Hikers Head to Port Mayaca
It was 4:30 AM on opening day for the Big O Hike around Lake Okeechobee. My alarm had just gone off in my little cottage at the KOA Campground in Clewiston, Florida. I needed to get moving for registration started at 7:00 AM at the Pahokee Marina. Start time was promptly at 8:00. I showered, prepped my pack with water and food, and prepared to drive 45 minutes around the lake to Pahokee. Unlike other small towns on Lake Okeechobee, Pahokee actually sits right on the lakeshore and has been the Big O send- off point for the last 19 years.
Sunrise from Paul Rardin Park
As I drive around the Lake, I had a little time to stop for a sunrise shot just outside of the town of Bell Glade. I climb up the Herbert Hoover Dike at the Paul Rardin Trailhead to capture this glowing orange and blue sunrise overlooking the cane fields. It is a beautiful Florida fall morning, the crisp cool air and a breathtaking sunrise made for a perfect beginning.
Back on SR 715 I soon arrive at the town of Pahokee, as I see a small sign and a beautiful line of Royal Palms defining the road and to say “Welcome to our rural community.” I am filled with excitement as I reach the Marina and see the small crowd of Hikers gathering. The first person I see is a dear friend. We exchange hugs and briefly say “Hello”. There a was buzz of chatter in the crowd as the return hikers caught up and the newbie’s tried to learn the ropes.
Promptly at 8:00 AM Paul Cummings, for the 19th time as he is one of the founders of this hike and has participated every year since 1991, gave the invocation. The Wagon Master waved the checkered flag and slowly we were off. Groups soon formed as the fast walkers, the mid-striders, and the slow dawdlers naturally convened
I was fortunate to be able to catch up with my good friend. Although our pace is average, both of us have this enthusiasm for photography and periodically stop to shoot photos. My friend is quite an accomplished hiker and has participated, weather in full or just pieces of the Big O, at least nine times. The hike went fast as I was pleasantly engrossed in the tales she told of the History of the Herbert Hoover Dike and the surrounding communities. How the Hurricane of the 1928 caused a tidal wave across the lake and flooded the surrounding communities tragically killing 2300 residents. The southern communities of Bell Glade, South Bay, and Pahokee were the targeted victims in this horrific disaster. This disaster and other hurricanes spawned the Army Corp of Engineers to build this 110 mile dike around the largest lake in Florida. We enjoyed the company of others as we caught up to them or as others caught up with us. We took a small break at the 3.5 mile mark as the wimp walk ended here. Several of the hikers would shuttle back to Pahokee while only a few will trek the entire twelve miles.
Banana Trees and Sugar Cane
We trekked on ….shot photos of the Lakeside wildlife: Green Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Belted Kingfisher to name a few. The scenery took on an interesting appeal as it was not your typical Florida Beach or Disneyland. This was Sugarland with fields of Sugarcane, black-eyed peas, green beans, and modest block-wall houses from the 1920‘s. Banana Trees lined the backyards for both aesthetic and practical purposes. And not to forget the constant sweeping view of the 50 mile diameter lake. The communities along Lake Okeechobee are the back-bone of Florida’s agricultural industry. Pahokee, Oki-tantie, More Haven, Clewiston and South Bay all have interesting history and an play an important role in the economic health of South Florida. These are the communities you will cross through if you Hike the whole trail.
Soon the bridge over St Lucy Canal was in sight. We knew we were near the end for today. I had mixed feeling as my blistered feet were happy and relieved but I did not want the hike with my friend to end as I always cherish our time together. I caught a shuttle from a fellow hiker back to my car. I was headed to base camp in the town of Okeechobee to join the group for the daily 4:00 Happy Hour. Here we all join to share stories of the days events and past experiences on the Florida Trail and other trails. Then in smaller groups we organized for dinner. We are off for dinner at a locally owned steakhouse named Cowboys. Great food, good conversation, and camaraderie was a nice way to end the night. The hikers convene back at the campground to work out the logistics of the next days hike. After the meeting reluctantly, I head back to my cottage in Clewiston for I did not want the day to end. The hikers need to get to bed early as tomorrows hike begins at 6:30 AM. My yearning to stay has me already planning to hike for several days next year!
Click here to view more photos of the Big O Hike 2010 on flickr.
The Big O is an annual 109 mile hike around Lake Okeechobee hosted by Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. It is traditionally held the week of Thanksgiving with a hearty Thanksgiving Dinner at the Clewiston Inn. Lake Okeechobee is part of the National Scenic Florida Trail which is an 1100 mile continuous hiking trail from Big Cypress Preserve to connect to Pensacola.
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