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GETTING STARTED If you are new to outdoor activities you might have some questions and concerns about how to prepare for an enjoyable experience. The easiest way to get started is to just go out and take a walk. Hiking in north Florida does not require any mountain climbing skills, you won’t have to know how to survive in a snow cave or worry about being eaten by some large predator; but there are some things that can make your hike more enjoyable. WHAT TO TAKE A good pair of shoes is the most important piece of equipment you can invest in. Don’t go for a 5 mile hike in the woods in your flip flops. A good pair of walking shoes will work, but a pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes is better. It is not unusual to go through some wet ground and dry feet are happy feet. Start out with shorter hikes and work your way up. This will give you and your new shoes a chance to get broken in. A water bottle. It is hot in Florida and it is easy to get dehydrated. Bring along a bottle of water and sip on it throughout the hike. Be realistic about how much water you will need. You want to have enough, but you probably are not going to want to carry a gallon of water around. Insect repellant. Mosquitoes, gnats and biting flies can make an outdoor activity a living hell. Be prepared by carrying a repellant with you. You will hear all kinds of home remedies for keeping the bugs away like Skin So Soft or rubbing yourself with dryer sheets. I have found that the most effective repellants are the ones that have a high DEET content. This stuff is probably not very healthy, so don’t bathe in it before you leave. Bring it with you and use it if bugs become a problem. Sun protection. The sun can be brutal. Evaluate your exposure and prepare accordingly. If you are going to the beach or out on the water you will have a higher exposure than a winter hike in the woods. Sunscreen is a must and a wide brimmed hat can also help. These are the essentials but there are other things that can heighten your experience. A pair of binoculars, a camera, a shell (rain jacket), a guide book and GPS are things that I bring with me. When you have this much stuff you need a good day pack to carry it in and then you have to carry the pack. But don’t go out and buy a bunch of gadgets. Start out simple and put your pack together when you decide what you want. Remember, the important thing is to get outside and have a good time. COMMON CONCERNS There are two common areas of concern when someone is first getting involved in outdoor activities – getting lost and encounters with wild animals. While these are both things that should be addressed, they are not something to be overly concerned with. Getting lost. Most trails in the park system are well marked and easy to follow and maps of the trails are available at the ranger stations and sometimes at the trail heads. If you are still unsure, look for guided hikes. Many parks offer ranger guided hikes and there are more and more private ecotour guides available for hire. A guided hike not only offers assurance but also a wealth of knowledge that will enhance your experience. I always welcome local knowledge when I visit a new area. Another thing to consider is a handheld GPS. But your best defense against getting lost is just paying attention to your surroundings. Wild animals. In spite of our isolated modern lives, many of us still have a deep seated fear of wild animals. As I mentioned earlier, the animals to be most concerned with in north Florida are insects not alligators or bears or even snakes. While there is an abundance of wildlife in the panhandle, you will learn that spotting it is a treat not a threat. The thing to remember in all wildlife encounters is to view from a distance and don’t be stupid. Something I used to tell people on my ecotours was that more than 80% of snake bites in the US happen to males in their teens and twenties with alcohol being a contributing factor in the majority of cases. Enough said. As you spend more time exploring the natural areas of the panhandle you will become more and more comfortable. You may find that you are most interested in birds or wildflowers or trees or even reptiles. You might get involved in cycling or kayaking or photography. Or you might be content with just taking a walk and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Now that you have the basics, go to the trips, pick a park and get started. See you on the trail. |
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