Homeless Camp Tour

November 17, 2001-Saturday- Day 22

7:00am- The Shorty's dumpster has a lock on it, so, plan-B is called for. I walked down the road a ways and found a Winn Dixie. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. They were emptying the Deli items that didn't sell today. I eased up to the dumpster when they went back inside and laying right there was Bar-B-Q chickens and cakes and fish. This stuff is alright for me too, it hasn't been here but less than 5 minutes. I grabbed 2 chickens and a Pinapple cake and beat feet back to whee we left our stuff. I ate so much, I had to make myself puke. I feel better now.

Nine miles to Ocala, then Gainesville, Lake City and freedom. It turned out to be a nice night and not to cold. Ain't life great! It would be a whole lot better if I had a tent, though!

8:30am- Sign says 6 miles to Ocala now. That will put me in there about noon and I'll have to traverse the city in the day-light. Luck is on my side again, I found a pair of scissors, now I can cut my toenails and see if that helps my feet. Skil's is tired and I'm gonna take an hour here. We'll start out again at 9:30. I am really confident we are gonna makeit now. I was having my doubts before. It appears everything is getting easier, especially getting food for Skil's. Just have to start taking it easy on him.

10:20am- Just about into town but I need to slow down, don't want to push Skil's to hard. That blood yesterday gave the old man quite a fright. I plan to cross town this evening in the dark.

12:20pm- I am at a deserted homeless camp in downtown Ocala. Had to stop because Skil's can't take this heat well today. Guess we'll hang out here for a while. This camp has been deserted for a while and looks like the occupants left in a hurry. Thinking arrested! I washed my face and dry shaved, trimmed my toe-nails. Now, if I just had a pair of clean underwear I would be in heaven. Ah!, the little things you take for granted. I would be the talk of the town, I tell ya! I just gave Skil's the last of the food, so, time to go hunting again. Just not in town. I was wondering where all the mosquitos have been the last few days, they are surely back now and hungry. Must be another cold front coming, I can feel the weather changing. Funny, the things you notice that were everyday nuances before.

3:20pm- Dead center Ocala and don't much care about being here. Just keep moving and don't stare at anybody. Be normal, Ha Ha! Normal!

We will be going right by Orange Lake and I know some people around here. I wouldn't want to run into any of them, while I'm in this position, but some of them do owe me a few favors. Well, heres where I say good-bye to 301, it turns off toward Jacksonville. My memory is faded , but I don't think there is much on this road from here to Gainesville. Its been 20 years since I lived here, and that was only for a few months. I haven't seen the first grocery store and I am half way through town now.

I have found another deserted camp with a Goodwill box a short distance away. Clothes are strewn all over the place. Its no wonder they got run out. I have learned that leaving no trace is the way to go. If I had a pot to cook in I could have made a killer meal last night.

5:35pm- Outside the city limits now and feeling somewhat relieved. We are parked in the woods behind a Winn Dixie and a parking lot full of fast food places. Out of all These places I am pretty sure I can get Skil's something to eat. We;ll stay here tonight and I'll slap skeeters so the baby can get some rest. Last sign I seen said Gainesville was 36 miles. Looks like a Monday arrival. ETA- 48hrs.

Committed To Belleview

November 16, 2001- Friday- Day 21

7:00am-We are rolling this morning, already about 5 miles out of Wildwood. We are taking our first break just past a sign that just says 27,nothing else. If that is the mileage to Ocala, we'll never make it today. I am awful hungry this morning and my little companion is on top of the world. So, my comfort doesn't matter too much to me. Just to see the little guy feeling better. I am guessing that we'll be in Georgia in a week. Hard to believe that we have walked the length of this peninsula in just 20 days. Nice walking weather today, probably low 50's.

8:45am- Just past Oxford along the tracks taking our 2nd break and somebody has lost a bag of beef jerky. So, me and Skil's decided to eat it before the owner came looking for it. Haven't ran across any more markers, so I don't know what that 27 marker meant.Really nice country up here it seems.

10:10am- Found a sign that is claiming Ocala is 17 miles and Belleview is 6 more. If I remember right Belleview is a good sized town. It looks like we have made 9 miles so far this morning according to the sign ont he south-bound side. I found a big Naval orange that was starting to rot and cut the rotten part off. Mighty tasty. Our 5lb. bag of dog food is gone now, so I'm back to hunting Skillet food again. As I walked through Oxford, in front of the Salvation Army was a food drop off box, and not a damn thing in it. Should of went inside, I am gonna have to swallow some of this pride and ask someone for help. No, I don't think I could do that. I'll starve first!

12:30pm- We have just passed through Summerfield, I am guessing Belleview is next. I have discovered another town that is into yard-sales big time. Probably just bored and want to hang out with their neighbors or something. I bet I've passed thirty today. Skil's is starting to show wear-an-tear. He seems tired and can hardly keep up. I have been walking an hour and resting a half hour. Haven't seen any Marion Co. cops yet, but have noticed a lot of R.V.'s heading south. Running from the cold, I guess. Wimps!

1:45pm- Oh Oh, Skil's nose is bleeding and he is gagging on the blood going down his throat. I hope he just stuck a stick up his nose and nothing internal is wrong. I surely will take it easy on him for the rest of the day. Belleview will be the stopping point today. I'm not going any farther until my little boy is better. He has been sound asleep for one hour now and I gonna let him sleep more if he wants. I have been rolling tobacco up in newspaper and I find myself thinking these taste terrible.

3:40pm- We have arrived in Belleview and we are in the woods behind Shorty's Bar-B-Que. I'll hang out here until dark and see if I can get Skil's something good to eat out of their dumpster. The poor little boy is already sacked out. Well at least we found 441, i'll take this right on into North Carolina. When is this damn trip gonna get interesting, so far I just worry about food and getting across the state line. I can feel Georgia, I'm so close now.

Wildwood Stromboli

November 15, 2001- Thursday- Day 20

9:15am- We walked on into Wildwood last night, it made for a long day yesterday, but it was cool and easy walking. I was passing a Hungry Howies pizza when I got a flash from the past. Back in the 80's I got stranded in Tampa and met some homeless guys that showed me some of the tricks of the street. They go to this pizza joint at closing time and wait for the garbage to go out. It seems people would order pizza's and then not pick them up. So, they were discarded, still in the box and warm. I figured that maybe the same thing would happen here. We waited and sure enough, all the orders that weren't picked up were trashed. I have to store that tid-bit of information for the future. The pizza guy sat the stuff on a table and went tyo get the rest of the garbage. I was in the woods 15 feet away, I just stepped over and picked up a box. Just that easy! He put everything in the dumpster and started to clean up everything outside. I was in a place I couldn't get away without being seen. So, I had to sit still as a mouse for about 45 minutes, while my supper got cold. I ended up with a very large Stromboli that I couldn't eat all of it. Stomach must be shrinking up. Mighty damn delicious though.

Right now we are sitting in the woods just north of Wildwood and it is cold and raining. I can't see any signs of life down the road, but we are not going to head out today anyway. My little boy has been puking and he seems cold. I'll let him rest today and if he is better tomorrow, we'll take to the road again. I'm trying to dry my extra clothes, at least, drain the water out of everything. It would be a good day for walking, but not today.

Wildwood ain't no booming Metropolis for sure, seems like Hungry Howies is the hot-spot in town. I need to get to Ocala where there are more opportunities for food and maybe a Goodwill box for some clean clothes. I got some pretty good clothes out of a Goodwill box after "Andrew", but everybody was doing it. Nobody had anything that wasn't wet and muddied up. I hope I run into some friendly homeless people, they are full of knowledge on how to survive.

2:00pm- We are still in the same spot, the rain stopped and I got a couple hour nap. Much Needed! About dark I am going back into town and check out the prospects for tonight. I want to be in Ocala for the week-end, because it will be easier to cross, with less people staring at us. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it seems like I stick out like a sore thumb. I know that the elusive 441 runs through Ocala, that I do know. I'll have to walk right through the middle of downtown, which I don't much look forward to. I found a newspaper and I see its 57F here and 25F in Asheville. That a big difference and it causes me to wonder if I am completely sane or not. That sounds like some pretty rough weather.

4:15pm- I read somewhere, some place, at some other time "As you get older you have to slow down, but in slowing down you make more progress". So, we are gonna slow it down a few notches and stop beating the hell out of me and Skil's. The sky is starting to show a lot of blue but still looks like more rain heading in. We are going to make a trial run over the bridge to see what we could locate (Casing the Joint).

5:20pm- We are sitting under a bridge waiting for dark and I see a guy coming across the tracks. Uh Oh! Turns out he is a rail rider and the police brought him here and told him "Adios" It seems they don't like vagabonds hanging around Wildwood. We talked for a minute and he told me his story. The cops picked him up and took him to the station, finger-printed him and took him to the rails with a big "See Ya" He put on his winter clothes and said he was going to Cincinnati, all I could say was "Holy Shit". Skil's had one bowl of food today and I'll give him another later. I haven't had anything and after my conversation with the railbird, I not going back into town. We are out of here tomorrow!

Rain Rain Go Away!

November 14, 2001-Wednesday- Day 19

7:30am-We are heading out of Bushnell now, and I don't know if we are on 301 or not, haven't seen any signs at all. Don't seem right somehow! A cup of coffee would sure go down good, but I'd probably get spoiled. Steady rain this morning and most of the night. I must be one tough ole' bastard to just lay out in the rain all night. We found some woods to stay in last night and we were about 20 from the rails. Trains coming and going all night! The last time I looked at my watch it was 2:00am, but I don't feel miserable, as I should. Anyway I look at it I know Skil's has a full belly and that is medicine enough.

8:45am- Everything is soaked and very, very heavy this morning. I feel like I am carrying all of Bushnell's rainwater in my pack. I am sure hoping those fellers going to W. Varginia come down this road. They could put me right in Tennessee, that would be to good to be true. I guess. I don't even know if I am gonna have a job when I get there. I wish this rain would stop and my poor old back would stop hurting so bad. Its 60F now, and if it gets any colder I'll more than likely freeze to death.

10:00- Luck is still somewhat on my side this morning. I got stopped by the cops and he fell for the fake name I gave him. Then came the bad news, you are not on 301! He told me I could backtrack about a mile and walk down this little road for about a mile and I'll be on 301. Now I can just about be certain that I have missed that north-bound ride I was hoping for. Looks like I am starting to see blue patches of sky. Wonder what the next town is? I should have asked the Seargent, of course I felt I was pushing my luck as it were. I am super weak today. I've accepted the fact that I'll die one day, but, please not in this hell-hole.

11:35am- I am on 301 once more and it is a barren desolate looking road. It has all the wooden fences that all the horse ranches have around Ocala, and that is all that is breaking up the landscape. I found an orange, I guess that will be my meal for today. Ridin' high now! Lots of traffic heading north, which usually means there is something down that way. Unless they are running from that cop back down the road a ways. Found a tank-top that might come in handy if it gets hot again. We sure could use a few days somewhere to rest up. Oh my, I just broke my thermometer. I liked having that to check the temps. Easy come, easy go! It seems like a cold front is blowing in. Might as well get use to it, I have a feeling I'll experience a lot of erratic weather in the coming months. Might have to find a place to build a fire tonight. I feel the cold already.

1:40pm- Just came through a place called Sumterville, then Coleman 4 miles beyond that and another 5 to Wildwood. We'll try to make it there today. I think somewhere after that I should be running into 441. I found 2 more oranges and a bottle of Smironof Ice. A couple dozen more of those and I be pain free for a while. Really tasted good! (Even Warm) I am taking this break on the Sumter Correctional Facility property. Hope they don't think I am an escapee. We have been fighting a 30mph head wind for the last 5 miles. Tired! Maybe Wildwood will offer the opportunity for us to rest up a few days. I am really feeling optimistic about us getting out of Florida now. Its just that some rest is needed. Skil's has enough food for a few more days. My feet are really bad and I feel like an idiot for buying boots for a 1000 mile trek. What an ASS!

The Saints Came Marching In

November 13, 2001-Tuesday- Day 18-

10:50am- At another junction of 98 and 301 about 4 miles north of Dade City. Its nice and cool today, so far (72F) Don't know what Skil's is gonna eat today and I know the little turd is hungry. Maybe, Brooksville will be the place that changes my luck. Chances of making it there today are slim, though. There is a town called Trilacoochie about a mile down the road. Maybe, there is a resturant with an outside dumpster. If so, I'll dig around and see if I can find him something. Getting caught dumpster-diving is one of my mortal fears, what an embarrasment if I got caught. They would never believe I was doing it for my dog.

2:50pm-In Ridge Manor at Hwy 50, with about 7 miles to St. Catherine, which sounds like a town. Ridge Manor surely won't fit the definition of a town. We are gonna have to try and make it there, I am quite concerned about Skillet's food situation now. I knew today would be interesting. We are getting blasted by freezing rain and 30 knot winds. No where to go except into the Oaks. Helps a little. Thirteen miles to Bushnell. Hope St. Catherine has a resturant with a dumpster. I feel so bad that this good little dog has to go through this.

7:25pm-Well, I am definately not a believer, but this town of St. Catherine (actually a mobile home park) was named correctly, for sure. One of the local saints pulled up and gave me a bag of dog-food, somne beef-jerky, peanuts and a Pepsi. She said she seen me earlier walking along with my dog and figured the dog might be hungry. What a Saint! I couldn't feel any better than I do right now, I thought. A truck stopped with two guys in it and offered us a ride to Bushnell. I am not turning this down. Skil's was so happy to ride , when I tried to put him in the back, he wasn't having any of that. He bolted up front and jumped in the front seat and didn't even think about having these guys for dinner. He was acting just like a normal dog, he wanted to ride, even if it meant being something he wasn't. He even let these fellers pet him, I have never seen anyone pet him and not have to get stitches, WOW! They said they were leaving for West Varginia in the morning and if they saw me they would be glad to carry us to North Carolina. When they dropped us off in Bushnell, one of them bought me 2 packs of cigaretts. Skil's ate like a champ and I thought maybe all that crap about the 3rd man may have some substance. Go Figure!

Uphill Blues

November 12, 2001-Monday-Day 17-

9:00am-We are about out of the mighty town of Zepherhills. Looks like a nice little town that I could adjust to if I wanted to live in this area. We made it here just after dark last night and found a place in the pines to spend the night. I slept pretty good last night, I must be exhausted. I bought the last can of dog food that I can buy. Now, the game changes I suppose. I got to keep the little guy fed somehow. So, I'll have to fire up my vast imagination and figure out something. I found a thermometer this morning , now I can see just how cold it actually gets at night. Its 66 right now, I am wondering if this thing will register 40 below like the last few night? Here's a sign that says Ocala is 68 miles, at least I know I am now in Central Florida. I wish I had a gallon jug to carry some of this famous Zepherhills water with us. But, no dice, I was wondering when this trip would start getting interesting. I think tomorrow might be the day. My poor old feet are really bad now, I wearing 3 socks on each foot. I passed a gigantic stadium last night, right out here in the middle of the woods. All the cars I had seen yesterday were here for a show. I figured that, I am like a broken watch, I'm right twice a day.

11:45am- We are taking a little break in an orange grove somewhere between Zepherhills and Dade City. We aren't really pushing it today. Just ate 10 oranges, that ought to keep me alive the rest of the day, at least. It is 76 in the shade and 110 in the sun. No wonder Skillet is having such a hard time in the middle of the day. I am hoping that we can find a place to 'hole up in Dade City for a few days. We need to heal up before we take off into the wilderness.

1:40pm- Its just to hot to push Skil's to hard today. I just walked him an hour and he's whining and don't want to go on. I found a package of dried plums, opened and a little gritty, but good. Appears we are 4 miles from Dade city. I want to change into my shorts, but I don't want to carry the extra weight of my jeans in my pack. It is hilly country and the uphill walk ain't easy. Busnell is the next town after Dade City and should be a one day trip. Saying, of course, if its not to hot. Just sitting here thinking about Naples and all the money I would of found just walking around town for 17 days. Two hundred plus miles out of Naples and have found a total of $0.76. Well, that tells ya where the rich old careless people hang out. WTF! A truck just stopped 30ft. away and a pile of people got out. I am in the middle of nowhere and here are 9 guys digging a hole right where we are. I hope Skil's don't start barking or something, they don't know I'm here, yet. Three wet-backs digging and 6 white guys watching. God Bless America!

2:35pm-We moved away from the diggers, by going into the orange grove and we are about 3/4 of a mile farther down the road. This is the junction of U.S.98 and 301. We'll leave here when it gets a little cooler and walk into Dade City. Try to find Skillet something to eat.

DeSotos March

November 11, 2001-Sunday-Day 16

8:15am-We are passing a sign that reads 13 miles back to tampa. Don't seem like we have traveled that far, but it makes for a more positive start for the day. I'll take any boost to morale I can get right now. Things started out a little better this morning, I finally ran into a grocery store and got Skil's 2 cans of cheap dog food. Last night, we stayed under a grove of Oak trees, and man, what a difference. Everything was dry this morning, why didn't I think of that before. Sucks waking up every morning and everthing is soaking wet.

9:20am-I guess we are pretty much in the country now. Haven't seen anything for miles. The next town is Zepherhills. They surely have water there, I've seen the bottles and there advertisements. I am near a sign that reads Hillsbourogh River State Park, 7 miles. I have alredy crossed that river once, maybe I am not the only one that doesn't know where they are. Well, we'll see in 7 more miles. Wish I had a map, this "SUCKS"! Once I am free of Florida, it really won't matter much which road I take. I can do the"Yogi Berra" thing. When I get to the fork in the road "Take It" That will be a heavy load off my shoulders. We are still looking for U.S. 441 and it would be a big help to know where the hell we are gonna hit it. After missing 301 twice in Tampa and adding an uncalled for extra 10 miles to my poor old feet. I don't want to miss my next turn. Strange, but I keep passing Mini-Muffin boxes, of course, these are all empty ones. Just passed "carl's Orchard" and ole' Carl is a couple oranges short of when he woke up this morning. I didn't consider it stealing, being so close to the road. Gotta find me a walking stck.

11:10am- About 4 miles to State Park and sitting on the bank of a dirty little creek that is unfit for human consumption, but Skil's doesn't seem to agree with that. There is a lot of trucks parked along here. Must be walking the creek fishing. I have noticed a lot of vintage cars heading north this morning. I guess these poor ole' Crackers can't figure out all the gadgets on all the new models. All are really sharp looking cars though, must be a car show somewhere down the road. If I had some food and water, we would hang out here until tomorrow. But, Alas poor me, no food or water have we. Been checking out the road-kill, but haven't found anything fresh, yet. Probably have to rassle one of these Hillbillies over a Possum! Damn! Am I losing it? Skil's is sleeping a lot and I have to check him for ticks every day.

2:30pm- We are entering the Grand metropolis of McIntosh, a yard sale addict's dreamland. Yardsale signs are everywhere. One sign claims "Yardsale All Week". I'm starting to sound like a tour guide or something. One building advertised "Antiques" and had some really cool stuff out in the yard. We are stopped for another break at a little creek, a lot cleaner than the last one, but I still ain't that thirsty yet.The State Park entrance is in sight and I sure hope they have some water there. Looking like we won't make Zepherhills today. I'd like to get started early tomorrow because Skil's does really good up until about 9:30, then he becomes problematic.

5:00pm-We are resting for a bit on the Pasco county line next to a cow pasture, I can tell by all the bovines wandering around. I think my little boy would like to go over and eat one, he has never been fond of moo-ers anyway. I don't see nothing at all down the road, but its a sure thing I can't stay here. I saw an information sign at the State park of DeSotos March and it appears 441 will be somewhere in the direction we are headed. Good news! Zepherhills is about 5 more miles, so, I guess we'll try for it. That is about 2 more hours of walking. Reminds me of a poem by "Longfellow" about miles to go before I sleep. If I was by myself, I would have had many unique adventures by now, but I just can't get into any uncomfortable situations with my little dog. Zepherhills here we come , "Get the water ready"