St. Johns River Management District
Jacksonville, FL
February 2014
On a nice Saturday afternoon we headed to one of our "home" hikes- (Julington-Durbin Preserve). It would be our longest hike of the year (3.1 miles). I would learn two valuable lessons on this hike. First, I always kind of assumed that Kellisa's hiking days would be over when the day comes that I can't push her anymore. However, Egypt insisted that she push Kellisa for "a little while". I was impressed as Egypt pushed Kellisa for at least one mile. Kellisa couldn't stop giggling while Egypt was doing the pushing. Second, I learned that Egypt's current level of endurance ends at 2.1 miles. Egypt stopped in the middle of the trail and looked back with a defeated face and pleaded, "call the firetruck mens to come and rescue me". I explained that my cell phone wouldn't work in the forest and that she would have to hike out herself. Her next idea was to ride on my shoulders. I told Egypt that those days were long over. After a little more discussion, Egypt sucked it up and hiked out under her own power. I was very proud of her effort.
