A weekend at Myakka River State Park

We spent last weekend camping (ugh) at Myakka River State Park.  The weather forecast was perfect and this was the perfect place to get in a good, long hike.

Camping is certainly not on my list of favorite things to do.  While I don't mind being outside and even sleeping in a tent is okay.  I just really hate the whole "no amenities" thing.  Yes, I've been called a "Princess" and "spoiled" and everything in between, but I am very comfortable with the title of "Princess".  Do people really think that calling me a Princess is an insult?  I think it's fantastic!  What young girl hasn't grown up dreaming of becoming a Princess??  I like to think that I'm living that dream!  HA!

I digress....my biggest annoyance with camping is the bathroom situation.  I don't like sharing my bathroom at home, much less at a campground with hundreds of strangers.

Anyway, the real reason we went camping was to be assured we could get in a good long hike, at least 7 miles.  Since we have found out that the Appalachian Trail trip will cover 21 miles in 3 days we wanted to test ourselves at 7 miles to see how we would feel after at least 1 day of hiking.

We brought our weighted packs with us and hit the trail about 11:45 am.  Our intent was to follow the trail beyond the Mossy Hammock remote campsite.  Mossy Hammock is listed on the park's trailmap as being 2.2 miles from the trailhead.  Well, 2.2 miles my A**!!  We intentionally brought the GPS with us and it is definitely more than 2.2 miles!  Which of course makes me question the rest of their printed distances for the other trails and campsites.

Aside from the irritation of the incorrect distances we had a reasonably nice hike.  Most of the trail to Mossy Hammock is within the treeline, so it's cooler and shady.  Both of the boys hiked with us and we weren't halfway in before we started hearing the, "I'm bored.  I'm hungry.  I want to watch TV."  Watch TV??  We're in the middle of the f*** woods??  How do you think that's going to happen?? That stuff does not go over well with me.  When you tell me you want to go so badly and I have to pay for you to go on this trip---there will be NO WHINING!! 

The other kid was complaining about the weight of his pack so Darren had to take on some of the weight.  We never did make it to the 3.5 mile marker to turn around.  We only got as far as 2.88 miles before turning back.  We turned around mostly because of trail conditions and not the whiners.  Right at the 2.88 mile marker the trail opens into a large open prairie with the sun beating down on you.  We just opted against heat exhaustion.

Thankfully, the hike back had a lot less of the whining.  All in all the hike was nice.  I didn't feel too tired or sore afterward, even my feet were feeling pretty good--which gives me some good optimism about the real trip.  I am still concerned whether or not these kids could really handle 3 days of this....