Over 80 Cross Florida Hikers
In the News, Special Events Comments (0)
The Over 80 Cross Florida Hikers completed their epic journey today from Flagler Beach to Withlacoochee Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, logging 139 miles and more than 330 years of life experience between the four who reached their goal. The hike began on October 27 at Flagler Beach and took two weeks.
Their journey was a personal one: only those over 80 years old were allowed on the hike, except for the weekend of Nov 3-4, when friends and family joined them hiking from Marshall Swamp to 49th Avenue on the Cross Florida Greenway. It was a special celebration for leader Kenneth Smith of Belleview, long-time Cross Florida Greenway section leader who turned 80 this year and planned this hike for many, many years.
Participants in the hike included FTA members Charlie Monson, Al Kisarewich, Clifton Moody, Ernie Baldini, Loretta Copeland, and leader Kenneth Smith. Ernie and Loretta left the hike due to health concerns. This afternoon around 2:30 PM, Charlie, Al, Cliff (at 90, the elder of the group) and Ken reached the Gulf of Mexico with an entourage of friends, family, and media.
Their hike was followed day by day by the staff of the Ocala Star Banner, resulting in several front page articles and sporadic video blogs. Ken carried a video camera the entire trip. Thanks to the media coverage, their hike has inspired many that no matter what age, you can get out there and HIKE the Florida Trail!
Links to the Ocala Star Banner stories about the hike:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071026/NEWS/210260344/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071030/NEWS/71030011/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071101/BELLEVIEW/211020307/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071101/NEWS/211010354/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071107/NEWS/71107018/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071108/NEWS/71108019/1340/NEWS
Congratulations from all of us at the Florida Trail office!
FTA Staff @ November 9, 2007