Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Coast to Coast Trail 2
I continued my adventure towards the ocean on Coast to Coast Trail 2. This time I went deep into the swamps.
The sun had just started rising and fog covered the land as I started my adventure down Coast to Coast Trail 2. The walls of trees were no more. Instead, it was barriers filled with swamp that kept me on the trail. Once one leaves a major urban area in Florida behind, they will discover what this state once looked like.
I saw another sign that warned me that I would only be going halfway towards the next trail head. I’m not quite ready for a 14 mile walk in one day. Anywhere I go, I have to make a return trip to. 7 Miles is much more workable for me as of me writing this post, and so that is what I set out to reach.
Passing Mile Marker 8, I thought about how this was one of the first times that the mile marker was not immediately after the trail head. Not something that matters in most cases, but as far as how these posts are organized, you might notice that the first section has a lot more pictures than normal as a result.
Mile Marker 7.5:
As much as I like to focus on nature in these posts, I can’t ignore the sky in the above pictures. It was breathtaking. Even more so in the pictures than what I initially saw. Not being blinded by the sun had advantages. This next section of Coast to Coast Trail 2 took me even deeper into the Florida swamps.
Naturally in swamps there are lot of bugs, and they were all too happy that a human had entered their domain. This will be my last adventure without bug spray. I learned an important lesson with several new bites and stings.
Between the fog and clouds, this was one of the more picturesque parts of the trail thus far. Its also a nice change of pace from the last few sections which had started to all feel similar to each other. Not that I have a problem with the calm of forests. But its nice to describe something different. With that, Mile Marker 7.5 was my next destination. Wonder what I’ll find at 0.
Mile Marker 7:
Between the fog, swamps, clouds, and early morning light, Coast to Coast Trail 2 continued to look surreal in picture after picture. Something else drew my attention at this point that added to this surreal feel. I had a problem with all the mosquitos of course, but there was another insect flying around. And while I might be afraid of it, I still thought it was neat how many I saw.
I’m talking about bees. Specifically Bumble Bees. There were tons of them flying around and getting nectar from flowers. I guess it never occurred to me that there would be bees in a swamp. But it makes sense. Tons of colorful flowers and plenty of water to keep them alive. Personally I’m glad I didn’t run into a swarm of bees. I am scared of them after all. It took a little of the experience away that I jumped each and every time I heard low buzzing near me.
Passing Mile Marker lucky 7 was a strange feeling. I know this isn’t counting down to the end of the trail, but I have spent several years of my life checking out this path and I am getting that much closer to the true end of it.
Mile Marker 6.5:
As the morning grew later, the fog burned away. But the swamp that made up Coast to Coast Trail 2 was only growing deeper. Now I was seeing spots of water just below the green. That is after all how swamps work. Its why so many stories including several of my own showcase such places as dangerous. But swamps are wonderful places with diverse ecosystems. Its a shame we make them scary all the time.
I don’t know the names of the trees that grow here, but I have seen them before. Down south closer to Miami in a place called Alligator Alley, you see them along Interstate 75 for miles and miles. At least I think its the same tree. Fully expect someone more versed on this topic to correct me.
Mile Marker 6.5 was next and the sun block was doing its job. Even with some burns from that earlier adventure I was perfectly fine on the trail This section of the trail as well as most of it was barely shaded if shaded at all. The sun could have been worse.
Mile Marker 6:
Coast to Coast Trail 2 continued through the Florida swamps. But there was a bridge two. That isn’t a typo. There were two bridges right next to each other. Both for the same river or creek or whatever you would call it. Its flowing water. It flows.
I imagine the swamp near the river gets even mushier to the point where the trail needed to be lifted off the ground so it wouldn’t sink. And I think this was a wise decision. Between all the mosquitos buzzing around me, and the bites from those who had already gotten what they wanted from me, the last thing I wanted to do was go near the water where even more of those horrible monsters would find me.
Mile Marker 6 is one third of the way to evil. But not in this adventure cause the numbers are going down. Not up as most of my adventures have been. At the rate I’m traveling. Two more journeys down the trail should take me to 0.
Mile Marker 5.5:
As the morning grew later, a lot of the surreal colors faded away. But that only means I get to focus on the swamps and trees again. Which what I would have done, but something that I had dreaded for a long time, finally became a possibility. Around this section of the trail, a biker passed me by and warned that there was a bear nearby. They turned around because of said bear.
I have thought long and hard about what I would do if I encountered hostile wild life on one of these trails. And I already know that I stand no chance against a bear. At this point I considered turning around. But I am stubborn and stupid. So instead, I messaged a bunch of people, telling them that I was going down a trail that had a bear sighting in case something happened to me.
Passed by Mile Marker 5.5 on Coast to Coast Trail 2 and didn’t see any bears. That’s a good thing, right?
Mile Marker 5:
For one of the final stretches of Coast to Coast Trail 2, I kept my eyes open. I was still scared of running into a bear. So much in fact that I was no longer jumping at the buzzing bees or the wicked mosquitos which posed a much more clear and present threat than a bear that might have been no where near me.
Still, with all that listening and looking, I got to appreciate the peace and how many noises one can hear in a swamp. I used to wear headphones on these adventures. I’m glad I shook that habit. There is so much missed if you don’t listen to your surroundings.
Mile Marker 5 was the last one I would pass on this adventure. But since this is only half way to the next trail head, you will see what lies beyond very soon.
Sonner than you thought in fact. This post isn’t done yet. I found a small road to be a useful dividing spot so I know where to start next time. I still didn’t see the bear on Coast to Coast Trail 2. And now that I am home safe writing this from the comfort of my home, I have to wonder what would have happened if I had found a bear?
Pokémon Go:
Just as the last part of this trail showcased, Coast to Coast Trail 2 is not a place to play Pokémon Go. No Pokestops at all except at the trailhead. And I only got spawns due to incense. This trail is a beautiful place to take a walk. But between bad reception and lack of anything to do in game for long periods, this is not the spot to play. Try a park instead. There are many that I will be passing through soon.
I somehow hatched two of the same Pokémon. You can tell by the time stamps, the different movesets, and a few other clear tells that these are actually two different Pokémon and not the same one twice.
Oh boy was today a big deal for me. I have been walking this Sandile turned Krokorok for a long time now. But today it finally evolved again into Krookodile. Now that it is fully grown, it won’t be my buddy in these posts anymore. So say goodbye to this Pokémon. Don’t worry, I am not gonna transfer them. I’ll see them. But you won’t. I’ll have a new buddy for my next blog post.
Wrap Up:
I forgot my hat on this adventure. Good thing I didn’t need it. The sun wasn’t too bad, and the clouds and fog made this adventure fun. I need bug spray though. I’m tired of being an all you can eat buffet for the mosquitos.
More adventures await. And I have something special planned soon. Something a little different that I have not done in a while. Look forward to that soon.