February 1, 2018
Our second Florida hike together was at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve in the middle of winter. It was a breathtaking expanse of grassland below an infinite blue sky above. It was also my first experience hiking long distances through water – so different and a little intimidating at first.
The wet prairie extends forever here 
Year-round pools full of lilies and gators 
Palm hammocks dot the prairie 
The trail runs right through knee-deep water 
We take lots of selfes
The preserve, part of the Everglades headwaters, protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie. Hiking through the prairie was hot and dry and beautiful. As we hiked, the trail transitioned from prairie to extensive wetlands and marshes that drain into the Kissimmee River.
This fallen palm looks like a stegosaurus skeleton 
At 5 inches across, this is probably a Florida panther 
Sunset at Hopkins Prairie 
The roots of this fallen tree stand like an alien sculpture
Karen started introducing me to lots of new terms to explain all the different habitats I was seeing for the first time: palm hammocks, saw palmetto prairies, sandy pine forests, etc. My head was spinning but I had a big smile on my face.
~ Rusty
We are Girl Hobo and Rusty (Ren and Troy), two greys who met on the Appalachian Trail. We started a life together, converted a van to travel and hike across the country, and we like to eat well. Now, we’re sharing what we’re learning on the road, and we’d love you to join us!