When the Florida U.S. Forest Service’s recommendation for Alternate C went to Washington D.C., I wrote the following letter to the National Trail Program Manager of the U.S. Forest Service. It will answer questions that many people have raised …
The Controversial Plan to Protect America’s Trails
Last August Outside Online Magazine published “The Controversial Plan to Protect America’s Trails.” It’s the story of how we have been fighting to close the gaps in our National Scenic Trails. Here’s the link:https://www.outsideonline.com/2400511/scenic-trails-eminent-domain-protection-drawbacks
theTrek.co Interview – Closing the Gaps by Colleen Goldhorn
theTrek.co article by Colleen Goldhorn: Recently Jim spent about an hour speaking with Colleen Goldhorn with theTrek.co. theTrek.co is a website dedicated to shining the spotlight on current hikers’ journeys, helping future hikers and celebrating our nation’s longest trails. As …
Rest in Peace Ernie Baldini
In Memoriam Like many others I had a wonderful Florida Trail journey with Ernie and Jean Baldini. May they rest in peace in God’s heaven. One of my favorite hikes with Ernie was along the edge of the Kissimmee flood …
Get Outside and Hike – Doctor’s Orders!
By P. Glenn “Doc” Tremml, MD I need to get outside before something terrible happens! Really. Last year, I hiked three to four times per week for six months in preparation to thru-hike the 1,300 mile Florida National Scenic Trail, …
The Use of Eminent Domain in the Completion of the National Trails System
By Jim Kern, President, Hiking Trails for America Throughout 2018 the hiking community will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1968 National Trails Systems Act. There were two major parts to the Act. Congress provided the …
The Use of Eminent Domain in the Completion of the National Trails System
By Bruce E. Matthews, Retired Executive Director, North Country Trail Association The condemnation of private lands for public use (eminent domain) was widely practiced by the National Park Service from its inception through the 1970’s in carrying out Congressionally-approved authorizations …
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 …
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 …
Jim and Rich’s Travels Along the Panhandle–Cont’d.
Jim and Rich Kern’s travels through nature in the Florida panhandle cont’d: St Mark’s River: Where the Aucilla meets the Wacissa: Hiking on the FT along the Aucilla Sinks: