A Christmas Hike Gone Wrong: How a Mileage Miscalculation Changed Everything
Imagine planning a cozy Christmas Eve in a hotel room, only to realize you’ll be spending it in a swamp instead. That’s exactly what happened to us this week, and it all started with a simple math mistake. But here’s where it gets controversial: could this have been avoided, or are these kinds of mishaps just part of the adventure? Let’s dive in.
Our day began early in Clewiston, Florida, where we were renewing our hotel room for two nights—a rare luxury on a long-distance hike. With most of our gear left behind, we set out on a 10-mile trek to the park and recreation area where I’d met my friend Crigas a week prior. The plan was simple: walk out, enjoy the amenities at the park, and then head back. It was a perfect start, made even better by the cool morning air and the knowledge that we didn’t need to carry much water. But this is the part most people miss: breaking the day into manageable chunks can make even the longest hikes feel faster. And trust me, those first few hours flew by.
At the park, we encountered a family worried about the safety of the levee—a paved bike path that, from below, looks like a daunting hill. Their concern? Alligators. It’s a common misconception about Florida, but the reality is far less dramatic. After reassuring them, we refilled our water and headed back to Clewiston, ready to tackle the next task: notarizing permits for the Seminole Reservation, a crucial step for hikers on the Florida Trail. And this is where things took an unexpected turn.
We’d planned to stay in Clewiston for three nights, adding extra mileage to hit our 10,000-mile goal. But a double-check of the math revealed a miscalculation. Suddenly, staying an extra day in town would mean averaging 45 miles a day to reach Key West by New Year’s Eve. Talk about a holiday buzz kill. What followed was a scramble to adjust plans, a rushed trip to Walmart for resupply, and the realization that our Christmas Eve would be spent hiking through Big Cypress Swamp instead of relaxing in a hotel room.
Here’s the controversial part: Was this a preventable mistake, or just an inevitable part of the journey? Some might argue that double-checking calculations earlier could have saved us the hassle. Others might say these surprises are what make adventures memorable. What do you think? Let’s debate it in the comments.
As we walked back to Clewiston under the setting sun, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of disappointment and determination. The luxury of a hotel room, a warm bath, and a stocked fridge had been within reach, only to slip away. But as any hiker knows, flexibility is key. We adjusted, repacked, and prepared for an early start on Christmas Eve, food and all. It wasn’t the holiday we’d envisioned, but it was ours.
So, here’s the question: Would you rather plan every detail to perfection or embrace the unpredictability of the trail? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you’ve ever had a holiday hike go sideways, share your story! It’s all part of the adventure, right?
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