Mike, mist, and the Cherry Cabin

Inside the Cherry Cabin at Gold Head Branch State Park

On Tuesday evening after work, I took a trek up to Keystone Heights to meet up with my buddy Mike DeWitt, whose sole purpose in life these days is to hike the Florida Trail, absorb the essence of Florida, and blend it all into a blog and features for the Tampa Tribune. I’m envious of his journey and hope to do the same myself before I hit the big 5-0. Eve Szymanski of Clay County Tourism and assistant park manager Renee Rau threw a little BBQ in Mike’s honor, right in front of Holly Cabin where Mike has been waxing eloquent about his experiences with a view of Little Lake Johnson for company.

Quite the gourmand, Mr. DeWitt wowed us with anjou pears, sliced and dipped in chocolate and frozen on skewers, a taste I’d give up ice cream for. I was able to walk the lakeshore and capture the evening light slipping into the water, with the moon rising above.

I stayed so late I ended up bunking for the night at the Cherry Cabin, a delightful home away from home with way more comforts than one person needs. In the morning, mist rose and flowed down the length of the lake to meet Gold Head Branch, and Mike and I hoisted a cup of joe in honor of a new day.

Here’s what you’ll encounter along the Florida Trail in Gold Head Branch State Park.

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Sandra Friend

Author of 45 books, Sandra Friend established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to expand on the field research she'd completed for her first six hiking guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Trail Association and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association.