It’s been almost seven years since I met Bart Smith at an FTA Annual Conference, when he sought me out to say “how’d you like to do a book together?” The result of our chat was Along the Florida Trail, which I section hiked to write and he thru-hiked to photograph. He already had two excellent books with notable authors, Earl Shaffer and Karen Berger. And after he packed up the things he left at my house while he was hiking and headed home to Seattle and family, we kept in touch now and again but not like we did while collaborating.
This spring, Bart’s wife Bridgie got in touch to tell me the exciting news that Bart would be wrapping up 16 years of hiking ALL of the National Scenic Trails, and he’d do it to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the National Trail System. She asked me to work with them on content for his website, which I was honored to do. Today Bart met his goal: all trails complete! Here’s the story.
His website’s a beaut, too, with slide shows from every National Scenic Trail. Be sure to take a virtual hike with Bart down the Florida Trail! Bart’s website: Walking Down A Dream.
Our stretch of the Florida Trail — it’s southern 25 miles — is under water, as it always is during the “wet season” in Big Cypress Nat’l Preserve. But it’s especially high this year. That’ll get your boots wet, plus your knees. It’s that high.