Tampa Bay Times, June 2017 Look how far you can get just by putting one foot in front of the other. Jim Kern has hiked trails all over the globe. He just got back from walking around Corsica. He’s clambered …
The Key to Success in Closing Trail Gaps Lies in Partnerships
By Dana Brown, Environmental and Land Conservation Attorney The opportunity to close the existing trail gaps in the Florida National Scenic Trail (FT) is rapidly shrinking. With intense population growth continuing in Florida, the chances of purchasing or preserving remote …
Filling the GAPS – Jim Kern’s path to complete the Florida Trail
Folio Magazine, May 2017 story & photos by CHLOE EMORY The only thing larger than Jim Kern’s fascination with nature is his desire to see the Florida Trail completed. In 1961, on a miserable, rainy day in the Great Smoky …
Guest Blog – Thoughts on Hiking from a Triple-Triple Crowner
There are many ways for a human to live their life, and I feel exceptionally fortunate to have found a version that fulfills me on both physical and spiritual levels. Long distance trails are my church. I’m drawn to them …
Guest Blog – Jim Kern’s Speaking Session Video, by Laura Abel, Digital Media Consultant
Many thanks to all who have signed our petition to close the gaps in our national hiking trails. Keep sharing the petition link with others. This is a long term mission and there is progress each day. Important news! We …
HikaNation – A Handshake Across America 1980-81
In 1980, a large group of passionate hikers set out on a 4,300 mile adventure called HikaNation, that would take 14 months to complete and would stretch from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California to Washington, D.C. Organized by …
Advice From Former Dept of Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell, To Her Successor
Advice for my successor: listen to all, let science guide you, think about future gens, & have fun! SJ pic.twitter.com/zjY8iGJWzp — Sally Jewell (@SecretaryJewell) January 19, 2017
Congratulations to Sandra Friend and John Keatley
New Year’s Eve weekend I was with 60 or 70 avid Florida Trail members at Doe Lake Campground in Ocala National Forest. The iced tea froze in my cup just outside my tent Friday night, but hikers are usually pretty …
Historic Ceremony To Honor The First Blaze On The Florida National Scenic Trail
Footprint Magazine, Fall 2016 The Florida Trail Association (FTA) and the US Forest Service held a historic ceremony to dedicate a new Florida Heritage Site Marker, and to honor the creation of the Florida Trail. This public ceremony was held …
Another “Hiker Extraordinaire” Lunch – 1.3.17
Hello! Today I lunched with another “hiker extraordinaire.” Tristan MacDonald (on left) grew up around Cornwall, England, chased many vocations and avocations and tended to know quite a lot about a lot of things, which perhaps explains his wanderlust. In …