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Just DeWitt - Adventures on the Florida Trail
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LOST and FOUND


I hiked in to Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs, Florida.  White Springs holds the distinction of being the first of the Florida National Scenic Trail’s “Gateway Communities.” You can read more about this special designation on floridatrail.org.

The centerpiece of the park is the carillon, a graceful bell tower which plays the best of Stephen Foster’s work, including “Old Folks at Home,” the official state song of Florida. 

Well, I stopped to take some pictures of the tower (I posted one on the gallery, my friends) and then continued on my merry way stopping twice more; once at the park’s riverside pavilion and once at its scenic overlook.  That’s when I discovered that my watch was no longer on my wrist. 

I went to the Ranger station and reported it missing, even leaving a map with my route through the park.  I retraced my steps and came up empty.  I should mention that this watch has extraordinary sentimental value to me. 

I stopped at the headquarters of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, which lies just outside of the boundaries of the park, right there in downtown historical White Springs.  The head shed over there is a top-notch gentleman named Ben Harris.

Ben offered to drive me over to park in his truck and look the route over with me.  We walked it twice and still, “no dice.” We stopped in at the museum and the gift shop and informed them of my loss.  They promised sweetly to keep an eye peeled.  We checked in with Jeff, the maintenance tech, and he said he’d do what he could do.

I’d done all I could think of to do so I resolved to accept the loss.  It wouldn’t help to dwell on it anyway.  Such is life, from time to time. Right, hikers?

Well guess what happened after that?…The next day I get a call from Ranger Ashley Pass informing me that my watch had been found.  How about that????  Found, baby!

You see, the mowing crew was due to cut the grass the next day, and Maintenance Technician Jeff Niehaus took it upon himself to give the grounds along my route one last look for my timepiece.  Ranger Pass volunteered to join the effort, and it was she who found my watch in the shadows of the pavilion. 

With all the talk you hear about the death of customer service, these State Parks Department personnel set that assertion on it’s ear.  Thank you, Ben, Jeff and Ashely.  Thank you very much!

Lucky dog Cheers from the Florida Trail!  Mike

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by  Douglas Carter, Suwaunee River State Park on 02/25  at  10:21 AM

Hello Mr. Dewitt, Many hikers are interested in your opinions of the hike from Twin Rivers at Suwaunee River State Park past five Holes,across the Alapaha into Holton Creek River Camp and onto Suwaunee River Music Park past Woods Ferry into the White Springs area where you found your watch. Any opinions on that section of the Trail. I belive it is one of the sections considered to be the best on the trail.


Posted by  Eve Szymanski, Clay County, FL-Gold Head State Park on 02/09  at  10:12 AM

Hello MIke,
It looks like you are making your way to Clay County soon!  (WE are just south of Jacksonville and northeast of Gainesville) We have some special friends who want to meet and walk a little with you.  Please give me a head’s up for the date you will be here, as soon as you can get an estimate.  Or you can reach Renee’Rau directly at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch
State Park at 352-473-4701 or if you have not already done so. 
My cell is 904-545-1461 if you need to reach me later in the day or on the weekend.  We are making some special arrangements, so please let us know your ETA! (office number is 904-394-7401.


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The Florida Trail


About This Project:
  • This year marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Florida Trail's first leg. To help celebrate, Tribune Outdoors correspondent Mike DeWitt will hike 1,078 miles along the trail, from the Alabama-Florida border to the Everglades. Keep up with his travels and be sure to
    email him during his 2 1/2-month journey.
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