past a recreational area with bathrooms, but this time, I wanted to dispose of our bulkier trash and take advantage of the facilities. Slide, on the other hand, had no idea this area existed, so it was a pleasant surprise for him.
As we walked along the road leaving Moore Haven, enjoying our delicious burritos, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I could start fresh without the excess trash. We continued on the levee for the next few hours, heading towards Clewiston. It looked like we'd arrive in town around 6:00 PM, and we planned to add some extra mileage by heading back out onto the levee after dinner.
Slide walked ahead of me on the levee, and the sunset painted the sky with a beautiful, quiet ambiance. A thin layer of clouds added to the heavenly scene as the sun peeked through. As we approached the parking area, we encountered a man walking towards us. I often hike in the dark without a headlamp, relying on the bright moon for visibility. This time, I startled the man as I approached him in the darkness, and I couldn't help but laugh when Slide, who was a bit behind me, shared his surprise at encountering a stranger, thinking it was me.
The sun began to set as we continued towards Clewiston, and I found myself amused by Slide's reaction. When we reached the main road into Clewiston, I waited for Slide to catch up, and he shared his amusing encounter with the stranger. The two of us then entered Clewiston together, and to my delight, my favorite Colombian bakery, Punto Rojo, was open. They serve the best pan de bono, along with smoothies, savory dishes, and an array of baked goodies. We stocked up on treats to enjoy on the levee as we wrapped up our day.
All smiles, we checked into the Clewiston Inn for the next few nights, excited for some slack-packing! We continued back onto the levee to add the necessary mileage, indulging in our delicious food from Punto Rojo. I couldn't get enough of that Colombian bakery in Clewiston. Everything they serve is simply mouthwatering, and I often find myself craving their treats when I'm not on the trail.
We walked a couple more miles to reach our mileage goal, and then headed to our room for the night. Outside the hotel, we encountered some friendly stray cats, which were probably not stray at all but belonged to one of the nearby houses. After settling into our room, we knew we could leave our belongings unpacked for the next three nights, a luxury we don't often have on the trail. We planned to walk to Walmart for a resupply tomorrow, adding some extra mileage to our day.
The next few days will be a much-needed opportunity to relax and celebrate Christmas. I can't wait to enjoy some well-deserved downtime in Clewiston!
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The Clewiston Inn, all lit up with Christmas lights, is a sight to behold. Right next door, there's a park adorned with Christmas lights and inflatable decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
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