FCT1 -Bed Bugs Traditional Cache
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The Florida Cracker Trail Ride includes experienced and not so experienced riders who want to travel the legendary 1800’s cattle trail that “cow hunters” used to herd thousands of head to market destined for shipment north out of Fort Pierce and Punta Rassa, south of Fort Myers which was the other coastal market where “cow hunters” loaded herds onto paddle boats for Cuba to replenish the beef supply after the Spanish American War in 1898.
The ride begins at a site just east of Bradenton, Florida and ends in Fort Pierce, Florida. The week-long ride is approximately 110 miles long, riding an average of 15 miles each day, sometimes more, sometimes less.
On November 20, 2000, the Florida Cracker Trail was selected as a Community Millennium Trail. Millennium Trails is a partnership between the White House Millennium Council, the Department of Transportation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the National Endowment for the Arts and other public agencies and private organizations. The goal of Millennium trails is the creation of a nationwide network of trails that protect natural environment, interpret history and culture, and enhance alternative transportation, recreation and tourism.
We are inviting you to travel this historic trail that the early Florida pioneers traveled out of necessity. Along the trail you will learn about some of the pioneers and find some interesting caches along the way. If you’re up for the challenge come ride the cracker trail with us.
On these early Florida cattle drives mosquitoes were horrific. The men built fires at night in the hope that the smoke would keep the mosquitoes at bay.
In those early days before pesticides and in times of uncontrolled drought and flooding , ticks, mosquitoes and other parasites could become so fierce as to bring down the livestock overnight unless the men kept constant vigilance. Cow hunters sought escape by bedding down in cloth mess 'mosquito bars' as soon after sundown as possible.
**The annual ride takes place the last full week of February, we ask that out of respect you refrain from caching along the trail that week. **
Additional Hints
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