By Lino Cappelli

Waking up stiffer than the previous morning still, we really were wishing we were already home. Although we were grateful to be dry, I promised my dad the measly inch-thick inflatable sleeping pads and mummy-style sleeping bags would be replaced by the densest, thickest, comfiest camping mattresses possible for our next outing. Soon we would be back in the much-needed embrace of our homes, with hot showers, high-speed internet, and on-demand television- but for now, we had one more state forest to get through on our southbound adventure through the Florida Adventure Trail. 

Citrus State Forest is a very popular area with recreational off-roaders, overlanders, hikers, mountain bikers, and even equestrians because of its natural change in elevation from trail to trail, something very unusual in Florida. We only covered the trails on the easternmost side of the forest on our way back to asphalt since we wanted to be in Miami for dinner. 

Citrus forest is unique in Florida in that it provides the greatest density of very technical obstacles surrounded by a huge variety of trees and the biggest pine cones you will ever see. Three-wheeling, off-camber, and washed-out climbs are present almost every few hundred yards, but everything has a bypass. If you wanted to explore and enjoy the outdoors, you could make it through almost every trail in the forest by driving a 4WD vehicle with some decent ground clearance. 

Although we tried to stay disciplined with our drive south, it was impossible not to stop on Trail 10, which used to be an iconic section of this forest, to see how many bypasses (both easier and more difficult) and cuts across the trail had been created over time. I was very disappointed by our fellow man. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to challenge your own driving skills and your vehicle’s capability, but doing so on public property by driving off-trail and making your own trail makes it so that the rangers are left to use their only effective tool: closure. Always remember to Tread Lightly, as there would be no Florida Adventure Trail to enjoy if public lands were closed for the sake of preventing further destruction. 

We originally had wanted to visit Dames Caves located off of Trail 22, but after a few wrong turns, our empty stomachs dictated our route. We found a place called Pudgees, a down-to-earth inspiration for the hyperrealism places like Five Guys provide. Truly a neighborhood burger spot: high-quality food, full of locals on a first-name basis. My burger and fries were delicious, albeit excessive in the calorie department. I still kick myself for not trying their homemade ice cream, which I skipped not due to good judgment but being full beyond comfort. You won’t find this joint anywhere else in the world, yet we’ve all been to a Pudgee’s. It feels comfortable, and familiar, even our first time there. 

The hearty meals prompted lethargic goodbyes, and we were on our way home with my dad at the wheel. To me, driving back is always more relaxing. Maybe it’s because I know I am going home, maybe because I am tired of days and days of overlanding and sleeping on a terrible sleeping pad. Putting down miles as a passenger gave me an opportunity to reflect. For four days, I was adjacent to a culture totally different from mine, but never got to really experience it. The food and people were a refreshing change from my day to day in a big metropolitan city. I can’t even remember the name of that restaurant with the great service.  I am grateful for having gained that perspective from this trip. Next time, I will slow down enough to take them in better. 

Thank you for sticking with the story for the last five posts.

Thanks dad for coming on this trip with me, it means a lot. I love you.